Can dogs have coconut water?
Spoiler: A little can be good for your pup. Find out how and why.
In This Article:
Is Coconut Water Safe for Dogs? How Much Coconut Water Can My Dog Have? Potential Risks of Giving Dogs Coconut Water Potential Health Benefits of Coconut Water for Dogs How to Safely Introduce Coconut Water Into Your Dog’ s Diet Signs Your Dog Is Having an Allergic Reaction to Coconut Water Coconut Water Alternatives for Dogs
Coconut water has skyrocketed in popularity over the past decade. It’s been touted as a healthy alternative to sports drinks when rehydrating and a lower-calorie option when avoiding sodas. With coconut water so readily available, more and more pet parents are asking, “Can I give my dog coconut water?”
Is coconut water safe for dogs?
Coconut water is safe for dogs in small amounts. This means you don’t have to worry if your dog laps up a little from your cup, or if you decide to let your furry buddy have a taste. Coconut water shouldn’t be a dog’s primary source of hydration or make up a significant part of their overall water intake.
How much do you spend on your pet per year?
Most commercially available coconut water doesn’t contain additives or artificial sweeteners. It’s possible that flavored coconut water or a coconut water blend could contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Always check the label to make sure that nothing you share with your dog has this dangerous ingredient, which is sometimes listed as birch sugar on food labels.
How much coconut water can my dog have?
It’s hard to know how much is too much. There’s no published research specifying how much coconut water a dog can drink safely. The safe amount is probably less than you’d think, though. Coconut water’s calorie count, potassium levels, and sugar content mean that it shouldn’t be a major part of a dog’s diet or water consumption. If you really want to let your dog try some, limit it to a few licks.
Potential risks of giving dogs coconut water
There haven’t been many reports of dogs developing major issues after drinking coconut water, but this may be because it’s fairly uncommon to give it to dogs. Humans have developed problems when overconsuming coconut water due to its potassium content. Excessive amounts of coconut water can lead to hyperkalemia, which is an elevation in the body’s potassium levels. Hyperkalemia can cause muscle weakness, stomach upset, and abnormal heartbeats. It can be a life-threatening condition in both people and dogs. The risk of complications from drinking too much coconut water increases with preexisting kidney problems.
Due to its calorie content, coconut water should not be used as a water replacement for dogs. Though coconut water is less calorie-dense than most fruit juices, it still contains about 45 calories per cup. It’s best to keep calories from foods and drinks outside of a dog’s primary diet to less than 10 percent to maintain nutritional balance.
Although often touted as a feature for rehydration, the electrolyte content of coconut water means that it could act as a diuretic, increasing urine output. The electrolytes in coconut water can also cause diarrhea if too much is consumed, which is another form of water loss.
Coconut water can cause bloating and stomach upset as well. This may be due to its relatively high potassium and sodium content or the presence of natural dietary fiber. This has been reported in athletes using coconut water to rehydrate after exercise.
Potential health benefits of coconut water for dogs
There are no proven health benefits of coconut water for dogs. Coconut water has gained popularity as a rehydration beverage, mimicking some of the features of carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade.
Coconut water contains about three times as much sodium and 15 times more potassium than most sports drinks. It’s also relatively high in magnesium and calcium, while having a moderate amount of carbohydrates. Although dogs need all of these ingredients as part of a healthy diet, any food that meets AAFCO standards will provide a healthy dog with plenty of nutrition. If your dog has a medical condition causing electrolyte abnormalities, consult your vet before giving them coconut water.
How to safely introduce coconut water into your dog's diet
Coconut water isn’t needed as part of any dog’s diet, but you should introduce it gradually if you want to see if your dog likes it as a treat. It’s best to start with a small amount to make sure your dog doesn’t have any stomach upset or other reaction to drinking it. Increase the amount gradually to make sure your dog can tolerate it well.
Some dogs may not like the smell or taste of coconut water, so don’t force the issue if they’re not a fan. There are many other treats they’ll still enjoy.
Signs your dog is having an allergic reaction to coconut water
Allergic reactions to coconut water are rare, but it’s possible for dogs to be allergic to anything they eat, drink, or come into contact with. Allergies can manifest in a number of ways. Acute allergic reactions can range from mild (facial swelling and hives) to severe (sudden vomiting, diarrhea, and collapsing).
Dietary allergies most commonly show up as skin issues, causing generalized itchiness, redness, and skin and ear infections. Chronic gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, loose stool, and appetite changes can also result from dietary allergies.
Coconut water alternatives for dogs
The best alternative to coconut water is regular water. Dogs have been drinking water for their entire existence, and it does a great job at keeping them hydrated. In fact, a study comparing plain water, coconut water, and sports drinks in humans after exercise showed no significant difference in rehydration and recovery parameters.
Bottom line
Dogs can have coconut water, but it should be limited to small amounts. While it can be nice to share some with your dog as a little treat, coconut water should not make up any significant portion of their daily water intake.
FAQs
Can dogs drink coconut milk?
Coconut milk is calorie-dense and high in fat. Although not toxic to dogs, it’s not recommended to give dogs coconut milk due to concerns about its calorie content and potential to cause pancreatitis.
Can dogs eat fresh coconut?
Fresh coconutopens in new tab isn’t toxic to dogs, but it is not commonly recommended due to its high fat and calorie content. The fibrous coconut shell can cause an intestinal obstruction if eaten.
Is coconut a laxative for dogs?
Coconut can cause diarrhea in dogs due to its high fat and fiber content. Despite this, it is not recommended to be used as a laxative for dogs.
Can dogs eat coconut oil?
Although coconut oil isn’t toxic to dogs, it has no proven health benefits for dogs. It is not high in essential fatty acids and should not be a primary fat source in their diet.
References
Hakimian, Justin et al. “Death by coconut.” Circulation. Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology vol. 7,1 (2014): 180-1. www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCEP.113.000941?doi=10.1161/CIRCEP.113.000941opens in new tab.
Kalman, Douglas S et al. “Comparison of coconut water and a carbohydrate-electrolyte sport drink on measures of hydration and physical performance in exercise-trained men.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition vol. 9, 1 1. 18 Jan. 2012. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22257640opens in new tab.
Rees, Richard et al. “Coconut water-induced hyperkalaemia.” British Journal of Hospital Medicine (London, England: 2005) vol. 73,9 (2012): 534. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23124410opens in new tab.
