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How to Dehydrate Food for Dog Treats in a Food Dehydrator
A food dehydrator is a great tool for turning dog-safe ingredients into canine snacks! Fresh veggies and lean meats are healthy options that your dog will love. Blend ingredients together to make a paste, and then shape the dog treats into patties or mini meatballs and dehydrate them at 165°F until they are completely dry.
Raw meat must be cooked to 165°F before it is safe to eat. If your dehydrator doesn’t reach this temperature, pre-cook the meat for safety.
Dog-Safe Dehydrated Dog Treats and Ingredients
The following is a list of dehydrated treats that are safe for dogs:
- Bananas
- Beef and beef jerky
- Chicken meat (chicken breasts, thighs, or chicken feet)
- Dehydrated sweet potato
- Fish
- Green beans
- Organ meats
- Sausages
How to Make Dog-Friendly Chicken Jerky
Use the following instructions to make delicious dog-friendly homemade chicken jerky:
- Purchase boneless, skinless chicken breast. Cut away any fat, and slice the breasts into strips that are 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch thick.
- Lay out the chicken strips on a dehydrator tray in a single layer. Make sure there is adequate space between the pieces to allow for airflow and proper drying.
- Set your food dehydrator to 165°F and place the tray inside.
- Dry for 3-12 hours, checking regularly. The thicker your chicken slices, the longer it will take.
- Check if the jerky is fully dry by cutting a strip in half. If it is done, the middle of the meat will be completely dry and a single, uniform color.
- Once the jerky is dry, preheat the oven to 275°F. Lay the jerky strips on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake for around 10 minutes to ensure bacteria is eliminated.
- Allow the dehydrated chicken jerky to cool to room temperature, and then store it in airtight containers.
- Feed the treats to your furry friend for a happy and healthy dog!
How Do You Make Dehydrated Dog Biscuits?
Did you know you can also use a food dehydrator to make delicious DIY dehydrated dog biscuits? These are cheaper and healthier than store-bought options and contain no preservatives or additives. You can customize this recipe to fit your pup’s favorite flavors!
- First, create a batter by mashing a ripe banana and combining it with four eggs and a 1/4 cup of bacon grease.
- Mix them together in a mixing bowl, and add 1.5 cups of flour, 1 cup of almond meal, and 1 cup of oats. Mix these until it resembles cookie batter.
- Roll the dough until it is about 1/4 thick onto a floured work surface.
- Using a cookie cutter, cut out the treats. You can use standard shapes like circles or stars or purchase dog-specific shapes such as bones.
- Lay the treats out on dehydrator trays in a single layer, leaving space between each treat. Set the dehydrator to 145°F and place inside.
- Leave for 8-12 hours, rotating the trays every 4 hours or so.
- Check on the treats frequently. They are completely dry when they are no longer chewy. They should snap rather than bend and will have a crispy exterior.
- Allow the treats to cool to room temperature, and then store them in an airtight container.
The Best Dehydrated Dog Treat Recipes
Here are some of the best yummy dehydrated dog treat recipes for you and your furry friends to try out:
- Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits: Everyone knows that dogs love peanut butter, so it’s a no-brainer to add it to your biscuits.
- Sweet Potato Dog Treats: These single-ingredient sweet potato dog treats are super healthy and can be used in place of store-bought chews due to their texture!
- Green Bean Crunchers: These crunchy green beans are super easy and come with a great hack for getting your dog to eat more veggies: coat them in some meat dust.
- Puppy Pumpkin Treats: There’s nothing better than the seasonal smell of pumpkin cooking. Pumpkin is high in fiber, is great for soothing sensitive stomachs, and contains vitamin A. Made with tasty applesauce; these treats are a great high-value reward.
- Tuna And Sesame Seed Cookies: These treats are a brilliant way to add some protein variation into your doggy’s diet.
What Food is Not Safe for Dehydrated Dog Treats?
Not all people-safe foods should be consumed by dogs. Certain fruits and veggies, nuts, and seasonings can seriously harm or even kill canines. These foods should be avoided when making homemade dehydrated dog treats:
How to Store Dehydrated Dog Treats
Dehydrated dog treats should be stored in an airtight container. Options include freezer bags, Kilner jars, Mason jars, or plastic containers with airtight lids.
Heat, light, and moisture will accelerate the spoiling process of dehydrated foods. Keep dog treats away from direct sunlight and humidity to extend their shelf life.
How Long Do Dehydrated Dog Treats Last?
The shelf life of dehydrated dog treats is up to three months. If you store dog treats in the fridge, this can extend the shelf life by up to a month. You can also make your dog treats last longer by storing them in the freezer in a freezer bag. Frozen dog treats can last up to six months if stored correctly.