There are things that cats love to snack on and some things they hate – and some are good and bad for them.
Coconut is often something overlooked when it comes to cats.
The good news is, coconut is perfectly safe to feed your cat when it’s done in moderation as part of a healthy diet – but there’s a lot more to it than that.
This guide will examine if your furry friend will enjoy coconut or not and if that’s okay for them.
Would A Cat Love A Coconut?
Coconuts are something that many of us associate with the summer, The tropical nut is typically used in desserts, drinks and the overall shell is used for them to be served in!
For a lot of us, coconuts are something that we either love or hate, but how do cats think of it?
Well, it’s important that we first point out that giving your cat fresh coconut or coconut water is not the same as giving your cat a very indulgent coconut dessert.
Fresh coconut can be okay to give to your cat from time to time, but don’t feed your cat a coconut dessert.
This is because desserts in general are bad for your cat, but coconut on its own has some risks of diarrhea from the cat!
Coconuts are very attractive to cats (as are lots of coconut desserts for that matter!) because of their attractive aroma and taste.
The fact of the matter is though, like us – cats will be drawn to things that aren’t good for them, as well as healthy things.
Although coconut is not toxic to cats and is unlikely to lead to health issues (if given in small doses) for your feline, you have to remember that a cat has a very sensitive stomach and cannot process things in the same way that we can.
Coconut Cons For Cats
As much as our furry friends would love to chow down on some coconut all day, they really shouldn’t.
Coconuts are actually full of fat and too much of this fat that is found in coconuts can cause a cat some serious issues when they consume too much.
Over time, an excess amount of this fat can be stored in a cat’s liver which can cause a condition known as hepatic lipidosis.
This is potentially fatal to cats and is a condition that is very difficult to treat.
Additionally, there is a risk that cats can develop diabetes, pancreatitis and hyperlipidemia.
Not to mention, cats consuming high calorie treats too often will almost certainly lead to significant weight gain which will cause them even further problems down the line.
If you’re wondering about coconut milk, oil or coconut water – it’s best to avoid those too.
Although coconut offerings for us can be potentially helpful with their high amount of potassium – too much potassium is detrimental to your cat’s health.
Coconut milk, contrary to its name, is not really milk. It’s something that is created when the coconut meat is mixed with its water and then strained out.
You’d think that this would be okay for cats, they love milk right?
Although cats do love milk, they are lactose intolerant and cannot process the sugars found in dairy products (lactose), which is similar to many of us.
However, although coconut milk does not contain this sugar, it is still high in fat – and still not a good idea to feed your cat with.
If you’re really insistent on your cat having some coconut in their lives, drop a bit of coconut oil into their wet food and watch them lap it up as they chow down.
This can be a good way to get them to consume something they wouldn’t normally, like medication or other, more healthy foods.
If anything, coconut oil is the only thing from a coconut that should be used when it comes to cats.
The oil is very nutritious for their coats and can act as a type of “shampoo” or “conditioner” when it’s used as part of a healthy hygiene routine.
It can often untangle caught fur and make their coat smell lovely, fresh and tropical!
Not to mention all the other benefits your cat will extract from the big source of vitamin D included in coconut oil.
How Could I Treat My Cat Instead?
Cat owners are always looking to spoil their little fur-babies with treats and gifts. While this is commendable, it’s not always a good idea.
Much like us, if you spoil a cat too much with treats, they psychologically begin to expect this level of treatment and their personality may change.
Additionally, high caloric foods and drinks will undoubtedly lead to obesity and other health conditions for your cat.
If you really want to treat your cat, consider getting them food wraps. Food wraps are toys which have food in them that is much healthier for them to eat.
It gets them playing and moving, and they love to do that!
The best part for them is solving the puzzle and getting the reward through food. Other than this, treat your cat to extra love, not extra food.
Cats should have a balanced diet of water, wet food and dry food. Additionally, they should have a relatively active lifestyle, along with their normal sleeping habits.
Now and again, it’s okay to treat your cat but don’t make it a habit. It’s dangerous for them overall.
The Bottom Line
Coconut is not good for cats. Human food should always be considered before feeding your cat some of it.
Unfortunately, due to its high fat content – coconut is to cats what chocolate and cake is to us.
Over time, too much of it can be deadly – so it’s best not to give them a taste for it at all!
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
