Pet food and edibles were first commercialized during the 19th century. Subsequent research and development from large and small pet food manufacturers eventually resulted in dehydration being added to pet foods and treats.
Dried dog treats involve extracting moisture content from any meat, fruit, or vegetable to facilitate preservation and storage. Dehydration makes these treats healthier than their more processed counterparts due to the fact that there is no need for preservatives, and the nutrients remain intact following dehydration.
Lee&Pol continuously strives to create healthy treats for dogs using dried pollock, a traditional Korean dried ingredient.
What is Dried Dog Treats?
Dried dog treats are dried out through dehydration to remove moisture and preserve and extend shelf life. This process helps maintain their quality while increasing shelf life.
Producing dried dog treats often involves heating ingredients at lower temperatures for extended periods, taking several hours or days to dehydrate a batch of treats.
How To Make Dried Dog Treats?
Dried dog treat is prepared using an extremely delicate, low-heat drying process to preserve essential vitamins and minerals found naturally within the ingredients. This ensures maximum nutrition is preserved.
Food dehydration mimics nature’s preservation process: sunlight. Dehydrating has been used for thousands of years to extend food’s shelf life while making it safer.
Making Dried treats involves extracting all water from meat, fruit, and vegetable selections using a dehydrator. Once cut into thin, even strips, the raw ingredient can be placed onto dehydrator trays at low temperatures until fully dried out.
Through this step, any harmful pathogens and most moisture are eliminated, creating delicious treats for your pet that they will surely enjoy!
What Is the Difference Between Freeze-Dried and Dried Dog Treats?
Freeze-dried and Dried dog treats undergo different processes to remove moisture.
Freeze-drying utilizes vacuum technology at extremely low temperatures to sublimate excess water out of frozen treats before applying pressure, keeping more of their original shape, flavor, and nutrients intact, while dehydrating uses airflow at warmer temperatures to evaporate the moisture content over time.
Dried treats, which involve evaporating moisture, may cause more shrinkage and texture changes compared to freeze-drying. For maximum nutrition, seek high-quality treats made without additives or preservatives for the best results.
What Are the Benefits of Feeding My Dog Dried Treats?
Dried treats for dogs provide them with high-protein snacks they’ll love to snack on – these treats offer many advantages that make them the ideal treat choice for owners! Here are just a few benefits dried treats can bring.
High in Protein
High in Protein dried treats made from high-quality meats and vegetables contain naturally high concentrations of proteins. This makes them an excellent snacking option for active dogs needing an energy boost or those recovering from injury/illness and requiring extra protein in their diet.
Long Shelf Life
Since the dehydration process removes most moisture, these treats have an extended shelf life without the risk of spoiling quickly, like fresh treats. This shelf-stability allows you to stock up.
Convenient to Store and Carry
Dried treats are lightweight, take up minimal space, and are easily portable. This makes them the ideal treat choice for busy pet parents who are frequently on the go. You can take them along on trips, to the park, or on walks for quick, healthy treats for your dog!
Easy to Digest
The dehydration process breaks down proteins and starches, making dried treats highly digestible. Thus, they are a perfect choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs or those who struggle to process other types of treats properly.
No Additives and Preservatives
Dried dog treats offer a wholesome snacking experience devoid of artificial additives that can potentially compromise your canine’s well-being. These natural delicacies undergo minimal processing, preserving their nutritional integrity. Crafted from high-quality proteins and nutrient-dense produce, they provide a guilt-free indulgence.
Savory options like beef jerky and fish skins cater to carnivorous cravings, while dried fruits and veggies satisfy their sweet tooth harmoniously. Dehydration extends shelf life organically, eliminating the need for synthetic preservatives. Embrace the convenience and peace of mind these treats offer, knowing your furry companion is savoring unadulterated goodness.
Best Dried Dog Treats
Dried dog treats are the ideal treats to give to your pup! Dehydrating helps preserve nutrients while prolonging shelf life; opt for high-quality treats with natural ingredients with no artificial preservatives or fillers, like sweet potato slices, beef liver bites, turkey jerky, or dried salmon skins, which have crunchy textures perfect for dental health.
Dried Pollock
Dried pollock is rich in various minerals and nutrients such as calcium, iron, protein, and omega-3 fatty acid, which can support the health of a dog’s kidneys, liver, and heart. It also good for dog’s frequent issues like patellar luxation.
Dried pollock is a low-calorie snack with low fat. So, it helps weight loss in obese dogs. And their crunchy texture provides added tooth-cleaning benefits.
Lee&Pol combines nutrient-rich dried pollock with a variety of freeze-dried vegetables and fruits to offer the best treats for your dog’s health!
Meat Treats
Dried meat treats like beef jerky and chicken strips contain many proteins dogs love. Look for options with only one ingredient without added salt or seasonings to satisfy their snack cravings.
Fruit & Veggie Chews
Dried fruits and veggies such as apples, mangoes, pineapples, strawberries and blueberries provide natural sweetness as well as vitamins, minerals, and fiber – avoid those containing added sugars.
