Food safety
Can Cats Eat Coconut? A Little Is OK, but It's Not Needed
Yes, in small amounts: a taste of plain coconut flesh, unsweetened coconut flakes or coconut milk is unlikely to seriously harm a healthy cat. The ASPCA says coconut products are not likely to cause serious harm in small amounts, but the oils in coconut flesh and milk can cause stomach upset, loose stools and diarrhea. Cats are obligate carnivores and get nothing they need from coconut, so think of it as a rare lick, not a treat to give often.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read2 sources
Why coconut is safe in small amounts but not ideal
Coconut is not toxic to cats. It contains none of the compounds that make onions, garlic or chocolate dangerous, which is why the ASPCA describes small amounts of coconut and coconut-based products as unlikely to cause serious harm to pets.
What coconut does contain is a lot of fat. The ASPCA notes that the flesh and milk of fresh coconuts carry oils that may cause stomach upset, loose stools and diarrhea. A cat's diet is built around animal protein, and Cornell's Feline Health Center describes cats as obligate carnivores that rely on nutrients found only in animal products. Coconut fills a small stomach with calories and none of those nutrients.
Forms of coconut to avoid
Sweetened shredded coconut, the kind used for baking, is coated in sugar and sometimes preservatives. Coconut desserts such as macaroons, cream pies and candy bars add butter, condensed milk and, often, chocolate, which is toxic to cats. Toasted coconut chips are usually salted or sugared.
The shell and husk are hard, fibrous and sharp when broken, and a cat that chews a piece can injure its mouth or swallow something it cannot pass. Canned coconut cream is far richer than coconut milk. Coconut water is not dangerous in a lick, but it is not a substitute for fresh water, which is what your cat should drink.
How to offer coconut to a cat
If your cat is curious, offer a pinch of fresh or unsweetened dried coconut flesh, finely shredded so there are no chewy strips, or let them lick a drop of plain, unsweetened coconut milk from your finger. Nothing added: no sugar, salt, cocoa or vanilla.
Many cats will sniff it and walk away, which is fine. Do not hide coconut in food to get a cat to eat it, and do not use coconut oil on or in your cat as a home remedy without asking your vet, because it is pure fat.
Many cats do better with small, slow portions, and a puzzle feeder or a slow feeder bowl helps with both.
How much coconut is too much
Cornell's rule of thumb is that treats of any kind should not exceed 10 to 15 percent of a cat's daily calories, and coconut is one of the more calorie-dense options. A reasonable taste for an average 8 to 10 lb adult cat is about a quarter teaspoon of shredded flesh or a lick of coconut milk, no more than once or twice a week.
A cat under 6 lb, an overweight cat or one with a sensitive stomach should have less or none. If your cat has had pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease or is on a prescription diet, skip coconut entirely unless your vet says otherwise.
Kittens and coconut
Kittens should not have coconut. A kitten's stomach is small and still adjusting to solid food, and a rich, fatty extra is exactly the kind of food that causes diarrhea at that age. Diarrhea dehydrates a small kitten much faster than an adult cat.
A growing kitten also needs every bite to count. A complete kitten food is formulated for growth, and treats, if any, should be kitten treats or tiny pieces of plain cooked meat. Leave coconut until your cat is grown, if at all.
Signs coconut disagreed with your cat, and when to call a vet
Mild upset usually shows within a day as a soft stool, one bout of diarrhea, or a single vomit. If your cat is otherwise eating, drinking and using the litter box normally, stop the coconut and the stool usually settles within a day or so.
Call your vet if diarrhea lasts more than a day, vomiting repeats, there is blood in the stool, or your cat hides, stops eating or seems lethargic. Cats that stop eating can become ill quickly, so do not wait it out. Gagging or drooling after chewing shell or husk also needs a vet.
Better treats for cats
Your cat will get more from a small piece of plain cooked chicken, turkey or white fish, with no skin, bones or seasoning, than from anything plant-based. Freeze-dried single-protein treats made for cats are another easy option.
If your cat seems to like the texture or smell of coconut, a lick mat smeared with a little of their usual wet food gives the same interest without the fat.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Can cats drink coconut milk?
A lick of plain, unsweetened coconut milk is unlikely to harm a healthy cat, but the ASPCA notes its oils can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. It is not a substitute for water or a regular treat.
Can cats eat coconut oil?
Coconut oil is pure fat and can cause loose stools. Do not add it to your cat's food or use it as a remedy for hairballs or skin without talking to your vet first.
Can cats eat coconut flakes?
Unsweetened, finely shredded flakes are fine as a rare pinch. Sweetened baking coconut is coated in sugar, and toasted chips are often salted, so keep those for people.
Is coconut water safe for cats?
A small lick is not dangerous, but coconut water adds nothing a cat needs. Fresh, clean water is what your cat should drink, and most cats prefer it from a wide bowl or a fountain.
Can cats eat coconut yogurt?
It is best skipped. Coconut yogurts are rich and usually sweetened, and some contain xylitol or other additives. If your cat had a lick of plain, unsweetened coconut yogurt, it is unlikely to cause more than mild upset.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
