Dog Treats Homemade with Oats to Warm Their Hearts

There’s nothing quite like the look on Mocha’s face when she hears the treat jar open! My sweet chocolate lab mix has been my faithful kitchen assistant (read: floor cleaner) for years, and creating healthy homemade treats for her has become one of our favorite weekend rituals.

Oats make a fantastic base for dog treats – they’re gentle on sensitive tummies, packed with fiber, and most dogs love their mild flavor. After many taste testers, with Mocha being the most enthusiastic), I’ve perfected these recipes that have my girl doing her happy dance every time.

Why Make Homemade Dog Treats?

I started making Mocha’s treats after she developed tummy issues from store-bought options. Reading those ingredient labels—which often look like science experiments—made me wonder: if I wouldn’t feed it to my kids, why give it to my dog?

The benefits I’ve noticed since switching to homemade treats:

• Better digestion: Mocha’s sensitive stomach issues disappeared almost immediately
• Healthier coat: Her chocolate coat seems shinier and she sheds less
• More energy: At 9 years old, she still has the bounce of a puppy after our switch to cleaner eating
• Bonding time: Baking for Mocha has become a family activity my children love to help with
• Money savings: Making treats in bulk has actually saved us quite a bit over the year

Plus, there’s something so satisfying about knowing exactly what’s going into her body. Now, onto the recipes that have Mocha sitting pretty for a taste!

1. Banana Oat Bites

These simple treats are Mocha’s absolute favorite. She starts circling the kitchen the moment she smells bananas! Last week, I dropped a banana while unloading groceries, and I swear she teleported from her nap spot to the kitchen floor in 0.5 seconds.

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed (the spottier, the better!)
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/3 cup applesauce (unsweetened)
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional, but Mocha loves the smell)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined
3. Let mixture sit for 5 minutes so oats can absorb moisture
4. Drop spoonfuls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet
5. Flatten slightly with a fork (making that classic peanut butter cookie crosshatch pattern makes them look extra fancy!)
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are golden
7. Let cool completely before serving

Nutritional benefits: These treats pack a fiber punch from oats and bananas, supporting digestion. Bananas add potassium and vitamin B6 for muscle and nerve health. Their natural sugars provide sustainable energy without the processed sugar crash. Explore more banana treats for your pet.

Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for up to 3 months. I like to make a double batch and freeze half – perfect for those weeks when life gets too hectic for baking.

Mocha’s review: Five enthusiastic tail wags and the fastest “sit” you’ve ever seen when she spots these coming out.

2. Peanut Butter Oat Crunchies

Mocha has been known to perform tricks unprompted when she sees me grab the peanut butter jar! The day I first made these, she suddenly remembered every trick she’d ever learned, showing off her entire repertoire in rapid succession. Talk about motivation!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats (1 cup ground into flour in a food processor)
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (no xylitol or artificial sweeteners – very important!)
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup water (add more if mixture is too dry)
• 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses (optional, for added minerals)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C)
2. Mix all ingredients until a dough forms
3. Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness
4. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters or simply cut into squares (we use a bone-shaped cutter for special occasions and a pizza cutter for everyday treats)
5. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet
6. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden and firm
7. For extra crunch, turn off oven and leave treats inside for 2 hours as it cools

Nutritional benefits: The combination of oats and eggs provides complete protein. Peanut butter adds healthy fats and more protein, making these treats satisfying and energy-boosting. The molasses adds iron and calcium that can support bone health. Explore more peanut butter treats.

Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 6 months. These are the most shelf-stable of all the treats we make.

Mocha’s review: Her “leave it” command fails spectacularly with these treats. I’ve never seen such focused attention from her as when these are cooling on the counter.

3. Pumpkin Spice Oat Cookies

Mocha goes absolutely wild for these in the fall, but they’re a hit year-round! We started making these during pumpkin spice season three years ago, and now they’re a staple. I’ve even caught my husband sneaking one (though he’ll never admit it).

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1 egg
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (safe for dogs in small amounts)
• 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses (optional, for extra minerals)
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger (optional, good for digestion)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
2. Mix wet ingredients (pumpkin, oil, egg, molasses) thoroughly
3. Add oats, cinnamon, and ginger, mix until well combined
4. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions onto parchment-lined baking sheet
5. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon
6. Bake for 15-18 minutes until firm
7. Cool completely before serving

Nutritional benefits: Pumpkin is excellent for digestive health and contains vitamin A for eye health. The oats provide fiber, and the egg adds protein. Blackstrap molasses (if using) adds calcium, iron, and other minerals. Ginger can help settle upset tummies and improve digestion. Explore more pumpkin homemade treats.

Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 10 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. These tend to be a bit softer than the other recipes, so they don’t last quite as long at room temperature.

Mocha’s review: She’s been known to sit by the oven the entire baking time, nose twitching, completely hypnotized by the aroma.

4. Apple Cinnamon Oat Squares

This recipe came about during apple picking season when we had more Granny Smiths than we knew what to do with. Turns out, they make excellent dog treats! These are super easy and Mocha absolutely devours them.

