Two Ingredient Dog Treats for Fresh Breath
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Jump to RecipeIt’s no secret that dogs can have really bad breath. Let’s face it, our dogs are not the cleanest animals. Many of them lick their butts or eat dead rodents and they most definitely aren’t brushing their teeth at the end of every day. Dog dental treats can be expensive, and they aren’t always the most effective. Next time you notice your pups breath is starting to smell, try out these two ingredient dog treats for fresh smelling breath.
What Causes Bad Dog Breath?
Contrary to popular belief, dogs don’t get bad breath from their food, licking their butts, or eating dead animals. Bad dog breath simply comes from bad dental hygiene. Think about it, if you never brushed or flossed your teeth they would start to build up plaque, tarter, and bacteria which would cause your breath to stink- the same goes for dogs.
Dog dental disease affects over 80% of dogs that are over the age of three. Just like we take care of our own teeth, we should be taking care of our dogs as well. Brushing your dogs teeth regularly is important to reduce tarter and plaque build up, tooth decay, and halitosis (bad breath).
You can also help prevent dental disease by feeding a high quality diet and allowing them to chew on items such as marrow bones that will remove plaque build up.
Dog Dental Treats and Chews
The pet market is full of various dog dental treats such as Greenies or Whimzees and dental chew toys such as Benebones or Hartz Chew n’ Clean. These products all work in the same way by scrubbing plaque build up off of your dogs teeth as they chew.
These are all great options for routine dental care combined with regular brushing of your pets teeth using a dog toothbrush and toothpaste.
Two Ingredient Dog Treats for Fresh Breath
These two ingredient dog treats for fresh breath aren’t going to remove build up from your pets teeth, so regular maintenance is still required. However, these treats are easy to make and will quickly freshen your pets breath.
To make the fresh breath dog treats you will only need two ingredients: coconut oil and mint. You can also add parsley for added benefits.
Benefits of Coconut Oil for Dogs
Coconut oil is high in saturated fats and has many benefits for dogs such as:
- Shiny coat
- Relieve allergies
- Improves digestion
- Boosts the immune system
- Treats arthritis
- Helps eliminate fleas and ticks
- Soothes dry skin
And of course it also helps kick bad breath. Coconut oil is a canine superfood and can be added into your dogs regular meals daily. About one teaspoon a day can greatly benefit your dogs health. It’s important, however, to slowly introduce this food to your pet as some dogs are not able to handle high amounts of fat. If your dog has history with pancreatitis or other issues digesting fat, talk to your vet before introducing coconut oil to their diet.
Benefits of Mint for Dogs
Mint is another superfood for dogs with a multitude of benefits such as:
- Antioxidant rich
- Helps seasonal allergies
- Contains multiple nutrients such as copper, zinc, magnesium and calcium
- Contains vitamins A and C
And obviously, mint freshens breath. When feeding mint to your dog, be sure not to feed human mint products such as gum or toothpaste as these often contain xylitol, a chemical which is toxic to dogs. Always feed in moderation and talk with your vet if you have any concerns.
How to Make Fresh Breath Dog Treats
To make the two ingredient fresh breath dog treats, simply melt your coconut oil and chop up your mint leaves. Then, pour the coconut oil into a silicone mold and add your chopped mint. Place the mold into the freezer for several hours or overnight. Once frozen, these can easily popped out and given to your dog.
Note: don’t feed more than one a day to your pup, as the coconut oil is high and fat and could cause vomiting or diarrhea if over served.
Two Ingredient Dog Treats for Fresh Breath
Equipment
- 1 Silicone Mold
Ingredients
- 1 cup Coconut Oil
- 1/2 cup Mint Leaves chopped
Instructions
- Chop mint leaves into small pieces
- Melt the coconut oil
- Pour melted coconut oil into silicone molds
- Add chopped mint leaves
- Freeze for several hours or overnight