Easy DIY Sweet Potato Dog Treats

I wanted to share a recipe for dog treats today. Treats have become so expensive, especially if you’re buying healthier options without fillers, grains or soy.

Beta-carotene also works as an antioxidant, helping to prevent disease and infection. Its role as a precursor of vitamin A makes it important for healthy skin and hair coat, normal bone development, reproductive health, general eye health, and cancer prevention. pet md

We have a total of nine dogs on 5 Dog Farm (nope, we aren’t changing the name cuz then it would be 23 Guinea Hens, 9 Dogs, 5 Chickens, 2 Donkeys a bunny and a Rooster Farm. Doesn’t trip off the tongue easily).

We do like to spoil our pets… One day, a few years ago while in a pet food store, I was holding a bag of dehydrated sweet potatoes, ready to take them to checkout. They were expensive but “weren’t my darlings worth it”? I rationalized…

Then I thought – and I think this a LOT -{{wink}} I CAN MAKE THESE! I did and have ever since!

With so many recent recalls on dog food treats I feel much more secure knowing exactly what is in our treats.

So why sweet potatoes? From what I’ve read:

• They are high in fiber and low in fat

• Have vitamin b6, C & manganese

• They are a good source of beta carotene

You see, beta carotene converts to vitamin A in your dogs body and it’s essential for your dogs vision, growth and muscle strength. Keep in mind vitamin A in large doses can be TOXIC. Always confer with your vet before you add something to your dogs diet.

Ready to make some treats? Here’s what you do…

Wash some sweet potatoes. I scrub the skin and use it but you certainly can peel them if you like. Carefully slice them to about 1/4″ thick. I typically use a mandoline for this but it’s in storage so I’ll just use this time to work on my knife skills.

Slice them either lengthwise or in rounds. I cut them lengthwise because the bigger kids prefer that size and Bijoux and Max turn their noses up at these treats. “Too pedestrian” they say. Place slices on your dehydrator trays leaving enough space for the air to circulate.

IF you don’t have a dehydrator that’s NO problem You can use your oven! Just slice the potatoes about 1/4″ thick then place on a cookie sheet with a wire rack on top. Bake in a 200 degree oven for about 6 hours. Be sure to flip them after the first 3 hours to get both sides evenly dried. Make sure you are home that day to keep an eye on the oven.

If you’re using the dehydrator… set it up at 145-155 and let it run for 6-8 hours. No need to flip with the dehydrator.

The longer you leave them the crisper they are. Our dogs like a bit of a chew to theirs so I try to catch them before they become too crispy. Keep in mind, the more uniform your cuts, the more uniform the bake!

When they are done, let them cool and pop them in a baggie or storage box. They should keep for about 3 weeks in the fridge but ours never last that long and we just keep them in the cupboard.

https://vimeo.com/329243029

Do you have a favorite dog treat you like to make?

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