Also known as coconut sorbet, coconut ice cream is a delicious dairy-free treat made using pureed, sweetened, shredded coconut, coconut milk, and sugar. It’s sweet to the taste buds, and many dogs would enjoy it, just like their owners.
Generally, dogs react positively to foods and treats with strong scents and flavors like coconut. Thus, while enjoying coconut ice cream, your fur baby might keep begging for a taste. But is it safe to share it with them?
If the coconut ice cream you bought consists of dog-friendly ingredients, you may feed it to your pup. Coconut ice cream is low in cholesterol and fat-free, making it safe for your dog to ingest.
Moreover, it contains nutrients like manganese and copper. Manganese aids the healthy growth and development of bones and connective tissues, while copper quickens the healing of wounds and helps dogs suffering from anemia.
However, too much of this ice cream is not safe, just like in humans. It is packed with saturated sugars, and you do not want to risk your dog becoming diabetic.
Factors To Consider Before Feeding Your Dog Coconut Ice Cream
What Is Good About It?
You may confidently feed your dog coconut ice cream as it does not contain additives like artificial flavors or preservatives.
Additionally, coconuts are packed with fat content, which is suitable for your puppy. It comes in handy, serving as a boost to your dog’s skin and joint health. This property makes it also ideal for aging dogs prone to joint inflammation.
Ice cream is made from coconut milk and contains less fat than other dairy-based ice creams. This aids in moisturizing your dog’s coat, giving it a shiny look. It also helps improve skin conditions such as itching and dryness.
Coconut ice cream contains around 50% water. The high water content in the snack aids in supporting your dog’s hydration needs, especially in warm weather and during exercise. The high water-to-fat ratio makes this dessert an excellent choice if your dog is at risk of kidney infections and problems.
The delicacy provides your pup with other nutritious vitamins and minerals, including protein, carbohydrates, zinc, iron, fiber, folate, potassium, and calcium. It also has pantothenic acid, selenium, thiamine, riboflavin, choline, copper, niacin, phosphorus, and vitamin B-6. They help your furry friend remain active and cheerful.
Additionally, coconuts have essential fatty acids like linoleic, palmitic, stearic, arachidonic, and oleic. These play a significant role in promoting your dog’s immune system and healthy cell growth.
Risk Factors
Like regular ice cream, overfeeding your dog with coconut-based ice cream can cause diarrhea.
Large amounts of ice cream sugar can lead to weight gain and, eventually, obesity. It can also contribute to tooth decay. However, this is not a significant concern because the protein and fiber present act as a reducing agent regarding sugar impact on their teeth.
Your dog might be allergic to coconut, making it mandatory to ascertain from your vet whether it is safe for them. If your dog is lactose intolerant, it is best not to feed them coconut ice cream.
To avoid the other associated risks, moderate the servings and make the ice cream an occasional treat.
Frozen Coconut Ice Cream For Dogs
Feeding your canine companion frozen coconut ice cream is good for them. Treats in a frozen state are better for dogs than regular treats because they are lower in calories and fat.
You must, however, ensure the ingredients in the frozen delicacy are pet friendly and check for any dairy products.
Conclusion
It is safe to say you may let your dog have coconut ice cream if you want to sweeten their diet.
However, you must thoroughly research its ingredients before purchasing and feeding it to your dog. Avoid those with harmful ingredients, such as chocolate and xylitol.
Also, please take note of the serving-size guide on pet food packages and give your dog controlled portions of the ice cream, considering their breed, body size, and activity levels.
Like any other sugary snack, it is wise to keep a check on your dog’s dental health. To avoid any issues, brush your puppy’s teeth regularly.
Further Reading: