Coat-Coconut Treats For A Healthy Skin and Coat
This recipe is so easy, I'm not even sure this qualifies as a true recipe. You only need two ingredients, a silicon mold pan like this one I bought from Amazon for $6, and a microwave dish with a pour spout. And a microwave, though I suppose you could technically heat the coconut oil on a stove top, too.
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
Coconut oil is very rich and can cause diarrhea and even pancreatitis. Plus, the high calorie content could lead to weight gain. Roughly, aim for 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and 1/2 teaspoon of brewer’s yeast per 10 lbs of body weight. Be sure to use a SMALL silicone mold.
You can feed once daily, or try every other day, depending on the size/needs of your dog. If your dog develops soft stool, decrease the frequency or stop feeding altogether. Always check with your vet if you are uncertain about adding a new food into your dog's diet!