Quick and easy four-ingredient treats for dogs and horses.
I have another Valentine’s Day recipe for you today. So far in this category this year, I’ve made Heart Cookies with Cinnamon Icing and Poe’s Jacket Star Wars Cookies, but those are treats for boring old human beings. Today I’m sharing treats for our most adorable valentines, our pets!
I have a bad habit of feeding my pets people food. My cats like popcorn and pineapple off of pizza, my dog lives for table scraps, and my horse’s favorite treats are sour patch kids, but I know those aren’t exactly good for them.
I feel much better about giving them something that is made with all-natural ingredients and isn’t full of oil and sugar. And that’s how these Carrot Oat Applesauce Treats came into being.
These treats are super easy to make, use ingredients you probably already have on hand, and whip up in about 10 minutes before going in the oven. The resulting treats are solid and easily portable, but slightly gummy so it gives pets something to chew on.
Ella sat in the entry way to the kitchen then entire time they were being made, just waiting for them to be done. Okay, she does that any time I cook anything in the kitchen, but she was extra excited about these. I know it.
When it came time for taste testing, they were a hit. Ella gobbled hers down and Daff was searching my pockets for more (BTW, horse people, these treats won’t fall apart in your coat pockets!!).
The cats weren’t terribly impressed, but they’re cats. There’s just no pleasing them.
Scroll past the recipe for some more dog treats. (More horse treats coming soon. 🙂 )
Carrot Oat Applesauce Treats for Dogs and Horses
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup oats (quick for dogs, quick, steel-cut or old-fashioned are fine for horses)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup (about 1 large) carrot finely grated
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and cover a baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Mix all four ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Use a tablespoon to drop clumps of the mixture on to the baking tray. Shape if you wish.*
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, until treats are set.
Notes
Nutrition
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase using them. There is absolutely no additional cost to you.
More Dog Treats
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quel says
wow my dogs kcee and riley will love these alswell as my horses penny and levi possibly patches the pony i show aswell and tj the one i ride
Tracy says
I hope they all enjoy them!!
Dana Benjamin says
Anything that dogs and horses both like is something I need to know how to make.
Tracy says
Right!? Now if I could just figure out a treat that’s dog, horse, and cat friendly. 😉
Steffi says
Hey Tracy. Are these treats supposed to be alittle doughie on the inside?
Tracy says
Hi Steffi, I wouldn’t describe the insides as particularly doughy. When cooled, they are about the texture of a really robust oatmeal cookie. Hope that helps!
Michelle says
Do you have to refrigerate the cookies?
Tracy says
Hi Michelle, they are fine at room temperature for a few hours, but for long-term storage, should be kept in the fridge.
Karen says
used regular oats and added about a tablespoon of peanut butter. wasn’t sure if my boy would like them. he loved them 🙂 Thanks!
Tracy says
I’m so happy to hear that, Karen! Peanut butter sounds like a great addition!
Dana Benjamin says
I know everyone on my farm would like a sample of these babies. Thank you for sharing!
Tracy says
Thanks, Dana!
Jennifer says
Can I make these with with coconut flour you think?
Tracy says
I’ve never cooked with coconut flour, so I’m not sure, but I did a little research and it seems like it should be possible. Since coconut flour is so absorbent, start with 2 tablespoons and add more if needed. If you try it, let me know how it works out for you! Here’s more info on coconut flour in dog treats: http://www.dogtreatkitchen.com/treat-recipes-with-coconut-flour.html
Katie says
Hi! I can’t wait to try these, I’m glad you shared the recipe!
I’m just wondering should I cook the steel cut oats before I make these or is that not necessary?
Thanks!
Tracy says
Hi Katie! No cooking necessary. My lab mix, horse, and my horse’s picky eater pasture mate all loved the steel cut version. 🙂 I hope your pets enjoy them!
Mabel says
Cool! For a change, i will make a lot of this for my horse (Ralda). She will love this tasty knick knacs. Thank you Tracy. ^_^
Tracy says
Thanks, Mabel! I hope Ralda likes them.
Jay @ IndustryEats says
Hi Tracy!
I love this post. I think it was a great idea to break away from the human food for a bit to create something for our four legged friends. While I don’t have a dog to feed a special treat to, I do happen to have 29 horses. Well, I don’t, but the horse sanctuary across the street does. I wonder if they would like to skip their Tractor Supply cookies for some homemade ones. We have a huge draft horse over there that likes to hog everything. His name is Piper and he’s quite the pig. He’ll take our treats, eat them, chase everyone else out of the way, kick his hind legs in the air and then come back for more. He’ll stick his nose in our jackets and pickpocket us. I always feel so bad for all those other little horses who don’t get a chance to stop by. You know the kind, the little ones with the freckles (I hope you’re laughing by now).
Anyway, thanks for the post and giving me the chance to tell someone my horse story. I love that kind of stuff.
Take care,
Jay
Tracy says
Oh my gosh, Jay, you came to the right place. Horse stories are my FAVORITE. 😉 Your story did crack me up, because I totally know the type. My mare is pastured with a gelding who is just like Piper! You have to go into the pasture if you want to give her a treat. You can’t really see it in the photo, but he was standing right next to me trying to get the one I was feeding her. It made for an interesting photo shoot.
Summer says
Wow! These sound and look really good ♥
summerdaisy.net
Tracy says
Thanks, Summer!
Rebekah | Kitchen Gidget says
I think I love Daff – my favorite candy is Sour Patch Kids too! Your pets are so cute and the treats, too!
Tracy says
Great minds! 😉 Thanks, Rebekah.
Jessica says
These are seriously adorable!! My parents’ two labs would love these fun little treats!
Tracy says
Thanks, Jessica. I bet they would. I know my lab (mix) did!
Janette says
My oldest Dog is diagnosed with cancer, I want him to have a birthday party with his brother and best buddy! Thank you, they will love these, and help make this birthday very special!!
Tracy says
Hi Janette, I’m so sorry to hear about your dog’s diagnosis! Throwing him a birthday party sounds like a lovely idea. I really hope they all enjoy these treats. I know my girl did!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
My German Shepherd (who is such a beggar in her older years!) would flip for these! I must give them a try! When I first saw them I though, “Oo, yum!” I guess I could eat them too if I really wanted 🙂 Thanks!
Tracy says
Ah, I love German shepherds! I actually saw a human cookie recipe on Pinterest that was almost this recipe minus the carrots, so you totally could. 😉
Dana says
These cookies are so cute! Also, love your photos and your animals <3
I'm totally going to share this recipe with my Mom. She grooms horses once a week, and she's got a dog. I'm sure she'll be jazzed to whip these up.
Tracy says
Thanks, Dana!
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet says
We have a 6-month old golden retriever and I bet he’d love these – especially since they’re chewy. I think he’d like chewing on these instead of our baseboards, so I better get baking 🙂
Tracy says
Ha, treats are a much better option than your baseboards! I do not miss the puppy stage, adorable as it is!
Gillian Ann Kitchen says
Tracy love this receipe I shall be making some very soon.. do you know how many they could have a day…
Thank you… Gillian
Tracy says
Hi, Gillian, it’s really up to you and the size of your dog. I probably give Ella, my lab mix 2 to 4ish total in a day when I make them.
Liz says
My dog loves these; I thought he would because he comes running whenever anyone is eating carrots. Thanks for the recipe!
Tracy says
LOL. My dog is exactly the same. Glad he enjoyed the recipe!
Kathleen says
We have a 5-month old golden retriever and he loved these treats! I substituted half cup of almond flour for the all-purpose flour and used old fashioned oats. They turned out great—super easy and quick!