Healthy Homemade Dog Treats

Homemade Dog Treats, A More Thoughtful Way to Care for Our Dogs

Caring deeply for our dogs shows up in the smallest, everyday choices. What we feed them. How we reward them. The routines they come to rely on.

For me, making homemade treats isn’t about being clever or fussy. It’s about knowing exactly what goes into my dogs’ bodies, supporting their health, and creating consistency they can trust. Food is only one piece of the puzzle, but it plays a quiet, powerful role in wellbeing, behaviour, and confidence.

Over time, that understanding has shaped not only how I care for my own dogs, but also how I work with the dogs who visit my studio. Calm engagement, motivation, and trust don’t happen by accident. They’re built, one small choice at a time.

Inconsistency With Store-Bought Treats

For years, I have bought beef and liver jerky for our dogs, always opting for Australian-made, preservative-free options.

Each morning, they’d get a couple of pieces with breakfast, happily settling in to chew while the day began.

Over time though, I noticed the lack of consistency. One bag would be lean and easy to snap. The next might be heavy with fat that needs trimming. Others were thick and tough, clearly harder to chew and digest. It didn’t sit well with me, particularly knowing how much our dogs rely on routine and predictability.

That was the point where I decided it was time to take more control.

Protein Jerky, Made at Home

I’d been thinking about buying a food dehydrator for far too long. Eventually, procrastination lost and I ordered one.

Since then, making homemade treats has become part of our regular rhythm.

Beef jerky is a favourite here. I use topside, freezing it first and then allowing it to thaw just enough to slice safely and evenly with a sharp knife or mandolin. Freezing makes all the difference, both for consistency and safety.

Chicken jerky, however, is what I make most often. It’s simple, reliable, and loved by every dog I’ve offered it to, including those who visit me for photography sessions.

I use free-range, human-grade chicken breast, preparing a fresh batch weekly.

Chicken Jerky Method

Step 1
Freeze the chicken overnight or for around 6–8 hours.

Step 2
In the morning, slice it before it freezes rock hard. Even slices help ensure consistent drying.

Step 3
Trim away any visible fat, then lay the slices on dehydrator trays lined with baking paper.

Step 4
Set the dehydrator to around 75°C and dry for 6–8 hours. The result is clean, simple chicken jerky with nothing added.

This is the same treat I use during client sessions. Dogs respond beautifully to it, not just because it’s tasty, but because it’s familiar, gentle on their stomachs, and consistent every time.

Food, Trust, and the Bigger Picture

Dogs thrive on predictability. Knowing what to expect helps them feel safe, whether that’s in their food bowl, on a walk, or in a new environment.

When rewards are simple and reliable, dogs can focus, engage, and relax. I see this every day, both at home and in the studio. Treats aren’t about hype, they’re about communication. They reinforce trust, build confidence, and support calm participation.

This is one of the reasons I’m so mindful about what I offer, both to my own dogs and to the dogs I photograph.

Other Protein Options

In addition to chicken and beef, I’ve also successfully dehydrated:

• Chicken wing tips

• Beef hearts

• Smoked trout skin, head, and tail

• Salmon skin

• Prime100 rolls, such as Lamb and Rosemary or Wild Boar and Pumpkin, cut into strips around 2 cm wide

Each dog is different, so it’s always worth introducing new proteins gradually and observing how your dog responds.

Vegetable Jerky, Sweet Potato

Sweet potato jerky has become another favourite in our house.

Smaller sweet potatoes work best, and I often find them in “reject” produce bags. They may not be picture-perfect, but they’re ideal for this purpose.

Sweet Potato Jerky Method

Step 1
Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly, scrubbing the skins clean. Place them in a steamer with about a litre of water in the bottom pan.

Step 2
Steam with the lid on for around 30 minutes, depending on quantity, until a fork can be pushed through firmly but without resistance. Avoid overcooking, as they’ll become too soft to slice.

Step 3
Allow them to cool enough to handle, then peel.

Step 4
Slice into rounds around 50 mm thick using a sharp knife on a wooden board. Lay slices on dehydrator trays lined with baking paper.

Step 5
Set the dehydrator to approximately 52°C and dry for 8–12 hours.

Step 6
Once cooled, store in a paper-lined container in the fridge.

While I’m preparing these, my dogs are usually stationed at my feet, quietly hopeful and very patient. They know exactly what’s coming.

Simple, Honest Treats

Homemade, chewy snacks allow me to feel confident about what my dogs are eating. There’s peace of mind in knowing every ingredient, and satisfaction in seeing how much joy something so simple brings them.

I carry a small zip-lock bag of treats on our daily walks. Even now, the moment I say the word “treats”, they come bounding back, no matter what they were doing. That response is built on trust, consistency, and familiarity, not novelty.

Here is little Luna taste-testing this latest batch of sweet potato jerky, a role she always takes very seriously.

Always Read the Labels

When I do purchase treats, I read labels carefully. I look for clear ingredient lists and country of origin, and I only choose Australian-made products.

Brands that actively support animal rescue are particularly close to my heart. SavourLife, for example, produces quality treats and donates 50 percent of their profits to animal rescue organisations. Supporting businesses like this is one small way to extend care beyond our own dogs.

A Shared Philosophy

The same thoughtfulness that goes into feeding my dogs is what I bring into photographing them. Slowing down. Paying attention. Respecting who they are.

If this way of caring resonates with you, and you’d love to honour your dog with meaningful artwork for your home, you’re welcome to get in touch. We can talk through what would suit you and your dog best, with no rush and no pressure.