Dog Treats by Donna:
DIY Chicken Jerky Your Dog Will Beg For

If you’re tired of store-bought dog treats with mystery ingredients and preservatives, Dog Treats by Donna is your go-to guide.

Make Dog Treats That Are Actually Safe & Simple like this Liver Pet Jerky

Donna and her daughter Jenna make easy, healthy dehydrated chicken jerky at home—with just one ingredient.

Your dog will love it, your vet will approve, and you'll feel great knowing exactly what’s in every bite.

Jenna is slicing raw chicken to make jerky for her and her mom's dogsDonna's daughter, Jenna, preparing chicken for their dogs' jerky treats!

The best thing about this treat is that it's not imported.

It's not full of God-knows-what, it's got no preservatives, no added color, or fillers. It has ONE (as in '1') ingredient—You gotta love '1'.

Sharp Knife = Safe Slices: Here’s the One We Use

First and foremost: Use a sharp knife for the slicing of the meats. A really sharp knife!

"My daughter Jenna does this for me because I have a reputation for being dangerous around myself with sharp objects!" Donna joked.

Cutluxe 8
Cutluxe 8" Chef Knife, Full Tang

Begin by Using a Good Sharp Knife by Cutluxe!

Check out this great chef's knife with a full tang that means the handle and blade "are one" so they can't come apart when we're slicin' and a dicin'.

I know these Cutluxe Chef knives may be a little expensive, but they do last pretty much a lifetime when you maintain their cutting edges.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.  Read disclosure here.

Jenna is carefully slicing chicken for pet jerkyJenna Carefully Slices The Chicken

Why Boneless, Skinless Chicken is Best for Jerky

"I use boneless, skinless chicken breast.

Trim off any excess fat.

Fat leaves grease stains on your carpet," says Donna, with a wink.

"Once you have the fat trimmed off, you can give them jerky on the couch, if you want," she added with a smile.

"If we measured our affection toward others
by how many nicknames we bestow upon them,
our pets would be the most loved."

— Carrie Brownstein

"If we measured our affection
toward others by how many
nicknames we bestow upon
them, our pets would
be the most loved."

— Carrie Brownstein

Slice Like a Pro: Ideal Thickness for Drying

Remember to slice the chicken as thin as possible. Try to get your chicken about 1/4" thick—but no worries if it ends up a bit thicker than that—it will still dry well.

"I've gotten lazy and bought chicken tenders and simply flopped 'em on the trays. They just take a little longer to dry," Donna said.


How to Make Your Own Dehydrated Dog Food at Home

Get your hands on this eBook today.
Be prepared for lots of wagging tails
and plenty of face lickings.

Learn how to Make Your Own Dog Food

Read how to make NUTRITIOUS dog food here.

How to Make
Your Own
Dehydrated Dog Food
at Home

Learn how to Make Your Own Dog Food

Get your hands on
this eBook today.
Be prepared for lots
of wagging tails
and plenty of face lickings.
Read how to make
NUTRITIOUS dog food here.


The Pre-Drying Step You Don’t Want to Skip

Spray the trays with non-stick cooking spray, then lay the slices of chicken on them - about half an inch to an inch apart.

Donna told me there is NO set time as far as drying because it depends on your brand of dehydrator, the thickness of your chicken slices, and the ambient air temperature... but figure on at least 48 hours.

Don’t Risk It: Dehydrate Meat at the Right Temp
Critical Safety Tip~ Always Dehydrate at 160°F
never dehydrate meat at a lower temperature,
it's not safe (germ-wise).

Don’t Risk It:
Dehydrate Meat
at the Right Temp
Critical Safety Tip ~
Always Dehydrate at 160°F
never dehydrate meat
at a lower temperature,
it's not safe (germ-wise).

💡 Tip: Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on our site!

Sliced raw chicken on a pre-sprayed dehydrator traySliced Raw Chicken on a pre-sprayed tray

Molley and Kylee Awaiting their Dog Treats by Donna!

Two dogs, Molley and Kylee, ask their owner: Is the jerky done yet?

"Molley and Kylee love our dog treats!"
— Donna K. and Jenna

"Molley and Kylee
love our
dog treats!"
— Donna K. and Jenna

Smell & Snap: The Two Signs Jerky Is Ready

This is how you can tell if the chicken is done: Remove a piece from the tray and bend it quickly. If it snaps in half—it's done.

If it bends all the way without breaking, it's not ready, so put it back on the dehydrator and check again—every 12 to 18 hours.

Moisture causes the chicken to bend instead of breaking—this happens with any jerky making.

Excess moisture is also what causes jerky to go bad—so a good rule of thumb is: "If in doubt—put it back on the dehydrator."

Fully dehydrated Chicken - dog jerky treats

Check for a Nice Roasted Chicken Smell

When the chicken pieces break apart, it's done! It also should have a nice roasted chicken aroma.  Donna also said, "In rare (very rare) cases it CAN GO BAD.

For example, there were a couple of times when I forgot to turn the machine on right away—and once when I made the jerky out in my shed in the winter—it just didn't cook fast enough. You'll know right away if it's not good," she said.

Donna added: "If you're at all like me, you check your chicken when you open it (by giving it a sniff!) and you can tell instantly if the chicken is bad.

So, if you pull out your tray(s) of dehydrated chicken and if it stinks—toss it out. Again, this is a rare occurrence and, in my case, it was always my fault. Since our pets are family, we don't want to take any chances. If in doubt, throw it out."

Dog Treats by Donna
Check out Donna's LIVER jerky dog treats HERE

Dog Treats by Donna
Check out Donna's
LIVER jerky dog treats HERE

Beef Liver: No Slicing Required, Still Dog-Approved

A pile of dehydrated chicken dog treats

Last, but not least, there are other meat options to use, such as beef liver. The great thing about beef liver is that you don't have to slice it! And for Donna, that's a good (safe) thing!

Read all about Donna's Liver Jerky Dog Treats.

If you don't have time to make your own treats, take a look at Dog Treats by Donna on her Etsy store and buy 'em ready-made!

Thanks for stopping by to learn all about how Donna and her daughter, Jenna, make their homemade "Dog Treats by Donna" Chicken Jerky Dog Treats.

If you want to try your hand at making 'wet' dog food, then please check out my "Mafreke Your Own Dog Food" page and read why we started making our own dog food for our adopted dog. Our vet says her eyes are bright, her coat is sleek... but best of all? She's a happy dog who eagerly looks forward to her Chicken Chow every day and guess what? Her poop is firm, and doesn't stink. Can't beat that.

Homemade Dog Treat FAQs

What’s the best meat to use for dehydrated dog treats?

Boneless, skinless chicken breast is lean and easy to slice. Beef liver is another great choice—and no slicing needed!

How do I know when the jerky is fully dried?

When the pieces snap in half and give off a roasted chicken smell, they’re done. If they bend, they need more time.

Is it safe to dehydrate raw meat for dogs?

Yes—if done properly. Always dehydrate meat at 160°F to prevent bacteria. Store treats in a cool, dry place.

Ready to ditch store-bought treats for good? Try making your own with Donna’s easy, vet-approved dog jerky recipe.

Whether you stick with chicken or try liver, your furry friend will thank you with tail wags and happy dances.

🐾 And don’t forget—if DIY’s not your thing, check out Dog Treats by Donna on Etsy for ready-made goodies!

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