If you love making simple homemade dog food recipes, these Pumpkin & Carrot Oat Sticks are a healthy, easy, and budget-friendly treat your dog will enjoy. They are made with plain pumpkin, grated carrot, oats, and egg — simple ingredients you may already have at home.
These sticks are soft enough for many dogs to chew but firm enough to hold their shape, making them great as a homemade snack, training reward, or occasional treat between meals.
Why Dogs Love Pumpkin & Carrot Oat Sticks
Pumpkin adds a soft texture and natural flavor, carrots bring a little sweetness and color, and oats help bind everything together without needing complicated ingredients. The result is a rustic homemade dog treat that looks real, smells warm, and feels like something made with care.
This recipe is not meant to replace your dog’s complete daily food. It is best served as an occasional homemade treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain pumpkin purée
- 1 medium carrot, finely grated
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons oat flour, if needed for texture
- 1 tablespoon water, only if the mixture feels too dry
Important Dog-Safe Notes
Use plain pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling may contain sugar, spices, or sweeteners that are not safe for dogs. Do not add salt, sugar, nutmeg, chocolate, raisins, grapes, onion, garlic, or xylitol.
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F / 175°C and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Add the rolled oats to a blender or food processor and pulse until they become a coarse oat flour. You can leave some small oat pieces for a more homemade texture.
In a mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin purée, grated carrot, egg, and oat flour. Mix until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too wet, add a little more oat flour. If it is too dry, add a small splash of water.
Scoop small portions of dough and roll them into short stick shapes. They do not need to be perfect — slightly uneven sticks look more natural and homemade.
Place the sticks on the prepared baking tray and bake for 22–28 minutes, or until they feel firm on the outside and lightly golden.
Let the sticks cool completely before serving them to your dog.
Serving Size
Give small dogs ½ stick to 1 stick at a time.
Medium dogs can have 1–2 sticks.
Large dogs can have 2–3 sticks, depending on their size and daily diet.
Always introduce new treats slowly, especially if your dog has a sensitive stomach.
Storage
Store the Pumpkin & Carrot Oat Sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months. Thaw a stick before serving, or warm it slightly to make it softer.
Homemade Tip
For a softer treat, bake closer to 22 minutes. For a firmer stick, bake closer to 28 minutes and let the treats cool fully on the tray.
Final Thoughts
These Pumpkin & Carrot Oat Sticks are a simple homemade dog treat made with real ingredients and no unnecessary extras. They are easy to prepare, freezer-friendly, and perfect for dog owners who want a wholesome snack they can make at home.
Your dog gets a tasty treat, and you get peace of mind knowing exactly what went into it.
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Homemade Dog Food Recipes | Pumpkin & Carrot Oat Sticks
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: 20 oat sticks
Description
These Pumpkin & Carrot Oat Sticks are healthy homemade dog treats made with plain pumpkin, grated carrot, oats, and egg. They are simple to make, budget-friendly, and perfect as an occasional snack or training reward.
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain pumpkin purée
- 1 medium carrot, finely grated
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons oat flour (if needed for texture)
- 1 tablespoon water (only if needed)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Pulse the rolled oats in a blender or food processor until they become a coarse oat flour.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin purée, grated carrot, egg, and oat flour. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- If the dough is too wet, add a little more oat flour. If it is too dry, add a small splash of water.
- Scoop small portions of dough and roll them into short stick shapes.
- Arrange the sticks on the prepared baking tray.
- Bake for 22–28 minutes, or until firm on the outside and lightly golden.
- Allow the treats to cool completely before serving.
Notes
Always use plain pumpkin purée, never pumpkin pie filling. Avoid salt, sugar, chocolate, raisins, grapes, onion, garlic, nutmeg, and xylitol. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Dog Treats
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Pet Treats
