3 Easy Recipes for Homemade Oatmeal Dog Treats
Welcome, dog lovers! Are you ready to spoil your furry companion with some homemade goodness? I’m sharing 3 irresistibly easy DIY oatmeal dog treats for your furry best friend!
Whether you’re looking to reward good behavior, bond during training sessions, or simply pamper your pup with a tasty snack, these homemade oatmeal treats are a great way to get those tails wagging with joy. Let’s get baking and watch your canine companion drool with anticipation!
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Our beloved Sheep-a-doodle dog, Bentley, loves treats!
He is also very stubborn!
Treats to the rescue!
Many times, the lure of a treat has calmed his barking, brought him inside from the cold, and helped us train him in our basic commands.
While we are happy to issue occasional treats, we also want to make sure that what we give him is made of healthy ingredients. Sometimes the ingredients listed on commercial brands are unrecognizable.
So, I decided to try some homemade dog treat recipes.
These are the treats that Bentley loves the most.
I figured if Bentley loves them, your dog will too!
Why Healthy Dog Treats are Important
Dog treats play a crucial role in strengthening the bond between you and your furry friend!
Of course, there are the health benefits of using ingredients that are beneficial to digestion, and daily energy, as well as promoting a healthy coat and strong immune system.
They also serve as powerful tools for training and positive reinforcement. Offering treats during training sessions helps reinforce good behavior and encourages learning. Additionally, treats provide mental stimulation and serve as a way to show your pup love and affection.
Whether rewarding them for mastering a new trick or simply making them feel special, dog treats are essential for keeping tails wagging and creating joyful moments together!
And, let’s face it, to your puppy pal…they taste so good!
The Difference Between Homemade and Store-Bought Treats
The difference between homemade and store-bought dog treats lies primarily in their ingredients and quality.Â
Homemade treats offer the advantage of using fresh, wholesome ingredients, allowing you to tailor them to your dog’s specific dietary needs and preferences. You have control over what goes into the treats, ensuring they’re free from artificial additives, preservatives, and fillers.
Plus, homemade treats can be a fun and rewarding activity to make for your pup, deepening your bond. On the other hand, store-bought treats provide convenience and a wide variety of options, but they may contain lower-quality ingredients and additives that aren’t ideal for your dog’s health.Â
Ultimately, choosing between homemade and store-bought treats depends on your priorities, but homemade treats offer the benefit of knowing exactly what you’re feeding your furry friend.
What are safe ingredients for Dog Treats?
Safe ingredients for homemade dog treats include oats, peanut butter (xylitol-free), pumpkin, sweet potatoes, carrots, applesauce, eggs, and lean meats such as chicken or turkey.
These ingredients are nutritious and generally well-tolerated by most dogs.
However, it’s essential to avoid ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as chocolate, raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, and the artificial sweetener, xylitol. Always check with your veterinarian if you’re unsure about any ingredient before making homemade treats for your fur baby.
How to Make Homemade Oatmeal Dog Treats
Each simple recipe is similar in many ways.
Basically, you combine the ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Then, either drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet or roll out the dough with a rolling pin and make doggie oatmeal cookies with your cookie cutter of choice.
Bake in the oven and then let your easy homemade dog treats cool to room temperature on a wire rack.
There are similarities in the some of simple ingredients you will use.
Rolled Oats and Oat Flour
All three of these recipes call for rolled oats or oat flour. You could substitute whole wheat flour but oat flakes give the treats and dog cookies a little bit more substance and bulk. Plus, oat flour is very healthy for your dog.
​If you don’t have store-bought oat flour in the house, you can easily make your own!
Simply toss your rolled oats into a blender or food processor and pulse until they reach a fine, flour-like consistency.
You may need to stop occasionally to scrape down the sides to ensure even grinding.
Once you achieve a smooth texture with your ground oats…Voila!
Peanut Butter
Two of my recipes call for peanut butter. Like most humans, dogs love peanut butter and it is a great source of protein in your DIY dog treats.
It is best to use natural peanut butter to avoid added sugar. You can substitute almond butter if you like.
Another reminder…avoid any nut butter that contains xylitol as this is toxic to your dog.
Veggies
Bentley has always loved carrots so I made sure one of the recipes contain grated carrots. I didn’t realize until I made these that carrots are really beneficial for your dog’s skin!
Maybe I need to eat more carrots myself!
Pumpkin puree is another healthy ingredient so it is included in the recipe for pumpkin dog treats. You can substitute cooked (and cooled) sweet potato if you like.
Healthy Homemade Dog Treats
Here are Bentley’s three favorite dog treat recipes! I hope your furry family member loves them too!
1. Carrot Oatmeal Dog Treats
Oats, carrots, applesauce, eggs, peanut butter, and coconut…these sound like ingredients for a delicious carrot cake! Lucky dog!
You will mix the wet ingredients first and then incorporate the dry ingredients until the dough sticks together.
Then, give the dough 3-4 kneads and roll out with a rolling pin.
Bentley is a large dog so I was excited when I found a large bone-shaped cookie cutter.
With this large cookie cutter, I was able to get 16 treats from the dough. If you use a smaller cookie cutter, you can double that amount!
Yummy carrot peanut butter dog treats for the “Top Dog” in your house!
Bentley sits mesmerized when I offer him one of these treats!
Homemade Oatmeal Carrot Dog Treats
Equipment
- 1 food processor
- 1 rubber spatula
- 1 grater
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 hand mixer
- 1 cookie cutter dog themed if possible
- 1 Baking Sheet
- 1 Parchment Paper
- 1 spatula
- 1 Cooling rack
- 1 Rolling Pin
Ingredients
- 5 cups rolled oats or oat flour reserve 1 cup
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup peanut butter natural
- 1 cup grated carrot
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes unsweetened
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the applesauce, peanut butter, and eggs with a hand mixer.
