I don’t know about you, but my furry best friend deserves the absolute best, right? That’s why I’m always on the hunt for ways to spoil him with yummy, healthy treats that I can actually feel good about giving him. Forget those mystery-ingredient store-bought options; making your own really is the way to go! I started whipping up these Lamb Oatmeal Gentle Sticks Jerky a while back when I wanted something super simple, packed with goodness, and naturally gentle on my pup’s tummy. Honestly, seeing him go absolutely bonkers over these little homemade bites makes it all totally worth it. They’re ridiculously easy, and you only need a few pantry staples!

Why You’ll Love Making Lamb Oatmeal Gentle Sticks Jerky

Seriously, these little guys are a game-changer for dog treats. Here’s why you’ll be hooked:

They’re SO easy to whip up – seriously, even a kitchen novice can nail these!
Way more cost-effective than buying fancy jerky from the pet store. Hello, savings!
You know exactly what’s going in them: good, wholesome ingredients, no weird fillers.
Your dog will absolutely adore them. Brace yourself for the happy dances!
They’re gentle on sensitive tummies, thanks to the simple lamb and oatmeal combo.
It’s incredibly satisfying to make something healthy and delicious for your best friend.

Ingredients for Your Lamb Oatmeal Gentle Sticks Jerky

You only need a few things for these simple, tasty treats!

1 pound ground lamb
1 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup water

Essential Equipment for Making Lamb Oatmeal Gentle Sticks Jerky

You don’t need any fancy gadgets for this recipe, thank goodness! Just grab a couple of basics from your kitchen:

A large mixing bowl for bringing everything together
A sturdy baking sheet (a standard half-sheet size works perfectly)
Parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze and ensure nothing sticks
A knife or a pizza cutter for scoring the jerky strips

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Lamb Oatmeal Gentle Sticks Jerky

Alright, let’s get down to making these yummy treats for your pup! It’s really straightforward, and before you know it, you’ll have a whole batch of homemade goodness.

Preheating and Preparing Your Baking Sheet

First things first, let’s get that oven nice and toasty. I like to preheat mine to 200°F (95°C) – a low and slow bake is key here. Then, grab your baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Trust me, this makes cleanup SO much easier, and it prevents any sticky messes.

Mixing the Lamb Oatmeal Gentle Sticks Jerky Base

Now for the fun part! In a good-sized mixing bowl, just toss in your ground lamb, rolled oats, and that little bit of water. I like to get my hands right in there (wash ’em first, of course!) and really mix it all up until it’s super well combined. You want it to look like one cohesive dough, no dry oat bits hiding!

Achieving the Perfect Thickness for Your Jerky

Once it’s all mixed, spread this mixture out onto your prepared baking sheet. You’re aiming for a nice, even layer, about a quarter-inch thick. I find that using the back of a spoon or even just my fingers (lightly greased if you have sticky dough) helps me get a really uniform layer. This is important so everything dries out evenly!

Scoring the Lamb Oatmeal Gentle Sticks Jerky for Easy Breaking

Here’s a little trick to make things super easy later: use a knife or a pizza cutter to gently score the dough into strips. Don’t cut all the way through, just make a nice indentation. This way, once they’re baked and cooled, you can just snap them apart into perfect little sticks!

Baking for Dry and Firm Lamb Oatmeal Gentle Sticks Jerky

Into the oven they go! Pop that baking sheet in and let them bake for about 2 to 3 hours. You’re looking for them to be dry and firm to the touch. Honestly, my oven runs a little hot, so I usually check around the 2-hour mark. They should feel leathery, not squishy. Making sure they’re *completely* dry is super important to prevent any yucky mold later.

Cooling and Breaking Your Homemade Jerky

Once they’re baked and you’re happy with the firmness, take them out of the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet. Don’t rush this! Once they’re totally cool, you can easily break them along those scored lines. Go gently; you don’t want them to crumble into a million pieces, just nice, clean sticks.

