No pet parent likes bad doggie breath but sometimes, bad breath can be an indication that something is wrong in the digestive tract or even with the heart. For healthy dogs, these fresh breath treats are all-natural and simple to make. The coconut oil is great for skin and coat support. For more information on canine wellness, be sure to check out my Canine Wellness Services.
Coconut oil and parsley are the two main ingredients and both are fantastic aids in fighting bad breath and cleaning teeth. Both of them have antimicrobial properties. Here’s the paw mold I used too! I kept these in the refrigerator for two weeks and they kept fresh.
Also, be sure to check out my video tutorial for an easy homemade toothpaste for dogs to keep your pups teeth pearly white! Click here.
Print Recipe
Fresh Breath Treats
Instructions
Soften your coconut oil or if you have a mold, melt it down
Add parsley to coconut oil and mix well. If using mint as well, add in the mint
If you have a mold, pour in the mixture. If you don't, roll the soften mixture into small balls and place on a plate or parchment paper.
Sprinkle turmeric on top for added anti-inflammatory goodness (optional)
Put in the refridgerator for an hour
Take out and give one to your dog daily! Keep in the refridgerator for extra freshness.
I made these, so easy – but unfortunately my pup doesn’t want ANYTHING to do with them! She won’t even touch them…..
Try mixing them with butter or something smelly!
Can you use essential oil like spearmint or peppermint
No, essential oils should never be ingested by animals.
These look great! it would be fun to make with kids!
Thanks for sharing! Do they keep long?
usually, yes!
Hi Alicia,
Can I use powdered parsley instead of fresh?
Best to use fresh!
So incredibly simple to make even without the molds. I simply bought a 30oz jar of coconut oil and softened it for 30 seconds in the microwave and poured the whole thing in a bowl. Added one bunch of parsley and one package of mint to the oil and Placed it in a jelly roll pan over parchment paper and sprinkled tumeric on top. Placed in fridge and cut into squares. No need for exact measurements.
Thanks Amanda!
This is great!! I didn’t get the specific mold, just put the mixture into a clean ice tray and only filled it up maybe one centimeter. Then I break them into 3 and give to my papillon. His breath is SOOOOO much better! Thanks for this great natural recipe!
Awesome!
How many many calories are in these treats?
I would refer to your coconut oil label.
If I substitute essential oils instead of mint leaves would it be peppermint or spearmint??
Humans and dogs should never ingest essential oils. It is extremely dangerous.
Yes never essential oils. I think you are referring to extracts.
Do you have to use freash parsley or could it be like the season parsley already dried and chopped
Fresh is best 🙂
I love this idea! Do you know if dried parsley would be okay from my spice cabinet? Or should I go get some fresh parsley leaves?
Fresh is best!
Is a silicone square ice cube tray too big for the serving size?
That depends on your dog’s size. You can add in as much or little as needed to the tray.
these look like something that we can give to the seniors at our rescue and rehabilitation center to help with their bad breath. we have a 15 yr old German Shepard (Schatzi), a 15 yr old full blooded pit bull (Cheyenne), a 10 yr old poodle/maltese (Snowball AKA Snowbunny) and a 8 yr old shizu (Gizzie Mo Mo) .
Yes, they’d be great for that!
Can’t wait to make these for my beagle, Lily! She loves coconut oil!
Hi,
I don’t know if my 15-lb. mutt will like or tolerate it so I want to start with a small trial batch; how would you adjust the amount of each ingredient if I were to use just 1/2 cup of coconut oil? Thank you!
Then I would do 1/4 of the parsley!
Hi thank you so much for sharing all of your doggy ideas. Regarding the fresh breath treats, my two year old has a pancreas problem and is unable to have fatty food of any type, so would this treat be suitable for him.? I would appreciate your thoughts on this.
Kindest regards,
Sylvie
Hi! I would consult your vet 🙂
What size would I make them for 2 little chihuahuas
I am not sure – I don’t know their weight so I would consult with your vet on the proper dosing of coconut oil and go from there 🙂
Hello!
Love this idea. My pup already gets coconut oil as treats, and absolutely loves it! I want to do something about his breath though because it is…something haha. I brush his teeth every other day and he chews on antlers, so his teeth are very clean. It’s just his breath that needs some TLC now. He’s a 60lbs dog, and I’m curious how big these treats are. I don’t want to give him TOO much coconut oil (especially if these treats are meant to be given daily on either breakfast or dinner). How big /can you quantify how much coconut oil is in each little mold? Is it like 1tsp worth of oil??
