5 Homemade Healthy Jerky for Dogs

One of the most delectable homemade dog treats that you can make for your pooch is jerky. Thus, we have put together 5 preservative-free and grain-free jerky recipes for dogs that you can make at home.

Homemade Beef Jerky for Dogs Recipe

Beef jerky for dogs is a great treat since it’s rich in protein. Boost your furry companion’s energy by making this mouth-watering dog-friendly snack.

What you need:

• 1 pound of ground beef

How to make beef jerky for dogs:

1. Preheat the oven to 130°F (54°C).
2. Place the ground beef on parchment paper.
3. Using your hands or a greased rolling pin, flatten the pound of meat to about 1/8 inch – 1/4 inch thick.
4. Score the meat into a checkerboard pattern using a blunt knife. Doing so will make it easier to break them into bite-sized pieces.
5. Put the flattened meat on a baking sheet.
6. Let it dehydrate in the oven for 8 hours.
7. Take it out of the oven. Then carefully pour out the grease that seeped out into the sink.
8. Break the beef jerky for dogs into small pieces along the previously scored lines.
9. Place a fresh baking sheet on the cooling rack, followed by the beef jerky dog treats.
10. Put them back in the oven for 4–5 hours.
11. Pour out any collected drippings onto the baking sheet.
12. Store the homemade beef jerky for dogs at room temperature for around 3 weeks. To preserve it longer, place it in the fridge.

Recipe notes:

In making beef jerky for dogs, add dog-safe ingredients to add more flavor or nutrition. For instance, brush salmon oil on top of the beef jerky dog treats before dehydrating them. Salmon oil is rich in vitamin E, which enhances your dog’s skin and coat.
Avoid using ground or powdered bone as it can clump on your dog’s GI tract, causing stomach obstruction.

Is Human Beef Jerky Bad for Dogs?

Human beef jerky is bad for dogs. It is full of flavorings and spices such as salt, pepper, and cayenne, which can cause digestive upset in pooches. Some human beef jerky also contains toxic ingredients, such as onion or garlic powder that can endanger their lives.

Can Dogs Have Beef Jerky?

Yes, but naturally, preparing beef jerky dog treats at home is a healthier and safer option than buying commercially made ones. Forego adding spices and seasonings to avoid causing stomach upset in your dog. Serve beef jerky for dogs sparingly and in small amounts as canines have sensitive stomachs.

Is Beef Jerky Good for Dogs?

Yes, healthy homemade beef jerky is good for dogs. Dehydrated meats such as beef are extremely rich in protein and nutrients since they are preserved in the process.

Moreover, beef jerky for dogs is composed of lean meat. Thus, it is low in fat. On average, there are about 5 grams of fat per serving.

Homemade Chicken Jerky Recipe for Dogs

Chicken is an affordable and good source of protein. If you are on a tight budget, this type of jerky for dogs is something that you can make.

What you need:

• 1 pound chicken breast
• Olive oil

How to make chicken jerky for dogs:

1. Preheat oven to 250°F (121°C).
2. Grease a wire rack with olive oil.
3. Place the greased wire rack on top of a cookie sheet. It allows air to circulate while the chicken jerky for dogs is dehydrating.
4. Remove all visible fat from the chicken breast.
5. Slice the chicken breast thinly, at least 1/8th inch–1/4 inch thick.
6. Place the sliced, thin chicken jerky strips on the greased wire rack.
7. Let them cook for 2 hours. Once done, flip the chicken jerky dog treats over.
8. Allow them to dehydrate in the oven for another 45 minutes.
9. Place in an airtight container. Since this homemade chicken jerky for dogs is free from preservatives, it has a longer shelf life. It can last for up to 2 weeks.

Are Chicken Jerky Treats Bad for Dogs

Not necessarily, but it is best to avoid store-bought ones. Cases of dogs falling ill and even fatal results after consuming these dog treats have been reported.

Most of the store-bought chicken jerky are manufactured in China, as investigated by the FDA.

Scientists could not identify the contaminants in the chicken jerky, but glycerine and irradiation were the possible causes.

