Chewing is your dog's natural instinct. It provides entertainment and aids in dental health. These DIY dog chews won't last as long as rawhides or other commercial chews, but they're much healthier for your pet at a fraction of the price.
Commercial dog chews can be expensive, and they aren't always made with the healthiest ingredients. Some of the ingredients as well as the artificial flavorings, colorings and preservatives can be toxic to your pet over time.
Zucchini is a low calorie, high fiber snack. It contains Vitamins A, C and K. This superfood is also high in magnesium and potassium.
Not only will these cheap homemade dog chews give your pup something to gnaw on, they'll provide a nutritional boost to his diet. Unlike rawhide chews, they'll be great for your pet's digestion. They don't last as long as commercial chews, but your dog is sure to love them!
Homemade DIY Dog Chews
Zucchini is packed with nutritional benefits for dogs. One cup of raw zucchini only has about 20 calories, and it's low in fat and cholesterol. This vegetable is great for your dog's digestion and is rich in zinc, manganese, copper and phosphorus.
While shopping for the ingredients to make these healthy dog treats, I recommend using organic, natural ingredients if possible. One of the best things about making DIY dog chews from scratch is that you can leave out all of the unnecessary preservatives and artificial ingredients found in commercial products, and pack them with nutrition.
PrintRecipe: Homemade DIY Dog Chews
These treats are healthy and safe for virtually any pup. They're a great option for dogs with digestive issues and offer a low calorie snack for pets on a diet.
I use cinnamon and turmeric to add some flavor and additional nutrients to these homemade dog chews. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is commonly found in joint supplements for dogs.
Cinnamon also offers anti-inflammatory properties, which means these homemade dog chews would be a great option for pets with arthritis or other hip and joint issues.
Basil, chamomile, ginger, mint and parsley are other great herbs and spices that you could sprinkle over these DIY dog chews.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: about 16 chews 1x
- Category: Dehydrated Treats
- Method: Oven Baked
- Cuisine: Dog Chews
Ingredients
- 1 large zucchini
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp. turmeric
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 200° F.
Slice the zucchini with a knife or vegetable slicer. Try to get slices that are about 1/8″ thick. The slices should be no more than 1/4″ thick.
The thicker you slice them, the longer they will take to dehydrate.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to make clean up easier. Lay the slices flat on the baking sheet.
Brush each slice with olive oil. Sprinkle your chosen herbs or spices lightly over each slice.
Bake the DIY dog chews for about 4-6 hours. Check the consistency after four hours. If the chews aren't dried out enough, continue baking until all of the water has been removed from the zucchini.
If you have a dog with dental issues, you can leave the zucchini a little chewy to make it easier for your pup to eat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chew
- Calories: 9
- Sugar: .4 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Fat: .6 g
- Carbohydrates: .9 g
- Fiber: .3 g
- Protein: .3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
How to store: Store leftover zucchini dog chews in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 12-14 days. Remember that homemade chews and treats do not have the preservatives that store-bought products do.
Homemade snacks will not last as long as their commercial counterparts. If you'd like, you can freeze these treats in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
For More Information
We publish many homemade dog food and treat recipes every month. For more recipes, pet food cooking tips, and advice, see our “Recipes” section. If you're new to home-cooked dog food subject, I recommend you read more about “How Much To Feed” to understand serving sizes, “What Supplements To Use” to create well-balanced meals, and “How To Store” for tips on simple and easy homemade dog food storing in a fridge or a freezer.
