If your dog’s coat is looking a little drab, you need to make these cute little dog treats for a healthy skin and coat! The recipe uses just two ingredients, so it’s simple and super easy to make. Nutrition is key for achieving a soft, luxurious fur coat for your dog. If you notice your dog itches a lot or has dry and brittle fur, your dog food might be to blame!
In addition to feeding a high quality diet, I like to add in some whole food supplements as a boost. This simple dog treat recipe uses coconut oil and brewer’s yeast to reduce itching and improve the quality of your dog’s skin and coat. I like to call them “Coat-conut Treats.”
Origins of the Coat-conut Treat
I originally found this recipe as a homemade flea prevention. The author over at Health Starts in the Kitchen swears these treats have kept her pups and her kitties flea and tick free for 5 years! I, personally, have not tested this possible benefit, and there is not much scientific research on these ingredients as flea preventation. However, from personal experience, these treats can improve your dog’s skin and coat and are very allergy friendly. I’ve used them a lot for foster dogs who are recovering from dermatitis with great success!
Benefits of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a healthy fat that can be applied topically or given orally. You can apply it to wounds, dry patches of skin, and even dried out or cracked paw pads. Small amounts of coconut oil can be added to your dog’s food to slow degeneration of cognitive function, stabilize metabolism, and, of course, improve your dog’s skin and coat. It’s definitely not a miracle cure-all, but it is a wonderful supplement and a safe topical treatment.
I’ve used it many times on foster dogs who came to me with hair loss, dermatitis, and other skin ailments. About a week or so after bringing June home, she had some skin issues flare up. We weren’t sure if it was ringworm or a skin infection, and she was on anti-fungals and antibiotics for quite a while. To help her skin lesions heal and to stop her from scratching so much, I started applying coconut oil straight on the wounds and I started making these treats!
Benefits of Brewer’s Yeast
Brewer’s yeast is incredibly rich in many nutrients and can improve your dog’s immune system, ease stress, help maintain a healthy skin and coat, and repel fleas/ticks. According to PetGuide.com:
One of the most notable benefits is related to the chromium content found in brewer’s yeast. Chromium is a trace element that helps to maintain blood sugar levels in the body. Brewer’s yeast is also rich in antioxidants which can make your dog’s skin healthier and his coat shinier. If your dog tends to suffer from itchy, dry skin, brewer’s yeast may be helpful. This supplement can also help to reduce stress and to calm nerves due to its high concentration of B-complex vitamins. Another benefit of brewer’s yeast is that, if your pet receives daily supplements of brewer’s yeast, it may help to repel biting insects like ticks and fleas.
If you aren’t sure where to buy Brewer’s Yeast in person, you can get it online here. You can also find it at most health food stores and even some grocery stores like Natural Grocer’s or Whole Foods. It’s not too expensive, either: usually around $8-$12 for a jar/container.
Coat-Coconut Treats For A Healthy Skin and Coat
Equipment
- Silicone mold with small sized molds.
- Baking sheet (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (raw, unrefined, extra virgin, etc. Avoid refined, as it doesn't contain the same nutrition)
- ½ Cup Brewer's Yeast (powdered form)
Instructions
- I put my silicone molds on a baking sheet because it makes it much easier to transport once you pour the treat into the molds.
- Melt coconut oil by microwaving it in a container with a pour spout. I use a pyrex measuring cup. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stir, then microwave for another 30 seconds if there are still clumps. Continue to microwave until the oil is fully melted, but not overly hot and bubbling. “Cooking” the coconut oil will start to break down the nutritional value.
- Stir in the brewers yeast until it is fully incorporated. You’ll have a thick but smooth brown sludge at this point. Make sure you don’t have any lumps.
- Carefully pour the mixture into your silicon mold until just full. Once all the molds are full, carefully transfer to the fridge or freezer to harden. NOTE: as the treats harden, they will separate slightly with the brewer’s yeast settling at the bottom and the coconut oil settling at the top. This is what creates the layered look.
- Once treats are completely hard (after about 2 hours in the freezer), remove them from the silicon mold. They will pop out nice and easy! Store in a jar in the fridge or freezer for up to 6 months!
Notes
Love making your dog their own treats? Be sure to try one of my other dog friendly recipes!
6 Responses
My small dogs hate brewere yeast, can I add something to make it tastier for them? Thank you!
Hi, Reva! You could try adding in some dog safe bone broth or a little raw goat’s milk or kefir to alter the taste. Lots of dog companies like Only Natural Pet and Primal make these products specifically for dogs! I’m not sure how this would alter the appearance or texture of the treats, though. I imagine they would freeze a little bit harder, depending on how much you added. I would love to know how it works out for you!
Do you have a recommended brand of yeast and coconut oil?
Hi, Moe! I like Dr. Bronner’s Organic Whole Kernel Virgin Coconut Oil, but I think any brand that is raw or whole or organic would be great. Make sure it’s virgin/extra virgin and not refined. For Brewer’s Yeast, I don’t have a particular brand. Recently I used Twinlab Genuine Brewers Yeast because it came in a glass jar and is more recyclable. I’ve also used Solgar Brewer’s Yeast Powder in the past with great results (this brand is available on Amazon). The important thing is to find one without additives (unsweetened, unflavored, unfortified, etc.). Hope this helps!