Homemade Dried Dog Treats
Making dried dog treats yourself at home is an easy, healthy way to provide your furry pal with natural snacks they’ll love. Not only can you control what goes in, but the dehydration process helps preserve nutrients while increasing shelf life. Here are some delicious yet straightforward options:
Homemade Dried Pollock treats
You can make healthy dried pollock treats at home as a homemade treat for your dog. When making homemade dried pollack treats, it’s important to remove the bones, and salt that harmful to dogs.
- Cut the dried pollock into bite-sized pieces for your dog and remove bones to prevent any choking hazards.
- Soak the dried pollack in water to remove the salt. You should change the water periodically to remove the salt completely.
- Once the dried pollack has been soaked, drain the water, and lay the pollock on the dehydrator tray.
- Set the dehydrator to a temperature of 140–160°F and dry for about 6–12 hours. It’s good to check occasionally and flip the pieces to ensure they dry evenly.
Lee&Pol carefully removes bones and salt from dried pollock over 24 hours in a four-step process, ensuring safe treats for your dog.
Crunchy Banana Chips
Bananas make an affordable and delicious treat for dogs. Select firm bananas and slice into 1/8 to 3/8 inch rounds before dehydrating for 3 to 12 hours until desired crunchiness has been reached.
Savory Liver Bites
Puppies love the rich flavor of liver treats made with chicken, beef, or lamb livers. Slice into 1/8 to 3/8 inch thin pieces before dehydrating for three to twelve hours at 175°F for 10 minutes until entirely dried for your pup to consume safely!
Sweet Potato Chews
Sweet potatoes offer a nutritious and flavorful solution for homemade dog treats. Simply clean, slice into 1/8 to 3/8 inch rounds (no peeling necessary!), dehydrate for 3 to 12 hours until chewy texture, or leave longer for crispy texture!
Are Dehydrated Dog Treats Safer Than Raw Treats?
Dehydrated dog treats are generally safer than their raw counterparts due to dehydration’s moisture-removing process, helping kill dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella that might otherwise exist in raw meat products or ingredients. Once properly dehydrated at high enough temperatures, pathogens cannot survive and continue spreading disease.
Raw treats contain bacteria that could pose foodborne illness risks to dogs and people who handle the treats, making dehydrated treats from reliable manufacturers that follow safe manufacturing processes a safer choice than feeding raw animal products to your pup.
How Do I Store My Dried Dog Treats?
Properly storing dried dog treats is crucial to preserve their freshness, preventing them from becoming stale or developing bacteria. An airtight container or resealable bag works best at sealing out moisture and oxygen.
Store treats at room temperature in a cool, dry location free from humidity or heat sources; refrigerators or freezers may extend shelf life further.
Check regularly for moisture build-up; any damp treats should be discarded immediately.
How Long Does Dried Dog Treats Last?
Check regularly for moisture build-up; any damp treats should be discarded immediately. Dried dog treats can last quite a long time if stored properly. Typically, they can remain fresh for up to 3-6 months. The key to their longevity is ensuring they are kept in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags are ideal for storage as they prevent exposure to air and humidity, which can cause the treats to spoil or lose their crunch.
Always follow any specific storage guidelines provided by the manufacturer to ensure the treats stay fresh and safe for your dog to enjoy.
It’s important to check for signs of spoilage before giving these treats to your pet. Look for any changes in smell, color, or texture. If the treats develop mold or a rancid odor, they should be discarded immediately.
Conclusion
Dried dog treats offer our furry friends an indulgent yet long-lasting snack option, thanks to the dehydration process, which preserves the natural goodness of high-quality ingredients while eliminating moisture to avoid spoilage. From meaty snacks like chicken breast to sweet fruits and veggies like strawberries or blueberries – Dried treats come in all sorts of tasty varieties.
Dried dog treats are easy to digest, safe for transporting or storage, and offer an alternative to raw treats.
FAQ
Make dried dog treats without needing a dehydrator by cutting meat or vegetables thinly and placing them onto a baking sheet, placing your oven at its lowest setting (around 140-160 °F /60-70 °C), leaving the door slightly open so moisture may escape. Then bake for 6-8 hours, flipping them halfway through until crispy, dry, and crunchy!
Yes, dried treats can be healthier for dogs because they retain most of their essential nutrients while lasting an extended shelf life. Dehydration also removes moisture to inhibit bacteria growth without needing preservatives.
Dried meat provides your dog with an ideal protein-rich snack while still retaining essential vitamins and nutrients via dehydration. Incorporating moisture-removing processes helps dried meat retain its nutrition without needing additives or preservatives – creating an all-natural, tasty treat!
To use an air fryer as a dehydrator for dog treats, slice meat or vegetables thinly before preheating to 180°F with dehydrating options enabled (if your air fryer supports dehydration). Arrange slices evenly in the basket and cook for 4-6 hours, occasionally checking on progress, until dried treats have a crispy texture. Let the treats cool down before offering them to your dog.
