Food Dehydrators

[Andisa]

Ok - I have finally got a dehydrator and at the moment I have hotdogs and cheap processed meats in it doing it's thing. Next I will be doing liver.

For those who make make dog treats in a food dehydrator - what do you do and how long do you have it on for?

How long does it keep for?

Mine is only a cheapie and doesn't have a great book on what to do with it - definately not incuding what I wanted it for.

For meats if says to cook first then marinate and slice /place on tray with their suggestion including a fair amount of salt to help dehydration. Now for dogs I won't be adding salt - do I leave it plain or add anything at all?

Any idea much appreciated.

[MiniMum]

Hi, I have had a sunbeam dehydrator for about five years now. It works well for both cooked and raw meat.

I have only dried chicken for our dog so far. I didn't add anything to it (allergy issues), but the drying process concentrates the flavour so they went down really well.

With my dryer it took about 2 - 3 hours, but it would depend on how thick/thin you slice up the meat. I think I sliced it about 4 to 5 mm thick.

I only had it for about six weeks (it got eaten all up ) without it looking like it was going off, but it was a very humid summer here so I kept it in the fridge.

Cheers

Bec

[luvsdogs]

I had read on another forum, with regard to the poisoning of dogs with chicken jerky. Someone said they would be doing their own meat treats using a dehydrator. Made me think what a good idea it would be to make my own. Where do you get one & how many types are there?

[Andisa]

Thanks MM, wasn't sure with the chicken, but will not be marinating it for the dogs.

Will be trying liver next but chicken will be a close 2nd.

6 weeks sounds good - but doubt it will be here long enough to see just how long it can keep for - might need to stash some to get an idea how long it could kep for.

luvsdogs - I got a cheap on from Deals Direct, was under $50 reduced from about $90. Only done the one batch and looks like it will be geting regular use.

I have seem some better ones for $360 - but I was not spending that much.

Edited February 27, 2009 by Andisa

[LoveisGolden]

I bought a packet of dried spear fish from the pet shop the other week and my dogs love it as a crunchy treat that's good for them. The pieces are about 3-4mm thick and anything from 3-5cm in length/width. Maybe you could dehydrate some fish?