In the cooler months, dry skin can become a problem for some dogs, so I decided to create a healthy and delicious treat to help nourish delicate winter skin with my Healthy Skin and Coat Treats for Dogs. These treats contain coconut oil, a healthy fat that is known to help nourish the skin. They also contain super-healthy buckwheat, are dairy-free and of course don’t contain any artificial ingredients.
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Here are some of the superfood ingredients in these healthy skin and coat treats:
- Buckwheat Flour: Despite its name, buckwheat flour is actually wheat-free. Buckwheat is a seed and is a rich source of fiber, manganese, magnesium and B-vitamins. It is also known to help stabilize blood sugar levels. I love buckwheat flour because it makes a great hypoallergenic flour option for dogs.
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is a a healthy fat that also contains natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which is great for dogs who may suffer from a skin infection. Coconut oil can also help to soothe dry skin when applied topically, but adding it to your dog’s diet is also a great way to help your dog heal from the inside out. When your pet is healthy on the inside, you are much more likely to notice a healthy and luscious coat.
- Applesauce: Naturally sweet, applesauce is high in fiber (pectin) to help coat sensitive stomachs. It is also a great source of vitamin C and phytochemicals that act as antioxidants to protect cells from free radical damage.
- Zucchini: Zucchini is very low on the glycemic index, meaning that it won’t spike blood sugar levels. It is also rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, beta-carotene and contains anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, zucchini contains pectin and is known to help promote a healthy gastrointestinal tract.
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Healthy Skin and Coat Treats for Dogs Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups buckwheat flour
- 1/4 tsp. Ceylon cinnamon
- 3/4 cup of organic, unsweetened applesauce (be sure that the applesauce contains apples and nothing else)
- 2 TB shredded zucchini (squeeze with a paper towel to remove excess moisture)
- 1/4 cup filtered water
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- Directions
- Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine the buckwheat flour and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir to incorporate.
- Form the treats into bite size rounds and place onto the lined baking sheet.
- Using a fork, create a crisscross pattern on each treat.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown on the bottom.
- Allow the treats to thoroughly cool before letting your dog sample them.
For smaller dogs, you will want to break these treats into small bite-sized pieces. You can also break each treat into smaller pieces for large dogs and use them as training treats.
Store the treats in an air-tight container and use within a few days.
I hope you whip up a batch of these Healthy Skin and Coat Treats for Dogs to help nourish your canine companion’s skin this winter. If you do make them, please let me know how your dog enjoyed them in the comments below this post!
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