It’s difficult to deny the benefits the oils in coconut provide for your pup. Perhaps you already rub some coconut oil on your furry friend’s coat to keep it nice and shiny. Perhaps you’ve thought about feeding coconut to your pup, but you stop – wondering, “Can dogs eat coconut?”

Of course they can! The ‘meat’ found in coconuts offers your dog just as much benefit as the oils you rub on their skin. Let’s talk shop, shall we?

Cuckoo For Coconut

Why can dogs eat coconut? Because it’s easy to digest, poses a low choking hazard, and contains loads of beneficial nutrients.

The meat of the coconut is largely made up of Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFAs). These fatty acids provide the majority of the coconut’s nutritional punch. Let’s take a look at the beneficial substances found in the coconut’s MCFAs.

Lauric acid

Because lauric acid makes up 48% of the MCFAs in coconut oil, I figured it’s important. And it is: lauric acid is that special ingredient in your hand soap that keeps any nasty germs away. As you might guess, lauric acid offers antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties; all of which will help to ensure your pup has a bolstered immune system and will give you peace of mind about your dog’s health.

Capric and caprylic Acid

Both capric and caprylic acid have similar molecular properties and provide antifungal effects for your dog’s fur and skin. The capric and caprylic acids in coconut oil would help keep your pup’s fur and skin safe from any dangerous fungi.

Myristic Acid

Research supports myristic acid in its ability to raise levels of good cholesterol, which could help keep your pup’s heart in good shape.

All of these benefits are great, but what about keeping your fur baby in good shape? Can dogs eat coconut to lose weight?

Staying Lean

Keeping an eye on your dog’s nutrition can be tough, and sometimes your pup can get a little heavy. Now, that extra bit of fat may add an extra bit of cute factor for your pup, but at the end of the day you want your fur baby to stay healthy.

With regards to your dog’s nutritional health, perhaps the most important benefit of MCFAs is their ability to boost your furry friend’s metabolism.

Because MCFAs are easily metabolized by your dog’s body, they are able to be used as an immediate energy source for your pup. That immediate source of energy allows for enhanced athletic performance and also aids weight loss for your pup because of how easy the MCFAs are metabolized.

Not only that, but the MCFAs in coconut oil also help balance your dog’s thyroid gland. In case you didn’t know, the thyroid gland plays a crucial role in your dog’s health: especially its nutritional health.

If you find your little friend to be overweight or lacking energy, the MCFAs in coconut oil aid your dog’s thyroid gland, which boosts energy levels. This helps overweight dogs lose weight and sedentary dogs gain energy.

Coco-Nuts!

So, can dogs eat coconuts? You betcha! Go ahead and turn that pup into a coconut nut. Or you could always continue to feed them other, beneficial snacks.

Whatever the case, you’ll earn some serious love points with your fur baby. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about!