Tips & Tricks for dehydrating pet treats at home
Providing our pets with nutritious and delicious treats is a priority. Dehydrating pet treats at home offers a convenient and cost-effective way to ensure that your pets receive wholesome snacks free from artificial additives or preservatives. Here are some tips and tricks to help you master the art of dehydrating pet treats at home
1. Selecting a Good Dehydrator
When choosing a dehydrator for pet treat preparation, opt for a model that offers sufficient space to accommodate your ingredients without being excessively large. A spacious dehydrator allows for efficient air circulation, ensuring uniform dehydration. Additionally, selecting an appropriately sized dehydrator prevents wastage of electricity, as running a larger dehydrator with unfilled spaces can be inefficient.
2. Selecting top quality lean meat:
For optimal results, select lean cuts of meat for your pet treats. Lean cuts minimize the risk of spoilage and offer a healthier option for your furry friends. Consider lean parts such as chicken breast, beef knuckle/topside/sirloin, pork loin, and duck breast for your dehydrated treats. If your pet has skin allergies or sensitive stomach, consider hypoallergenic meats like Kangaroo, Venison, Rabbit and Frog legs.
3. Preparation
Prior to dehydration, thinly slice the selected ingredients to facilitate faster and more efficient drying. Trim away any visible fat from the meat, as fat can make your final product go rancid quicker and reduce the shelf life of your treats.
4. Dehydration Process
During the dehydration process, maintain a temperature exceeding 60 degrees Celsius to effectively cook the meat and eliminate any potential pathogens. It may take 8-12 hours, until the meat looks fully dried and snaps/ tears easily. Once dehydration is completed, allow the treats to cool completely before storage to prevent moisture buildup and spoilage.
5. Storage
Proper storage is essential to maintaining the freshness and quality of your dehydrated pet treats, since you will not be using preservations (we don’t either!). Store the treats away from heat and direct sunlight, as exposure to light and heat can accelerate rancidity, particularly in fattier meats. Seal the treats securely in a high-quality ziplock bag or airtight container, removing as much air as possible to prevent oxidation. Consider adding desiccant packets or oxygen absorbers to further extend shelf life. Dehydrated treats without preservatives typically last about two weeks at room temperature when properly sealed and stored. For longer shelf life, store the treats in the freezer.
6. Usage & Consumption
When serving dehydrated pet treats, always use clean and dry hands to avoid contamination. Don’t double dip!
BigBrownDog Treats: Locally-made Quality and Freshness
At BigBrownDog, we uphold the highest standards of quality and freshness in our treats. From carefully selecting lean cuts of meat to meticulous preparation and dehydration processes, we prioritize the health and happiness of your furry companions. Our treats are gently dehydrated using human grade meat from Singapore Food Agency licensed suppliers and are free from artificial additives or preservatives, ensuring that your pets receive nothing but the best. Shop the goodness of BigBrownDog treats and experience the yummy difference firsthand!
