Oatmeal dog treats are a pantry favorite for good reason: oats are gentle on most stomachs, wheat-free, cheap, and they bake into chewy cookies or soft bars with just a few other ingredients. This guide has two recipes without peanut butter, oatmeal pumpkin cookies and banana blueberry oat bars, plus how to make your own oat flour, calories per treat and portions by weight.
Recipes: oatmeal pumpkin cookies, banana blueberry oat bars • Prep: 10–15 minutes • Cook: 20–25 minutes • Yield: about 30 cookies or 24 bars • Difficulty: very easy • Storage: 4–5 days airtight, 1 week in the fridge, 3 months frozen
Use plain rolled or quick oats, never flavored instant oatmeal packets.
Table of Contents
Are Oats Good for Dogs?
Yes, for most dogs. Plain oats provide soluble fiber, some protein and B vitamins, and many dogs that don’t do well on wheat tolerate them. One cup of rolled oats has about 307 calories, according to USDA FoodData Central, so they’re an energy source to use in treat-sized amounts, not by the bowlful.
| Type of Oats | For Dog Treats? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rolled (old-fashioned) oats | Best | Chewy texture; blend into oat flour |
| Quick oats | Great | Softer; ideal for no-bake and puppy treats |
| Steel-cut oats | Cook first | Too hard to bake into treats raw |
| Flavored instant oatmeal | No | Sugar, salt, sometimes raisins, chocolate or xylitol |
Oats are naturally gluten-free but are often processed alongside wheat. If your dog needs a strictly gluten-free diet, look for oats labeled gluten-free. If your dog needs to avoid all grains, see our grain-free dog cookies instead.
Recipe 1: Oatmeal Pumpkin Dog Treats (No Peanut Butter)
Oatmeal Pumpkin Dog Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a tray with parchment.
- Blend 1 cup of the oats into flour and keep the other cup whole.
- Mix the pumpkin, applesauce and egg, then stir in the oat flour and whole oats.
- Scoop tablespoon-size mounds onto the tray and flatten with a wet fork.
- Bake 18 to 22 minutes until firm and golden at the edges. Cool on a rack.
Notes
The batch is about 750 calories, roughly 25 calories per cookie.
Recipe 2: Banana Blueberry Oat Bars
- 1½ cups rolled oats
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- ½ cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 egg
Banana Blueberry Oat Bars for Dogs
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch pan.
- Mix the banana and egg, stir in the oats, then fold in the blueberries.
- Press firmly into the pan and bake 22 to 25 minutes.
- Cool completely and cut into 24 small bars.
Notes
Each bar has about 28 calories. Cut them smaller for small dogs. See blueberries for dogs and bananas for dogs for more on these fruits.
How to Make Oat Flour for Dog Treats
Oat flour is just ground oats, and homemade is cheaper than store-bought. Blend rolled or quick oats in a blender or food processor for 30–60 seconds until fine and powdery. One cup of oats makes a little less than one cup of flour. Store extra in a sealed jar for up to 3 months. You can use it in place of wheat flour in most dog treat recipes, including our dog biscuit recipe.
How Many Oatmeal Dog Treats Per Day?
Following the WSAVA guideline of about 10% of daily calories from treats:
| Dog’s Weight | Daily Treat Budget | Pumpkin Oat Cookies (25 kcal) | Banana Oat Bars (28 kcal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | ~35 kcal | 1 | 1 |
| 25 lb (11 kg) | ~70 kcal | 2 | 2 |
| 50 lb (23 kg) | ~115 kcal | 4 | 4 |
| 75 lb (34 kg) | ~160 kcal | 6 | 5 |
Our estimates for neutered adult dogs. Break treats in half for toy breeds.
Storing Homemade Dog Treats With Oats
- Room temperature: 4–5 days in an airtight container; these are softer than plain biscuits.
- Fridge: up to 1 week. The fruit bars do best refrigerated.
- Freezer: up to 3 months. Freeze flat, then bag.
Swaps and Variations
| Variation | How |
|---|---|
| With peanut butter | Add 2 tablespoons of xylitol-free peanut butter to Recipe 1 (about +5 kcal per cookie) |
| No bake | Roll the dough into balls and chill; see our no bake dog treats |
| Apple oatmeal | Swap the blueberries for grated apple; see apple dog treats |
| Egg-free | Use 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water |
| Savory | Replace the fruit with ½ cup finely shredded plain cooked chicken |
Are oats a good treat ingredient? Yes, plain oats are gentle for most dogs in treat amounts.
What oat products should owners avoid? Flavored instant oatmeal and human oatmeal raisin cookies, because of sugar and raisins.
Any tip for sensitive stomachs? Introduce new treats slowly, one at a time.
— Dr. Sarah Miller, DVM
Oatmeal Dog Treats: Quick Guide
✓ Do
- Use plain rolled or quick oats
- Blend oats into flour at home
- Introduce new treats slowly
- Keep portions within the treat budget
✕ Don’t
- Use flavored instant oatmeal
- Share human oatmeal raisin cookies
- Add sugar, nutmeg or chocolate
- Use raw steel-cut oats in baking
Every dog is different. Dogs with grain allergies, diabetes or weight issues should get their vet’s okay first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make oatmeal dog treats without peanut butter?
Yes, both recipes here are peanut-free. Pumpkin, banana, applesauce and egg hold the dough together.
Can dogs eat oatmeal raisin cookies?
No. Raisins are toxic to dogs, and human cookies are full of sugar and butter. If your dog ate one, call your vet; see our grapes and raisins guide.
Can I give my dog plain cooked oatmeal?
Yes. A few spoonfuls of plain oatmeal cooked in water, with no sugar, milk or salt, is fine as an occasional topper.
Are oat dog treats good for sensitive stomachs?
Many dogs tolerate oats well, but every dog is different. Start with one treat and see our sensitive stomach diet guide.
Can puppies have oatmeal treats?
Yes, in small pieces once they eat solid food. Quick oats make softer treats for young teeth.
Why are my oatmeal treats crumbly?
Add a little more binder (pumpkin, applesauce or an extra egg), press the mounds firmly, and let them cool fully before moving them.
Looking for another recipe? Browse all our homemade dog treats by type.
The Bottom Line
Oatmeal dog treats are simple, wheat-free and kind to most stomachs: mix plain oats with pumpkin, applesauce, banana or blueberries, bake, and store them in the fridge or freezer. Use plain oats only, skip raisins and flavored oatmeal, and keep portions within the treat budget. Find more recipes in our Homemade Treats section. This article is general information, not veterinary advice; see our Veterinary Disclaimer.
References & Sources
Written by CPD Nutrition Desk using the sources below. We are not affiliated with these organizations, and this guide is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
- USDA — USDA FoodData Central
- WSAVA — Feeding treats to your dog v2