Coconuts are a common tropical summer staple that are used in pies and delicious warm-weather beverages. In technical terms, coconuts are a fruit, nut, or seed combined. Once they are collected from trees, they may be processed into a wide range of goods, including milk, oil, and coconut meat.
Its strong, invigorating scent may attract certain inquisitive felines. Can you give your cat some coconuts?
Are cats safe with coconuts?
To begin with, giving your cat some plain, crushed coconut shavings is not exactly the same as sharing a slice of coconut cream pie. If you're considering giving your cat some coconut, keep in mind that it must always be the purest, unprocessed variety available because kitties may react negatively to additional sugars and other components.
Experts concur that cats can occasionally nibble on coconut when they happen to enjoy the taste. Coconut is not hazardous to cats. Therefore, as long as the possibility of diarrhea doesn't bother you, you can safely give your cat a small amount of coconut occasionally.
The Perils of Giving Cats Coconut Food
There are several exceptions to that rule, as usual. First and foremost, make sure to see your veterinarian before giving your cat any human food. Each kitty has unique health requirements, and your veterinarian can advise you on what's best for your particular four-legged pet.
Furthermore, coconuts are heavy in fat, and significant amounts of the medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) they contain are dangerous for dogs. Over time, a buildup from consuming excess coconut may result in hepatic lipidosis, a condition that affects cats and is caused by the liver storing excessive amounts of fat. This illness is hazardous and may even be fatal.
Other health issues associated with the high level of fat in coconuts include pancreatitis and hyperlipidemia. Because coconut is also heavy in calories, if cats regularly consume it, there's always a chance that it could lead to obesity or other weight-related problems.
What About Water, Oil, and Coconut Milk?
How about consuming coconut milk? Sometimes used in place of cow's milk, coconut milk is prepared by soaking shredded coconut meat in water prior to straining it. It's a bit of a myth that cats are able to drink milk; although many of them enjoy the flavor, their bodies don't metabolize dairy products well (they lack the enzymes needed to break down lactose), so drinking milk can frequently result in diarrhea and other digestive issues for them. One benefit of coconut milk is that it is less likely to give your cat diarrhea, but the fat or calories in coconut milk can lead your cat to have similar problems as the actual coconut meat.
For all these reasons, kittens, cats without sensitive stomachs, and cats suffering from medical diseases like diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease might not wish to eat coconut. Both coconut water and coconut milk are subject to the same regulations.
Coconut water, the fluid found within green, unripe coconuts, is actually very low in fat but high in potassium, thus explaining why it's become such a popular human health beverage. However, hyperkalemia, a hazardous oversupply of potassium that acidifies the cat's blood and may potentially affect heart function, is the issue with potassium for cats. Therefore, it is not appropriate to provide coconut water to cats.
Alternatively, you might try giving your cat little amounts of coconut oil (add just a few drips to the wet food, for example) to give them a taste of coconut. Even better, you can use it to make homemade cat snacks. Again, though, keep in mind that pets are at risk due to its high fat content.
Since coconut oil has been shown to have numerous cosmetic benefits for humans, don't forget that you can apply it to your cat's fur to help with tangles and encourage a shiny, healthy coat. Coconut oil works wonders for raw or irritated skin patches on your cat, just as it does for human skin. Its lipids and vitamin E content help to soothe and moisturize painful skin in both humans and cats.
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