Keep the Tail Wagging is supported by pet parents. I occasionally earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) when you click through an affiliate link to one of my favorite products. Thank you for your support. Read More
Making homemade jerky treats is a great way to ensure your dog gets a delicious treat without any additives, preservatives, and fillers found in store-bought treats. Not to mention, it’s a fun project that you can do with your dog by your side! Let’s explore some of the benefits of making homemade dog treats.
Homemade Jerky Treats are Healthier
When you make treats at home, you can control exactly what goes into them and ensure they’re made with wholesome ingredients. You don’t have to worry about added sugar or salt because you know exactly what’s going into them. Plus, if your dog has allergies or dietary restrictions, you can tailor their treats accordingly.
Making Jerky Treats is a Bonding Activity
Making jerky treats is also a great way to bond with your dog! It’s a fun activity for both of you and it allows you to spend quality time together on a rainy day that doesn’t involve taking them for a walk or playing fetch. Plus, when the treats are ready, there’s nothing better than watching your dog’s eyes light up when they get the first taste!
Homemade Jerky Treats Helps You Save Money
Another benefit of making jerky treats at home is that it saves money in the long run. Sure, you may need to invest in some baking supplies upfront but after that initial purchase, it’s much more cost-effective than buying store-bought treats every week. Plus, most recipes only require a handful of simple ingredients so they’re not expensive to make either!
Two Easy Jerky Treat Recipes
I made jerky treats for the dogs using my dehydrator and the oven. I was curious about which worked better and found that both methods worked great. These are easy because we have most (if not all) of the equipment needed to make dog treats at home and the meat used is affordable.
DIY Chicken Jerky Treats for Dogs
The following treats can be made using any lean protein.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts (I used chicken thighs, but it took longer to cook them)
- Dried parsley
- Dried basil
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat over to 200 F (93.3 C).
- Trim excess fat from the chicken and dry it. Place chicken in the freezer for an hour, making it easy to slice. After that hour, slice the chicken along the grain as thin as possible – no big deal if you have big pieces.
- Lay chicken slices on a non-stick baking sheet, and if you’d like more flavor, you can sprinkle dog-safe spices on the chicken slices; I chose parsley and basil for my jerky.
- Bake at 200 F (93.3 C) for two hours. Depending on your oven, you may need to bake the chicken longer, so check after the first two hours.
- Once ready, allow the treats to cool, then store in a Rubbermaid container after everyone (humans too) tests the jerky. I make enough to store in the fridge for two weeks; if I make more, I freeze half the batch.
I love making chicken jerky treats for dogs because it’s a healthy, low-fat, low-sodium treat that the dogs enjoy. I know the sourcing, I control the ingredients (when using spices), and I know they’re safe for my dogs.
I was worried that my dogs wouldn’t be able to enjoy these treats due to past chicken sensitivities, but cooking the chicken makes it easier for them to tolerate, and because this is a snack and not a meal, my dogs don’t have an issue.
DIY Beef Jerky Treats for Dogs
I found this recipe on HealthyDogWorkshop.com. These dog treats can be made using any ground protein; I favorite proteins to use are beef and turkey.
Ingredients
- Lean ground beef
- Dried parsley
- Dried basil
- Fresh rosemary
Cooking Instructions
1 – Mix ground beef with spices and place the mix between wax or parchment paper. Using a rolling pin, roll the ground beef until it’s flat. Remove the top wax/parchment paper and slice the meat into jerky strips using a knife or pizza cutter.
2 – Lay jerky strips on the dehydrator trays and cook according to your instructions.
3 – Once ready, allow the treats to cool, then store in a Rubbermaid container after everyone (humans too) tests the jerky – I loved the chicken jerky treats, but I didn’t like the beef ones – the dogs LOVED them. I make enough to store in the fridge for two weeks; if I make more, I freeze half the batch.
Making Jerky Treats in the Oven vs. Dehydrator
I love both methods of making treats, and because I make so many in one batch, it’s nice to have both the oven and the dehydrator working. The oven is faster than the dehydrator, and the dehydrator gives me treats with a true jerky feel while the oven dries the meat. Either way, the dogs love what I made for them.
When I started making dog treats, I used an Excalibur 5-Tray Stackable Dehydrator for this recipe. Today, I use an LEM 10-Tray Dehydrator, which works better – I can set a timer, and there’s a drip tray (for easy cleanup).
Final Thoughts on Homemade Jerky Treats
All in all, making jerky treats is an easy and rewarding experience for both you and your dog. You get to feel like a Master Chef as you test your creative cooking skills, and your dog gets to be the official taste tester. So grab some ingredients from your pantry and get baking today! Your dog will thank you in a few hours!