Read time: 5 mins
28 Jun 2023
Yes, dogs can eat coconut in moderation.
Yes, coconut is good for dogs.
It has a number of different health benefits, too.
Banish bad breath
Among the many wellness trends that come our way, coconut swilling has been hailed as one of the best ways to keep breath fresh and prevent decay. That is, in us humans. Whilst you can attempt to get your dog to gargle coconut oil, we suspect you may be unsuccessful. Alternatively, you can place a small amount onto their toothbrush and brush around their mouth to mimic the benefits.
Improve skin and coat health
Coconut is full of beneficial fatty acids and for this reason is incredibly nourishing for skin and coat health. Your pooch’s shine will put all others in the park to shame.
Reduce inflammation
Coconut oil contains lauric acid and capric acid, both of which are renowned for their anti-inflammatory properties. As well as this, the antioxidants in coconut oil can help to neutralise free radicals and reduce oxidative stress which contribute to inflammation.
Yes, dogs can have coconut oil.
It is a popular ingredient in a lot of dog-care products such as shampoos and paw balms due to its incredibly nourishing properties.
However, you should use only organic, unrefined (virgin) coconut oil as this has undergone less processing and will not contain added ingredients such as sodium hydroxide, or lye.
Coconut oil is not only safe for dogs, but it is good for them too, when used correctly. It can help to promote skin and coat health, as well as reducing inflammation and alleviating allergies.
Coconut oil can work wonders for a dog’s skin. Similarly to us humans, it can help to ease dryness, itching and rashes.
Melt the coconut oil in your hands or a warm bowl and start by applying a small amount topically to the affected area, massaging it into the skin until it’s absorbed. Don’t overdo the amount here as this can cause more harm than good. If there’s excess coconut oil on your dog’s skin we suggest combing through it with a soft bristle brush to distribute the oil throughout their coat.
We would also recommend patch testing coconut oil on your dog’s skin before applying it across a large area.
Coconut oil can be used to clean and soothe a dog’s ears thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
To use coconut oil on your pup’s ears, warm up a small amount in your hands and apply it to a cotton ball. Gently clean inside your dog’s ears, ensuring not to go too deep inside the ear canal. Alternatively, you can use a dropper to pop a few drops of oil directly into their ears.
Dry and cracked paw pads, usually caused by walking on harsh surfaces or extreme weather, can be really uncomfortable for pooches. They also sweat and release heat through their paw pads, so it’s important that they’re kept in good condition to allow effective temperature regulation.
Apply a small amount of coconut oil to your dog’s paws and massage it in until it’s fully absorbed. Try to make sure that your dog does not immediately try to lick the oil off their paws after application.
Tear stains are caused by excessive tearing in a dog’s eyes, which can cause bacteria to grow and colour the fur around the eyes. Poor pooches. They are common in Westies, Shih Tzus and Bichon Frise.
Coconut oil can be used to treat tear stains by applying a small amount of coconut oil to a cotton ball and gently wiping the affected area. Be cautious not to allow any coconut oil to seep into your pup’s eyes as this can cause further irritation.
Yes, dogs can drink coconut milk.
However, coconut milk is very high in fat and calories so it should be given to dogs in very limited quantities. It should also not contain any added sugars or other harmful ingredients.
Yes, dogs can drink coconut water.
Whilst plain water is always the best option to hydrate your pooch, they can have a small amount of coconut water as it’s low in calories and sugar.
Moderation is key when it comes to feeding your dog coconut. It also depends on their size, activity level and individual health.
Starting with a small pinch of shredded coconut is wise, gradually increasing the quantity if you feel necessary, once you’re confident that your dog has had no adverse effects to it.
In terms of coconut oil, you should not give small dogs any more than half a teaspoon of coconut oil, whilst bigger dogs can typically manage up to 1 tablespoon.
Whilst coconut flesh and milk are safe for dogs to eat in moderation, we would not recommend allowing them to chew on coconut shells.
These can splinter when chewed and lead to digestive issues or worse, blockages. However, these can be tempting to pooches, so if you’re hollowing out a coconut be sure to discard the shell. Preferably in an outside bin, to remove all possibility of temptation from your rebellious pooch.
At Butternut Box, we include coconut in some of our tasty treats, such as the Barkisan Bites. Developed with the nut butter experts Pip & Nut, these peanut butter bites with a sprinkling of desiccated coconut are a delicious reward for your worthy pooch.
We only use the best-quality ingredients in treats, and our meals, too. As well as 60% human-grade meat, vegetables form the basis for our recipes, alongside things like lentils and pearl barley. Because we believe dogs deserve better.
You don’t have to worry about guesswork either, we use the perfect balance of ingredients in our meals to ensure that they are nutritionally-complete, providing your dog with all the nutrients that they need to thrive.
At sign up, we will ask you a few questions about your dog, such as their breed, age and activity level. This will help us to calculate exactly how many calories they need, as well as the flavours that would best suit their preferences and lifestyle.
Click the Build Your Box button below to get an exact price and plan.
