Your Cart is Empty
You’ve probably read online or heard from somewhere that coconut oil has many health benefits for people and for their pets. What are some of these benefits? And how do you give coconut oil to your dog?
Coconut oil was prominent in many foods until the 1980s and 1990s when the American Heart Association warned about the dangers of too many unsaturated oils in human diets.
After further study, however, coconut oil was shown to have many health benefits and is considered one of the healthier oils as long as it is used in moderation. In humans, it helps with “good” cholesterol which promotes better heart health.
Coconut oil has fewer calories than most fats and has anti-inflammatory effects that may help dogs with intestinal disease, infections, and arthritis. It can help dogs keep their hair coats shiny and healthy, and in certain skin disorders like seborrhea sicca, coconut oil can be applied topically to relieve dry skin.
Coconut oil can be added to your dog’s food in its solid-state and in a small amount. It can also be applied topically to your dog’s skin for certain skin disorders, so be sure to ask your veterinarian if she thinks coconut oil is right for your pup. The easiest way to give your dog coconut oil is to prepare it in a flavorful treat that he will love! Here are five easy-to-make recipes.
from DogVills.com
This is one of the easier recipes to make because it requires no baking and makes for a nice, cool treat in the warmer months of the year. For the best results, you will need a food processor to blend the ingredients. You will need the following ingredients:
Add the coconut oil, peanut butter, and rolled oats to your food processor and mix the ingredients until well combined. Use a cookie dough scoop or a spoon to pick up small portions of the mix and roll into little balls. Toss each ball into shredded coconut. Line a flat tray with parchment paper and place the balls onto the tray. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and then serve.
from HelloNatureBlog.com
This is another easy-to-make recipe because it needs no baking and only requires two ingredients: coconut oil and blueberries, which are a great source of antioxidants for your dog.
You can use a standard ice tray to make these treats, but a silicone mold tray is preferred because it is easier to pop the treats out of the tray when they’re done. You can also use these trays to shape the treats into cute designs! You will need the following ingredients:
Place the coconut oil into a saucepan and heat it on low-medium until it liquifies. While heating the oil, take your tray and place a blueberry or two into each section or cup.
Allow the oil to cool for a few minutes and then carefully pour the oil into each cup. Then, place the tray into your freezer and allow the treats to become solid. You can pop them out when done and store them in your freezer if you have extra.
from WellnessMama.com
These are a more traditional kind of treat in that you bake these cookies, and they can be stored in your refrigerator for several weeks. If you like, you can add gelatin powder which is an animal protein that is thought to help support joint health. This recipe also lets you substitute coconut oil with bacon grease, but this is not recommended because coconut oil is beneficial and bacon grease can increase your dog’s risk of pancreatitis. You will need the following ingredients:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl until they are well incorporated. If you’d like, you can add some extra coconut flour to make the dough a little thinner.
Use a cookie dough scoop or a spoon to scoop up the dough and roll it into one-inch balls. Then, flatten them with your hand. Alternatively, you can take the whole ball of dough and roll it flat with a rolling pin.
You can use a cookie cutter to make cute shapes. Place the balls or cookie-cut shapes onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes until slightly brown on the edges. Remove and let cool completely before serving.
from K9instinct.com
These treats are great for dogs with allergies because they avoid several common allergens from the process. You will need the following ingredients:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl and combine them thoroughly. Take a cookie sheet and line it with parchment paper. Use a cookie dough scoop or a spoon to scoop the dough into small balls and then place them on the tray. Bake for 10 minutes and then cool before serving.
from MomentsWithMandy.com
These treats are another frozen recipe that requires no baking, and they need to be kept frozen or they will soften if left out in the open for too long. These are more easily made if you have a piping bag, but a plastic baggie that has a cut tip will work just as well. You will need the following ingredients:
Put your ingredients in a large bowl and smash them together with the backside of a spoon. It’s okay if there are slightly large chunks remaining. Grab a silicone baking tray. Place the mix into your piping bag or a plastic baggie (and cut the tip), then squeeze the mix into the cups of the tray. Freeze and then serve once the treats have solidified.
Coconut oil has many health benefits for your dog, and there are many easy dog treat recipes that utilize it as an ingredient. These recipes are just a few examples of healthy treats that your dog will love. Remember to gradually introduce new treats to avoid gastrointestinal upset, and contact your veterinarian if your dog is experiencing any symptoms.
Meet The Author
Veterinarian
Erica has worked in the veterinary field since 2006, starting out as a veterinary technician before graduating from the UF College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. As a general practitioner in an animal hospital, she has many interests and is especially interested in dermatology, cardiology, internal and integrative medicine.
