Ingredients Needed For This Homemade Dog Food Recipe:
This DIY dog food made at home is filled with rich protein, vegetables, and healthy grains. Heres what youll need:
- Coconut oil provides a variety of health benefits for dogs, such as improving the skin and coat, increasing energy, aiding digestion, and reducing allergic reactions, just to name a few. And just like us, your dog needs healthy fats in their diet.
- Ground turkey will add necessary protein to your dogs diet, as well as important vitamins and minerals.
- Veggies this homemade dog food recipe uses a mix of zucchini, spinach and carrots. All are safe for dogs and will provide your baby with a variety of nutrients.
- Turmeric a dog-safe seasoning that also provides antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Egg for extra protein and nutrients.
- Rice a complex carb that provides energy and aids in gastrointestinal function.
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How Long Will Dehydrated Chicken Last
This will all depend on making and sealing the meat after dehydration.
You can store dehydrated meat in an unrefrigerated area for no more than two weeks. Products with the least moisture content will last the longest.
If adequately prepared, stored, and dehydrated, it can last for about five years, but the flavor might be bland if kept too long.
Great Solution For Trips
If you are a hiker or love to travel and tend to take your furry friend everywhere you go, then dried treats are the perfect option for your dog. It is easy to pack it into a bag or luggage without adding too much weight. Just submerge it in water and have it ready in no time! Your dog will be more than happy!
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Why These Dehydrated Chicken Dog Treats Are The Best
Some dogs just love to chew, dont they? If you have a pup that is a muncher, then dog chicken jerky treats are perfect for them. When you follow this recipe, youll turn regular chicken breast into a snack that resembles leather.
Plus, jerky for dogs is savory and almost salty without adding extra salt. Remember, dogs are very sensitive to sodium. Thankfully, this jerky is so delicious it doesnt need any extra salt!
Its also really good for your dogs teeth, too! As dogs gnaw on the leathery meat, it removes plaque and tartar build-up, both are things that could lead to cavities later on.
If you have ever looked at the price of jerky in the store, youll be so happy you found this recipe! Chicken breast is so much cheaper than store-bought jerky. And it has way less salt too.
Can You Make Dehydrated Dog Treats In The Oven
It is possible to make treats in the oven, although I didnt try that myself. The process is very much the same, just use a baking tray lined with grease proof paper to place the meat or veg on.
Keep the oven as low as possible. Some people also recommend that you leave the oven door open slightly.
You then need to keep turning them every half hour until they are dry.
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What Are The Top 6 Dehydrated Foods For Cost Saving Dog Treats
The beauty of dehydrated treats is how easy they are to make. Wash. Slice. Lay flat, not touching, in the dehydrator. Set the timer. Go about your day. Ding, ding, ding, treat time! Once you do this enough times your dogs will figure out what you are doing and come running when the timer goes off.
Dogs Theyre so Pavlovian.
Well, I guess I do the same thing when the pizza oven timer goes off.
So, here they are: the top 6 dehydrated foods for cost saving dog treats!
How To Dehydrate Dog Treats
1. Always wash your hands before you start.2. Food that has less fat lasts longer as fat cant be dried and will spoil the food faster, so if youre planning to store the treats for long term then trim any fat off the meat before you dry it out.3. Drying times vary a lot. Temperature, thicknesss of food, amount on trays and different machines all affect timing. Your user manual will help and youll soon get to know when its done by texture, look and from general experience. The above dehydrator is cheap and perfectly good and what I use but if you want the Rolls-Royce of dehydrators check out Excalibur.4. Place dehydrated jerky in the freezer but you can learn more about storing jerky here.5. Cut meat as thin or as thick as you want but the thicker it is the longer it takes to dry.6. A very sharp knife for cutting thin slices.7. Youll be surprised how much food shrinks when dehydrated. Just remember that this is concentrated food and dont give too much its a treat!
Contents
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Roll Up Spoonfulswhen Dehydrating Pet Foodto Make Biscuits
My dog eats the mixture “as is”, but sometimes when I’ve made a batch, I roll up spoonfuls of the tasty mix and dehydrate them! They remind me of chicken nuggets when they’re done!
As mentioned at the top of the page, these ‘nuggets’ are great to store for the long-term. Follow our vacuum-sealing instructions here and remember to add an oxygen absorber prior to vacuum-sealing the pouch sealed.
“If we measured our affection toward othersby how many nicknames we bestow upon them, our pets would be the most loved.”
Carrie Brownstein
Dehydrated Food Last Longer
Since these types of food are moisture-free, you can seal these foods in an airtight container to keep for several weeks.
But keep in mind that you have to make sure that the containers are airtight. If stored in the refrigerator, it can be preserved at room temperature for two to four weeks or two months.
