Coconut Dog Lick Mat Treat Idea
Everybody knows the song “Do you like pina coladas, or getting caught in the rain?”! As someone who’s from Florida and gets rained on daily every summer and hates coconut, my answer is actually no to those questions, ha! However, I do love using coconut in my dog treat recipes!
I have so much fun turning things we eat and drink into dog-friendly versions and today’s dog lick mat idea is inspired by a true classic, the pina colada!
In this post, I’ll be sharing all about the benefits of lick mats for dogs, how coconut and dog bone broth are good for dogs and how to make one of the easiest 3 ingredient dog treats that doubles as a dog enrichment activity!
Benefits of Lick Mats For Dogs
If you’ve never used a dog lick mat before, first, I’m so excited for you because dog lick mats are one of my favorite dog enrichment activities and second, you’re going to love the many benefits of lick mats for dogs. Check out the list of benefits below!
- Anxiety reliever
- Licking is a natural way for your dog to reduce stress and anxiety. Since dog lick mats have many different surfaces and textures, this provides a lot of stimulation for your dog.
- Boredom buster
- Instead of your dog getting into something the shouldn’t, when you give them a dog lick mat, this allows them to focus their full attention on that. Plus, if you freeze it, it lasts even longer and provides even more dog enrichment!
- Training aid
- Dog lick mats can aid in crate training, bath time, nail trims, so many positive things!
- Slow feeder
- If you do have a dog that eats too fast and want to know how to slow them down, lick mats double as slow feeder dog bowls! Dog lick mats come in many designs, allowing you to mash and spread out their food, no matter what kind of diet they’re on. Some of my favorites for this are the Lickimat Wobble Bowl, Lickimat Yoggie Pot and the Lickimat Slomo.
Benefits of Coconut and Bone Broth For Dogs
First let’s answer a common question: Is coconut/coconut oil safe for dogs? The short answer, yes! The long answer, is yes, but because coconut contains medium-chain triglycerides (can cause some gastrointestinal upset and bloating), it’s always best to consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns before giving it to your pet!
Benefits of coconut for dogs:
- Decreases inflammation
- An article from AKC stated: “Coconut meat is high in lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid. This basically means that the body is able to absorb the molecules whole, using them as a direct source of energy…. …Inflammation is also the main cause of arthritis, so feeding coconut to your dog might make their aching joints feel a little better, as the inflammation settles down.”
Note: Make sure to remove the coconut shell prior to giving your dog since it can cause a blockage and other major issues.
- Boost your dog’s immune system
- Coconut has tons of antioxidants which can help support the immune system. Expert advice from AKC also stated: “Although the ingestion of coconut hasn’t been proven to cure any diseases, there have been studies supporting its anti-viral properties. Along with its ability to reduce inflammation, coconut is a great snack for a dog that’s feeling a little under the weather or healing from illness or injury.”
- Help Your Dog’s Skin & Coat
- When coconut oil is applied to your dog’s skin, it can help with irritation including hot spots, dry or itchy skin, and more. The oil helps soothe any inflammation while also moisturizing. I’ve even seen dog paw balms with coconut oil as an ingredient!
Since dog bone broth is also an ingredient in this Lickimat recipe, I wanted to share one of the many incredible benefits of bone broth for dogs. Which, by the way, check out my full post with Brutus Broth where I share all of the many benefits of bone broth for dogs and some awesome bone broth dog treats (you may also find another dog bone broth recipe at the bottom of this post!).
- Increases joint support
- Brutus Broth is fortified with Glucosamine and Chondroitin which is essential for repairing and strengthening joints. One important thing to note is that dog broth is not a solution or a cure for joint issues in dogs (which is extremely common in certain breeds and in all as they get older). If you have a concern, please consult your veterinarian.
Dog Lick Mat Recipe Ingredients/Tools
Alright, to make this super easy 3 ingredient dog treat, all you need are three things, ha!
- Plain Greek Yogurt (only used a scoop or so)
- Coconut Meat or Oil (used a spoonful of coconut oil in this recipe)
- Dog Bone Broth (I love all flavors of Brutus Broth! Featured here is their powdered dog bone broth)
- Fresh pineapple slice for garnish (make sure the hard exterior is cut off if you do this since the exterior isn’t safe for dogs but the pineapple inside is!)
- Blender (I use my Ninja Bullet!)
- Lickimat Yoggie Pot
How To Make:
Making this frozen Lickimat idea is super easy! Follow the few steps below to be done in minutes!
Step 1: In a cup mix up your powdered dog bone broth with water. If you’re using the regular cartons of dog bone broth from Brutus Broth, you can skip this step!
Step 2: Grab your blender and combine your dog bone broth, a spoonful of coconut oil (or meat if you have it) and 1-2 spoonfuls of plain greek yogurt. Blend together.
Pro Tip: Before step 3, look at the serving size on the Brutus Broth package for your dog’s weight. This will help you to determine if you can put the entire serving in one single treat for your dog, or if it’s better to divide up into 2-3 treats for your dog. If that’s the case, if you want to put it on another dog lick mat, the Lickimat designs that support liquids the best besides the Yoggie Pot are: Lickimat UFO, Lickimat TUFF Playdate and the Lickimat Wobble.
Step 3: Grab your Lickimat Yoggie Pot and pour your blended mixture in.
Step 4: Freeze for 4-5 hours or overnight (this much liquid takes a bit longer to completely freeze).
Step 5 (optional): Cut a slice of pineapple and cut a small slit in the middle and stick it on your Lickimat Yoggie Pot for a fun & healthy dog lick mat garnish!
I also couldn’t resist sharing the photos above. Annie was SO excited to try her frozen treat that she was trying to climb all over me and the pineapple garnish kept flying everywhere, ha!
I think this is one of the easiest dog lick mat ideas I’ve ever made, ha! I also love that it’s packed with so many awesome health benefits for your dog, while also doubling as that dog enrichment activity through the numerous benefits of lick mats for dogs!
If you’re like ok, I want to make more lick mat recipes for dogs, but are wondering what to put on a lickimat, you’ve come to the right place! My healthy dog treats section is filled with dog lick mat ideas, kong filling recipes/stuffing ideas and regular healthy treat ideas!
Check out some of my favorite and most-visited dog lick mat ideas and healthy dog treats below:
- Benefits of Bone Broth For Dogs + Brutus Beef Bone Broth Dog Lick Mat Recipe (Learn the many benefits of bone broth for dogs + use any flavor for the recipe!)
- 3 Easy Summer Frozen Dog Lick Mat Ideas
- Dog Bone Broth Fresh Breath Dog Treats
- 3 Easy Dog Lick Mat Ideas
- Acai Bowl Dog Lick Mat Idea
- 3 Ingredient Yogurt Dog Treat Recipe With Lickimat Soother
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Photography: Kate Kelley Photo