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Dehydrated pet treat recipes have become increasingly popular among pet owners who seek healthier and more natural snack options for their furry friends. By using a dehydrator, you can create a variety of delicious and nutritious treats that retain their natural flavors and nutrients. These homemade dog treats are not only a healthier alternative to store-bought options but also allow you to control the ingredients, ensuring your dog enjoys a balanced and safe diet. From sweet potatoes and lean meats to fruits and vegetables, there are countless combinations to explore.
Dehydrated dog treats are an excellent way to incorporate wholesome ingredients into your dog’s diet without the need for artificial preservatives. They are easy to make and can be customized to suit your pet’s preferences and dietary needs. Whether you’re using sweet potato slices, chicken strips, or apple slices, dehydrated treats offer a tasty and satisfying snack that your dog will love.
Sweet potatoes are a great ingredient for dehydrated dog treats. They are full of dietary fibre which helps with digestion and packed with vitamins like vitamin A which is good for vision and immune health. Also sweet potatoes are a great source of minerals like manganese which is good for bone health and metabolism.
Meat based ingredients like chicken, beef and fish are great for making protein rich dog treats. These lean meats are full of amino acids which are essential for building and repairing tissues, healthy coat, growth and development. Chicken, beef and fish also come in different flavours and textures so your dog will love the variety and satisfaction of a snack.
Fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots and green beans are great additions to dog treats, they add natural sweetness and flavour. Apples are a great source of vitamin C and fibre, carrots are rich in beta-carotene which is good for vision and skin health. Green beans are low in calories and high in fibre so great for weight management and digestive health.
Whole wheat flour and oat flour are healthy alternatives to regular flours in dog treat recipes. Whole wheat flour is full of dietary fibre and essential nutrients like iron and B vitamins so it’s great for a balanced diet. Oat flour is made from ground oats and is gluten free and a good source of soluble fibre which helps regulate blood sugar and digestion. Both flours are a great base to make healthy dog treats your fur baby will love.
Dehydrating Methods
Use either a dehydrator or your oven on the lowest temperature to dehydrate your dog treats. Both ways will give you tasty snacks that are nutrient packed. A dehydrator is consistent heat and air flow so it’s a reliable choice, if you don’t have a dehydrator your oven will do as a substitute.
Follow safe food handling practices to ensure your dehydrated dog treats are contamination and spoilage free. This means washing your hands, using clean equipment and keeping raw ingredients separate from cooked ingredients. By doing this you can be sure your fur baby will be eating treats that are as safe as they are yummy.
Dehydrate times will vary depending on the ingredients and texture you want. Different ingredients will require different dehydrating times to get the right texture. For example sweet potatoes will need more time than chicken strips to get crunchy. Keep an eye on your treats and test the texture to make sure they are to your dog’s liking.
Dehydrated Dog Treat Recipes
Sweet Potato Recipes
Have you tried making Sweet Potato Chews? Simply slice sweet potatoes into thin rounds and set your dehydrator to 135°F. Dehydrate for 6-8 hours. Aren’t they a crunchy snack your dog would love?
How about Sweet Potato and Carrot Biscuits? Mix cooked sweet potatoes with grated carrots, whole wheat flour and peanut butter. Shape into biscuits and dehydrate at 135°F for 4-6 hours. Can your dog eat these?
Have you tried Sweet Potato and Apple Slices? Simply slice sweet potatoes and apples, set your dehydrator to 135°F and dehydrate for 6-8 hours. Aren’t these a healthy snack for your fur baby?
Sweet Potato
These orange root vegetables are packed full of vitamins and minerals.
Place on the tray of your dehydrator, with a gap between each piece.
Turn on to 70 degrees and set for five hours.
Keep in mind cats can find digesting some vegetables difficult. A small slice of dehydrated sweet potato as a treat is fine, but don’t give them too much!
Meat Based Recipes
Chicken Jerky: Slice skinless chicken breasts into thin strips. Arrange on your dehydrator trays without overlapping. Set to 145°F and dehydrate for 3-4 hours. You’ll have a batch of protein packed snacks your dog will love.
Beef and Sweet Potato Strips: Slice lean beef into thin strips. In a bowl mix these strips with cooked and mashed sweet potatoes until well combined. Spread the mixture on your dehydrator trays. Dehydrate at 145°F for 3-4 hours. These strips are a flavour and texture combination your dog will go crazy for.
Fish and Vegetable Biscuits: Cook your choice of fish and let it cool. In a bowl mix the cooked fish with grated vegetables of your choice, whole wheat flour and a spoon of peanut butter. Shape into biscuit forms and place on dehydrator trays. Set to 135°F and dehydrate for 4-6 hours. These are tasty and nutrient packed for your fur baby.