Ingredients:

• 1 apple, grated with skin on (avoid the seeds)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 cups oats (1/2 cup ground into flour)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
2. Mix grated apple, egg, water, and oil in a bowl
3. Add oats, oat flour, and cinnamon, stirring until combined
4. Press mixture into a parchment-lined 8×8 baking pan
5. Bake for 20 minutes, until edges are golden
6. Allow to cool, then cut into small squares

Nutritional benefits: Apples contain vitamins A and C, as well as fiber. The skin provides additional nutrients and antioxidants. Combined with protein from the egg and fiber from the oats, these make a balanced, nutritious treat.

Storage: Refrigerate for up to one week, or freeze for up to three months. Because of the moisture content from the apples, these don’t store well at room temperature for more than a day.

Mocha’s review: She can recognize the sound of an apple being grated from three rooms away and comes running. These treats earn her “automatic drool” response.

5. Sweet Potato and Oat Chews

When Mocha was a puppy, she used to love sweet potato chews from the pet store. These homemade versions are healthier, more affordable, and just as beloved. Plus, they make the house smell amazing!

Ingredients:

• 1 large sweet potato, washed and dried
• 1 cup rolled oats, ground into flour
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (optional, great for joint health)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
2. Poke sweet potato with a fork and microwave until soft (about 5-8 minutes)
3. Cut in half and allow to cool slightly
4. Scoop out flesh and mash in a bowl
5. Add remaining ingredients and mix well
6. Spread mixture about 1/4 inch thick on a parchment-lined baking sheet
7. Score with a knife or pizza cutter into treat-sized pieces
8. Bake for 25 minutes, then flip pieces over
9. Reduce heat to 200°F and bake for another 2-3 hours until chewy
10. For crunchier treats, leave in the cooling oven overnight

Nutritional benefits: Sweet potatoes are packed with beta-carotene, which supports eye health and immune function. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that can be beneficial for joint health, especially in older dogs.

Storage: These will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or can be frozen for three months.

Mocha’s review: These are her “special occasion” treats. The day she mastered “roll over” after weeks of training, these were her celebratory reward, and her enthusiasm was through the roof! Explore her favorite delicious sweet potato birthday cake.

Tips for Successful Homemade Dog Treats Making

After three years of baking for Mocha, I’ve learned a few tricks that make the process smoother:

1. Prep in batches: I often make 2-3 different treat recipes in one afternoon, then freeze them. This saves time and ensures we always have healthy treats on hand.
2. Adjust for texture preferences: Mocha prefers slightly chewy treats, but your dog might like crunchier ones. Simply bake them a bit longer for more crunch or less for softer treats.
3. Size appropriately: Mocha is a 45-pound lab mix, so I make quarter-sized treats. If you have a smaller dog, make treats pea-sized, or for larger dogs, you can go a bit bigger.
4. Use silicone molds: For special occasions, I’ll use silicone molds (like tiny paw prints or bones) instead of cutting the treats. They come out looking adorable!
5. Label everything: I learned this the hard way after my husband mistook Mocha’s peanut butter treats for human cookies. While perfectly safe for humans, they weren’t exactly dessert quality! Now I clearly label all dog treat containers.
6. Watch the ingredients: Avoid using ingredients harmful to dogs like chocolate, raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, excessive salt, xylitol, and artificial sweeteners.
7. Rotate recipes: Just like us, dogs can get bored with the same treats. I rotate between these five recipes to keep Mocha excited about her rewards.

How These Dog Treats Homemade Fit Into Mocha’s Overall Diet

While Mocha would happily exist on nothing but peanut butter treats, I’m careful to make sure these are just supplements to her regular, balanced diet. Treats make up no more than 10% of her daily caloric intake, with her high-quality dog food providing the nutrition she needs.

For training sessions, I break these treats into even smaller pieces – she’s just as motivated by a tiny morsel as a full treat, and it helps keep her weight in check.

The Joy of Baking for Your Dog

Mocha sat by the oven throughout the entire baking time, nose twitching at every cinnamon-scented waft. The struggle of being patient when delicious smells fill the house is real! But those excited tail wags when she finally got her treat made it worthwhile.

“There’s something special about making treats for a creature who gives nothing but unconditional love. When Mocha gently takes a homemade cookie, her brown eyes meeting mine in a moment of pure gratitude, I remember exactly why I started baking these myself

It’s not about healthier food or saving money – though those are nice bonuses. It’s about the ritual of caring, the act of doing something special for a special family member who brings so much joy to our lives. In our crazy home, these little moments of togetherness mean more than I can say.

Whether you are an old pro at the baking thing or someone who isn’t seen inside the kitchen much, I beseech you to bake at least one batch of homemade treats. Your dog will thank you with over-the-top wagging and, potentially, the purest joy you will witness throughout the day.

Happy baking to your furry kitchen helper! And if you have a favorite recipe of your own, I’d love to hear it – Mocha is always happy to be a taste-tester for new flavors!

Remember: Always introduce new treats slowly to test for any sensitivities, and consult with your veterinarian if your dog has special dietary needs or health concerns. These treats are meant as an occasional reward, not a meal replacement.