Dehydrating for Pets with Excalibur Dehydrators

Dehydrated dog food is a healthy dietary option for pets (specifically cats and dogs) of all ages that has rich flavours and high nutritional content. Dehydrated food combines the best of all worlds – the convenience of dry food and many of the nutritional values and benefits of raw. Plus, it’s lightweight if you plan on travelling with your furry companion, and pets love the taste!

There are loads of ingredients that you can use to dehydrate treats and foods for your pet. This will also depend on your sensitivity level. I was a long term vegetarian and I struggled making and handling meat treats for my dogs, but they love meat, and I love them, so now I create food using meat anyway!

Here are some of my favourite ingredients that I personally love to use to dehydrate for Frankie my 3 year old Labrador:

– Sweet Potatoes
– Carrots
– Pumpkin
– Zucchini
– Apples
– Bananas
– Chicken
– Lean Beef
– Turkey
– Duck
– Organ meats such as liver or kidneys

I love to dehydrate all kinds of meat, vegetables and homemade treats for my pet. My dogs’ personal favourite are ‘liver treats’. I was buying packaged pet treats from the grocery store for my furry friend but realised that some of the products contained hidden ingredients such as maltodextrin, salt, preservatives and other chemical additives. I don’t want these ingredients in my body, nor do I want them in my pets either. I now make my own without the added nasty ingredients.

Try these pet treat recipes below which will have your four-legged friends begging for more!

Sweet Potato Chicken Pet Bites

(ideal for both cats and dogs)

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground chicken
1/2 cup Water
2 cups cubed sweet potato

Directions

1. In a large skillet, over medium heat, cook chicken, breaking up with a spoon, until it starts to release liquid. Stir in sweet potato and water. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and boil gently, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft and chicken is no longer pink. Remove lid, increase heat to medium-high and boil until excess liquid is evaporated. Transfer to a shallow dish and let cool completely.
2. In a food processor, puree chicken mixture until very smooth.
3. Scoop out level teaspoonfuls of chicken mixture for small snacks or rounded teaspoonfuls for large snacks and roll into a ball. With moistened fingers, press into a rounded rectangle about 1/4 inch apart on mesh drying trays. Repeat with the remaining mixture, dipping your fingers in water often to prevent sticking.
4. Dry at 155°F for about 5 to 7 hours or until crisp and dry throughout. Let cool completely on trays or on wire racks. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or refrigerate for up to 3 months

Brown Rice and Veggie Dog Treats

Ingredients

2 coarsely chopped carrots
2 1/2 cups cooked long-grain brown rice, cooled
1/2 tsp Crumbled dried basil or oregano
Cold water
1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
1/4 cup salt-free tomato paste

Directions

1. In a saucepan, cover carrots with cold water by about 1/4 inch; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and boil gently for about 7 minutes or until carrots are soft. Drain, reserving cooking water. Let carrots cool.
2. In a food processor, puree carrots, rice, peas, tomato paste and basil, gradually adding 1 to 2 tbsp. of the reserved cooking water if necessary, to make thick and smooth.
3. Scoop out 1 tsp. of carrot mixture for small crisps and 1 tbsp. for large. With moistened fingers, pat out to a rounded rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Place at least 1/2 inch apart on fine-mesh drying trays. Repeat with the remaining mixture, dipping your fingers in water often to prevent sticking.
4. Dry at 130°F for 5 to 6 hours for small or 6 to 8 hours for or until crisp and dry throughout. Let cool completely on trays or on wire racks. Store in a cookie tin at room temperature for up to 3 months.

Appleicious Oat Pet Treats

(ideal for both cats and dogs)

Ingredients

1 cup Steel-cut oats
2 Apples, cored and chopped
3 cups Water
1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon

Directions

1. In a saucepan, combine water and oats; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring often, for about 30 minutes or until oats are tender and thick. Measure out 3 cups and transfer to a shallow dish; let cool completely. Reserve any extra for another use.
2. In a food processor, pulse apples and cinnamon until very finely chopped. Add oats and pulse until mixture is smooth and has the consistency of paste.
3. Spread out to about 1/4-inch thickness, as evenly as possible, on leather sheets, leaving it slightly thicker around the edges. Dry at 130°F for 6 to 9 hours or until top is very firm and it is easy to lift from the sheet. Flip onto a cutting board and peel off sheet. Cut into 2 by 1 inch rectangles, or desired size.
4. Transfer pieces to mesh drying racks, moist side down, and dry for about 2 hours or until firm and crisp. Let cool completely on trays or on wire racks. Store in a cookie tin at room temperature for up to 3 months.

Cat’s Meow Crackers

Ingredients

2-6 oz. Cans undrained tuna
1 1/3 cup Flour
1 cup Cornmeal
1/2 cup Water

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
Dehydrate for 4 hours or until dry.

Liver Pet Treats

(both cats and dogs can consume these, however be sure of the quantity you provide as liver does contain high amounts of vitamin A. A great guideline is around 1g per kg, eg. 10g per day for your 10kg pet)

Ingredients:

400-500g (1 pound) beef or chicken liver, rinsed

Directions:

1. Spray the dehydrator trays with nonstick spray.
2. If any livers are too thick, use a fork to flatten them slightly.
3. Lay out livers on dehydrator trays, leaving space between them so there will be good air circulation throughout the trays.
4. Allow livers to dehydrate, check drying level periodically.
5. When livers are noticeably dryer, swap position of drying trays and allow to further dehydrate, roughly 4 hours.
6. Once done, allow the chicken or beef livers to cool, then store them in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

* Remember, treats should be fed as a sometimes food, and not a meal supplement. I hope your pet enjoys these yummy treats!

Here are some of the Excalibur Dehydrators that we think you will Love

1. Excalibur 4926T – 9 Tray Food Dehydrator with Timer in Black

• Perfect for dehydrating fruits, veggies, meats, yoghurt and more
• On board 26 hour timer so you can set and forget
• Thermostatic control from 41ºC to 74ºC (105ºF – 165ºF) for safe drying
• BPA Free
• Large tray space for heaps of food
• Removable trays
• Horizontal-airflow drying system for guaranteed results
• Made in the USA

2.Excalibur 9-Tray Digital Dehydrator 4948CDB in Black with Clear Door & Preserve it Naturally Book

• Perfect for those with large batches and happy to use the latest digital technology
• Parallex system and Hyperwave Fluctuation technology guarantees an even, faster and better quality dried foods.
• Shelf-life, nutritive and taste quality of the foods are not compromised.
• Safe, easy to use and clean
• Economic and environment-friendly
• Made in USA

3. Excalibur 5-Tray Digital Dehydrator 4548CDB – With Recipe Guide Book

• Designed with smaller families, gardeners and DIY people in mind.
• The Hyperwave Fluctuation and Parallexx technology together guarantee an evenly and perfectly dried ingredient.
• Large Drying space for a larger volume of dried produce
• Free Preserve it Naturally Book worth $39
• Ensures a nutritious, delicious, and safe food for the whole family to enjoy
• Safe, easy to use and clean, economical and environment-friendly
• Made in the USA

Which Model is Best for Me?

When it comes to Food Dehydrators, due to the quality build and feedback we have had from owners who have had Excalibur models for over 30 years, Love Your Health Australia only recommends Excalibur Dehydrators, the only choice you need to make is which one is best for you.

Whilst all the models will do a fabulous job of dehydrating your produce whether that be fruits, veggies or meat for jerky

Our best selling machines include: