So it’s the festive season once again and everybody’s celebrating. Hopefully it was a blessed one with your friends, family and furry ones. While we are all indulging in our festive feasts, we shouldn’t leave our fur kids drooling and begging isn’t it?

But rather than giving them treats that you have no idea what they’re being made from, why not make them instead? For the love our pets shower us with everyday, everyday should be Christmas for them!

What you’ll need:

1. Convectional oven/Dehydrator

2. Lean cuts of meat/organs/tendon (Fat on the end product would spoil rather quickly)

Directions:

1. Cut the lean meat into thin strips. Thinner pieces will be easier to dry.

2. As an advocate of raw diets, I usually just cut thin strips of meat and dry them. But if time is an issue, you can boil the meat first until it’s cooked thorough, pat them dry, then cut into small pieces.

3. If you have an oven, set it to the lowest heat setting. In addition, I’d usually leave the oven door ajar to further lower down the temperature and facilitate air circulation. If you’re using a dehydrator, set it to 75 degrees Celsius. Too hot the meat will get burnt and lose its nutrients; too low and it may take too long and dry improperly.

4. If you’re using an oven, lay the treats on a aluminium foil and spread them out evenly. Flip them over every hour or so.

5. Dry them until they are tough and dry, yet flexible, like jerky.

6. Given Singapore’s weather, I would recommend keeping them in the fridge for maximum freshness. The ones I make usually lasts for a month without any problems.

The best part? My dogs love it more than regular treats yet it’s way healthier and cheaper. Why don’t you give it a try?