How to Make Dehydrated Chicken for Dogs (Easy Steps & Complete Guide)

Knowing how to make dehydrated chicken for dogs isn’t complicated. You just clean the chicken, cut it down and either put it in the oven on a baking sheet with a crisper or use a dehydrator. But, there are some other things to take into consideration before you decide to make these tasty treats for your pooch.

As with most DIY dog food recipes, you want to think about all the components that go into it. This includes using spices, oils and making sure you cook it all the way through.

Are There Any Cautions or Notes about Dehydrated Chicken for Dogs?

When you opt to make tasty dehydrated chicken treats for your pooch, you want to ensure you use only the best kind of chicken. Make sure it’s free of GMOs, organic, free range and easy to source. Avoid chicken breasts advertised as including rib meat too.

This is because dehydrated chicken has no moisture in it at all. Any pesticides, hormones or other chemical additives will surface in concentrated levels on the chicken. If you don’t know what that is, you may be putting your furry friend in harm’s way. Therefore, you want to avoid this as best as you can.

What Is the Best Way to Dehydrate Chicken for Dogs?

Either dehydrating through the oven or a dehydrator is best for dehydrating chicken for dogs. Although a dehydrator is most convenient, it’s not a necessary thing to have. It’s fairly simply to make these tasty treats.

Oven Dehydration Method

If using an oven, set the oven to 200°F or less. Clean and cut the chicken into manageable pieces for your dog while you’re waiting for the oven to preheat. Be sure you remove excess fat too.

For oven dehydration, it’s good if you have a crisper or something you can set above a cookie or baking sheet. You can also do it on parchment as well. But, if it’s necessary – either for a crisper or not – brush a minute dab of olive oil on either side of the chicken. Then, put the pan in the oven and let the chicken dry.

Dehydrator or Oven Dehydration Time

This could take as little as six hours or as much as 10 or 12 hours. It will vary depending on the thickness and size of the chicken pieces. That is of course unless you’re using a dehydrator, then you will want to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Only keep it in the oven or dehydrator until it reaches a chewy texture. If it’s too moist, it could develop salmonella. If the chicken is too dry, it might be too difficult for your dog to chew on.

Should You Add Salt or Any Seasonings Before Dehydrating Chicken for Dogs?

Never add salt to any food you prepare for your precious pup. Salt will kill their digestion and destroy their stomachs. This can result in lethargy, vomiting, nausea and even dizziness. Plus, dogs don’t have a flavor requirement in the same way that people do. So, keep the salt away.

In regards to herbs, spices and seasonings, make a note of which ones are safest and most harmful for your dog. As a precaution, talk to your vet to make sure. But, like salt, keep your dog away from:

• Pepper
• Cayenne Pepper
• White Pepper
• Garlic
• Onion
• Chives
• Mace
• Paprika
• Nutmeg
• Cumin

But, there are some herbs that are perfectly okay for dogs to consume. As a matter of fact, they should eat them on occasion because they’re excellent for their digestion. On average, most herbs from the mint family are safe enough for dogs. This includes things like:

• Basil
• Parsley
• Savory
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Peppermint

But they can also have other herbs, spices and seasonings in sparing amount such as:

• Cinnamon
• Turmeric
• Dill
• Ginger

Also, keep in mind that you should never give more than one and a half total tablespoons of herbs in one sitting. Even if they’re okay for the dog to consume, they don’t need them to be strong. A little bit will be enough for your pup’s taste buds.

Should You Make a Marinade for Chicken Before Dehydrating It for Dogs?

Whether you should make a marinade for the chicken before dehydrating it for your dog is entirely optional. Your dog will love eating the treats regardless of seasoning the chicken beforehand. But, if you want to make a little marinade, consider the following recipe:

Items You’ll Need

• Measuring Spoons
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Knife
• Cutting Board

Ingredients

• 1 lb Chicken Breasts
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 tsp Turmeric, powdered
• 1 tsp Dill, dried
• ½ tsp Savory, powdered

Instructions

1. Cut and clean the chicken into bite-sized pieces that are large enough for your dog to chew on. Make sure you remove the excess fat as well as any bones.
2. In the large mixing bowl combine the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, turmeric, dill and savory.
3. Put the chicken in and mix them up well, ensuring each piece has some of the marinade on it.
4. Cover the chicken and let the bowl sit in the fridge. You can leave it there for 30 minutes or overnight depending on how you want to work it.
5. Remove it from the fridge and let it get to room temperature before dehydrating the chicken as per the instructions above.

How Often Can Dogs Eat Dehydrated Chicken?

While dogs can eat chicken all day, every day, dehydrated chicken should be a treat; especially if you use a marinade. This means using it as a method for training, rewards or for simple snacking. Of course the frequency will depend on your dog, how active it is, how often you train/practice and what its dietary requirements are.

But, in general, you should be able to give your pooch two dehydrated chicken treats per day with a fair amount of safety. You just want to make sure that you observe your dog’s nutritional and caloric intake.