Recipes for homemade dog treats!

Dehydrated Treats & Jerky

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The following recipes are intended for a Food Dehydrator. Please read the instruction manual carefully as different dehydrators may require different settings.

For my homemade jerky treats, I use a Nesco FD-75PR 700-Watt Food Dehydrator. If you are making jerky in an oven, the temperature and cooking time will vary. If you are using a Food Dehydrator, please read the instruction manual carefully as different dehydrators may require different settings and dehydrating times.

IMPORTANT: When making jerky from pork, chicken or turkey...you must cook the jerky (after it has been dehydrated) in the oven for an additional 15-30 minutes at 165°F (or your oven's lowest setting) to protect against salmonella.

Seasoning (optional)
Dogs are not fussy eaters and seasoning is not necessary for jerky treats. However, you can add a bit of Italian Seasoning (be sure to check the ingredients for toxic foods), soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, etc....something that is low-sodium. You can also purchase seasoning intended for dogs online.

Dog Friendly Seasonings - garlic (see note below), basil, parsley, mint, rosemary, sage.

Note: While small amounts of garlic are actually beneficial to dogs (and found in most dogs foods and treats)...large amounts of garlic can cause anemia in dogs and should never be given to dogs that are already anemic. For seasoning purposes...do not exceed 1/4 teaspoon per pound of meat.

Tips:
  • Ground meat works best, it's quicker and easier, but you will need a Jerky Gun.
  • Buy lean meats! The leaner the better. Remove any and all  fat. Fat will turn rancid very quickly and can prematurely spoil your treats.
  • When making jerky out of chicken breast/tenderloin or beef, cut into 1/4" thick strips.
  • For extra flavoring, marinate the meat in a dog-friendly seasoning overnight.
  • Going with the grain creates chewy, fibrous strips. Going against the grain creates  more tender, leathery strips.
  • When cooking in an oven, place strips on a cookie sheet lined with non-stick foil. Cook in oven at 180° (or your oven's lowest setting for 2-3 hours.
  • If your dog has a tendency to swallow things whole – I would NOT recommend jerky-like treats. Undigested jerky treats can cause choking and stomach upset as they take longer to digest.
  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Lasts 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

Or you can keep it simple! Dehydrate some of your dog's favorite fruits and vegetables for a tasty treat!

Cheese Rolls

  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 cups cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup cheese (any grated cheese will do)
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup fine grated parmesan cheese (set aside)
 
Mix all ingredients except the parmesan cheese. Knead dough until thoroughly mixed. Roll dough into shapes e.g. sticks, rolls or squares. Roll shapes in parmesan cheese.

Dehydrate at the highest setting 145° - 155° Approximately 4 - 5 hours or until dry.


Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Lasts 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

Kealy's Favorite For Dogs

  • 2 cups chicken, cooked, chopped into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup applesauce, unsweetened, no cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup spinach, fresh, finely chopped
  • 1/2 banana
 
Put all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree until a thick paste. Drop by teaspoonful onto drying racks.

Dehydrate for 3-5 hours.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Lasts 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
 
Substitute Ingredients:
turkey (for chicken)
green beans, cooked, finely chopped (for spinach)
fresh zucchini (for spinach)
fresh summer squash (for spinach)

* Recipe is courtesy of Nesco American Harvest

Harvest Pumpkin Treats

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup oil
  • 3/4 cup tablespoons canned pumpkin
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup flax seeds ground up in coffee grinder
  • 1/2 cup cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup oats
 
In a large bowl mix all wet ingredients together. In a separate bowl mix the dry ingredients together. Mix the blended dry ingredients into the wet mixture and form into a ball. On a flour dusted cutting board, roll out the dough to about 1/4" thick. Shape into bars or cut with bone-shaped cookie cutter or any cutter shape your pet will like.

Dehydrate at the highest setting 145° - 155° until done. Approximately 6 - 8 hours.  Add time if needed as treats should be VERY dry.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Lasts 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

Sunflower Treats

  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cups chopped apples
  • 1/4 cups carrots, peas, or other vegetables
  • 1/4 cup oats ground to powder
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup molasses
 
Combine ingredients into a large bowl, add molasses until dough is stiff.  (Additional oats may be added to make the dough stiff.) Roll out dough & cut into shapes or squares.

Dehydrate at the highest setting 145° - 155° until done. Approximately 4 hours.  Add time if needed as treats should be VERY dry.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Lasts 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

Sweet Potato Doggie Chews

  • sweet potatoes
 
Thoroughly wash sweet potatoes. Slice the sweet potato into 1/4" slices- you can also cut down the middle lengthwise and slice into 1/4" strips.

Dehydrate at the highest setting 145° - 155° until done. Drying approximately 6-8 hours will leave them with a chewy texture. Dehydrate much longer for crunchier treats or desired consistency.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Lasts 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

Turkey Treats for Training

  • 1 package of ground turkey meat
  • nonstick cooking spray
  • aluminum foil
  • wax paper
 
Preheat oven to 300°

Line cookie sheet with foil, spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Place ground turkey on foil. Cover ground turkey with a sheet of wax paper (to keep the turkey from sticking to the rolling pin. Roll out the turkey to 1/4 thickness. Remove wax paper. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until turkey is grey-brown in color. Check every 10 minutes to drain off any meat juice. After you remove it from the oven, again drain any juices. Pat the meat dry with a paper towel.


Cut up the flattened turkey patty into 4-6 pieces and place into dehydrator racks. The pieces can be cut into even smaller pieces or into strips after the dehydrating process.

Dehydrate at 165° for 2-4 hours.

Turkey & Sweet Potato

  • 2 cups turkey, cooked
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup sweet potato, cooked until soft
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 1-1 1/2 cups oatmeal, dry, uncooked
  • 3 dozen cranberries, fresh or frozen
 
Shred or chop the cooked turkey into small pieces. Put turkey and water into a food processor or blender until a thick paste (there should be no meat chunks). Add sweet potato and molasses to the meat and puree until a thick paste. Spoon mixture into a large bowl and add oatmeal, mix well. The dough should not be too wet or runny; if it is, add a little more oatmeal. Spoon the dough onto the dehydrator rack by the teaspoonful. Press a cranberry into each treat.

Dehydrate for 4 to 5 hours...or until thoroughly dry but not crispy.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Lasts 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

* Recipe is courtesy of Nesco American Harvest