Bone Appetite - Dehydrated Snacks

Dehydrated Snacks

While using a dehydrator is a simple way to make healthy treats, affordable snacks for your dog can be dried in your oven, too. Make sure meats, in particular, are thoroughly cooked to maintain shelf life and store them in airtight containers. The more moisture you remove, the longer treats will keep, and if you're a beginner, you might consider keeping them in the refrigerator just as a precaution.

Meats should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees for poultry and 145 for beef, venison, and fish. As a precaution, many regular pet treat chefs, using dehydrating machines, will still pop treats in the oven at 275 degrees for 10 minutes.

Remember, drying times vary greatly and are directly impacted by the thickness of the meats. Thin slices will offer the best results.

What to dehydrate? While this list includes some basics you are likely already familiar with, I think you will find a few surprises your dog will love!

Beef Beef LiverBoneless Chicken BreastChicken LiverVenisonTurkey BreastTurkey SausageScrappleCanned WILD SalmonBananasApplesGreen BeansSweet PotatoSome prepared foods work great, too!

Try the Honest Kitchen Pate. It will work best when pipped onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet in strips. These are something different your dog will totally love, and they come in a few different flavors to explore.

More adventurous?

Blend a 2:1 ratio of Peaches to blueberries or a 2:1 ratio of shredded carrots to organic applesauce.

Pour onto parchment paper in a pan with a lip. Place in the oven at 200 degrees for 5 - 7 hours; again, the length of time to dehydrate depends on the thickness. Once these are dry, cut the mixture with kitchen shears into suitable bits size pieces.