Food drying is a process used for food preservation and killing bacteria. People have been dehydrating meat for several years to store food for months. The great thing now is that this technique is not limited to just humans. The dehydration process has now been used to make tasty dog treats.
Dehydration not only helps to preserve food, but it also provides great nutrients to your furry friends. Since the ingredients will only be dried, they don’t lose their nutritional benefits, making dehydrated dog treats a healthy choice for your pooch.
While you can find these treats in the market, preparing them at home is best. Store-made dog foods usually contain artificial fillers, preservatives, and colors that can cause severe health issues.
Wonder how you can make dehydrated dog treats? Here we have a list of homemade treats you can make in no time and how they can benefit your pooch.
Benefits of Dehydrated Dog Treats
Healthy and Nutrient Rich
Making dehydrated dog treats at home help to preserve most of the nutrients by simply removing the water content. Using raw vegetables, you can create low-calorie, healthy, and tasty snacks for your pup.
For a more nutrient-dense option, you can dehydrate meats like kangaroo liver, beef liver, or lamb liver, which are packed with essential nutrients like magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, and zinc.
These treats can help your dog grow stronger and healthier thanks to the high nutritional value they provide.
Easy to Make
There are several DIY dog treat recipes that you can cook easily. You simply need to pick the simplest and quickest recipe that your four-legged friend can enjoy.
In general, dehydrated food only takes time in the dehydration process. But there is not much you need to do in the recipes.
Cost-Effective
Most commercial dehydrated chews and treats are overly expensive, especially meat-based ones. Making homemade dehydrated dog treats in the oven or with other methods will allow you to save a lot of money.
Investing in a dehydrator is ideal if you plan to save money in the long term. It will pay for itself soon and good if you’re on a budget.
How Long Does It Take to Make Homemade Dehydrated Dog Treats?
The time it takes to prepare homemade dog treats depends on the type and the moisture content of the treat. For example, sweet potatoes may take about 8 hours, while chicken could take up to 12 hours to fully dehydrate.
Different methods can be used to make dog treats, and the technique you choose can also affect the dehydration time. In general, dehydrated dog treats take anywhere from 4 to 12 hours, depending on the food.
To make sure your dog enjoys the treat, itās important to get the dehydration time just right. If it’s too hard or too wet, they might turn their nose up at it.
How to Store Homemade Dehydrated Dog Treats
Since dehydrated treats are moisture-free, you can store your homemade food in a Ziploc bag or airtight container like these reusable bags from Stasher. A great option for even more long-term money saving.
The best part is that dehydrated foods have a long life; they don’t get easily rotten as they are moisture-free. Therefore, you can store the food for several weeks.
If you want to store food longer, you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to two months.
Want to prepare lots of food for almost a year? Use a vacuum sealer to close sealed bags and put them in the freezer. You will be stress-free without having to worry about your dehydrated dog treats for 9 to 12 months.
Make Your Own Dog Treats
Dehydrated Chicken Jerky Dog Treats
Most dogs love to chew. Itās their favorite pastime and keeps them entertained. So, if your pup is a muncher, this dog treat is ideal for them.
This recipe will fulfill their savory and salty tastebuds without adding extra salt. Take regular chicken breast, dehydrate it, and it will become chewy enough for your pooch to enjoy.
Take skinless chicken breasts and slice them.
Place them on a dehydrator tray to dehydrate them at 170 degrees for 4 to 5 hours until completely dry.
Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potato chews make delicious dog treats. Dehydrated sweet potatoes are also cheaper than store-bought food and simple to make.
Are you bad at cooking? Donāt worry! You donāt need to follow a long, challenging process to make a healthy treat.
Cut the sweet potato into thin slices- keep them 1/2 cm thick.
Preheat your oven and place your sweet potato slices on parchment paper or a silicon mat.
Keep the tray in the oven for 2 to 3 hours. But turn them halfway through and donāt take them out until you get the desired crispiness.
If you have completely dried your sweet potato chews, they can stay in good quality for 2 to 3 weeks. But itās best to feed fresh treats to dogs and try using them within a few days. If you want to store food at room temperature, itās good for up to a week.
Peanut Butter Banana Chips
Want to give a nutrient-dense food to your puppy? You can go for this treat that offers both vitamin B6 and vitamin C. These vitamins help fight inflammation and arthritis, while also improving blood cell function.
The treat is peanut butter banana chips! They are made from only 2 ingredients that your dog will enjoy!
Take ripe bananas and powdered peanut butter.
Cut the banana into slices and coat them with peanut butter powder.
Put the slices on the dehydrator tray and keep them in the dehydrator.
Let the machine work for 8 hours at 135 degrees.
Just make sure to flip the slice over when you are halfway done. Once done, you can feed it to your furry fellow.