Thanks so much!
These treats are pretty small! I give one to my 30lb, 50lb, and 80lb dogs and they tolerate them very well. They are probably about 2tsp if you use the same mold.
I’m confused! Isn’t coconut oil a liquid? How do you mold it? Roll it into balls?
Coconut oil comes in a solid form unless you live in a very warm climate. I actually have to melt my coconut oil down to mix it properly.
Thanks for this recipe! I just made it, my dog is 11 weeks old, he is a purebred Barbet, and weights around 23 lbs currently. Do you think a tsp. ball worth is okay? I don’t have molds, so making balls.
Yes a tsp should be great!
Could I use Mint Extract instead of mint leaves? And if so, how much?
No, I would not recommend that. I’d stick to the leaves!
No, I would stick to the leaves!
hi 🙂 love this idea!! just a question, can I leave ´em out of the fridge? like normal treats? or do I have to keep them always in the fridge?
thanks 🙂
You can leave them out but they could melt since it is coconut oil based. Also, to keep the greens fresh it is best those are in the fridge.
Also do I have to put it in with his food or can I just give it ti him as a treat
You can give it as a treat!
My dog will be one on July 22 will he be able to eat the hole treat or should a down size
These are pretty small but without knowing your dog’s weight or size I can’t give out accurate info. You can ask your vet!
Will it give them diarrahea ?
Every dog reacts differently to new types of foods and supplements. Trying giving your dog 1/4 and then working your way to a whole one if it is a concern!
Would it be possible to freeze these? Thanks
Yes, you definitely can!
Can you use coconut water or milk instead of oil? My pup loves frozen coconut oil but you can only give so much! Water or milk plus being frozen would be great for hydration in the summer and beating the heat!!! 🙂
Coconut water or milk is super sugary so I would recommend bone broth instead!
Not necessarily. One should ALWAYS read labels. The coconut milk that I am familiar with — brands such as Thai Kitchen and Native Forest — have no added sugar, and only 3g carbs per serving.
Definitely, read labels! The only thing is most coconut milk contains guar gum which can cause upset stomach in humans and dogs.
Can you use peppermint oil instead of peppermint
No – stick to the plant form!
Such an easy and useful recipe! I need to make these for Piper! Salmon dog food does not make for fresh breath XD
Hope they help!
These look great will be making them tonight for my pups and pig (they both have smelly breath) LOL!
Ha! I hope they like them 🙂
Would this be okay for a puppy as young as 8 weeks? As adorable as his puppy breath is, it could use from freshening 🙂
The serving size would be too big for a small pup so I wouldn’t give him an entire one. If it were my puppy I’d probably give them 1/4 of the size of the treat and consult my vet beforehand. Unfortunately, puppy breath is part of being a puppy! He’ll grow out of that 🙂
But can a 3 month old puppy eat them???
Yes, just give 1/4 and work your way up.
Yes but make them real small
I thought coconut oil was too fatty for dogs? Is this true?
Not in small amounts!
How long do these keep. How many do you make in a batch at a time? Where did you find the paw mold?
Hi, Sharon! Answers below, thanks for reading 🙂
How long do these keep – I kept them in the refrigerator for two weeks and they kept fresh.
How many do you make in a batch at a time? Where did you find the paw mold? I made 15 using this mold from Amazon! http://www.amzn.to/2mM47PG
How often can you provide them to your dog?
As needed. With the diets my dogs are on they don’t need them often.
Sounds good! I also use coconut oil to freshen Max’s breath. I simply add about 1 Tbsp of melted cocanut oil & a sprinkle of cinnamon to his dry dog food. He gobbles it up & his kisses are sweet ?
Wish.com has the mold and many more like for $1
Thanks for letting me know!
I have 7 British Labs, need a little help on low calorie snacks, preferably one a day. Breath needs a tune up also. Thanks for information.
Coconut oil is not low calorie , careful. It is a good source of fatty omega 3 oil. It can also cause loose stools so easy on them.
No, it is not but small amounts have massive benefits.
She found the mold on Amazon. I just favorites it on Pinterest. She doesn’t state how long they will keep, but they have FRESH PARSLEY in them….so personally, I would keep refrigerated. I’m guessing you could possibly get a months worth out of 1 1/2 cups of coconut oil , but I can’t tell how big those little paws are in the mold.
They should keep frozen for a few months and in the refridgerator for a month.