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Inexpensive & Cost Effective
Most store bought dehydrated dog treats and chews are definitely not easy on the wallet… especially those that are meat based.
When you make your own dehydrated dog treat recipes you save $$$’s and can be certain that there are no hidden additives or stuff you don’t want your dog to be ingesting.
If you plan on making them regularly, then investing in a dehydrator might be a good choice but you’ll make that purchase price back pretty quickly. You can find food dehydrators for as low as $60 – $70. Mine actually cost just under $60 when I bought it, and it’s been worth every penny.
Of course, you can make dehydrated treats in your regular oven too if you’re prefer.
How Long Does It Take To Make Dehydrated Dog Treats
When you look for an answer to this online its always quite a vague answer. A lot of it depends on how thick you slice things, so listed timings online can range from 5-30 hours.
The general rule of thumb is that for crunchier treats leave them in the dehydrator for longer.
For each of the recipes below I have included my exact timings to help you get started.
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How To Make Diy Dehydrated Dog Food At Home
At todays market, there are lots and lots of different types of dog food. Some may prefer a raw diet, and some may prefer feeding their pups with sensitive stomachs cooked food.
Today we are talking about dehydrated dog food which is similar to freeze-dried dog food but not quite. Keep reading this article to find out more about the differences and similarities between these two and also how to make your own dehydrated dog food.
Incredibly Easy Dehydrator Dog Treats That Your Dog Will Love
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A lot of people think that it has to be a ton of work to make dog treats at home. It doesnt have to be not if youre making dehydrator dog treats.
To be honest, they can be right. If you want to make the fancy stuff, like liver filled whoopie pies or intricately marbled banana carob dog cookies, then sure, its going to be a bit of work. What people dont realize is that there is a really easy way to make dog treats at home without ever turning on your oven. Some of the easiest treats I make and the ones my dogs love the most are made in our countertop dehydrator.
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Why Bother Dehydrating Pet Food
Way back in 2008, my husband and I were out swimming when we noticedthis tiny dog on our patio, wistfully looking towards us. However, when we attempted toget close to her, she’d run off.
It wasabout a month later, on my father’s 80th birthday, that the littledoggie needed help . This time she didn’t run away and she gladly let us helpher!
We drove around our local streets asking if anyone had a missingpoochbut no-one laid claim.
We then adopted this fantastic Miniature Pinscher, I decidedright thenand therethat I would learn how to make my dog food! Why? This was around the time of major dog food recalls pets were dying from tainted food.
Aboutonce a month, usually on a Saturday morning for me, I make this nutritious homemade dog chow. It takes about two hours from start to finish.
Turns out, she loves chicken, beef, and porkand I use a pressure cooker to prepare this for her.
And here’s why we dehydrate her Chicken Chow so she’ll have emergency food on hand.
Dehydrating Dog Food Video
In the video below, Sandra Danen demonstrates her methods for dehydrating dog food. She cooks and dehydrates twohomemade dog food recipesChicken & Rice and Salmon & Quinoa.
Dog Bark Stew
Chef Glenns Method of Dehydrating Dog FoodIngredients:
- 1¼ lbs. lean ground beef *
- ¾ lb. sweet potato **
- ¼ lb. green beans ***
* Cooked ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for ground beef.** Pumpkin or butternut squash can be substituted for sweet potato.*** Other vegetables may be used in place of, or in addition to, green beans: carrots, corn, broccoli, kale, spinach, and zucchini. An apple can also be included.Preparation:Peel and cut sweet potato into chunks and begin boiling in two cups of water.Trim green beans and cut into smaller pieces. Add to pot with sweet potato when potato chunks are half way to soft.Continue cooking until sweet potato chunks are soft enough to mash.Pour off, but retain, the cooking water.Cook ground beef in a fry pan over medium-high heat until brown.Tip: If you start off cooking the beef on low with a lid from another pot over the meat, then liquid and fat will lubricate the pan and you will not scorch the meat. Once you have liquid surrounding the beef, turn up the temperature to finish cooking.When the meat is browned and cooked through, drain off liquid and pat meat dry with paper towels.Add cooked ground beef to pot with sweet potato and green beans.
Dog Bark Soup
Servings: 12
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Disadvantages Of Eating Dehydrated Chicken Gizzards For Dogs Recipe
1. Dehydrated chicken gizzards can be expensive and difficult to obtain.
2. People who do not like their dogs to eat their food may not like that dehydrated chicken gizzards are essentially dried chicken meat.
3. Some people do not want to feed their pets things that are essentially human food.
4. The texture of chicken gizzards can be a bit tough for some dogs to chew.
5. The taste of chicken gizzards can vary from dog to dog, depending on the age and breed of their pet, as well as their tastes.
