How to Dehydrate Pet Food at Home for Emergencies & Travel

Welcome to how to dehydrate pet food! Want to skip the mystery ingredients in store-bought dog food? Learn how to dehydrate homemade pet food at home—perfect for long-term storage, travel, or simply feeding your pup wholesome meals every day.

✅ Quick Answer: How do you dehydrate pet food at home?
Make homemade pet food first, then spoon small portions onto dehydrator trays. Dry at 125°F–135°F until firm and dry to the touch. Store in vacuum-sealed bags with oxygen absorbers for daily feeding or emergency use.

This easy method transforms your homemade “Chicken Chow” into bite-sized nuggets that are safe, shelf-stable, and tail-waggingly good.

Step-by-Step: How to Dehydrate Pet Food Safely

Once you've made your delicious tubs of doggie dinners, place spoonfuls (aka "blobs") of the wet food onto your dehydrator. Use the solid (fruit leather) sheets if you feel your mixture is a little too wet. Don't make huge nuggets if you've got a tiny dog (I don't want Precious to choke!) Make bigger nuggets for bigger dogs; you get the picture.

If your mix is not overly runny, spoon your blobs of chicken chow directly onto the dehydrator trays.

Turn on your food dehydrator and set the temperature between 125°F and 135°F and dry your nuggety-blobs until dry to the touch. They look like chicken nuggets when they're done!  This process takes time. Don't rush it. Be patient.

💡 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.

Best Ways to Store Dehydrated Pet Food (Daily & Emergency Tips)

As mentioned at the top of the page, these 'nuggets' are great to store for the long term. Follow my vacuum-sealing instructions here and remember to add an oxygen absorber and a desiccant pack before vacuum-sealing the pouch and sealing it.

blobs of Chicken Chow on dehydrator tray

Dehydrated Dog Biscuits Your Pup Will Love

Make Your Own Dog Food book cover

Make sure you not only feed your dog delicious and nutritious dog food but make sure to dehydrate blobs of it and make it into doggie biscuits!

Put the dehydrated doggie biscuits into vacuum-sealed pouches. Keep the pouches safe for emergency use.

Pets need food in emergencies too... Rehydrate the biscuits later to make wet food again. Works like magic!

Start Here: Make a Nutritious Homemade Doggie Dinner

But first, you have to learn HOW to make this delicious doggie dinner so you can then learn how to dehydrate pet food in general!

Here's where to buy the eBook that details it all! But it comes with a WARNING: Your pooch will smother you with kisses.

Is Dehydrating Dog Food Really Worth It?

Miniature Pinscher eating Chicken Chow homemade dog food

Back in 2008, my husband and I were out swimming when we noticed this tiny dog on our patio, wistfully looking at us.

Long story short: We adopted this fantastic Miniature Pinscher, and I decided—right then and there—that I would learn how to make dog food!

Why? Rumors were going around that a major dog food company had a record amount of product recalls; pets were dying from tainted food.

Well, not on my watch! Read her FULL STORY HERE.

Batch It: How to Prep a Month of Pet Food in One Day

About once a month, usually on a Saturday morning, I make my nutritious homemade dog chow. It takes about two hours from start to finish.

Turns out, my doggie loves the chicken version and the beef version and both are in my book—and I use a pressure cooker to prepare this for her.

I also dehydrate her Chicken Chow so she'll have emergency food on hand.

"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

Get the Recipe: Make & Dehydrate Chicken Chow Easily

Get "Make Your Own Dog Food" eBook today, and Make Your Dog Happier Tomorrow.

Get Our
"Make Your Own Dog Food"
eBook today, and Make
Your Dog Happier Tomorrow.

Feed Your Dog Good Nutritious Food. Here's How:

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Be prepared for lots of wagging tails and plenty of face lickings. Go treat your best buddy today!

Why Homemade = Healthier, Shinier, and Happier Dogs

If you want your pooch to have lovely bright eyes and a shiny coat, then you know what I'm gonna say... I can't believe how great my dog looks.

She is so happy to have been rescued and loved. She is also over the moon at being fed the "best dog food on the planet," so she says - wink wink.

Please do your dog a favor and get your hands on this eBook today. It's also available as a paperback. You'll learn all about the right quantities of special vitamins and bone meal to add to the chicken chow mixture.

WARNING: Be prepared for lots of wagging tails and plenty of face lickings.

Read more about the eBook here. Check out "Make Nutritious Dog Food" where you can see what dog owners have said.

Such as? Their dog's poo doesn't stink since switching over to this chicken chow recipe. They also state that it costs less than the fancy delivery service meals.

Common Questions About Dehydrated Pet Food

Is dehydrating dog/pet food safe?

Yes—if done properly. Be sure to fully cook the meat, cut portions to avoid choking, and dry the blobs completely before storage. Vacuum sealing with oxygen absorbers keeps the food safe for long-term use.

Is homemade dog food cheaper than store-bought?

Not always cheaper—but far healthier. You control the ingredients, avoid preservatives, and can customize it for your dog’s needs. Peace of mind? Priceless.

What equipment do I need?

A dehydrator is best, though a low-temp oven can work in a pinch. You’ll also need basic cookware and vacuum-sealing gear for storage. For ingredients, start with lean meat, grains like millet or quinoa, and healthy veggies like sweet potato and celery.

How long does dehydrated pet food last?

With proper storage—vacuum-sealed with oxygen absorbers—it can last for months. For everyday use, keep it in an airtight container or fridge for up to a week.

What does my vet need to know?

Always consult your vet before switching diets. Share your ingredient list and ask for feedback. Many pet owners report shinier coats, better digestion, and happier pups!

Your dog deserves safe, nourishing food—especially in uncertain times. Whether you're prepping for emergencies or just want a healthier option than store-bought, learning how to dehydrate pet food at home is a great choice.

And while you're here, don’t forget to grab your free 5 Dried Food Recipes You’ll Actually Love PDF (below) featuring hearty favorites like carrot soup, minestrone soup, split pea soup, spicy beef jerky, and banana cinnamon rolls. Your two-legged family will thank you too!

Grab 5 Dried Food Recipes You'll Actually Love

5 Easy Dried Food Recipes free PDF

Don't forget to grab a copy of our all new
5 Dried Food Recipes (That Actually Taste Great)
They're my all-time favorite easy dried food meals!

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