Homemade Dehydrated Chicken Jerky for Dogs

Homemade chicken jerky for dogs is a chewy and high-protein treat for your pet. If your dog loves to chew on things, then they will really enjoy this savory snack.

Dehydrated chicken jerky dog treats made at home are budget-friendly and so much better than store-bought. In fact, they are so easy to make, that you’ll be able to make them whenever you run out.

Plus, these chicken jerky treats for dogs are shelf-stable too! So, make a big batch for your furry friend and give them a treat that will fuel their muscles (and entertain their mouths).

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Why These Dehydrated Chicken Dog Treats are the Best

Some dogs just love to chew, don’t they? If you have a pup that is a muncher, then dog chicken jerky treats are perfect for them. When you follow this recipe, you’ll turn regular chicken breast into a snack that resembles leather.

Plus, jerky for dogs is savory and almost salty without adding extra salt. Remember, dogs are very sensitive to sodium. Thankfully, this jerky is so delicious it doesn’t need any extra salt!

It’s also really good for your dog’s teeth, too! As dogs gnaw on the leathery meat, it removes plaque and tartar build-up, both are things that could lead to cavities later on.

If you have ever looked at the price of jerky in the store, you’ll be so happy you found this recipe! Chicken breast is so much cheaper than store-bought jerky. And it has way less salt too.

Benefits of Chicken

Chicken dog treats are so good for your pet because there are lots of health benefits of chicken.

The biggest benefit is that chicken provides your dog protein that they use for energy and to build lean muscles. What you might not know is that chicken also has Omega-6 fatty acids. These fatty acids will help your dog have a shiny coat and healthy skin.

Chicken also has glucosamine which helps them have strong, healthy bones.

It really is an overall healthy type of meat that you can feel good about giving your dog.

Chicken Jerky for Dogs Recipe Ingredients

There’s just one ingredient in these amazing homemade chicken dog treats. Yep, one simple thing you get all the time:

• Chicken

Good ‘ole boneless, skinless chicken breasts. And you can get organic chicken if you want to kick it up another healthy notch.

Is Chicken Jerky Safe for Dogs

Before I show you how to make jerky for dogs, I want to answer one very important question. How safe is it?

For the most part, this is a very safe treat. There are always variables, so this is what you should watch out for.

• Dog Allergy – some dogs cannot tolerate chicken because they are allergic to it.
• Choking Hazard – always watch your dog when you give them jerky or any similar treat.

So, is dehydrated chicken safe for dogs? Yes, it is. As long as your dog doesn’t have an allergy to chicken and they don’t normally choke on things, this should be just fine for them.

How long do dehydrated dog treats last?

These dehydrated chicken treats will last from 1 week to 1 month, depending on the level of dryness.

• Soft, chewy jerky has more moisture and is generally good for about a week.
• Crispy, almost crunchy jerky with little moisture can be good for weeks.

Serving Size

How much DIY dog jerky you give your pet depends on what else they ate that day. This is a pretty low-calorie snack, but it is still a snack. This should not be their main source of calories.

The serving size also depends on your dog’s size. Smaller dogs need fewer calories than larger dogs.

Generally I would say that about 2 pieces of jerky is one serving. Give your pet as much of this jerky as you would any other rare or special treat.

Equipment Needed

You may have the kitchen items you need to make these dehydrated chicken dog treats. But just in case, here’s what you need:

• A plastic dishwasher-safe cutting board is best for raw meat.
• A good, sharp chef’s knife to cut through the chicken.
• Food Dehydrator to dehydrate the chicken.

How to Make Chicken Jerky for Dogs

These are the recipe steps and some photos of the process for making the dehydrated dog treats. I hope they help you make this healthy dog jerky recipe!

You can scroll down to the bottom of this article for a printable recipe card.

1. Place chicken breasts on a plate with space between them (not touching each other).

2. Place the chicken in the freezer for about an hour or until semi-frozen.

3. Remove the chicken from the freezer and cut the chicken into thin strips.

4. Place the chicken strips on dehydrator trays.

5. Dehydrate at 170 degrees for 4 to 5 hours or until the jerky is fully dry and has a slight snap when broken.

How to Store Jerky

Store the chicken jerky dog treats in an airtight container for dog treats. A dog treat jar is best for dog jerky storage so it is not mistaken for jerky made for people. Here are some cute ones on Amazon:

• Metal Farmhouse Style Dog Treats Jar
• Rae Dunn Good Dog Ceramic Dog Treats Canister
• Clear Plastic Paw Print Air-tight Container

Can you eat dog chicken jerky?

Yep, you sure can eat these dried chicken dog treats! It is safe for human consumption. Since they are not flavored, you probably won’t like them as much as chicken jerky made for people. I suggest making Honey Soy Chicken Jerky with a little kick of heat from chili garlic sauce.

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More Homemade Dog Treat Recipes

Want to make some more tasty treats for your dog? If you enjoyed this homemade jerky for dogs then I have some more treats you should check out. Here are a few different types of dog treats to make:

• 3 Ingredient Dog Treats
• Banana Dog Treats
• Blueberry Dog Treats
• Homemade Dog Donuts
• Homemade Dog Treats with Rolled Oats

Want to get the best store-bought dog treats instead of making homemade ones? Check out these favorite dog treats on my Amazon dog treats ideas list.