ByHealthy sweet potato carrot dog treats can be tiny, ridged “pillows” made with mashed sweet potato, grated carrot, one egg, and oat flour. You roll the dough into ropes, cut little pieces, press them with a fork, and bake for about 20 minutes. Always cook and peel the sweet potato first, and keep these as a small treat, not a meal.
These started as a rainy-day project. I had one leftover baked sweet potato and two carrots in the fridge. I rolled the dough into ropes like I do for homemade pasta, and the little ridged pillows were born. They’re soft, orange, and the perfect size for training. My dog now sits the second she hears the fork tapping the board.
If your dog loves this one, you will find 29 more in my healthy homemade dog treats.
Recipe Snapshot
- Prep time: 25 minutes (with a cooked sweet potato)
- Cook time: 18 to 22 minutes
- Total time: about 1 hour (including cooling)
- Yield: about 60 small pillows
- Difficulty: Easy
- Storage life: up to 1 week in the fridge, up to 3 months in the freezer
Key Takeaway: Mix mashed cooked sweet potato, finely grated carrot, an egg, and oat flour. Roll thin ropes, cut ¾-inch pieces, press with a fork, and bake at 350°F. Never use raw sweet potato, and break the pillows smaller for little dogs.
Are Sweet Potatoes and Carrots Good for Dogs?
Yes, in small amounts. Both are safe vegetables for most dogs when cooked and served plain.
The American Kennel Club’s sweet potato guide says sweet potatoes are an excellent source of dietary fiber. It adds that they’re low in fat and rich in vitamins A, B6, and C, plus calcium, potassium, and iron.
The AKC’s carrot guide calls carrots an excellent source of vitamin A, potassium, and fiber. It also says chewing on carrots can help improve your dog’s dental health.
Is There Anything to Watch With Sweet Potato?
Yes. The AKC lists a few cautions, so I keep sweet potato as a treat, not a main food.
A vet quoted by the AKC warns that too much can cause bone and muscle weakness from excess vitamin A. She also says sweet potatoes have a high glycemic index, so diabetic dogs should only get a little. The AKC page also mentions an FDA alert about heart disease (DCM) in dogs eating foods with potatoes as a main ingredient. A few small pillows a day keeps sweet potato in the “little extra” spot.
Healthy Sweet Potato and Carrot Dog Bites Recipe
Bake or steam the sweet potato ahead of time. A cool, mashed sweet potato makes a smooth, easy dough.
Ingredients
- ½ cup mashed cooked sweet potato, skin removed (about 1 small sweet potato)
- ½ cup finely grated carrot (about 1 medium carrot, washed and peeled)
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ cups oat flour (blend about 1 ¾ cups plain rolled oats), plus 2 tablespoons for dusting
- 1 tablespoon water, only if needed
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mash the cooked, peeled sweet potato in a large bowl until smooth.
- Stir in the grated carrot.
- Beat in the egg.
- Add the oat flour and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Add the water only if the dough cracks.
- Dust your counter with oat flour.
- Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a rope about ½ inch thick.
- Cut each rope into ¾-inch pieces.
- Press the tines of a fork gently into each piece to make ridges.
- Set the pillows on the tray, about ½ inch apart.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until firm and lightly golden on the bottom.
- Cool completely on the tray.
Dog-Safe Ingredient Check
- Cooked, peeled sweet potato only. The AKC says never feed raw sweet potato. It’s hard to chew, can upset the stomach, and may cause a blockage. The AKC adds that skin makes it harder to digest.
- Wash or peel the carrot. The AKC says to wash and/or peel carrots to remove dirt and pesticides.
- Fully baked egg. The AKC’s egg guide says to always cook eggs before giving them to a dog. Baking these all the way through takes care of that.
- Plain oats only. The AKC’s oatmeal guide warns against flavored oatmeal and add-ins like salt, butter, chocolate, raisins, or grapes.
- No butter, brown sugar, or marshmallows. Holiday sweet potato dishes are for people only.
Pro Tip: Use the small holes on your box grater for the carrot. Tiny shreds melt into the dough, so the ropes roll smooth and don’t break.
How Many Sweet Potato Carrot Pillows Can My Dog Have?
About 3 to 5 pillows a day is plenty for a medium dog. Small dogs need just 1 or 2, and large dogs can have up to 8.
VCA Animal Hospitals says the general rule is that 90% of your dog’s daily calories should come from complete and balanced food. The other 10% can come from treats and snacks.
For a simple chart, see how many treats a dog should have a day. A dog health tracker can help you watch weight and activity as you add new treats.
Vet Tip: If your dog is diabetic, overweight, or less active, the AKC says to go carefully and give only a minimal amount of sweet potato. Talk to your vet before adding these to your dog’s routine.
Are These Good for Training?
Yes. They’re small, soft, and not greasy, so they’re made for training pockets.
Their size makes them great for quick rewards during clicker training or when you teach your dog to come when called. Want to know which rewards work best when it counts? See my list of good high-value dog treats. For more games at home, I like this brain training program for dogs.
Substitutions and Variations
You can change these pillows for allergies, pantry items, or dog size.
Allergy Swaps
- Egg-free: Leave out the egg and add 2 more tablespoons of mashed sweet potato. Chill the dough 10 minutes before rolling.
- Sweet potato swap: Use ½ cup plain canned pumpkin purée. Add 2 tablespoons more oat flour, since pumpkin is wetter.
Grain-Free Option
Use 1 ¼ cups chickpea flour instead of oat flour. Roll the ropes a little thicker so they don’t crack.
Crunchy Version
After baking, turn the oven off and leave the tray inside for 1 hour. The pillows dry out and get crunchy.
Scaling for Dog Size
- Small dogs: Roll ¼-inch ropes and cut ½-inch pieces. Bake 14 to 16 minutes.
- Medium dogs: ½-inch ropes and ¾-inch pieces, like the recipe.
- Large dogs: Roll ¾-inch ropes and cut 1-inch pieces. Bake 22 to 25 minutes.
More Sweet Potato and Carrot Ideas
Want a different shape? Try my homemade sweet potato dog treats, carrot dog treat bites, or pumpkin carrot dog cookies.
How Do I Store Sweet Potato Carrot Dog Treats?
Keep cooled pillows in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Freeze extras for up to 3 months.
Freeze them flat on a tray first, then move them to a freezer bag so you can grab a handful at a time. Thaw in the fridge. Toss any that smell sour or show mold. On busy weeks, keep ready-made fresh dog treats as a backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use canned sweet potato?
A: Only if it’s plain sweet potato with no syrup, sugar, or salt. Drain it well before mashing.
Q: Do I have to grate the carrot?
A: Yes. Chunks make the ropes break. Finely grated carrot blends right in.
Q: Can I microwave the sweet potato?
A: Yes. Poke it with a fork, cook until soft, cool, and scoop the flesh away from the skin.
Q: My dough is too sticky. What do I do?
A: Add oat flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it rolls without sticking to your hands.
Q: Can I boil these like pasta?
A: No. These are made to bake. Boiling would make them fall apart.
Q: Can puppies eat these?
A: Ask your vet first. If they say yes, offer one small pillow and watch how your puppy does.
Final Thoughts
These healthy sweet potato carrot dog treats are soft, tiny, and made for rewards. Cook and peel the sweet potato, grate the carrot fine, and roll your ropes. Then cut, press, bake, and share a few at a time. Want to see how your dog behaves while you’re out? A dog camera makes checking in easy.
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