Coconut Oil Dog Treats: 2 Easy Recipes (2026)
A few months ago I caught my Cavalier, Milo, scratching the same dry patch behind his ear over and over. No fleas, no rash — just flaky winter skin. The vet’s suggestion was simple: add a little coconut oil to his diet and see what happens. The catch was that Milo hated plain oil stirred into his kibble. So I started baking coconut oil dog treats and freezing it into snack bites instead — and within about three weeks, the flakes were gone and his coat looked noticeably shinier.
The two recipes below turn coconut oil from a greasy supplement into treats your dog will actually beg for: one no-bake frozen berry bite, and one crunchy baked oat-and-pumpkin biscuit. Both are portioned so you can control the daily amount easily. All text, ingredient amounts, and instructions here are my own original work, written after reviewing the general topic for format.
Table of Contents
- Why Coconut Oil Helps Dogs’ Skin and Coat
- Recipe 1: Coconut Oil & Mixed Berry Frozen Bites
- Recipe 2: Baked Coconut Oil Oat & Pumpkin Biscuits
- Daily Coconut Oil Amounts by Dog Size
- Storage Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Coconut Oil Helps Dogs’ Skin and Coat
Coconut oil’s main fatty acid is lauric acid, which has mild antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. When fed regularly in small amounts, the fats are absorbed and help keep skin supple from the inside out, while a shinier coat is a common side effect. It also tends to be gentle on the stomach compared to heavier oils, though moderation still matters — too much can loosen stools. Use unrefined virgin coconut oil (the kind that smells like coconut); refined versions lose some of the beneficial compounds. A 16-ounce jar typically costs six to eight dollars and covers many batches of these recipes.
Recipe 1: Coconut Oil & Mixed Berry Frozen Bites
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unrefined virgin coconut oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries), thawed if frozen | 3/4 cup |
| Plain Greek yogurt (no sweeteners) | 1/3 cup |
| Mashed ripe banana | 1/4 cup |
Instructions
- Gently melt the coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat or in the microwave in 15-second bursts. Set aside for two minutes so it is warm, not hot.
- Put the berries in a medium bowl and crush them with a fork. Rustic and chunky is perfect — you do not need a smooth puree.
- Stir the mashed banana and Greek yogurt into the crushed berries.
- Slowly drizzle in the melted coconut oil while stirring constantly. Keep stirring until the mixture looks uniform; the oil will blend into the yogurt instead of floating on top.
- Spoon the mixture into a silicone ice cube tray, filling each well about three-quarters full. This recipe makes roughly 18 small bites.
- Freeze for at least 5 hours, or overnight. Do not pop them out early — the coconut oil must fully solidify or the bites will crumble.
- Twist the mold to release the bites and transfer them to a freezer bag, pressing out as much air as possible.
Flavor variation: swap the mixed berries for 3/4 cup of chopped strawberries plus a tablespoon of peanut butter (xylitol-free) for a strawberry shortcake version.
Recipe 2: Baked Coconut Oil Oat & Pumpkin Biscuits
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rolled oats | 2 1/2 cups |
| Plain canned pumpkin puree | 1/2 cup |
| Unrefined virgin coconut oil, melted | 1/4 cup |
| Ground turmeric | 1 teaspoon |
| Ground cinnamon | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Water | 3 to 5 tablespoons, as needed |
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This lower-than-usual temperature protects the coconut oil’s fats from overcooking.
- Pulse the rolled oats in a blender or food processor for about 20 seconds until you get a rough flour with a few visible flakes.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oat flour, turmeric, and cinnamon.
- Add the pumpkin puree and the melted coconut oil. Stir with a sturdy spoon until a thick dough forms.
- If the dough crumbles and will not hold together, add water one tablespoon at a time until it reaches a firm Play-Doh consistency. If it is sticky, sprinkle in a little more oat flour.
- Dust a clean surface with oat flour and roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut shapes with a cookie cutter or a small glass. This batch makes roughly 22 to 28 biscuits.
- Arrange the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet with a little space between them.
- Bake for 24 to 28 minutes, until the edges are firm and golden and the tops feel dry to the touch.
- For extra crunch, turn the oven off and leave the biscuits inside with the door cracked for 15 minutes.
- Cool on the baking sheet for at least 30 minutes before serving. Break one open — it should snap cleanly when it is done cooling.
Crunchy or soft? Dogs with sensitive teeth can enjoy the softer version: bake for only 20 minutes and skip the oven-off drying step. And note that turmeric will stain your fingers and counters yellow — work on parchment and wash your hands right after.
Daily Coconut Oil Amounts by Dog Size
Coconut oil is fat, so treats are part of your dog’s daily fat allowance — not free extras on top of meals. Use these daily totals as your guide, counting all coconut-oil treats toward them:
| Dog Size | Weight | Daily Coconut Oil |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Under 15 lbs | 1 teaspoon |
| Small-medium | 15 to 30 lbs | 2 teaspoons |
| Medium | 30 to 50 lbs | 1 tablespoon |
| Large | 50+ lbs | 1 1/2 tablespoons |
Each frozen berry bite contains roughly half a teaspoon of coconut oil, and each biscuit roughly a third of a teaspoon. If your dog has never had coconut oil before, start with half the recommended amount for the first week. Visible coat improvements usually take 2 to 3 weeks of consistent use.
Storage Instructions
Frozen berry bites: keep them in a sealed freezer bag for up to 3 months. They begin melting within minutes at room temperature, so hand one out just before serving.
Baked biscuits: store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, in the fridge for up to a month, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. The coconut oil helps preserve them, so they last longer than most homemade biscuits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give my dog coconut oil straight from the spoon?
Yes — some dogs love it plain. If yours will take the recommended daily amount from a spoon, you do not need the recipes. Many dogs refuse it straight, which is exactly what treats are for.
Will these treats help with hot spots?
They may help mild dry patches as part of general skin maintenance, thanks to lauric acid’s anti-inflammatory properties. But oozing hot spots or constant licking need a vet — do not treat them as a home remedy for medical conditions.
Is coconut oil safe for dogs with pancreatitis?
No. Coconut oil is high in fat, and dogs with pancreatitis need low-fat diets. Skip these recipes and ask your vet about safer alternatives like fish oil.
Can puppies have coconut oil treats?
Puppies over 12 weeks old can have small amounts — use half the adult dose and offer half-sized treats.
Why does the recipe say virgin unrefined coconut oil?
Unrefined oil is cold-pressed and keeps more of the lauric acid and other compounds believed to support skin. Refined oil loses some of them in processing. The ingredient list should say only “coconut oil.”
Keep Reading
- Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats
- Homemade Dog Training Treats
- Frozen Dog Treats with Blueberries
- Homemade Frozen Dog Treats
- No-Bake Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
- What Fruits Can Dogs Eat: Best vs. Worst
- Natural Remedies for Dog Allergies
- Homemade Dog Treats Without Flour
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Feeding Guide
