About the same time that green tea became popular in the fitness world, coconut water started to gain traction. Your dog may be getting dehydrated if you’ve been taking long walks in the sun together, and you may be tempted to give them a sip of your coconut water.
Coconut water is safe for dogs to drink. And here’s the information you’ll need to know. Water makes up the majority of coconut water. However, plain water is the healthiest beverage option for your dog. Coconut water can be beneficial for your dog, but there are some things you should know before giving it to him.
Since dehydration is the most common reason for dog owners to want to provide this, you’ll find helpful information on the benefits and how much they can drink below. Let’s lose our collective minds over canine nutrition. If you want to know more, scroll down.
Can Dogs Drink Coconut Water?
Coconut water and coconut products are safe for dogs to consume. They may be able to drink coconut water, but that doesn’t give you license to let them do so whenever they want.
Since coconut water is so nutrient-dense (I’ll get into this more later), giving your dog a small amount as a treat could be good for his health. However, a dog that consumes large amounts of coconut water may become extremely ill (I’ll also get into this later).
Many commercially available coconut water products include added preservatives and sugars that could prove harmful to your dog’s health.
What Is Coconut Water?
The clear fluid within a coconut is known as coconut water. In contrast to coconut milk and coconut oil, which are both high in saturated fat, this liquid is extracted from young coconuts.
As a low-fat, low-sodium alternative to traditional sports drinks, it is frequently chosen by those in need of hydration and electrolyte replacement.
However, many people don’t realize how many calories are in coconut water simply because of its name.
Is Coconut Water Good for Dogs?
Both potassium and sodium, two electrolytes, can be found in abundance in coconut water. Because of this, it has rapidly gained popularity among people who are concerned about their health.
If your dog has hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood), giving it a small amount of pure coconut water on occasion might be good for its health.
A dog’s life may be in danger if they develop the following symptoms of hypokalemia:
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diminishing Body Mass
- Sore muscles
- Weakness
- Dehydration
- Paralysis
- Constricted airways
Although, unless advised by a vet, I would never suggest giving a dog coconut water if they were experiencing hypokalemia.
Veterinary advice should always be followed, but I doubt your vet will recommend coconut water to treat your dog’s hypokalemia.
Is Coconut Water Bad for Dogs?
I won’t go over what I said before about the possible problems with store-bought coconut water.
Pure coconut water contains so much potassium that giving a dog too much of it can be dangerous, even in terms of what we now know to be nutrients. Even though it’s unlikely that giving your dog a sip or two of coconut water is going to hurt it, it’s still important to monitor how much your dog drinks.
Because of the high potassium content, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends never giving your dog coconut water.
I have explained why potassium is so crucial to a dog’s well-being. However, the opposite of hypokalemia is hyperkalemia, which can occur if a dog consumes an excessive amount of coconut water and, consequently, potassium.
Similar to hypokalemia, hyperkalemia is a life-threatening condition that must be treated immediately by a veterinarian. Signs of hyperkalemia can include:
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Letjargy
- Arrhythmia
- Collapse
- Paralysis
Coconut water may cause stomachache regardless of the dangers of consuming too much potassium. Your dog could get sick from trying any novel food or drink, especially if it was made for human consumption.
The repercussions of that are unpleasant for everyone involved.
And finally, some brands of commercially available coconut water may contain sweeteners like xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs.
Small amounts of xylitol can cause severe side effects like low blood sugar, liver failure, and convulsions. also, it can be fatal in some cases.
How to Give Coconut Water to Dogs
Your dog’s body may react differently to coconut water, so it’s best to introduce it to their diet gradually. As a treat or to help your dog stay hydrated on hot days, just a few ounces daily will do. Some ice cubes made from coconut water could be a refreshing reward during exercise.
Because of the high sugar content, limit their intake of coconut water. If you’re going to give your dog coconut water, make sure it’s unsweetened and 100% coconut.
According to the AKC, coconut water is safe for dogs to drink; however, as with any treat, too much can be harmful.
Some canines also have known sensitivities to coconut water. If your dog develops an allergy to the beverage, you should take him to the vet immediately.
Dehydration in Dogs
If your dog becomes dehydrated from losing more water and electrolytes than they take in, they will start to have problems with their organs and other parts of their body.
Loss of consciousness, kidney failure, and even death can result from this common but urgent medical emergency.
Your dog will sweat, urinate, defecate, and breathe out water constantly throughout the day. A lot of it escapes through their feet as well. Your dog consumes and excretes fluids and electrolytes at a rate that is proportional to the amount lost.
The fluid and blood levels in your dog will drop if he or she loses more water than it takes in. If this happens, less oxygen will reach your dog’s vital organs and tissues.
Both dogs and humans require electrolytes to function properly. Chloride, potassium, and sodium are all examples of naturally occurring minerals that play important roles in the body. They facilitate the transport of nutrients to cells, regulate nerve and muscle function, and keep the body’s pH in check.
Symptoms of Dehydration and What to Do
If your dog shows signs of shock, heatstroke, or severe dehydration, you should contact your vet or the nearest emergency animal hospital immediately.
You may be instructed to begin administering small amounts of water while en route to the veterinarian’s office. When a dog is severely dehydrated, the only option is to give it intravenous fluids to rehydrate.
If your dog is only mildly thirsty, give it small sips of water or ice cubes to lick every few minutes.
Electrolyte replacement fluid is another option for helping your dog regain his equilibrium.
If they are already dehydrated, giving them too much water at once could make them sick. Even if your dog’s dehydration is mild, you should still call your vet for guidance.
The Benefits of Coconut Water
Coconut water’s antioxidants can help your dog’s immune system by neutralizing harmful free radicals.
These antioxidants are also beneficial for your dog’s skin. Coconut water may be a good alternative to fresh water because it can hydrate your pet and provide them with useful electrolytes. Countless micronutrients and macronutrients, including:
- Potassium aids in the conduction of electrical impulses in the heart, the nervous system, and the muscles. A lack of this essential mineral can cause your dog to have abnormally high levels of fatigue or show other symptoms such as loss of appetite.
- Vitamin C: As an essential antioxidant, vitamin C helps your dog’s body age healthfully, reduce inflammation, and fight harmful free radicals. In addition to improving your dog’s energy and immune system, vitamin C can also aid in the treatment of urinary tract infections.
- Manganese is an essential mineral for dogs, as it helps them produce energy, metabolize protein and carbohydrates, and create fatty acids. Many enzymes rely on manganese, and it also plays a role in maintaining healthy bone and cartilage in the joints.
- Magnesium is essential to over 300 different biochemical reactions in the body. It aids in maintaining a healthy nervous system, robust immunity, regular heart rate, and robust skeleton. In addition to aiding in the production of energy and protein, it also aids in the regulation of blood sugar levels.
- Your dog’s body requires iron to transport oxygen in hemoglobin and produce energy.
- To improve your dog’s skin, coat, thyroid, and immune system, give him some zinc.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D aids in growth, bone and tooth health, muscle formation and function, heart and nervous system health.
Conclusion
It’s fine to give your dog a small amount of coconut water (about an ounce or two). When it’s particularly warm outside, give them some coconut water ice cubes to enjoy on your daily walks.
It’s possible that it won’t hydrate better than plain water. However, it is a good source of nutrients that water lacks. Due to the high carb content, it is important to limit how much you feed your dog. Look out for symptoms of dehydration, especially in the warmer months.
Furrier dogs also require extra attention during the summer months to prevent heat exhaustion. When introducing new foods into their diet, keep an eye out for allergic reactions. They let you read the whole article without begging, so reward your dog now.