Coconut: Safe for Dogs and Cats?

Small amounts of plain coconut meat, milk, or water are unlikely to seriously harm dogs, though the ASPCA lists coconut among foods to avoid due to the potential for stomach upset and diarrhea from its oil content; the hard shell and husk are a choking and blockage hazard and should never be given.

In small amounts, plain coconut meat is unlikely to seriously harm cats, but coconut milk and water are too high in fat and potassium and should be avoided, and the ASPCA lists coconut among foods to avoid feeding pets.