How to Make Jerky Treats for Dogs

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Doggy treats – especially the jerky kind, are expensive. Dried meat pup snacks cost around $16 to $32 per pound, depending on the brand. And many still contain added preservatives.

The method for making dog jerky is the same as making people jerky, only much easier because there’s no seasoning or marinating. 

Not only does homemade jerky cut down on expenses and chemicals, but it also has a magical benefit: the power of listening, even in stubborn dogs.

Here’s how you can make homemade dog jerky treats. All natural and super tasty jerky.

5 Fun & Easy Steps to Homemade Dog Jerky Treats

Materials and Supplies

• Dehydrator OR your oven plus two two cookie sheets and two wire racks
• Sharp Knife
• 2 lb Lean Meat Trimmed of significant fat

Step 1: Uniformly cut the meat.

Cut the meat into uniformly thin slices about 1/4 thick or less. The pieces can be large or small if the thickness remains consistent. The overall size should be slightly larger than the size of the treat you’d like to end up with since they’ll shrink as they dry out. Smaller pieces are great for training, and long, thin strips will keep little dogs busy for a minute.

If you’re using a tougher cut of meat, try to slice against the grain so the dried treat isn’t stringy. Slicing the meat thin is a little easier if it’s barely frozen, especially for soft cuts like liver.

Step 2: Arrange the slices onto the dehydrate racks or wire racks.

Arrange the flattened slices onto the racks of either your dehydrator or wire racks. Avoid overlapping the pieces and leave about a half inch of space around them to let the air circulate.

Step 3: Set the trays in a preheated oven.

Set the trays in your dehydrator or the wire racks with cookie sheets underneath in a preheated oven at its lowest temperature (200 degrees is great). From here, it’s a bit of check-and-see. Drying times will vary depending on how much meat, the cut, the kind of dehydrator, and the accuracy of your oven.

Rotate the racks every two hours and check for “doneness” after about three hours.

Step 4: Consider your dog’s preferences.

If your dog is older or has some issues with her teeth, you may want to take the treats out of the dehydrator when there’s still a little left to give them, maybe 4 hours in.

Softer jerky will also smell “meatier” and can be cut into tiny pieces, making them ideal training rewards for puppies. Or, let the meat strips continue to dry until they feel hard to the touch, about 8-9 hours.

Step 5: Let the jerky cool and store it in an airtight container.

Let the jerky cool completely, and then store the treats in an airtight container. If you’ve opted for the softer variety or have used a fattier cut of meat-like tongue, the treats aren’t fully shelf stable. They are best stored in the freezer. Pull out a handful as needed to store in a mason jar on the counter for no more than a few days.

If they’re the fully dried doggie jerky, they’ll last in an air-tight container on a shelf for several weeks.

What kind of meat do dogs like?

Dogs like all kinds of meat. There was even kangaroo jerky at the pet store. In truth, you can use any lean, inexpensive meat for homemade jerky dog treats, depending on your availability.

I buy beef and pork from the half animal; the organs come with them, so I’ve also made these treats with liver, heart, and tongue. My butcher sells packages that contain a pig heart and tongue for just a few bucks. If your family hunts, maybe you’ve had a banner season with lots of extra deer, turkey, squirrel, or goose meat on hand. I’ve even used pork chops that hid in the back of the freezer for years and were pretty freezer-burnt. My dog did not care. 

While homemade jerky is extremely easy to make in a simple home dehydrator, you can use half-sheet cookie trays and wire racks in your oven.