Yes, your dogs can have coconut milk but only in moderation. Coconuts and coconut milk have multiple health benefits including improving immune system, fighting viruses and combating bad breath among others. Feed your dog unsweetened coconut milk because the sweeteners are harmful to dogs.
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Is Coconut Milk Safe For Dogs?
While coconut milk is generally safe, store-bought coconut milk generally includes added sugar and stabilizers such as carrageenan and xanthan gum. Sugar contributes extra calories to your dog’s diet. Carrageenan and xanthan gum can lead to stomach pain and related digestive disorders.
Why is Coconut Milk Good for Dogs?
Coconut milk is non-toxic to dogs and contribute to health benefits including:
Reduce bad breath problems
Add shine to their coat
Fight viruses and infections
Improve dental health and lower gum diseases
Improve the immune system
Coconut milk is beneficial for dogs but should be served carefully as it is high in saturated fats, giving a high-calorie supply. It’s also high in vitamins and minerals, though the amounts differ depending on processing.
A cup of coconut milk approximately contains:
Calories: 445
Water: 164 grams
Fat: 48 grams
Carbohydrate: 6.5 grams
Protein: 4.5 grams
However store-bought coconut milk is usually processed and includes multiple additives that are not healthy for your dog. You can either opt for homemade coconut milk for your dog’s consumption or go for coconut oil, which is full of healthy fats. Natural coconut water is another healthy alternative which is rich in electrolytes and nutrients.
Why is Coconut Milk Bad for Dogs?
While pure coconut milk is not bad for dogs, most coconut milk found in stores includes added sugar and stabilizers such as carrageenan and xanthan gum. Sugar contributes extra calories to your dog’s diet. Carrageenan and xanthan gum can lead to stomach pain and related digestive disorders. For these reasons, coconut milk (particularly store-bought) can be bad for dogs.
How to Feed Coconut Milk to Your Dog?
If your dog loves coconut milk, adding to its diet can be both delightful and advantageous. Some puppies hate the flavor or find it difficult to digest. Avoid adding coconut milk to their meal if they don’t like it. There are many alternatives to coconut milk, making them consume a well-balanced diet.
Coconut milk should be gradually introduced to your dog’s diet in limited doses as their system could take some time to adjust to this new food item when initially introduced.
You must be cautious about what type and how you feed coconut milk to your dog. Here are some tips for feeding coconut milk to your dog:
Select organic and Non-GMO coconut milk where possible
Permit them to drink a limited amount per day
Do not offer coconut milk if your dog’s experiencing any digestive issues
Never give the coconut as a whole to your dog
Coconut milk has a distinct odor that some dogs might not be fond of. If you want to include coconut milk into your dog’s diet, here are some tips for how to do so:
Feed them as part of a regular treat
Mix it in the dog food
Freeze it and serve as coconut milk ice cubes
Conclusion
Coconut milk is becoming more common as a substitute for traditional dairy products. As pet parents, we appreciate how often the pet parents want to provide their pets with the best, but it’s still important to consider your dog’s preferences. If your dog doesn’t like coconut milk, there are also plenty of other food modifications they can make to reap the same advantages.
