Touch of Coconut Dog Treat Recipe

We’ve talked about the benefits of coconut oil and wanted to add it to a treat recipe. Viola – the Touch of Coconut Dog Treat Recipe. We’re going to offer more coconut oil recipes in the future because its health benefits for dogs are numerous. We hope you like the first of what promises to be many!

Touch of Coconut Dog Treat Recipe

Makes 20-25 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup wheat bran
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
• 3/4 cup chicken or beef broth

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, combine bran, flour, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, beat the egg together with the oil.
3. Stir in the chicken broth with the dry mixture. Gradually add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, stirring to combine and make a soft dough.
4. Working on a lightly floured surface, lightly knead dough. Roll out to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies one inch apart on the prepared cookie sheet.
5. Bake in oven for 15 minutes or until firm.

Is Cinnamon Safe for My Dog?

If you noticed cinnamon on the ingredients list and it gave you pause, rest assured – cinnamon is safe for your dog in moderation. In fact, while they aren’t all scientifically proven there are many health benefits associated with the spice.

If you have a dog that is living with or at risk of diabetes, you may be interested in adding cinnamon to your dog’s diet. Some studies have found that adding a half teaspoon of cinnamon to your diet every day can help to balance and regulate your dog’s blood sugar levels.

Cinnamon also offers antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory benefits. By adding cinnamon to a recipe like these treats, you can slow down any spoilage of the food as it will act as a natural preservative. For dogs that regularly experience yeast infections due to allergies, cinnamon can help to ward off the Candida albicans fungus that is responsible for yeast development. Finally, the anti-inflammatory properties are a great benefit for aging dogs or those that suffer from joint-related injuries. By adding a little cinnamon to your dog’s meals each day, you can help to reduce the inflammation causing their pain and discomfort.

But be cautious, too much cinnamon in your dog’s diet could cause digestive problems including nausea and vomiting. If your dog ingests high levels of cinnamon, it can also result in more serious and lasting health complications including liver damage and bleeding problems due to its anti-clotting effect. It’s further proof that there is such thing as too much of a good thing!

What did you think of our Touch of Coconut Dog Treat Recipe? Do you feed your dog coconut oil? Please let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.