Tips for Success with Your Lamb Oatmeal Gentle Sticks Jerky

Making these little jerky sticks is really forgiving, but I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way that just make them turn out *perfect* every single time. First off, try to use good quality ground lamb if you can find it; it really makes a difference in the flavor. Also, ovens can be so quirky, right? So definitely keep an eye on your jerky during that last hour of baking. If it looks like it’s browning too much, you can always loosely tent it with foil. I always aim for that nice, leathery texture – not too brittle, not too soft. And remember that cooling completely is your best friend for getting clean breaks!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Dog Treats

We’re keeping this super simple, but let’s chat about the ingredients just in case!

The ground lamb is great because it’s lean and generally easy to digest for most pups. If you can’t find lamb, or if your dog has allergies, you could try using lean ground turkey or chicken instead. Just make sure it’s plain and unseasoned, okay?

As for the oats, rolled oats are perfect. They’re mild and add a nice texture. Quick oats could work in a pinch, but rolled oats give a slightly better structure. You want to avoid any instant oatmeal packets that might have added sugar or flavorings. We’re all about that plain goodness!

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Lamb Oatmeal Gentle Sticks Jerky

Okay, so once your yummy Lamb Oatmeal Gentle Sticks Jerky are all cooled and broken into perfect little pieces, you’ll want to store them properly so they stay fresh and safe for your furry pal. Because these are homemade with no preservatives, they do best in the fridge! I pop mine into an airtight container and they usually stay good for about a week, maybe a little longer if your house is nice and cool. Honestly, they never last that long around here anyway! You don’t really need to reheat them; they’re designed to be a nice, chewy treat at room temp. If for some wild reason some got really cold, just let them sit out for a few minutes before giving them to your dog.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lamb Oatmeal Gentle Sticks Jerky

Got questions about whipping up these tasty morsels for your pup? I’ve got you covered! Making homemade treats is super rewarding, but sometimes little things can pop up. If you’re looking for more ideas, definitely check out our other dog treat recipes!

What is the shelf life of homemade Lamb Oatmeal Gentle Sticks Jerky?

Since these are made with simple ingredients and no preservatives, they’ll last about a week in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Make sure they are fully dried first!

Can I substitute the ground lamb in this recipe?

Sure can! If lamb isn’t your dog’s favorite or you have an allergy issue, lean ground turkey or chicken works great too. Just make sure it’s plain, no added spices or anything!

Why is my Lamb Oatmeal Gentle Sticks Jerky still soft?

This usually means it needs a bit more baking time! Ovens can be funny, so keep them in there longer at that low temp. Make sure they are totally dry and firm before you take them out!

Nutritional Information for Lamb Oatmeal Gentle Sticks Jerky

Wondering what goodness your pup is actually getting? Here’s a rough breakdown for each little stick, give or take! Remember, these are estimates and can tweak a bit depending on the exact brands you use and the specific leanness of your lamb.

Serving Size: 1 stick
Calories: ~75
Fat: ~4g
Carbohydrates: ~6g
Protein: ~5g

Share Your Creations!

I just LOVE seeing your dogs go wild for these treats! Did you make a batch of these Lamb Oatmeal Gentle Sticks Jerky? Snap a pic and tag me, or tell me all about it in the comments below! I truly can’t wait to hear how your pups enjoyed them. You can always reach out via our contact page or learn more about us!

Lamb Oatmeal Gentle Sticks Jerky

Author: dogtf.com
Total Time: 3 hours 15 min
Yield: Approx. 20 sticks
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Homemade lamb and oatmeal jerky sticks for dogs.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground lamb
1 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup water

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 200°F (95°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a bowl, combine the ground lamb, rolled oats, and water. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
Press the mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet to about 1/4 inch thickness.
Score the mixture into strips using a knife or pizza cutter.
Bake for 2-3 hours, or until the jerky is dry and firm.
Let cool completely before breaking into sticks along the scored lines.
Store in an airtight container.

Notes

Ensure the jerky is completely dry to prevent mold.
These treats are best stored in the refrigerator for longer shelf life.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 3 hours
Category: Dog Treats
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 stick
Calories: 75
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 20mg
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 1.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: dog treats, lamb jerky, oatmeal jerky, homemade dog treats, healthy dog treats, grain-inclusive dog treats