December 2020 • Nebraskaland 45
Deer Liver Chews
Out of all the wild game and fi sh I've given Fergus, deer liver
chews seem to be his favorite. Organs are highly nutritious
for dogs, so it makes me feel good that I no longer have to
leave most of the liver with the gut pile. I keep it frozen until
we're ready to make these treats.
Cut the liver into fourths and soak it in water for 30 minutes
to release excess blood. Then rinse and cut into bite-size
pieces, accounting for 30 percent shrinkage. Pat completely
dry with paper towels. Lay on dehydrator trays, allowing
room in between each piece for air fl ow, and dehydrate at 135
degrees for 3 hours. Then turn up heat to 165 and dehydrate
until fully dried but still chewy.
Duck/Goose Feet
The bones in duck or goose feet don't splinter, and they are
full of benefi cial cartilage. Wash feet thoroughly and clip off
the toenails before feeding fresh to your dog. For a longer-
lasting treat, dehydrate waterfowl feet at 165 degrees until
fully dried.
Fish Skin
If every angler had a dollar for all the fi sh they've fi lleted in
their life … . If you can't turn that work into money, then you
might as well save money by turning the fi sh skins into dog
treats. Dry fi sh skins at 165 degrees until fully dried; small
scales are OK.
Lay them fl at on trays or twist them to make
"sticks."
N
Disclaimer: Feed at your own risk and supervise dogs when
off ering wild game treats. Gradually introduce new foods to
avoid stomach upset and account for allergies. Store all treats in
the refrigerator or freezer. If mold occurs, do not feed.
Venison fl ank is heavily laced with silver skin, and it's a chore to clean. However, with minimal eff ort, you can turn it into jerky
for your dog.
The bones in duck or goose feet don't splinter, and they are
full of benefi cial cartilage.
