6 Homemade Dog Food Recipes for tail wagging treats.
The one time Ruby Doodle Dog doesn't have selective hearing is when she hears the words cookie or treats! She loves homemade dog food treats like the turkey Pupperoni treats along with meatballs, dog food toppers and biscuits.
These easy to make pupperoni treats are a great source of protein. They are a healthy snack in between meals and great for training treats.
Ruby loves these in a variety of meats. We switch off between Turkey sausage, hamburger meat that we roll to chicken.
Always remember that not all people's food is safe for pets. You'll never want to add onions, grapes, or any other item toxic to dogs.
Tips and Tricks for Making Treats for your Dog
- All the recipes can be done in a dehydrator or an oven.
- If using the dehydrator, the thinner the slices, the less time it will take to dry.
- Thicker slices will take longer.
- Not cutting off the fat from meat can cause the meat to take longer to dry.
- When using the oven method, keep your oven in the lowest setting. It takes longer in the oven, but be able to accomplish the same results within 8-10 hours of drying.
- Experiment with leaving your oven door slightly ajar. This helps to dry out the meat quicker.
6 Easy-to-Make Homemade Dog Food Recipes
- Lowfat Turkey sausage - Keeping it low fat will help keep any gastrointestinal issues at bay.
- Cookie sheet - I use a normal cookie sheet to spread the turkey sausage out on when baking.
- Knife ( to cut in half ) - a sharp knife makes quick work of these sausages.
- Food Dehydrator or can be done in a regular oven
FREE Printable Recipe
Homemade Pupperoni Treats
Dogs love these delicious and easy to make Pupperoni treats.
- Food Dehydrator or can be made in the oven
- 1 pkg lowfat turkey sausage (Plain, not spicy ones. )
DEHYDRATOR METHOD
Use the paper towel and wipe lightly squeeze any excess moisture off the turkey links.
Decide if you'd like to keep the sausage links as one long piece or cut up into multiple pieces.
Place onto dehydrator sheets.
Dry at 140 - 150 degrees for 4-8 hours depending on your dehydrator.
Immediately after dehydrating place the treats into the airtight container.
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OVEN METHOD
Preheat your oven at the lowest setting possible. Usually about 150 on most ovens. Use whatever lowest setting you have.
Place the turkey sausages individually on a cookie sheet or broiler pan lined with aluminum foil.
Dry your sausage by baking them for 4-8 hours. Check after 4 hours and once every hour until desired consistency.
Once dried and cooled, place them into the airtight container.
The Cheapest Way to Make Dog Treats
To save money, I started looking into different homemade treat recipes.
My best tip: I found I could save money by buying meats that were on sale or special price reductions at the grocery store.
Besides the cost savings, the food I make for my dog is much healthier than commercial treats.
I use my dehydrator or even for making treats on a weekly basis. Most homemade treats keep for a week or more, and you can freeze the treats so that you always have some cheap, healthy alternatives on hand for your dog.
2. Easy Chicken Jerky Treats
Easy Chicken Jerkies
Dehydrated chicken makes a healthy alternative for dog treats.
- Dehydrator or can be made in oven
- 2-4 Chicken breasts
Dehydrator Method
Remove fat from the chicken breasts
Turning the chicken on it's side and slice into ⅛ in strips
Place onto your dehydrator trays
Dehydrate for 6 hours. Thicker pieces can take up to 11 hours.
Slice a piece in half. The middle should be dry and free of moisture.
Store in an airtight container.
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Oven Method
Set oven to lowest setting
Remove fat from the chicken breasts
Turn chicken on it's side and slice into ⅛ no more than ⅜ slices
Place onto cookie sheet
Bake for 2 hours
Check the strips, they should be dry and hard, not soft or chewy.
Allow the chicken to cool and store in an airtight container.
3. Sweet Potato Chips
Sweet Potato Chips
- 2-4 Sweet Potatoes
Clean and wash sweet potatoes - no need to take off the skin
Slice into ½ in to ⅜ in circles
Place slices onto dehydrator tray
Dehydrate 3-12 hours depending on thickness.
4. Liver Homemade Dog Food Recipes
Best Tip: When using the dehydrator for liver, place it on top of the stove and turn on the vent. This way your entire house won't smell like liver.
I like to use the liver as training treats. Therefore, I cut it up into tiny squares.
Some people like to slice it into long pieces. Either way is fine for dehydrating or drying your liver in the oven.
Liver Training treats
- 1 pkg Beef, chicken, lamb, or deer meat liver
Wash liver when removed from package.
Slice or cube liver into bit size pieces
Place onto dehydrating tray or cookie sheet if in oven.
Dehydrate 3-12 hours or lowest oven setting for 8 hours.
The middle should be dry and mositure free.
5. Dried apple treats
Yes, your dog can eat dried apple treats. However, they must be fed in moderation.
Apples contain dietary fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, but they are extremely potent. Therefore, you only want to feed your dog a dried apple now and then.
Dried apple swirls
- 2-3 Red apples - seeds removed
Wash the apples
Slice into circles
Lay onto dehydrator sheets
Dry for 3-12 hours.
Apples should be crisp and breakable. Moisture free
FEED IN MODERATION
6. Dehydrated Bananas Bites
TIP: Dehydrated bananas that dogs will love. Add a dollop of pumpkin and you've created your dog's favorite treat.
Banana Bites
- 2-3 ripe and firm bananas
Slice bananas into circles.
Place onto dehydrator sheets
Dehydarte or bake in oven at a low setting
Dry for 4-6 hours.
Should be dry and moisture free on the inside.
Store in air tight container.
Go ahead, make your dogs these treats!. They'll love it.
Enjoy!
Brenda Hansen says
I put the turkey sausages in my dehydrator last night for 8 hours, they still feel squishy in the center. They are bendable. Are these supposed to be hard when finished or still pliable? New to all this so just wanted to ask.
Ruby Doodle Dog says
Dehydrator temperatures can vary a lot....they may need to be dehydrated a little longer or simply place them into the oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. They do stay a bit pliable, but are generally cooked all the way through...