Easy to make DIY dehydrated chicken feet are the ultimate natural dog treat. If you’re looking for a wholesome homemade treat for your dogs, you’ve found it.
Awhile back I was vising an “upscale” pet supply store in my area. I was amazed with all the exotic items that that had for people’s pooches. The thing that stuck out to me the most was an overpriced bag of dehydrated chicken feet.
Now my 3 Australian shepherds are accustomed to some raw delights, like chicken “paws”; but I had never thought to dehydrate chicken feet as a pet treat.
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I purchased the bag (just like these) to give them a test run at my house and the dogs went bananas for them! But you don’t need to buy store bought gourmet treats – you can make them at home for a fraction of the cost.
Dogs love chicken…and their feet!
I do use chicken feet to make my own bone broth and I know some people enjoy eating them. That’s not really my thing. And if you do not have your own chicken feet available you can buy them, quite inexpensively from your grocery store or butcher.
Are dehydrated chicken feet safe for dogs?
Not only are they safe, they are a healthy treat for your pets. When dried the small bones in the feet of the chickens will crush instead of breaking into dangerous points.
Dried Chicken Paws are Healthy for Your Dog!
- Great for dog’s teeth because they help to remove plaque and tartar.
- Good for joint health and mobility as they naturally filled with protein, glucosamine, chondroitin, minerals, and collagen.
- Acceptable for dogs on a raw diet.
What’s the best way to dehydrate or dry chicken feet?
I prefer using a dehydrator. I feel like that gives me the best results. You could also use your oven.
How long does it take to dehydrate chicken feet?
Times will vary on your dehydrator but you’ll need about 24 hours.
There is a printed version of this recipe at the bottom of this post.
Equipment need to make DIY Dehydrated Chicken Feet
- Dehydrator
- Kitchen Scissors
- Air Tight Container for Storage
Ingredients Needed for Dog Treats
Just raw chicken feet. 😉
Instructions for Making Homemade Dried Chicken Paws
Get the feet prepared by rinsing them.
Using kitchen scissors, snip off each toenail.
They will get very hard during dehydration and you don’t want your dog choking on them.
Place chicken feet in a single layer on your dehydrator trays.
Drying time: Dehydrate for 24 hours, or until they are completely dry.
Store in airtight container
How long can I store dehydrated chicken feet?
Keep them in an air tight container and the shelf life is up to 6 months… though I doubt you’ll have them around that long if the dog has any say in it (did I mention dogs go crazy for these???).
I hope your family pooch loves these 100% natural treats as much as ours have. Be sure to see my other post on Simple Homemade Dog Treats.
What homemade dog treats to you like to make?
DIY Dehydrated Chicken Feet for Dogs
All natural homemade treats for dogs
Ingredients
- Raw Chicken Feet
Instructions
Get the feet prepared by rinsing them.
Using kitchen scissors, snip off each toenail. They will get very hard during dehydration and you don’t want your dog choking on them.
Place chicken feet in a single layer on your dehydrator trays.
Drying time: Dehydrate for 24 hours, or until they are completely dry.
Store in airtight container
Recipe Notes
Keep them in an air tight container and the shelf life is up to 6 months.
Tiffany, this post is AWESOME! My two Shih Tzu’s will love these! I can’t wait to make them!!
That’s fantastic! I hope your “fur babies” enjoy them as much as mine do! <3
Is this a good idea if you are planning on using your dogs for farm animal protection…??? Especially if this includes chickens…???
I have not had an issue.
Once dehydrated, can they be frozen for long term storage?
Hi Deanna – they shouldn’t need any freezing but you certainly can freeze them or put them in the fridge.
Do you know what temperature to set your dehydrator to?
Yes, 160 (chicken). I need to fixt the post to show that. Sorry! <3
Thanks for the reply, I had the same question!
If I was to use the oven how long would I bake them for and at what temperature?
I would say 175 – 200 degrees, leave a crack in your oven for air flow. They’ll probably still take about 24 hours to fully dehydrate but I would check them every 4 hours to see how they are coming along.
Hello! May I ask is it normal that the inside of the chicken feet are slightly oily? I have dehydrated then for about 30 hours (70 degree Celsius). The outside is completely dry but when I crack the fingers, there is oil on the tendons
It has happened to me before and they may not last very long. Keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to give them to the dogs.
I used to dehydrate chicken paws regularly for my pups until Covid made obtaining them an issue. I recently found two half gallon Ball jars which had been vacu-sealed a couple of years ago, Seal is still solid. No rancid smell or other indication of spoilage, Are these safe to feed?
I would think so, if there was a good seal, no moisture or stink.
I make bite size treats from chicken feet. With strong scissors cut the “fingers” off and dehydrate all the pieces plus the foot part, the same as whole feet. Ideal instead of biscuits.
i did mine at 105 for three days is that ok
How did they turn out?
What temperature should you use to dehydrate the chicken feet. I have searched all kinds of sites but no one ever answers this question. And some say 12 hours some say 24 hours so I’m assuming these people are using different temps.
On mine there is a “chicken” setting. But I would set it at 200 – 250 f. Times will vary depending on temperature of the dehydrator, your ambient temp in the house and your humidity.
I’ve found that, using dog nail clippers, is the easiest way to cut the nails off of the chicken feet. They are more ergonomically easier, on your hands, and much, much faster!
My dogs know what the term “chicken feet” is, and start drooling as soon as I mention it! Thanks!
Hi, How do I know if the feet is done dehydrating? I used an oven set it to 200c but after 1hr the paw pad was still soft to touch. Baked it for another 30mins till it turns golden brown but the feet became crunchy like chips. Is that safe for dogs? Thanks!
They won’t have much, if any, bed to them. I give them to my dogs!
My first batch turned out great, except the bigger feet were “puffy”. I took my kitchen scissors and made a small cut in the pad of the larger chicken feet to allow them to dehydrate more evenly. This definitely helped.
My dog loves chicken. I also make him chicken jerky. I came across this post and had to make the chicken feet. OMG he loves them, of course. FYI, I prepared this in my oven at 200 degress for roughly 24hrs. Thank you.