Liver
Liver is a nutrient-rich treat that pets love. The Protein, vitamin A and fat helps to keep them healthy.
Slice the liver to 1/8th of an inch.
These are small treats, so you won’t need to cut them into strips or pieces normally.
Place on the tray of your dehydrator, with a gap between each piece.
Turn the heat to 70 degrees and set for seven hours.
Liver is very moist so check this is enough, set for longer if necessary.
Be careful though not to give too much. Too much vitamin A, or hypervitaminosis A, can lead to built up toxicity which is very dangerous for your pet.
Beef
As one of the most available and commonly used meat sources for pets, beef is a great choice.
Slice lean beef into 1/8th of an inch.
Cut into treat sized, thin strips.
Place on the tray of your dehydrator, with a gap between each piece.
Turn to 70 degrees and set for six hours. If you want a more brittle treat, you can leave them longer.
Beef is high in protein and good, natural fats which all pets will enjoy.
Salmon
As we all know, cats love fish! But most other pets do too.
Drain a 6-ounce can of salmon and pour into a bowl. Tear into very small pieces.
Cut 1/3 cup pet grass into pieces 1/3 and 1/2 an inch long.
Mix the grass and salmon together.
Spread the mixture onto the tray and set for two to three hours.
Salmon provides a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. This helps with the immune system, inflammation. It can also help keep coats healthy and shiny.
Chicken
Chicken is easy to source and is a popular meat for pets.
Cut the chicken into thin slices, around 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide.
Place on the tray of your dehydrator, with a gap between each piece.
Turn the heat to 70 degrees and set for five hours.
They are done when the middle is dry and free of moisture.
Cut into treat sized pieces.
Chicken breast is protein rich and it makes a great dehydrated pet treat your furry friend is sure to love.
This is one of my favorite dry food for pets to make.
Fruit and Vegetable Recipes
Apple and Carrot Slices: Slice fresh apples and carrots into thin slices. Arrange on your dehydrator trays without overlapping. Set to 135°F and dehydrate for 6-8 hours. You’ll have a healthy snack that’s crunchy and sweet for your dog to enjoy.
Green Bean and Sweet Potato Chews: Slice fresh green beans and sweet potatoes into thin strips. Lay out on dehydrator trays leaving space between each piece for air flow. Dehydrate at 135°F for 6-8 hours. These will turn into crunchy nutrient packed chews your dog will love and get essential vitamins and minerals.
Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Biscuits: Mix cooked pumpkin with creamy peanut butter, whole wheat flour and oat flour in a bowl until you get a smooth dough. Shape into biscuit forms with your hands or cookie cutters and place on dehydrator trays. Set to 135°F and dehydrate for 4-6 hours. You’ll have a tasty homemade treat full of flavour and nutrition that will make your dog’s tail wag.
Benefits of Homemade Dog Treats
With homemade dog treats you can choose exactly what goes in to your dog’s snacks so they are made with only the best ingredients. By doing this you can avoid the artificial additives and preservatives found in shop bought treats and make your dog’s diet healthier and safer.
Dehydrated dog treats are great for adding variety to your dog’s diet. They retain all the nutrients and flavours so your dog will be healthy and happy. Plus they are a great way to introduce new tastes and textures to your fur babies meals.
Making your own dog treats is not only cost effective but fun. You can try out different recipes and ingredients and make special treats just for your dog. Plus it’s a great way to bond with your pet as you involve them in the process and let them taste test your creations.
Tips for Making Dehydrated Dog Treats
Always use fresh and healthy ingredients so your dog gets the best flavour and nutrition. Use organic produce and lean meats if possible. This way you’re not only enhancing the flavour but also the nutritional value of your homemade dog treats.
Follow safe food handling practices to prevent contamination and spoilage. Wash your hands before and after handling ingredients and keep your work area clean. Use separate cutting boards for meats and vegetables to prevent cross contamination. This way you’ll ensure your dehydrated dog treats are safe and yummy for your fur baby.
Try different ingredients and recipes to see what your dog’s favourite treats are. Try different proteins, fruits and vegetables to see what your dog loves most. You can even involve your dog in taste testing new creations and make it fun for both of you.
Store dehydrated dog treats in airtight containers to keep them fresh and extend shelf life. Use containers that seal tight and consider labelling them with the date you made the treats. This will keep the treats fresh and help you keep track of shelf life so your dog always gets the best treats.
Dehydrated Pet Treat Recipes
Whether your pet is partial to meat, fish or vegetables, you are sure to find something your pet will love in these dehydrated pet treat recipes. And when it comes to dehydrated recipes, these recipes only just scratch the surface.
If these recipes have inspired you to make your own dehydrated pet treats, then check out our picks for the best dehydrators to get you started.
DannyContent Writer
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