Homemade dehydrated venison jerky for dogs is so much better than store-bought! These ground venison doggie treats are a tail-wagging delight. DIY jerky treats for dogs are healthy, natural, and save money.
As a dog owner, you only want to give your furry best friend the best. And what’s better than pure, dried meat that they can chew? When it comes to homemade dog treats, you can’t get much better than wild venison. Your pup will love eating real venison – talk about a treat! Keep reading for this easy recipe.
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Why Make Venison Jerky For Your Dog
Whether you let your dog eat raw meat or you’re kinda on the fence about it, this easy jerky recipe gives your dog all the fatty acids and health benefits of deer meat without having to cook it. This is the best thing to let dogs eat because few things are as good for dogs as real meat pieces.
You’ll feel so good about making this recipe for your dog. When it’s done, you’ll have jerky that’s safe for human consumption – so you know it’ll be good for your pup, too. Plus, when dogs eat pure animal protein without any fillers, it’s easier for them to maintain a healthy weight.
Why You’ll Love This Venison Dog Treat Recipe
Venison dog treats are a great choice for both large and small dogs. You’ll love how easy this is to make. All you need is some meat.
You don’t even have to add spices or other flavorings. You’ll also love how nutritious these homemade treats are for your pup. This protein source is packed with minerals and nutrients that will fuel your dog’s health and support their immune system.
Benefits of Venison for Dogs
Speaking of how healthy venison is, let’s look quickly at why venison is so good for dogs. Just look at these nutrients and health benefits:
- Less fat and cholesterol than beef
- Good source of B vitamins (natural energy source)
- High in zinc, phosphorus, and iron.
- Good for dogs with food sensitivities.
Check out my recipe for venison dog food.
Ingredients
You only need one simple ingredient to make this jerky! Well, you could add some flavor – see the optional ingredients section.
- Ground Venison
Can’t find ground venison? You can substitute it with lean ground beef, ground chicken, or ground turkey.
Optional Ingredients
Add some flavor to the jerky with these spices:
- Ground Cinnamon
- Ground Ginger
- Turmeric Powder
Just mix 1 teaspoon into the meat. You can use one or a combination of them.
Equipment Needed
The only special equipment you may need is a food dehydrator. But you can make it in the oven so it’s not necessary to have one.
How to Make Venison Jerky for Dogs
There are two ways you can dehydrate ground venison to make jerky. One is in the oven and the other is in a dehydrator.
With either method, you want the jerky to be cooked and dried but not crispy or brittle. It should be somewhat flexible like store-bought jerky. Check it during the last hour of dehydrating to make sure it doesn’t get too dried out and crunchy.
Oven Method
- If you are adding a spice or combination of spices, you’ll need to mix it into the ground venison.
- Roll the venison into golf ball-sized balls, about 1 ounce each.
- Put a ball on a sheet of parchment paper.
- Roll it out into a thin log, like a stick. Repeat with the remaining balls.
- Place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
- Dehydrate them in a pre-heated 170°F oven for 4 to 5 hours. If your oven runs hot, you can prop open the oven door with a wooden spoon.
Dehydrator Method
- Prepare the logs the same way as the oven method.
- Place them on a dehydrator tray.
- Dehydrate at 165°F for 7 to 8 hours.
Recipe Variations – Different Shapes
You can make your sticks skinnier, longer, or shorter. Note this will affect the dehydrating time. Skinnier ones will take less time and thicker ones will take longer.
You can also press each log down until it is flat to make strips.
Another way is to place the whole pound of meat on parchment paper and press it out until flat or roll it out with a rolling pin. Place it on the tray and use a knife or pizza cutter to score the meat into squares or your desired shape. Once the meat is almost done, snap the pieces apart and finish the drying process.
Serving Size
Even though it’s good for them, this is still a treat. I suggest giving one piece of jerky per day for larger dogs and half of a piece for smaller dogs.
Can people eat this venison dog jerky?
Yes, they absolutely can. Venison has lots of health benefits for humans. Just note this jerky for dogs will be bland and won’t have seasoning or sugar typically found in jerky made for people.
More Dehydrated and Meaty Dog Treats
Do you want to make some more meaty dog treats or dehydrated ones? Try these recipes:
- Chicken Jerky for Dogs
- Chicken Wrapped Sweet Potato Dog Treats
- Dehydrated Pumpkin for Dogs
- Meat Cake for Dogs
- Salmon Jerky for Dogs
- Sweet Potato Dog Chews
- Turkey Dog Treats
Find lots of easy recipes for dog treats right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Venison Jerky for Dogs
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Venison
Optional Spices
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
Instructions
- Thaw ground venison if frozen.
- If adding a spice, use your hands to mix it into the meat.
- Take a golf ball-sized piece of meat and roll it in your hand to make a ball. Place the ball on a piece of parchment paper. Roll it back and forth to make a long skinny log. Repeat with the remaining meat.
- Alternative Rolling Styles: You can make your jerky sticks skinnier, longer or shorter. You can also press each log down until it is flat instead of rounded. Another alternative is to press the entire loaf of meat until flat or roll it out with a rolling pin. Place it all on the tray and using a knife score the meat into squares or your desired shapes. Once the meat is nearly done, you can snap each piece apart and finish the drying process.
Oven Method
- Preheat the oven to 170°F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the meat logs about ½ to 1 inch apart on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 4 to 5 hours until the center is done but before the meat becomes crispy and brittle. You want it to be a little bit flexible.
Dehydrator Method
- Preheat the dehydrator to 165°F.
- Place the meat logs about ½ to 1-inch apart on a dehydrator sheet. Dehydrate for 7 to 8 hours until the center is done but before the meat becomes crispy and brittle. You want it to be a little bit flexible.
- Remove the jerky from the oven or dehydrator and allow it to cool to room temperature.
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