Anyone who’s had a dog knows they love to chew things up. Unfortunately they’re not picky about what they put in their mouth (kinda like my husband) and will chew on anything. So instead of giving them the couch, your favorite sweater, or a kids toy, give them these all natural homemade dog chews. Buying dog chews at the store can add up and most importantly you never really know what’s in them. So here is an awesome recipe for you dog lovers who want to treat your dog and save money. Win for the dog, win for your wallet, and win for your now safe household items. Everyone’s a winner!
Homemade Dog Chews
Ingredients: Sweet potatoes or yams
Directions: Preheat oven to 250 degrees f. Wash and dry your sweet potatoes. Thinly slice your potatoes length-wise. 1/4- 1/3 inch wide max.
Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment if you have it. I was all out this time so I just placed them directly on the cookie sheet. Then bake them for 3 hours, turning them over halfway through. You want them to be pretty chewy and dry. You can also use a dehydrator if you have one instead.
Store them in the fridge or freezer because if you leave them out they could get moldy.
Then the real fun begins……giving them to your dog.
Our dog Comet LOVED these treats so much.
He sat down, knowing treats were in store….and enjoyed every bite.
Homemade Dog Chews
Ingredients
- 2 Sweet potatoes or yams
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees f. Wash and dry your sweet potatoes. Thinly slice your potatoes length-wise. 1/4- 1/3 inch wide max.
- Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment if you have it. I was all out this time so I just placed them directly on the cookie sheet. Then bake them for 3 hours, turning them over halfway through. You want them to be pretty chewy and dry. You can also use a dehydrator if you have one instead.
- Store them in the fridge or freezer because if you leave them out they could get moldy.
- Then the real fun begins......giving them to your dog.
Nutrition
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About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
Rachel says
This is a great idea! My dog already loves sweet potatoes, as he will eat chunks of it raw. He will pretty much eat anything. This looks like a good, healthy treat that he will go nuts for! I know what I have to make this weekend. Dakota the border collie thanks you!
Colette Berg says
My dog does too. He had raw sweet potato for breakfast this morning!
Rosemary Kater says
The sweet potatoes should not be raw.
CALISHIA TURNER says
IS THERE ANY MORE VEGIGES/FRUITS THAT WE CAN ALSO USE AND BAKE AS CHEW TREATS
Karrie says
I was thinking carrots would be yummy if they dried well, but haven’t tried that yet. Let me know if you come up with more options and try them out.
Angie says
I have dried carrots and squash as well. My dogs love them all.
Rosemary Kater says
My dogs love liver or chicken pieces. Hydrated, they last on open air for a long time. I also use a Kong ball with different ingredients like sweet potatoes, green beans,bananas, apples,. I mix it and put it in a Kong Ball. Keeps my dogs occupied for at least 20 minutes. Cuts down on store bought food, healty and the dogs love it.
Shelby says
I make homemade Christmas gifts every year for our closest family members. I can’t wait to make this an addition for this year. I will be using a dehydrator, from experience, you have to keep your eye on anything in the dehydrator. Almost everything goes over night.
ma says
are you sure sweet potato is good for dogs?
Happy.MoneySaver says
There are a lot of good benefits from sweet potatoes that are great for dogs including high amino acids, antioxidants and high fiber for a good digestive health!
Chris says
Absolutely sweet potatoes/yams are great for dogs as are carrots and so many other veggies. NEVER EVER give onions or grapes or raisins ever though!!!!
Maria Ta says
The dogs or the treats?
Maggie Beckjord says
Love this. This would be a great Christmas Gift…….
Happy.MoneySaver says
Yes, it would! Great idea!
Carol says
I can’t wait to make this. My dog usually has one a day and what I have spent on these…….
Happy.MoneySaver says
I was in the same boat! Hope he likes them as much as my dog does!
Leann says
I love making stuff homemade! It ends up being cheaper and healthier. I’m sure my pup will love them! They’re in the oven right now! Can’t wait to give him one!
Sharon Donaghe says
Can they be made in the microwave?
Karrie says
Probably not… the microwave I don’t think is drying enough as it retains moisture.
Cathy says
my Merlin loves these!! I made some last week and he is so obedient to get one hehehe
tanya ruffin says
I love this idea. With 4 dogs, treats can get expensive and fattening. We have 1 dog with epilepsy and 1 with Addisons and I’m always looking for healthy treats for them.
They are in the oven right now!
Happy.MoneySaver says
Let me know what they think! I know my dog loves them here!
Aimee says
I have a dog with Addisons too! Crazy disease isn’t it!?!
Sarah says
I’ve been buying these at nine dollars a bag! I bought a mandoline so I can make these at home. They are in the oven as we speak! Thanks for the tutorial.
My boston terrier takes about 5-7 minutes for one of these and I wouldn’t let him chew them on anything white, they can stain a bit but only if they are chewing them a while.
Judy says
I am new to my dehydrator. How long & what setting would you use?
