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

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Susan Gast, Author and Food Preservation Enthusiast
Susan has been dehydrating and preserving foods for over a decade, sharing practical, tested methods that help readers make healthy, long-lasting meals at home.

If you’re tired of store-bought dog treats filled with preservatives and mystery ingredients, you’ll love Dog Treats by Donna. Here, Donna and her daughter Jenna share how they make safe, one-ingredient chicken jerky that dogs adore — and yes, your vet will approve too.

✅ Quick Answer: What are Dog Treats by Donna?
Dog Treats by Donna are homemade, dehydrated jerky treats — usually chicken or beef liver — crafted with just one ingredient. They’re simple, preservative-free, and vet-approved. You can make them at home using a dehydrator or buy them ready-made on Etsy.

Prefer not to DIY? You can also find ready-made Dog Treats by Donna on Etsy, perfect for busy pet parents who still want healthy snacks for their pups.

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'.

DIY Jerky Dog Treats: A Safe, One-Ingredient Recipe

Also, make dog treats that are actually safe & simple like this Liver Pet Jerky

The Knife Trick That Makes Jerky Prep Safer

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 Chef Knife

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.

Why Chicken Breast is the #1 Pick for Dog Jerky

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

"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

How Thin Should You Slice Chicken for Jerky?

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.


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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 Overlooked Step That Prevents Jerky Failures

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 Take Chances When Dehydrating Meat

If you’re drying plain, cooked turkey (or any cooked meat), always set your dehydrator to 160°F — it’s the safe zone that kills bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli.

👉 If you’re making jerky from raw meat, it must be properly marinated using salt and/or curing ingredients that help inhibit bacterial growth. The spices and acids act as preservatives — but it still needs to be dehydrated at 160°F.

⚠️ Never try dehydrating raw, unseasoned turkey or ground meat without first cooking it — that’s a serious safety risk.

Don’t Take Chances When Dehydrating Meat

If you’re drying plain, cooked turkey (or any cooked meat), always set your dehydrator to 160°F — it’s the safe zone that kills bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli.

👉 If you’re making jerky from raw meat, it must be properly marinated using salt and/or curing ingredients that help inhibit bacterial growth. The spices and acids act as preservatives — but it still needs to be dehydrated at 160°F.

⚠️ Never try dehydrating raw, unseasoned turkey or ground meat without first cooking it — that’s a serious safety risk.

💡 Tip: Outside the U.S.? Most dehydrating temps here are listed in Fahrenheit - use our quick converter to see the Celsius equivalent for your machine.

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

How to Tell If Your Dog Jerky is Fully Done

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

The Final Test: Jerky Aroma & Storage Tips

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."

Where to Buy Donna’s Dog Treats (Etsy Shop)

Check out Donna's LIVER jerky dog treats HERE

Where to Buy
Donna’s Dog Treats
(Etsy Shop)

Check out Donna's
LIVER jerky dog treats HERE

Easy Option: Beef Liver Jerky with Zero Slicing

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 "Make 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.

Dog Treats by Donna: Your Top Questions Answered

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

Boneless, skinless chicken breast is lean and easy to slice thin for jerky. Beef liver is another great option - no slicing needed, just dehydrate as is.

How do I know when the jerky is fully dried?

Jerky is done when it snaps cleanly instead of bending and gives off a roasted chicken smell. If it bends without breaking, it needs more drying time.

Is it safe to dehydrate raw meat for dogs?

Yes - but only if dehydrated at 160°F to kill bacteria. Avoid dehydrating raw, unseasoned meat without cooking or marinating first, as that can pose health risks.

How should homemade jerky dog treats be stored?

Keep dehydrated treats in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze in small portions to maintain freshness.

Can I buy Dog Treats by Donna instead of making them?

Absolutely. If you don’t have time to DIY, you can order Donna’s healthy, one-ingredient jerky treats directly from her Etsy shop.

→ A happy pet starts with a safe home — see these smart decor tips for pet-friendly kitchens Check out these pet-hazard tips.

Thanks for stopping by to learn how Donna and Jenna make their beloved chicken and liver dog treats. Making them yourself means knowing every ingredient that goes into your pup’s snacks — and that peace of mind is priceless.

Before you go, don’t miss out on my free 5 Dried Food Recipes You'll Actually Love PDF (below). Inside you’ll get step-by-step recipes for carrot soup, minestrone soup, split pea soup, spicy beef jerky, and banana cinnamon rolls. They’re simple, tasty, and just as rewarding as making treats for your four-legged friends.

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