Can Dogs Drink Coconut Water?

On particularly hot days, you probably feel for your dog. While you can shrug off any extra layers, your poor dog is stuck with its coat of fur. And no matter how much you want to make their life easier by skipping their everyday walk, you know that isn’t a viable solution especially if you live in a region with long and hot summers. Skipping out on their everyday walks paves the way for a lot of weight-related health issues for your dog since exercise is just as important as a healthy and well-balanced diet is. 

So, naturally, you want to look into healthy cool drinks that you can offer your dog to cool down after a walk. Not only will it serve as an incentive to walk, but it will also be a healthy snack to offer them. If your mind wanders to coconut water, we assure you you’re not the only one.

Coconuts are a great creation. You can use coconut as a source of different products from eating the flesh to applying oil to drinking the water. In whatever way you choose to use it, you only reap benefits. 

That’s all well and good, for humans at least. But we also know that the way a dog is programmed is much more different than how a human is programmed. This means that a lot of things that are healthy and wondrous, like coconuts, for us might not be for your canine. 

 This is why it is always a good idea to do your research before offering your dog anything new to eat. If you’re curious about coconuts and coconut water specifically for your dog, you’ve come to the right place. We have a guide on how to go about introducing coconut and its products to your dog.

Health benefits of coconut for dogs

Can Dogs Drink Coconut Water?

It would be difficult to classify which category coconuts fall into. They can be a fruit, a nut, and a seed. 

Irrespective of the category they fall into, they are rich in health benefits. The manganese present is great for bone health and metabolism. The iron and copper present is important for the formation of red blood cells. Coconut contains fatty acids, which contrary to their name, help in weight loss as well as detoxifying your body. They are also great for skin, itchy scalps, and oral health.

But do these health benefits extend beyond humans to our pet dogs? Yes. Coconut has a plethora of health benefits for your dog as well. This includes:

  • It improves doggy breath
  • Makes their coat shiny
  • Helps in improving your dog’s immune system
  • Helps tackle allergies and itchy skin
  • Fights infections and viruses
  • Encourages the formation of red blood cells
  • Helps in healing wounds
  • Helps in keeping thyroid and insulin levels in check
  • Helps fight problems linked to arthritis

Each part of the coconut has its own separate health benefits attached to them. 

Health benefits of coconut water for dogs:

Coconut water comes from green coconuts and is rich in benefits. To begin with, in its natural form, coconut water doesn’t have added sugar so it’s definitely a healthy drink. Moreover, it is a great source of electrolytes.

Coconut water is rich in a whole bunch of nutrients which include:

  • Calcium
  • Potassium
  • Zinc
  • Magnesium
  • B Vitamins
  • Vitamin C

Coconut water is also recommended for dogs with GI problems since dogs who suffer from this issue cannot retain nutrients and water. And even if your dog doesn’t suffer from any health issues, it can still be offered as a cool drink!

Although not backed by my medical evidence, some dog owners swear by coconut water being a cure for UTIs and their reoccurrence. Some dog owners also believe that coconut water helps in reducing kidney stone sizes. 

Can dogs drink Coconut water with pulp:

Another question you might find yourself asking is if it is okay to offer pulpy coconut water to your dog and the answer is yes it is! You can even feed your dog coconut as a whole without having to worry about any adverse health effects. 

However, take caution in just how much pulp you allow your dog to consume. Too much pulp isn’t a good idea because it will be too much fat and your dog will not be able to digest it and will lead to health problems such as an upset stomach.

can dogs drink coconut water?

This is probably not the best course of action to take. Yes, coconut water is a great source of hydration but it is not risk-free like good old regular water is and thus it can’t be used as a replacement.

Coconut water is rich in sugar and fat and if constantly given to your dog it can be the leading cause of obesity for your mutt and that will only be the start of the health problems they are likely to suffer as a result of.

The best way to go about it is to offer coconut water in the form of ice cubes or limit the amount to just a few ounces a day and no more.

Also, make sure that when you first introduce your dog to coconut water you start with a very little amount to check for any allergies and adverse effects. If your dog can handle small amounts you can increase the amount but that also depends on how much and how often you’re giving him coconut water.

Conclusion:

To summarize, coconut and all things related to coconut are good healthy food options for your dog. However, what you must remember is that you must exercise the art of moderation. Everything in excess will have a negative impact in one way or another.

It is recommended that you offer coconut water as a treat to your dog or a reward for their good behavior. For example, if you want to take them for a walk on a hot day you can use them as a treat for being a good boy and exercising.

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