There is a very simple recipe for dog treats that anyone can make: dehydrating meat. While raw meat and high protein diets are often too expensive for the average dog owner, dehydrated meat dog treats can be affordable — especially when you do it yourself.
Having meat in your dog’s diet brings a plethora of health benefits for them, especially for puppies, old dogs, and active dogs. Incorporating meat in a dog's diet provides essential proteins and amino acids necessary for muscle development and overall health.
Meat is also a rich source of vitamins and minerals that support a dog's immune system and promote optimal energy levels. We found a great article that explains the benefits of red meats for dogs thoroughly.
But anyways, here is a recipe for beef liver dog treats, but you can do this with most any type of meat! If you choose to use poultry like chicken or turkey, make sure to set the temperature higher!
Here is a link to safe minimum internal temperatures. While it is slightly different when dehydrating dog treats, it is best to follow these guidelines.
Dehydrated Single Ingredient Beef Dog Treats (Air Fryer Recipe):
Ingredients:
- Beef Liver: For every 1 ounces of treats, you will want 2.8 ounces of raw beef liver
Instructions:
- Start by freezing the beef slices for about 1-2 hours. Partially freezing the meat makes it easier to slice thinly and evenly
- Take the partially frozen beef out of the freezer and using a sharp knife, slice it into thin strips or small bite-sized pieces. Aim for consistent thickness (we like ⅛ - ¼ inch slices) to ensure even drying. Make your treats moderately larger than your preferred size, as they will shrink.
- Preheat your air fryer to a low setting, around 145-160°F (60-71°C).
- Place the beef slices inside the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overlapping the pieces to allow proper airflow.
- Dehydrate the beef in the air fryer for about 3 - 6 hours, depending on the thickness of the slices and the power of your air fryer. Check periodically to ensure they are dehydrated to your desired level of crispness.
- Once the beef slices are fully dehydrated, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool completely.
- Store the dehydrated beef dog treats in an airtight container or ziplock bag. They can be kept at room temperature for several weeks or longer if refrigerated. Freeze your homemade dog treats if you expect to keep them for longer than 2 - 3 months.
Dehydrated Single Ingredient Beef Dog Treats (Oven Recipe):
Ingredients:
- Beef Liver: For every 1 ounces of treats, you will want 2.8 ounces of raw beef liver.
Instructions:
- Similar to the air fryer recipe, start by partially freezing the beef slices for about 1-2 hours.
- Preheat your oven to the lowest possible temperature, typically around 145°F (63°C).
- Take the partially frozen beef out of the freezer and slice it into thin strips or small bite-sized pieces using a sharp knife. Make the dog treats ⅛ - ¼ inches in thickness. Make your treats moderately larger than your preferred size, as they will shrink!
- Place a wire rack on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Arrange the beef slices on the wire rack, ensuring they don't touch or overlap.
- Put the baking sheet with the beef slices into the preheated oven.
- Dehydrate the beef in the oven for approximately 4-6 hours, depending on the thickness of the slices and your oven's temperature consistency. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through for even drying. We also recommend slightly opening the oven door to help moisture escape (if you can tolerate the heat).
- Check the liver treats periodically, and when they are completely dehydrated to your desired level of crispness, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely.
- Store the dehydrated beef dog treats in an airtight container or ziplock bag. They can be kept at room temperature for several weeks or longer if refrigerated. Freeze your homemade dog treats if you expect to keep them for longer than 2 - 3 months.
Always ensure the beef is fully dehydrated to prevent spoilage and store them properly to maintain freshness.
Remember to consult your veterinarian before introducing any new treats into your dog's diet, especially if they have any dietary restrictions or health conditions.
At 7C’s Farm, we try to make high quality, all natural dog treats for the everyday dog owner, but we know that many people cannot afford to buy premium treats.
Thankfully, what we do at our family farm, most people can do at home! Of course we will forever advocate the use of local, family farms when sourcing your meat, but that is entirely optional :)
Hopefully this article helped, and if you have any further questions you can reach out on our Contact Page, or at 7csfarmllc@gmail.com.