Homemade Jerky Treats For Your Dog (Or Cat)

Worried about pet treat recalls? Why not try making your own pet treats. Making jerky treats for your pets is really easy and your pets will absolutely love them. You don't even need to own a food dehydrator to make them. You can do this right in your oven. 

Ingredients: 

• meat...this can be chicken, beef, pork, or even liver
• toothpicks

Directions:

• Preheat your over to 200º
• Put the top oven rack all the way at the top and the lower rack all the way to the bottom.
• Line the lower rack with aluminum foil.
• Slice the meat in thin strips. You can do this easier if the meat is slightly frozen. When cutting the length and width, remember that the meat will shrink as it dries
• push a toothpick through the very end of the strip. Hang the strip through the top rack, using the toothpick to anchor it. Space the strips an inch or so apart to allow the air to circulate.
• Shut the oven door but anchor it open slightly with a wooden spoon to let out the moisture as the meat dries.
• Let bake until dry. Depending on the cut of meat and the thickness, it will take 4 - 6 hours or more for the meat to fully dry. 
• Remove from oven, discard the toothpicks, and allow to cool to room temperature. 
• Cut into bite size pieces. It is easiest to do this with scissors.
• Store in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store the rest in the freezer. They should keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Tips and Tricks

The thinner the slice, the shorter the cook time.

Liver and fatty cuts of meat will take longer to dry 

If you can't get it thin enough, you can always pound it thinner in a ziplock bag with a meat mallet.

Beef tongue makes a really good jerkey

If using liver, please note that it will stink up the house so you may want to make this when you need to be out of the house for a few hours.