Dehydrated Apple Treats
Most dogs love apple treats, and we can guess your dog will love them too.
You can make this recipe in a matter of minutes. The ingredients, which are apple slices, cinnamon, and coconut oil offer nutrients like vitamins A, B6, E, and F. Your dog will also receive fatty acids and fibers.
All three ingredients may help prevent severe health issues like cancer and heart issues.
Squeeze lemon and sprinkle some cinnamon on top of the apple slices.
You can make the recipe in the oven, microwave, or dehydrator – whatever you have. However, treats made in a dehydrator are crispier than oven and microwave.
Keep the slices on the dehydrator trays or oven plate and drizzle coconut oil for extra crispiness.
If you opt for a dehydrator, cook it for 6 to 8 hours. In the case of a microwave, it will only take 2 to 3 minutes, while the oven requires a few hours for baking.
Dehydrated Kale Chips
Kale chips are popular among dog owners because they are super healthy and delicious, making them ideal for your pups. The recipe requires kale, extra-virgin olive oil, cayenne pepper, and yeast.
To prepare kale chips, you need to
Strip the leaves away from the leafstalks and midribs.
Dry the kale in the salad spinner or gently roll the leaves in a clean towel.
Toss oil and salt on the kale, and evenly mix everything.
Keep it in the dehydrator for 3 to 4 hours to get a nice crispy texture.
You can store it for a week in an air-tight container. Give it to your dog as a food or treat and let them enjoy the day.
Dehydrated Green Beans Recipe
If your dog is overweight and you want to prevent them from gaining more weight, dehydrated green beans are a great low-calorie option.
Green beans are healthy and contain vitamins A, C, and E, and they also contain magnesium, potassium, and fiber.
You need to preheat the oven to 170 degrees.
Take a mixing bowl and add green beans, oil, and salt to the green beans.
Spread the green beans on the baking sheet and place them in the oven for 8 hours until they get crunchy.
Let them completely cool for a few hours before storing them in an airtight container.
Dehydrated Salmon Skin Treats
We all know dogs love salmon, and these treats let your pup enjoy that meaty, delicious flavor. The best part is you can give these without having to worry about their health.
This is because salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that support the immune system and offer a shiny and healthy coat.
You can prepare them at home if you canāt invest in high-quality salmon treats. But donāt compromise your dogās health by giving them a cheap package of salmon food.
Take boneless pieces of salmon and cut them into slices.
If you use fatty meat in a dehydrator, set the highest temperature or put it in a meat setting.
Let it cook for 6 to 10 hours to eliminate dangerous bacteria and moisture.
In the case you use an oven, preheat it to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the salmon on a baking sheet and put it in the oven.
Bake the salmon for an hour or until you get a crunchy feel.
FAQās
How To Tell When Dehydrated Dog Treats Are Ready?
Dehydrated time for each type of raw meat is listed below:
Chicken: 8 to 12 hours
Organ meat such as liver, heart, or kidneys: 10 to 12 hours
Lean beef: 7 to 9 hours
Duck: 6 to 8 hours
Salmon: 8 to 10 hours
Turkey: 8 to 10 hours
While you can dehydrate each type of meat according to the duration mentioned, itās best to do so until it is moisture-free and crispy.
You can check the dehydrated foods every half an hour. Once it reaches the desired texture, you can take it out immediately.
Note that the duration of cooking in the oven can vary by recipe. So, checking the recipe before you start cooking them is best.
How To Make Dehydrated Treats In a Regular Oven?
If you donāt have a dehydrator, you can use an oven. But the temperature and duration of time cooking is different from the dehydrator. Generally, you need to set the temperature to 145 degrees Fahrenheit for fish and meat and 160 degrees Fahrenheit for poultry.
Are Dehydrated Dog Treats Safe?
Yes! Dehydrated treats are safe to eat for pups. They are extremely delicious and super healthy. The best part is that there is a great variety of treats when it comes to dehydrated food. This way, you can provide different dehydrated treats once every few weeks for some change.
Is a Dehydrator worth it for Dog Treats?
Dehydrating your petsā treats and chews is a popular choice amongst pet owners. Experts believe itās also a cheap and healthy way to make tasty treats for picky dogs with a limited diet. The method is also easier and quicker than cooking or baking. These are some of the reasons that may encourage you to invest in a dehydrator.
Bottom Line
Dehydrated treats like fruits, meat, and fish improve your pupās health and prevent severe health issues. These treats usually have a lovely taste, so itās highly unlikely that your little buddy will refuse to eat them. You can experiment with the recipes by keeping them soft or crunchy to determine your dogās preference. We hope you found this article helpful and give homemade dehydrated dog treats a try!
