ByHealthy carrot puree dog treats can be soft, bone-shaped bites baked in a silicone mold. You make a smooth carrot purée, whisk it with an egg and oat flour, pipe it into the mold, and bake for about 15 minutes. Homemade purée is easiest to control. If you buy baby-food purée, the label should list only carrots and water.
I bought my first bone-shaped silicone mold on a whim. It sat in my drawer for months. Then one day I had a bowl of extra carrot purée and nothing to do with it. I piped it into the mold with a little egg and oat flour, and twenty minutes later I had tiny orange bones. They’re soft enough for my senior dog and cute enough to give as gifts.
Recipe Snapshot
- Prep time: 25 minutes (including making the purée)
- Cook time: 15 to 18 minutes
- Total time: about 1 hour (including cooling)
- Yield: about 30 small bones (depends on your mold)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Storage life: up to 5 days in the fridge, up to 3 months in the freezer
Key Takeaway: Steam and blend carrots into a smooth purée. Whisk ¾ cup with an egg and 1 cup oat flour. Pipe into a small silicone mold and bake at 350°F until set. They come out soft and gentle, so they’re great for small or older dogs.
Is Carrot Puree Good for Dogs?
Yes. Plain carrot purée is just cooked carrots, and carrots are a safe, healthy snack for most dogs.
The American Kennel Club calls carrots a healthy, low-calorie snack. It says they’re an excellent source of vitamin A, potassium, and fiber. The AKC also says raw and cooked carrots are both healthy options.
The ASPCA lists carrots as a good snack option. It notes that veggies are low in fat and calories.
Why Use Puree Instead of Grated Carrot?
Purée makes a smooth batter that pipes easily and fills every corner of a mold. Grated carrot would clog the piping bag.
The texture is softer, too. These bites are more like a tiny cake than a crunchy cookie. That’s handy for puppies (with your vet’s okay), older dogs, or dogs with sore teeth.
How to Make Carrot Puree for Dogs
It takes about 15 minutes and just one ingredient.
- Wash and peel 3 medium carrots.
- Cut them into 1-inch chunks.
- Steam the chunks for 12 to 15 minutes, until very soft.
- Put them in a blender with 2 tablespoons of water.
- Blend until completely smooth. Add 1 more tablespoon of water if needed.
- Let the purée cool.
You’ll get about 1 cup of purée. Use ¾ cup for this recipe and freeze the rest in an ice cube tray.
Healthy Homemade Dog Treats With Carrot Puree Recipe
Use a mold with small cavities, about 1 tablespoon each. Bigger cavities take longer to bake in the middle.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup plain carrot purée, cooled (homemade, or baby food with only carrots and water)
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup oat flour (blend about 1 ¼ cups plain rolled oats)
Equipment
- Small bone-shaped silicone mold
- Piping bag or a zip-top bag with one corner snipped
- Baking sheet to hold the mold
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Set the silicone mold on a baking sheet.
- Whisk the carrot purée and egg in a bowl until smooth.
- Stir in the oat flour until you have a thick batter.
- Spoon the batter into the piping bag.
- Pipe batter into each cavity until it’s just full.
- Tap the baking sheet on the counter to settle the batter.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the tops spring back when touched.
- Cool in the mold for 10 minutes.
- Press each bone out from the bottom of the mold.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Repeat with any leftover batter.
Dog-Safe Ingredient Check
- Read baby-food labels. Choose jars that list only carrots and water. Skip blends with added salt, sugar, or seasonings.
- Wash and peel the carrots. The AKC says to wash and/or peel carrots to remove dirt and pesticides.
- Bake the egg all the way. The AKC’s egg guide says to always cook eggs before giving them to a dog.
- Plain oats only. The AKC’s oatmeal guide warns against flavored oatmeal and add-ins like salt, butter, chocolate, raisins, or grapes.
- No onion or garlic. Some savory “veggie” purées for people include them. The ASPCA lists onions and garlic among foods to avoid feeding pets.
Pro Tip: Stand the piping bag in a tall glass and fold the top over the rim. You can fill it with both hands, and nothing spills.
How Many Carrot Puree Bites Can My Dog Have?
Three or four small bones a day is plenty for a medium dog. Small dogs need one or two, and large dogs can have up to six.
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 keep an eye on weight and activity.
Vet Tip: The AKC suggests asking your vet how many carrots your dog should have each day. That’s a good question to bring up if your dog has diabetes or is on a diet.
For more ideas like this, see my healthy treats I bake.
Are These Good for Training?
Yes, for short sessions at home. They’re soft, so they’re quick to eat and easy to break.
Tear each bone into 2 or 3 bits for simple skills like teaching your dog to touch. Because they’re moist, keep them in a small container instead of a cloth pouch. For fun games that use tiny rewards, I like this brain training program for dogs.
Substitutions and Variations
You can change these bites for allergies, flavor, or dog size.
Allergy Swaps
- Egg-free: Leave out the egg and add 2 tablespoons more purée. The bites will be denser, so bake 2 to 3 minutes longer.
- Purée swap: Use half carrot purée and half plain canned pumpkin.
Grain-Free Option
Use ¾ cup chickpea flour instead of the oat flour. Add 1 tablespoon water if the batter is too thick to pipe.
No-Mold Version
No silicone mold? Pipe small dots onto a parchment-lined tray and bake 10 to 12 minutes.
Scaling for Dog Size
- Small dogs: Use a mini mold or pipe small dots. Bake 10 to 12 minutes.
- Medium dogs: 1-tablespoon cavities, like the recipe.
- Large dogs: Use a mold with 2-tablespoon cavities and bake 20 to 22 minutes.
More Carrot Ideas
Want a crunchier carrot treat? Try my carrot dog treat bites, pumpkin carrot dog cookies, or chicken and carrot dog bites. For another soft treat, see my simple yogurt dog treat bites. Not sure homemade is worth it? Read whether homemade dog treats are healthier.
How Do I Store Carrot Puree Dog Treats?
Store cooled bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze extras for up to 3 months.
These are soft and moist, so they don’t keep on the counter. Freeze them on a tray, then bag them. Thaw a few in the fridge overnight. Toss any that smell sour or show mold. On busy weeks, keep ready-made fresh dog treats on hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use store-bought baby food?
A: Yes, if the label lists only carrots and water. A 4-ounce jar is about ½ cup, so you’ll need 1½ jars.
Q: Can I freeze leftover carrot purée?
A: Yes. Freeze it in an ice cube tray, then thaw cubes for your next batch.
Q: Why are my bites sticking to the mold?
A: They need more cooling time. Wait the full 10 minutes, then push from the bottom.
Q: Why are the centers gummy?
A: The cavities were too big or the bites came out early. Bake 2 to 3 minutes longer.
Q: Can I make these crunchy?
A: Not really. They’re meant to be soft. For crunch, try a rolled carrot biscuit instead.
Q: Can puppies have these?
A: Ask your vet first. If they say yes, these soft bites are easy for small mouths.
Final Thoughts
These healthy carrot puree dog treats are soft, simple, and fun to make. Steam and blend the carrots, use plain oats, and pipe the batter into a mold. Then bake, pop them out, and share a few. Want to watch your dog enjoy them while you’re away? A dog camera makes it easy.
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