December 2020 • Nebraskaland 43
My dog digests limited amounts of feathers OK. According
to many sources, including nakedbeasts.com — who provides
"holistic healing pet treats and chews for dog and cat owners
— fur and feather in a canine's diet can be benefi cial: "The
fur and feathers are fully digestible and provide an essential
source of manganese as well as a natural means of colon
cleansing. By allowing the natural fi bers of the fur and hair to
sweep off the excess debris of food and gunk along your pet's
intestinal walls, they are more readily available to absorb
minerals and nutrients more effi ciently."
Feed fresh or for longer shelf life, dehydrate in a food
dehydrator. To dehydrate, run kitchen sheers along the
neck and top of the head to open up the head cavity, which
will allow them to dry more thoroughly and prevent early
spoilage. Dry times will vary, but I like to dry at 135 degrees
for about 4 hours and then turn the temperature up to 165
