Compare coverage and benefits to see if Healthy Paws is the right fit for your family.
Learn how and why veterinary bills are increasing, and how a Healthy Paws plan can help.
Read stories of how Healthy Paws has protected pets like family and made peace of mind and more happy, healthy moments possible.
Three rescues across North Carolina and Georgia received donations that made a big impact.
Make their food irresistible with the freshest nutritionally-balanced ingredients.
The quick answer: Yes, cats can eat coconut in moderation, but it shouldn’t be a regular part of their diet.
Coconut is very high in fat which can lead to health problems, such as pancreatitis or fatty liver disease, for cats that consume it regularly. A healthy diet for a cat consists mainly of proteins from meat or fish. To prevent potential health problems, it’s best to keep your cat’s consumption of coconut products (oil, water, milk, or “meat” from a coconut) to a minimum.
A small amount of shredded coconut here and there may interest your cat, and it is safe to share a little bit with them.
It’s a myth that cats should drink dairy milk; fortunately coconut milk or coconut water can be a good substitute for cats that want to try a beverage besides water. You can add small amounts of coconut milk or coconut water to your cat’s water or wet cat food to make it creamier.
Though coconut oil is not toxic to cats, too much can cause tummy troubles because your cat’s digestive system was not meant to process large amounts of coconut oil. However, if your cat is intrigued by coconut oil, it is safe to add a few drops to their food or bake homemade cat treats with coconut oil.
Because of the high fat content in coconut, consuming too much can cause your cat digestive issues. Some cats may have more adverse reactions than others. If your cat experiences vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, fatigue, or difficulty breathing after consuming coconut, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Stacy Painter
Stacy has always been an animal lover and has worked in the pet industry and pet insurance specifically for over a decade. As a writer since early childhood, content writing for Healthy Paws pet insurance was a natural career path to combine her two passions. She currently lives in Florida with her boyfriend and Taiwanese rescue dog, Kaya.