I’ve always been an animal lover. Ever since I was five, I kept asking for my first dog, Holly. We named her Holly because she was born just before Christmas and turned out to be the best Christmas gift ever!
Although Holly passed away years ago, I now get to see my own kids enjoy our Golden Pyrenees, Daisy. She’s a mix of a yellow lab and a Great Pyrenees. Daisy is great with the kids, watching over them when they play outside and letting our one-year-old sit on her and “pet” her.
One day, my older kids asked if we could make “cookies for Daisy” using ingredients she’d like. I had been toying with the idea of creating a dog treat recipe for some time, and this was the push I needed to finally try making some easy, homemade treats.
We already give Daisy, along with our cats Penelope and Tiger, coconut oil daily, but I wanted to find a way to include it in this simple recipe. I used ingredients that vets approve for dogs: sweet potato, coconut oil, eggs, coconut flour, and gelatin.
Any combination of these ingredients would work, but we discovered a special mix that Daisy really loves. We also came up with a cat treat recipe for Penelope and Tiger.
I love this DIY recipe because it’s a handy way to give Daisy her daily dose of coconut oil in the form of a fun treat. Plus, I know exactly what’s going into her dog biscuits.
Many homemade treat recipes use peanut butter, rice flour, all-purpose flour, or whole wheat flour. After discussing with our vet, we decided to make our biscuits grain-free and nut-free while being rich in healthy fats and veggies.
Coconut oil was the foundation of my recipe. According to the American Kennel Club, coconut oil is great for dogs due to its over 90% saturated fat content and antioxidant properties that aid mineral absorption. It has Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFAs) that provide energy and contribute to a shiny coat for your pet. MCFAs also contain lauric acid, which offers antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal benefits.
While coconut oil is packed with health benefits for dogs (and dog lovers too!), it’s important to check with your vet before using large amounts, especially if your pet has particular health issues. Just a heads up: too much coconut oil can cause diarrhea or an upset stomach in dogs. We found that one treat a day was just right.
Since these treats are homemade and lack preservatives, they need to be stored in a cool, dry spot to prevent spoiling or mold growth. Here are some tips to keep them dry, fresh, and ready for your furry friend:
We give Daisy one of these treats each day, and she seems pretty happy with them! If you’re pressed for time and want a natural, easy alternative to homemade treats, we’ve tried Chippin treats with our dog. Do you have any pets? What do you give them for treats?
