Thread: How to make healthy cat treats

Originally Posted by Howlinbob

I read somewhere that you can dry food in a similar way in a heated but switched-off oven, although I've not tried it myself.

You can with the oven switched to a very low heat and the door slightly ajar. Great for heating your kitchen too. ;)
But not so great with curious Coonies lurking about, intent on knowing what's in the oven - so I opted for the little food dryer which I can safely hide in the pantry.

Have you tried venison in it as thats very lean?

Originally Posted by Helen & John

Have you tried venison in it as thats very lean?

Venison... that's deer meat isn't it? I am ordering some deer tongue shortly so I might have a try.

It is, I didn't know they sold the tongue my Dad throws that bit away!

Originally Posted by Helen & John

It is, I didn't know they sold the tongue my Dad throws that bit away!

Yes, I buy them frozen over here. When fed raw it's great chewing material - but first freeze for at least a week to get rid of parasites, especially if it is wild deer.

Okay, so I finally followed up on Helen & John’s tip and tried venison in the food drier.

This is minced deer tongue before drying. The fluffy thing in the top right corner is El Monto helping (himself).



It took longer to dry than, for instance, chicken. After about 7 hours in the drier I took the meat out and put it on some sheets of kitchen towel, as there was still some fat dripping out. (I thought you said venison is lean, Helen. )

This is the end result… lovely brown “chips” (and some very interested Coonies).



These treats are a huge success. Especially El Monto goes apeshit for them.

Originally Posted by Antonia

Okay, so I finally followed up on Helen & John’s tip and tried venison in the food drier.

This is minced deer tongue before drying. The fluffy thing in the top right corner is El Monto helping (himself).



It took longer to dry than, for instance, chicken. After about 7 hours in the drier I took the meat out and put it on some sheets of kitchen towel, as there was still some fat dripping out. (I thought you said venison is lean, Helen. )

This is the end result… lovely brown “chips” (and some very interested Coonies).



These treats are a huge success. Especially El Monto goes apeshit for them.

They look really great, I have sent for mine, I can wait to get going...!!