How to Make Chicken Jerky for Dogs

Source high-quality meats from a reputable company when making chicken jerky for dogs. This lowers the risk of raw meats containing salmonella or other harmful bacteria.

Then, as stated in our chicken jerky for dogs recipe, remove all fat since it slows down dehydration. Next, cut the fresh meat into strips and place them in the oven. Once the strips are crunchy, let them cool before serving them to your dog.

Homemade Duck Jerky for Dogs Recipe

Duck jerky for dogs, packed with easy-to-digest protein and less likely to trigger dog allergies, is a wonderful alternative to chicken jerky. Follow this recipe to create this tasty dog treat.

What you need:

• 1 pound of duck meat

How to make duck jerky for dogs:

1. Cut the duck meat into long strips. It should be around 1/2-inch wide and roughly 1/8-inch thick.
2. Place the duck jerky strips on dehydrator trays. Make sure to space the strips as it increases airflow and speeds up drying time.
3. Set your dehydrator to 120°F (49°C) and let it run for at least 6–8 hours.
4. Test if the homemade duck jerky dog treats are done by squeezing them lightly. If they are wet and moist, they are not yet ready. Pop them back in the dehydrator for another 6–8 hours. Check again afterwards.
5. Let the duck jerky for dogs cool before storing it in an airtight container.

Is Duck Jerky Safe for Dogs?

Yes, duck jerky is safe for dogs so long as you opt for homemade ones. But beware as manufacturers of commercial jerky treats for dogs are not required to list the origin country of each ingredient used in their products.

You know what ingredients are used by cooking your own duck jerky for dogs, making it safer for your pooch to consume.

Is Duck Jerky Bad for Dogs?

Duck jerky is not bad for dogs, provided that it is free from harmful ingredients. For this reason, it is best to stick with homemade duck jerky. Make sure to feed in moderation, even if your dog loves it so much.

Duck meat contains more fat than other meats. Overfeeding your dog with duck meat can cause obesity, stomach upset, or worse, pancreatitis.

Is Duck Jerky Good for Dogs?

Yes, duck jerky is good for dogs because it is rich in nutrients that improve their health. For example, zinc and selenium, which are immune system-boosting antioxidants, can be found in duck jerky.

Duck jerky also contains omega-3 that keeps your dog’s skin healthy and his coat shiny. It is also a novel protein used in dog foods for pooches with allergies.

Homemade Salmon Jerky for Dogs Recipe

Salmon jerky for dogs is not only an excellent source of protein but also omega-3 fatty acids. As a result, it improves your dog’s health in many ways, from fighting off inflammation and strengthening the immune system. Here’s how to make this healthy dog treat.

What you need:

• 1 pound of salmon

How to make salmon jerky for dogs:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C).
2. Make your salmon easier to slice by freezing it for around 10–20 minutes.
3. Cut it into thin slices, about 1/8 inches thick.
4. Pat salmon strips to dry.
5. Place them on dehydrator trays.
6. Leave them in the food dehydrator for about 3–4 hours.
7. Place in an airtight container. This homemade salmon jerky for dogs can last up to 3 months in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer.

Recipe notes:

You know when the dehydrated salmon jerky strips are properly cooked once they are chewy but not crunchy.

Homemade Sweet Potato Jerky for Dogs Recipe

Creating a homemade jerky for dogs is not limited to using meat. You can also make use of sweet potatoes. Sweet potato jerky is a great treat for dogs since it is rich in nutrients and improves digestive function.

What you need:

• 2 large sweet potatoes

How to make sweet potato jerky for dogs:

1. Preheat your oven to 225°F (107°C).
2. Scrub the sweet potatoes and make sure they are free from any mold.
3. Use parchment paper to line the cookie sheets.
4. Cut the sweet potatoes lengthwise using a knife. Each slice should be about 1/2 inches–2/3 inches thick.
5. Bake the sweet potato jerky strips for 3–4 hours. To get these treats dehydrated evenly, flip them occasionally.
6. Allow the sweet potato jerky for dogs to cool in an airtight container.

Recipe notes:
If crisp, these dried treats can last up to 2–3 months. However, if more tender, they will only last for about 2–3 weeks.