- Next, add the oat flour, carrots, and coconut. Mix until the ingredients are combined and stick together when squeezed. At this point, you can add a little water if the dough is too dry, or a little more oat flour if it is too wet.
- Sprinkle some oat flour onto your counter surface and start to knead the dough using the heel of your hand. Continue kneading until all the ingredients are fully icorporated and the dough has a smoother texture.
- Roll out the dough with a rolling pin to a thickness of 1/2 inch.
- Using a dog themed cookie cutter, cut out shapes in the dough and transfer to the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the treats are slighly golden in color.
- Cool completely on a wire cooling rack before giving your dog a yummy treat!
2. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Dog Treats
These are Bentley’s favorites for when we take a walk and play in the park. They are small so I can easily fit a few in my pocket for our playtime!
Just four simple ingredients: peanut butter, rolled oats or oat flour, a banana, and an egg.
Mash the banana with a fork and then add the oats, peanut butter, and egg.
For this easy recipe, I actually like to use old-fashioned rolled oats and not grind them into flour. Bentley seems to like the texture better.
Just like your favorite cookie recipe, use an ice cream scoop to create even cookies on the cookie sheet. Flatten the cookies with a fork and pop in the 350 degree oven.
Cool and eat! (Yes, these are fit for human consumption!)
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Dog Treats
Equipment
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 mixing spoon
- 1 fork
- 1 Baking Sheet
- 1 Parchment Paper
- 1 ice cream scoop
- 1 spatula
- 1 Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup peanut butter xylitol-free
- 1 cup mashed banana about 1 large banana
- 1 Tbsp. honey
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degree F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together the mashed banana, peanut butter, and honey until well combined. If the mixture seems too wet, you can add additional oats.
- Stir in the oats until evenly distributed and a dough forms. If the mixture seems too wet, you can add additional oats.
- Using an ice cream scoop, scoop the dough onto the parchment lined cookie sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until slightly brown.
- Cool to room temperature.
3. Pumpkin Oatmeal Dog Treats
Bentley has a sensitive stomach so our vet suggested a specific formula of dog food as well as …pumpkin!
Evidently, pumpkin helps to settle an upset stomach. So, pumpkin is an obvious choice for these dog treats!
The bonus of this recipe is that these are 3-ingredient dog treats. Gotta love that!
Toss all three ingredients into a food processor and combine them thoroughly.
Spoon onto a baking sheet and flatten with a fork.
These pumpkin oatmeal dog treats have the prettiest burnt orange color.
I know…dogs are color blind. But I can enjoy the color!
Pumpkin Oatmeal Dog Treats
Equipment
- 1 food processor
- 1 spoon or ice cream scoop
- 1 Baking Sheet
- 1 Parchment Paper
- 1 fork
- 1 Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Blend the oats, pumpkin, and eggs in a food processor until well-blended.
- Drop by spoonfuls onto the baking sheet. Flatten with a fork.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until the treats are firm and hold together.
- Cool completely on a cooling rack.
Q&A
How Often Should I Give My Dog Treats?
When it comes to treating your pup, think moderation! Just like we humans, dogs can’t resist the temptation of yummy snacks. But to keep those tails wagging without adding extra fluff to their frame, aim for moderation.
Tossing your furry friend a treat or two a day is usually paw-fect. If you’re using treats for training, you might dish them out a bit more often, but don’t forget to balance it out with their regular meals.
Keep an eye on their waistline and overall health to ensure they’re not overindulging. And hey, if in doubt, your vet’s just a bark away for some pro advice!
Is it Cheaper to Make Your Own Dog Treats?
Making your own dog treats can be a wallet-friendly option in the long run!
While store-bought treats offer convenience, crafting homemade goodies allows you to control the ingredients and portion sizes, potentially saving you money.
By using simple, wholesome ingredients like oats, peanut butter, and pumpkin, you can create tasty treats at a fraction of the cost of pre-packaged options.
How to Store Homemade Dog Treats
To keep them fresh and tasty for your furry friend, store them in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to one week.
If you’ve made a large batch or want to extend their shelf life, pop them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
For longer-term storage, freeze the treats in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to three months.Â
Treating your dog to homemade oatmeal dog treats is not only a fun way to show them love but also ensures they enjoy wholesome, nutritious snacks.
With these three easy recipes in your arsenal, you can pamper your pup with flavors they’ll adore, all while knowing exactly what’s going into their treats.
From peanut butter delights to pumpkin-infused goodies, these homemade creations are bound to make tails wag with joy!
Cheers!
Don’t Forget to Pin It!
Pin the image below to your boards on Pinterest (just click the Pin button in the top left corner). You can also follow along with me on Pinterest!
Now For Some People Treats!
The Best Peanut Butter Cereal Cookie
Thank you for sharing your recipe Missy. I know my spoiled pups would love it. I can’t wait to give it a try!
Hard to choose a favorite…Bentley loves them all!
Hi Missy! Thank you for linking up at Share Your Style a week or so ago. I am happy to share your dog treats at SYS #421 for you. We had to put our Pekingese mix down last summer and I sure do miss him! He would have loved your homemade treats. He loved peanutbutter anything. ;)’
Have a lovely weekend and I hope spring has sprung for you,
Barb 🙂
http://www.frenchethereal.net
Oh Barbara! I’m so sorry about your dog! We had to put down our poddle, Charlie, a couple of years ago and it was SO hard. I still think of him aand get a little weepy. Thank you so much for sharing my recipe. I appreciate it!