The Benefits of Cooking With Coconut Flour for Pets

Many pet owners that opt to make homemade treats for their dogs and other pets often use wheat flour as the base ingredient. With cooking baked goods, an ingredient like this is necessary to bind the other the ingredients (eggs, spices, etc.) together and form the main bulk of the treat.

In pet food that comes in a pellet form, binding agents are always either grain- or starch-based. Such filler ingredients may include potatoes, cornmeal, oats, tapioca, wheat, and rice. There is much debate on which of these is the healthiest, with corn and wheat typically being denounced among dog nutritionists as a major ingredient.

Yet, these ingredients are common in many dog treats. As long as they aren't fed in excess, they are not likely to cause damage to your pet's health. However, are there any alternatives to these ingredients that are appetizing to pets, cook to a decent consistency, and also possess qualities that might be beneficial for dogs, cats, and other animals to consume?

The answer lies with coconut flour. Coconuts offer plant-based nutrition that is calorie-dense and nutritious. Coconuts contain the beneficial fatty acid Lauric Acid. Coconut products have been said to improve digestion, thyroid function, metabolic mechanisms, and provide protection and defense against viral, pathogenic, fungal, and bacterial infections; however, more study is needed to prove any benefits.

The other types of coconut products include the following:

• The fibrous cover of coconuts is something I also value as a soil additive for plant growing.
• Coconut milk is a wonderful food which I have used in the past as a milk substitute treat for my baby spotted genet during a bought of illness.
• Many claims have been made about coconut oil as well, but similarly, there is insufficient evidence to promote that substance for health problems other than maybe skin issues (as a moisturizer). While pets do love the taste of coconut oil, it should be fed in moderation, if at all.

Coconut flour is extremely dense with nutrients, which is why less of it is required when cooking with it. It is a good source of protein and iron, and it is "low-carb," giving it a low glycemic index or GI.

A high GI has been said to contribute to diabetes and weight gain in dogs (however, sufficient evidence is needed to prove this). The flour contains more protein per serving than other popular flours without the damaging gluten, making it also a wonderful supplement for non-meat-eating animals (for example, I have prepared recipes with it for my green iguana).

You may have heard a lot about fiber and the unfortunate deficiency of it in the diets of humans. Fiber is also important and beneficial in the diets of dogs and other animals. For senior dogs, fiber is even more important. Just be sure to watch the calories on older dogs that might be struggling with weight problems.

Fiber, in addition to improving gastrointestinal health, reduces the absorption of sugar into blood stream and lowers cholesterol. Coconut flour has 58% fiber; in comparison, whole wheat flour has 12.2%.

Coconut flour is more expensive than all other regular flours. This is due to the production differences with the meat of an r-selected species (a species that produces many offspring at a low cost) vs. a k-selected species (the coconut palm only produces a few large seeds a year).

But the cost can be worth it, as coconut flour is a delicious alternative to other ingredients when making homemade treats for animals, and you can feel good about serving your creations to them. Currently, very few—if any—manufacturers utilize this great ingredient in store-bought treats, but hopefully this will change.