Banana Coconut Dog Treat Recipe

Amy Tokic
by Amy Tokic

It’s not just coconut oil that’s good for dogs – coconut meat packs a healthy punch, too! Shredded coconut is an excellent source of fiber, which helps dogs with digestive issues. And with that in mind, I gave this Banana Coconut Dog Treat Recipe a go. They are easy to make and turned out beautifully! I hope your dog enjoys them as much as Oscar does.

Banana Coconut Dog Treat Recipe


Makes 30 cookies


Ingredients:


1 banana


½ cup shredded coconut, unsweetened


½ teaspoon cinnamon


½ cup rolled oats


¼ cup ground flax seed


1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour


1/4 cup almond milk


Directions:


  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, mash and combine banana and shredded coconut.
  3. Add ground cinnamon, rolled oats, flax seed meal and whole wheat flour and mix well.
  4. Add almond milk. Knead into a stiff dough.
  5. Roll out to ¼ inch thickness on floured surface. Cut into desired shapes and place on cookie sheets.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
  7. Remove from oven and let cool before storing in air-tight containers.


Benefits of Banana for Your Pup


Banana is a common ingredient both in homemade and commercially available dog treats, but why is it so popular? One reason that you see so many banana treats could be the health benefits that this common fruit provides your pup. High in fiber, potassium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C, bananas are a great alternative to the fatty or salty treats that we often use to entice our dogs.


In addition to adding banana to your dog’s treats, you can simply peel and cut up a fresh banana for Fido to enjoy. The peel of the banana isn’t toxic; however, it contains a much higher fiber amount than your dog is used to, which can lead to gastrointestinal upset including nausea or diarrhea. Another common way to feed bananas is to freeze it, offering it to your dog as a cool treat on a hot day.


Like other fruits, however, you should always offer bananas in moderation. Most fruits are high in natural sugars and the banana is no exception. Too much sugar in your dog’s diet can have the same impact that it would in your own, causing dental problems, weight gain and even leading to diabetes. Stick to offering this as an occasional sweet treat to enjoy the benefits without concern.

Amy Tokic
Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).

More by Amy Tokic

Next