I. Is coconut water the new favorite for health?

More and more owners are considering adding certain healthy and nutritious foods to their dog's diet. Experience has shown us that adding some vegetables and fruits to your dog's diet can make your dog healthier. But do all fruits and vegetables have similar effects? We have no way to finish directly with an article, our goal today, is to first dissect the fruits and vegetables, such as coconut, that can bring benefits to dogs?

Will coconut be good for the health of dogs?
Coconut as a fruit, its nutritional value has been proven in humans. Their pulp and juice are full of vitamins and minerals inside. The health benefits of coconut for dogs can be perceived as long as it is fed in the right portions and consistently. One of the most well-known effects is the regulation of endocrine as well as warding off arthritis. Also, they have the effect of improving bad breath.

Can coconut be harmful to dogs under special circumstances?
According to common sense, coconut does not negatively affect the health of dogs when fed in rations. However, coconut contains a substance called chain triglycerides, which, when ingested in large quantities, may cause digestive problems in dogs, such as stomach pain and bloat. Of course, allergies should not be ignored, so owners must be careful to feed in small amounts and with many meals.

In addition, for dogs, the most threatening thing inside the coconut is the shell and skin of the coconut. These things are not digested by the dog. So if not handled in time, it will have some effect on the dog's body. If not fresh coconut, the owner also needs to pay attention to see the coconut inside, whether the addition of other seasonings, the dog brought some negative effects.

Coconut can eat, what about coconut water?
Eating coconut is one thing, and drinking coconut water is another. Because for the pets, some of the differences between the foods can change their acceptance of the pets to them. So, a little caution is an attitude a pet owner should have. But thankfully, coconut water is just as acceptable a food for dogs. And it contains minerals such as calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, and zinc. It is a good alternative to pure water. However, it should be noted that when buying coconut water, pay attention to whether the manufacturer has added other flavorings and preservatives to the coconut water.

Overall, coconut for dogs is a worthwhile existence. But because of their value, and the principle of "feeding in moderation. For dogs, we should not spoil too much. Even if the dog likes to eat, we also need to control the amount of their daily intake. This will allow your dog to eat happily and the owner to feel at ease.

Can dogs eat coconuts?

Can dogs eat coconut meat?
The key to whether or not coconut meat is good for your dog depends on how much your dog eats. Coconut meat is relatively high in calories, and eating too much of it may prevent your dog from eating other regular meals and may easily cause your dog to become obese. At the same time, coconut meat is rich in fiber, if the dog's stomach is fragile, eating too much will lead to gastrointestinal discomfort. Take medium-sized dogs as an example, the owner had better give the dog once or twice a week to eat, each time can only eat about 50 grams. Only when the amount is controlled, coconut meat is considered a safe food for dogs, and also contains the following benefits.

1. Nutritious
Coconut meat is rich in essential minerals and healthy fats, which can boost your dog's metabolism and also help maintain various body functions, such as maintaining acid-base balance and so on. Among them, coconut meat can provide dogs with a large amount of manganese, which helps strengthen the bones.

2. Regulate blood sugar
Coconut meat is relatively low in carbohydrates and high in healthy fats and fiber, so it can stabilize your dog's blood sugar level. At the same time, coconut meat has an amino acid called arginine, and an Indian study showed that the stabilization of insulin levels and glucose levels in animals is related to arginine. Of course, this does not mean that dogs with diabetes eat more coconut meat, coconut meat is not a substitute for drugs, but to some extent can balance the blood sugar levels of dogs.

3. Rich in antioxidants
Coconut meat has a variety of powerful antioxidants, such as gallic acid, caffeic acid, salicylic acid, and p-coumaric acid, these substances are known as phenolic compounds. Several foreign animal studies have shown that these phenolic compounds can prevent oxidative stress in animal cells, thus avoiding cell damage or death. The simple fact is that these nutrients in coconut meat can boost your dog's immunity, fight infection, and even prevent some cancers.

Three: What are the benefits of coconut oil for dogs?

Coconut oil is derived from coconut meat and contains 90% fat, of which the most useful fat is medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which is a "useful" fat. The composition of MCT includes lauric, capric, and caprylic acids, with lauric acid having antibacterial, fungal, and viral effects and capric and capric acids being more effective as anti-fungal agents. According to Dogs Naturally magazine, medium-chain triglycerides can also be metabolized quickly to provide energy. Specifically, coconut meat has these 5 major benefits for dogs

1. Helps with weight loss
Dog obesity is a very common problem, and can have a great impact on the health of dogs, and may even cause high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, liver disease, and other physical diseases. A study by McGill University in Canada found that the medium-chain triglycerides in coconut oil will increase the energy consumption of dogs, but also can give dogs a sense of satiety, helping to control their weight of dogs.

2. To prevent infection
A study by the Federal University of Nigeria showed that coconut oil has natural anti-bacterial, fungal, and viral properties and can be applied to dog wounds to act as an antibiotic. If your dog is always chewing paws or scratching the skin, then the owner can apply coconut oil to it. And coconut oil is harmless to dogs, so it's okay for them to lick it off. However, coconut oil is only a soothing effect and the owner should take the dog to the vet for treatment.

3. Beneficial to the skin coat
In winter, the dog's skin may be prone to dryness, when the owner can apply some coconut oil to the dog to help moisturize the skin. A study in the Philippines found that coconut oil can increase the lipids on the surface of the skin, thus moisturizing the skin. And coconut oil can also inhibit itchy skin in dogs and also make the coat shinier. What's more, coconut oil can also repel parasites, such as mites and fleas, and owners can apply some to their dogs before they go out to avoid catching parasites outside.

4. Clean teeth
Since coconut oil has an antibacterial effect, owners can use it as natural toothpaste, not only to remove harmful bacteria in the dog's mouth but also to a certain extent to prevent the formation of plaque. At the same time, most dogs like the taste of coconut oil, so dogs will not be particularly resistant to brushing their teeth.

5. Improve brain function
Coconut oil helps improve brain function in older dogs because of the ketones in the composition, which provide energy to the dog and keep the brain and nerves functioning properly and actively, so oral consumption of coconut oil may also prevent Alzheimer's disease.

If you want to give your dog some coconut oil, it is best to give it a small amount at first and then slowly increase the amount afterward. Excessive amounts of coconut oil may cause diarrhea in dogs, and dogs with pancreatitis should not eat coconut oil - after all, coconut oil is high in fat and may be difficult for dogs to handle. Overall, coconut is good for dogs, but owners shouldn't give their dogs too much in one go. Has your dog ever eaten coconut or coconut oil?