Kari says
160* – 200 * degrees for 20-24 hours … keep an eye on them , pull when ready. Let sit on counter and rehydrate about 20 minutes or so. If you like the texture, you are done. If still a little soft return to dehydrator and go an hour at a time until you reach your desired texture. Good luck
shelly says
Can i store them with out freezing them or placing them in the fridge ?how long will they last if not stored in the fridge / freezer with out getting molded ?
Karrie says
No, they will mold at room temperature – you gotta freeze or keep in fridge.
Patti says
I’m going to definitely try this and freeze them… we have a little puppy who’s right at that stage!
Thanks for this!!
Lauren C. says
I live in Arizona and my puppy loves to eat ice cubes (crunchy and cold!), so I would imagine a frozen sweet potato jerky would be perfect – can’t wait to try this, thank you!
Kari says
You can dehydrate and place in mason jar with lid. Add an oxygen absorber 100cc per pint or quart jar. This will keep all air out and they will be good a very long time just sitting in a cupboard. You can open jar and get treats out just don’t leave lid off more than a few seconds, you are good to go. It’s the same as dehydrating foods for long term storage. So when I make these I’m gonna do a HUGE batch and store them up.
Angie says
You can store them in an air tight container (Mason jar) on the counter or dark place if you dry them well enough (like over night in the dehydrator). I’ve never had them get moldy, but 4-5 days is the longest they have lasted before all being eaten. (I’m not sure if it affects shelf life,but I blanch them before drying.)
Jaymie says
Whats blanching?
Joy Hurley says
putting in hot water, usually to take off skin more easily.
Edie says
I accidentally cooked mine just a bit too long & they were crunchy but my 2 puppies still love them ?
Dog Journals says
Love this! I’m always buying treats for my dog. These look like they are easy to make and would be more healthy for my dog than the processed store brought treats!
Kaylee Khoshaba says
How long do these last your dog? My dog goes through toys and chews like nobody’s business so I’m afraid they wouldn’t be worth the trouble of making.
Happy.MoneySaver says
It really depends on your dog. My dog ate them up pretty quickly (within 1-2 minutes) but other smaller dogs might take longer. Hope that helps!
JoAnn Clemons says
It would depend on how many you give your furbabie. It is a treat. I give mine one, broken in pieces a day. Keeps weight down.
Julie says
I buy the zucchinies and dehydrate for our weimaraner. … she loves it!
Sara says
How long do you put them in the dehydrator?
pat says
That’s what I would like to know – I dehydrate sliced chicken breast for about 8 hours
Alex says
I use a dehydrator and I set it for 21 hours, but normally I cut them in big slices, as my dogs are big ones…
Murielle says
Thank you for dog treats that are both healthy & no preservatives. My Nitro thanks you.
Maureen says
What a clever idea! Our Charlie will be very happy.
Laura Le says
I was just curious if the sweet potato would stain carpet? Any ideas?
Happy.MoneySaver says
I haven’t had any stains so far!
Amanda drake says
How long will they be good for if left in the fridge
Happy.MoneySaver says
In the fridge I would say 2 weeks. My dog usually goes through them faster than that though!
PupMom says
The keratin could very well stain carpet but it’s also a very easy thing to remove from carpet Oxi clean is amazing on the stains (casserole mishap a few years ago)
Jody says
I didn’t see the temperature mentioned for the sweet potato dog chews.
Jody says
Scratch that, I wasnt quite awake and now see it.
dotti says
(snicker)
Hate when I do that….
: )
(tho, you were up very early when you wrote it!)
Vicky says
I’m so thrilled to find gluten free dog treats! Our Aussie is getting a little older and moving slower in mornings and after running around a lot he would limp. We eliminated gluten from his diet, and in a couple weeks noticed a big difference! Also check vitamins and supplements for gluten.
Side note, I convinced my husband to go gluten free with me a few years ago, for weight loss, and just a healthier way to eat, non gmo is important. And within days he noticed he had much less aches and pains in his back and joints. So we tried it on the dogs with same results!!!
Keep the gluten free dog recipes coming— Please!
Jody says
I made these last night and are still soft. Very disappointed.
Ellen says
Slice them thinner
Melissa J. says
Mine were crispy and eaten within seconds
Tammy says
Ive made them several times and they always turn out soft. The last batch I turned the oven up to 350 and baked then another hour and a half. Now they are crispy but still not chewy. The ones I cut according to direction are still soft. The thinner ones crispy. But they love them anyway.
Jackie says
Is it OK if I end up leaving them too soft? I had most get too crispy which is probably ok too? I’ll refrigerate them either way, though the crispy ones probably don’t need it?? Thanks
Sandi says
If you let them cool a bit after baking, then place them BACK IN THE OVEN to bake another 20-30 mins, still at the 250 temp, they will be crispy.
PupMom says
Then put them in longer and cut thinner I make these all the time for my dog my issue is I make them too dry so ur doing something wrong
Christina says
Or cook them a little longer. That’s what I did with the soft ones (they were thicker than the rest).
Leda Bertrand says
Ledabertrand39@yahoo.com
Karen says
250°