Can dogs eat Coconut?

Overview

Coconut is generally a safe fruit for dogs to consume. Coconut meat is considered nontoxic, but it may cause tummy problems due to medium-chain triglycerides in the fruit. Coconut is also high in fats, which contributes to unhealthy weight gain in dogs if consumed excessively.

Benefits

Coconut contains significant amounts of manganese, which is essential for a dog's bone health and metabolism.
Coconut is rich in antioxidants that support the dog's immune system and help them fight against harmful microbes.
Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve pain.

Risks

Eating pieces of Coconut shell can cause choking and intestinal obstruction.
Coconut contains medium-chain triglycerides, which can irritate the GI tract leading to stomach ache and bloat in dogs.

Servings

Cut the coconut open and scoop out the white meat. Coconut meat can be served raw or dried coconut flakes.
Feed coconut meat to your dog in moderation.