6. Getting the right nutrition ratio in your pets diet is important, so that they receive all necessary nutrients in proper amounts and proportions. Without this proper ratio, your pet might have digestive problems or even malnutrition.
Can A Dog Lose Weight With Dehydrated Foods
Some of us dog owners want our dogs to be âchunky,â but at some point, that is not healthy at all. We all want to maintain our dog’s health.
Obesity in dogs can be caused by overfeeding, poor nutritional diet, and lack of exercise. If you’re trying to help your dog lose some weight, start with giving them a healthy diet.
Dehydrated dog foods are a great way to start as it consists of natural food ingredients rather than foods that have empty calories.
Remember that overfeeding can also happen if you’re on a dehydrated dog diet. To make sure you don’t overfeed. A great technique is to have feeding schedules on your food containers.
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Buyers Guide: How To Choose The Best Dehydrated Dog Food
Dog food has become more complex over the years. Consumers dont just have to choose between dry food and wet food. You can now find dehydrated dog food, freeze-dried dog food, and air-dried dog food.
Sometimes, these terms get used interchangeably, but they do have differences. Heres what you need to know about each one.
Dehydrated Dog Food
Dehydrated dog food gets prepared similarly to air-dried food. However, it uses more heat to get rid of moisture. Therefore, dehydrated dog food cant be considered fully raw because it gets slightly cooked in the process. At the same time, its not fully cooked and still preserves a lot of natural flavor and nutrients.
Air-Dried Dog Food
Air-dried dog food is a slow process where raw ingredients are placed in drying areas or chambers that evaporate moisture. Fresh air constantly gets pumped and circulated in these chambers until the moisture of the dog food reaches a certain low percentage.
This process eliminates the need for artificial preservatives because it kills dangerous bacteria. It also leaves a good amount of nutrients and flavor in the food. It tends to have a longer shelf-life than dehydrated dog food.
Freeze-Dried Dog Food
This type of dog food removes moisture while the food is kept frozen. The raw food first gets frozen. Then, a combination of low temperatures and pressure extracts the moisture from the food.
How Can You Store Dehydrated Chicken Gizzards For Dogs Recipe
1. Dehydrated chicken gizzards can be stored in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag at room temperature.
2. Dehydrated chicken gizzards usually last for 6 months if stored properly in an air-tight container or sealed plastic bag.
3. Keep dehydrated chicken gizzards away from heat and moisture to prevent them from spoiling more quickly.
4. Freeze dehydrated chicken gizzards in an airtight container or seal plastic bag to insure a longer shelf life.
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What To Watch For When Feeding Homemade Dog Food
It’s important to monitor your dog closely when changing to homemade dog food. Stay in contact with your veterinarian regarding any changes you notice, whether good or bad. For best results, keep a record of your dog’s weight and body condition over time. Weigh your dog at least once per week and contact your vet if you notice unintended weight loss or gain. Watch for vomiting or diarrhea that may occur if your dog is sensitive to one or more ingredients. Note and report these or any other signs of illness to your veterinarian.
How To Oven Dry Dog Treats
Place the cutout dog treats on a baking sheet. Even better if you have a perforated baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 165 F degrees, or the lowest setting the oven has.
Place the baking trays in the oven. Prop open the oven door with a wooden spoon. If your oven has a convection setting, turn that on to increase airflow.
Every two hours rotate the pans and flip the treats. It will take 10 to 12 hours to dehydrate the treats.
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Why Should I Switch To Dehydrated Dog Food
You may be curious or need some convincing on whether you should try out dehydrated dog food or switch to homemade food. Well, the short answer is that you should do it!
Most dogs tend to love dehydrated dog foods. But not only that, they can gain multiple health benefits from it.
Switching to dehydrated dog food can also benefit you, the pet owner. Since it is easier to prepare, you can quickly get on with your daily activities without taking too much of your time cooking your dog’s meals.
Recipes For Occasional Feeding
Its generally recommended that you feed no more than 25% of your dogs diet from unbalanced foods. That means you can make your dog an unbalanced homemade meal once a week without causing problems. If you want to feed homemade dog food for every mealplease, please, please follow the advice for the complete and balanced diet recipes I mentioned earlier!
Here is a recipe I created for occasional feeding. It has several ingredients that may enhance a dogs health when fed fresh.
This recipe is meant for occasional use only! It has not been analyzed by a veterinary nutritionist. Please dont feed it for more than one meal per week.
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Northwest Holistic Pet Care: Cooked Meal For A 20 Lb Dog
IMPORTANT: Before making any changes to your dogâs diet, please consult with your holistic veterinarian to ensure the changes are compatible with your dogâs current health status. Weigh your dog before making diet changes. Having a baseline tracking their weight will help you in adjusting quantities should they lose or gain too much. The amount of food a dog requires will vary based on activity level, age, and overall health status.