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
london schertzer says
My dog is picky and wouldn’t get near them nor would the neighbor dog.
Sheryl Langer says
Spent $16 on a bag of sweet potato treats at the store, then I found this recipe. $16 vs $2…….I know what I’ll choose from now on! My dog loves them!!
Gerri says
Are they good for teeth
Barbara says
Wondering about the length of time it takes for the dog buddy to chew these up? My dachshunds are bored these days with the onset of fall/winter and short, rainy days. Would this give them a diversion of, say, 20 minutes at least? Lol! Looking for something to keep them entertained! Thanks!
Karrie says
Hi Barbara, some dogs are FAST chewers!! So it’s hard to say! It gave my lab at least a good 10 minutes!
Doreen says
Ok, my cooked ones, look nothing like the picture :-(, but I’m sure he will love them, still waiting to be done, and btw, the smell in the house is killing me, lol. I might eat them myself.
Donna in Inwood says
I wonder if anyone has tried brushing on a little lard or other animal fat on these before drying them in the oven or dehydrator. I think my dog might like them better with a bit of animal fat. Did anyone try that? thanks very much.
Arina says
I put some coconut oil on mine, which my dog loves. But I noticed that they don’t dehydrate and nicely as plain ones.
Kelly says
Making these right now!! Sprinkled and rubbed in a little bit of turmeric for an extra health bonus! 🙌
Kelsey says
I wonder if putting them in the electric smoker might make them taste super yummy to the dogs.
PAMELA HEAVRIN says
Great recipe my dog loves them and so do my granddogs
Penny says
I have made these 2 times and my goldens LOVE THEM!! Thank for the info!!
Cindy says
What is the consistency supposed to be like when finished baking? Rubbery, crispy, hard etc.?
Karrie says
They are crispy on maybe a few of the edges but still chewy throughout. Kind of like a thicker chewier fruit leather.
Ashley C says
How long do these keep in the fridge?
Karrie says
I would say up to a few weeks in the fridge, or you can put them in the freezer for up to 7 months!
Michelle Fischer says
Do you let them thaw out before giving or give frozen? I’m thinking my Bella would love frozen
Karrie says
I usually thaw but on a hot day it might be nice to give them to them frozen too!
Doreen says
Hi Karrie,
There is nothing special about my oven, and 3 hours at 250 degrees, flipping halfway, turned them black. 🙁 Also, I read that the skin should be removed, as it makes it “hard for digestion”, and could “potentially cause intestinal blockage”, so you may want to add “peel potatoes before cooking” to your recipe.
Thank you.
Kacey says
I will be trying these soon: picked up a pkg of chicken wrapped sweet potAto treats and my fussy Millie devoured them, would much rather have home made 🙂
Tara says
How long would it take in a dehydrator? Same time and temp?
Karrie says
I would think so, I don’t have a dehydrator though so I’m not 100% sure on how long to use that.
Bev says
I’ve made them in the oven and dehydrator. About 7-10 hours in dehydrator depending on how crispy you want them. Watch out for orange 💩!! The bees love it…lol
Teresa says
Orange 💩! Lol! And the bees love it! I’m dying laughing!!🤣🤣🤣 I do have to say that I will be peeling my sweet taters because the skins are not easily digested by dogs. So says the mighty internet.
And, hey, if the fur babies don’t like any of these treats, we can eat them! Win-win!
Latricia Reisert says
Are these messy as they are chewed on?
Karrie says
Not really, I didn’t see much mess. Probably depends on your dog and if they are a slobbery breed or not.
AnneH says
Could you do these in an Air Fryer?
Karrie says
Hi, I’m not sure, never tried it!
Laura A Dulgar says
Yes, she mentions that in the recipe.
Carol says
My dog can’t get enough. Thanks.
Joy says
My pup loves these! Thank you for sharing!
Anna Stuart says
Think it would be ok to use russet potatoes? I know we’re not supposed to give uncooked potato to dogs, so are dehydrated potatoes ok I wonder? Thanks for any thoughts!
Shanon says
I wouldn’t suggest russets. Dehydrated doesn’t mean cooked, it means dried out. Sweet potatoes have a different consistency, a different taste, and a different nutrient profile. IMO, id stick with sweet potato. Just like for humans, it’s just better nutritionally.
Betty says
easy to make and they are so healthy.THANKS!
Lillian says
Thank you so much for the recipe, also all the comments were very helpful. I cant wait to prepare my treats for my two dogs tomm.
Sincerely,
Lillian Colson