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.
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Hannah says
Thank you for the recipe, my Chessie will love these!!
Tracy says
Thanks, Hannah! Hope Chessie enjoys them!
Mary says
Thanks for the great recipe. I have 4 granddogs and I’m always looking for healthy treats for them. One is very picky with treats and food but he sure loved these. I have made them a few times now and I froze the first batch. They were fine once thawed but the dogs also love them frozen!
Tracy says
I’m so happy to hear the granddogs enjoy them! 🙂 Thanks, Mary!
Susie Fox says
Can these treats be frozen? I would like to make them for all my family’s dogs for Christmas – but right now whilest I have the time!
Tracy says
Hi, Susie, I’m not sure. I wouldn’t have a problem freezing extras for my dog, but I’m not sure how the freezing and defrosting process will affect how they look. Since you’re giving them as gifts, I’m worried they might look a bit dried out afterwards. I would do a little test batch just to be sure. If you do try, please let us know how it works out!
Didi says
Your pets are adorable. I do love Ella. I think my pup will love these treats. I love that they only have healthy ingredients. I’m going to make them this weekend.
Tracy says
Thanks, Didi!! I hope your dog enjoys them!
Jennifer Maddox says
do you think these would work in the dehydrator also??
Tracy says
Hi Jennifer, I’m not sure. I have almost zero dehydrator experience. If you do try, please report back!
Janel says
Making these now 🙂 how long would you say these should last refrigerated?
Tracy says
Hi Janel, about 5-7 days, but mine always get eaten way before then. 😉 Hope your furry friends enjoy them!
Paula pringle says
These are in the oven as I type. I can’t wait for Lucy to taste one. I am just starting out now to make homemade treats for my Labrador mix she’s 11 months old.
Tracy says
I hope she enjoyed them, Paula! (My own lab mix definitely does 😉 )
Julie says
I made these tonight. They smelled amazing while baking! My great white Pyrenees & black lab both loved them.
Another reason I made them is because my daughter and I are going to a horse farm tomorrow. I added cinnamon and substituted the regular flour for half and half coconut flour and oat flour. I know the recipe has oats (I used gluten free steel cut), but read mixed reviews regarding the oat flour. I used Bob’s Redmill. Is it safe for their gut health? PS-I used a mini Apple cutter and while they don’t all look perfect due to using gluten free flours, they are still cute! Thank you for the recipe!
Tracy says
Hi Julie, thanks for the comment. Glad your dogs enjoyed them! (I love Great Pyrenees, I can never get over how big and fluffy they are!)
Oat flour should be fine. I hope you two enjoy your day at the horse farm. I literally can’t think of a better way to pass a fall day. 🙂
ChristineJones says
Do these cool into crunchy cookies? My horse (Karma) doesn’t eat any mushy treats 🙁
Tracy says
These aren’t mushy and super soft. They are more a little gummy and solid, but not crunchy. What a funny quirk. I’ve never seen that one before! 🙂
Kaitlin says
Hey! I am thinking about making these for my dog, he is a Maltese, will he still like them
Tracy says
Hi Kaitlin, if he likes carrots and non-meaty treats, he will probably like these. My childhood dog didn’t like veggies and wouldn’t have touched them. My lab LOVES them, so it really just depends on the dog.
Steve says
what about rolled oats?
Tracy says
Hi Steve. Fine for horses. I’d stick to quick cooked for dogs.
Vicki says
Can these be made with whole wheat flour or almond flour
Tracy says
Hi, Vicki. Yes. You can use either.
Jessie Fay says
These looks amazing! We just adopted a pooch this last Sunday and, so far, I’ve made peanut butter/banana/oatmeal treats in the shape of little ducks lol (she’s a Catahoula mix). I am definitely going to try these next! Thanks for sharing your recipe 🙂
Tracy says
Thanks, Jessie! Your girl sounds adorable. Ella has actually has a little catahoula in her. Her mom was all spotty, but you can’t see it in Ella at all. She’s just lab black. 🙂
Ashley says
These sound amazing, but my Stafford shire is allergic to carrots. His eyes and face turn red and puffy after he eats them (He absolutely loves carrots though). Is there somthing I can substitute for them?
Tracy says
Oh no, bummer for him! Honestly, I’m not sure if you could really substitute something else. Functionally, you could replace the carrots with grated zucchini (they might need a bit more flour since zucchini is wetter), but I don’t know if they would taste super appetizing to a dog. If you don’t mind fish and you are looking for an easy treat, you can try these tuna treats: https://bakingmischief.com/2016/06/08/high-value-dog-treats/ They are really simple too, and no carrots. 😉
Dawn says
Hi Diane, i made these treats today and they are literally in the oven as I write this! My niece Faith had 2 black labs hailey & sadie, today is there birthday they are nine! Well hailey passed a few weeks ago & we are all mourning her! They are sisters so we are having a party for sadie who hasn’t been her self since! ( but getting better) i made the peanut butter carrot delight cake it looks delicious! I didn’t use the oil in the treats instead i used a little apple sauce & a little pumpkin puree (both organic) i cant wait to try them
Dawn says
Im sorry some how my phone wrote diane! I hate that!
Tracy says
Auto correct is the worst! 🙂
Tracy says
Thanks, Dawn! We had to put Ella’s sister down a couple of years ago, so I know how hard that can be for everyone, canine and human. Hope Sadie enjoys the treats and has a good birthday!
Nora says
What about parsnips?
Tracy says
Parsnips should work just fine!
KaleaCakes90 says
Sweet potatoes are a great alternative to carrots! They taste great and dogs love it!
Whitney says
My GSD would absolutely love these! He loves frozen carrots so this is perfect for him! Could I put these in my silicone baking molds and bake them that way or is it best to just shape them on a pan?
Tracy says
Ah, I love GSDs so much!! A silicone mold should work just fine (the cooking time might be a little longer or shorter depending on the mold size). You will definitely get a prettier treat if you use a mold, but if you bake them on a foil-covered baking sheet, you don’t have to do dishes. So it’s totally up to you. 😉
Kayla says
Do I have to use apple sauce or can I just use water?
Tracy says
I’ve never tried it, but it would probably work. I would start with just a couple tablespoons of water and keep adding just until there is enough liquid for all of the ingredients to hold together.