Turn Game Meat Into Chew Treats

Are you shocked by the prices for dried, meat chew treats at your local pet or feed store? Have exorbitant prices caused you to bypass these 100% natural, no preservative, protein packed snacks for your trusty four legged hunting companion? Do recall scares from dog treats made in China scare the begeezes out of you? Do you still have a freezer full of game such as venison, duck, pheasant, quail, etc from last season? If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions I have the perfect remedy. It will save on your wallet and better yet, your dog will love you even more for making him or her some seriously tasty morsels right in your very own kitchen!


Open Country 500watt Food Dehydrator



The more research I did, the more confident I became that I could actually make homemade dried treats for my dog. I purchased an Open Country 500watt dehydrator machine from Gander Mountain for $149.99. Even at such a low price this particular dehydrator received rave reviews from customers who were more than satisfied with their purchase. I must admit, I am no gourmet chef and far from making any earth shattering culinary delights. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could easily make some pretty darn good chew treats. A wagging tail, a puddle of drool, and a lip smacking good time from my dog was proof positive that my first attempt was a success. Come to find out I can now make something that even my human friends say is tasty! Drying meat is very hands off and not very labor intensive. I cut and load the meat before bedtime. Let the dehydrator run all night and then(depending on the batch) it is usually ready by mid morning. The base and trays are dishwasher safe so clean up is hassle free! Drying meat is not rocket science but does involve some trail and error.

Lessons I have learned along the way:

• Choose lean meats or trim away all excess fat/cartilage. Fat can go rancid quickly.
• Cut all pieces the same size. 1/4" width by 4-6" long is perfect.
• Place meat in freezer for an hour before cutting. This makes slicing much easier.
• Check your drying process every few hours.
• Different types meats and environmental factors can vary the drying time. Keep a log book of successful batches for future reference
• If using oily meats, pat drying pieces with paper towel every two hours to remove excess.
• To make VERY chewy jerky(for dogs) cut the meat with the grain.
• To make LESS chewy jerky(for humans) cut across/against the grain.
• Allow the jerky to cool and air dry for 2-3 more hours before packaging
• If drying wild game or poultry, FIRST cook in oven for 30 minutes at minimum 160 degrees to kill possible salmonella or other bacteria.
• Always prepare and dry meats in a clean, sterile environment.

The process of drying meat is a fun and economical way to produce healthy treats for both you and your dog. Meat is not your only option as sweet potatoes are just one of the hundreds of fruits and vegetables that can dried to make healthy, natural treats that your faithful gun dog can enjoy. The best part of dried foods is they are easy to make and even easier to pack for extended hunting trips. Owning a dehydrator has now emptied my freezer and saved a ton of game meat from prolonged freezer burn. In turn, I have already saved hundreds of dollars on dog chews and Dewey could not be happier! Better yet, I can honestly say that all of my homemade dog treats are "tested on humans" first! Have fun experimenting with your own dehydrator. I just wish I had taken the time to try this years ago!
Please feel free to comment on this post below or drop me an email directly at northupland@yahoo.com. I will personally respond to all your questions or comments. Thank you for reading.
Best of luck out there. -Mark

Is Corn Bad?

Corn on the cob is as American as apple pie. If you believe written history, gracious Native Americans first introduced harvested corn to Pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving dinner. For generations since, corn crops have been cultivated by hard working American farmers across this country's heartland. By the turn of the 20th century corn became a substantial source of agricultural wealth throughout the United States. As most will agree, corn is warm and buttery, making life feel good and wholesome as it passes across our lips. Ironically, we derive more nutritional value by eating just one slice of your grandmother's cinnamon coated apple pie recipe than we do by downing ten ears of corn!

Proof: Corn Free Diet = A Healthy, Happy Hunting Partner!

Like those of us who walk upright, our four legged hunting partners find the nutritional value of corn equally unrewarding and anything but beneficial to their diet. So the question remains...why do some dog food companies include corn or corn variations as their main ingredient? I will tell you why. Because some dog food companies in this country are cheap and corn is the cheapest "real" ingredient available. More so, your dogs overall health is inconsequential and unrelated to their return on investment..a.k.a the corporate mantra called ROI. Sad as it is but very true.

Is corn bad for dogs? The answer is: not really...BUT it doesn't do much good either and can possibly cause further health issues then just nutritional deficiency

Factoid: whole corn has a natural cased cellulose shell. Left as a whole kernel, corn is indigestible. Any human who has taken a look at their own waste the morning after after eating an ear of corn for dinner would completely agree. Basically, the cellulose shell creates a wall blocking all the nutrients "inside" the shell from becoming digested. The process of mashing and dehydrating corn down to "meal" or "ground" only changes it's appearance, not it's composition. It should also be pointed out that corn is directly related to many forms of allergens in sensitive dogs. Breeds such as boxers, pointers, labs, and bulldogs are more highly probable candidates for corn related allergies. Allergic reactions can come in the form of excessive dry skin, chronic hot spots, chronic eye discharge, and far too many digestive irregularities to list here in this one post!

The filler called "cellulose" is still there and still equally indigestible. Yes, the inside portion of corn or the "meat" is a marginal source nutrients. Like other grains, corn is a carbohydrate and fiber food. Eighty-one percent of the solid material in the corn kernel consists of sugars, starch, and dietary fiber, including insoluble cellulose and non-carbohydrate lignin in the seed covering and soluble pectins and gums in the kernel(non nutritious ingredients related to the shell) Corn has a small amounts of vitamin A, the B vitamin folate, and vitamin C. Corn is a moderately good source of plant proteins, but zein (its major protein) is deficient in the essential amino acids lysine, cystine, and tryptophan. Corn is low in fat and its oils are composed primarily of unsaturated fatty acids.

When taken into account, the ratio of cellulose shell material to nutrients in the average gram of dog food "corn meal" results in a digestible ingredient that is extremely low. Hypothetically speaking, if milk was the only thing of true substance and a manufacturer ground up the plastic bottle holding the milk all together as one product and called it "milk meal" you have the working equivalent of what corn meal is to dog food. Sure the milk is there but the "filler" is the cellulose or "plastic" containment taking up 19%(as we learned prior) of the overall formula. Remember, those are ingredients that can not be converted into nutritional sources for any animal on this planet! For any kid who has ever swallowed one of those small green army guys(yes, I have!)...those things are not digestible! That is corn cellulose in a nut shell. No pun intended!

The bottomline is, low grade dog foods loaded with low grade grain products such a corn, wheat, and soy cheapen the product. A dog's intestinal tract and stomach process food 6 times quicker then humans. It is imperative to supply them with food that is able to be quickly digested. That only comes from high quality ingredients! In the end you will need to feed less if you invest in a high grade dog food! The result to your wallet and the benefit to you dog is spending almost the same for feeding him or her a top quality food!

I don't know about you guys but corn or corn in any form as a primary ingredient doesn't sound like something I want to feed my dog. I urge each of you to look at your dog food bags and read closely. There are some major dog food manufacturers out there who load top five ingredients with corn or corn related ingredients. Ask yourself...is this something I would want to feed myself as the majority of my own diet, let alone my dog's? Then go ahead and purchase a better food!

Best of luck to each of you out there. -Mark

Healthy Gun Dog Treats

Walk into any local pet store today and the sheer number of different dog treats is astounding. Gone are the days of only a few different treats offered by longtime brands that churned out bland, bone shaped biscuits. Today, flashy packaging and colorful displays line the aisles with hundreds of choices for your trusty bird dog to snack on between meals. In this post I will focus on one manufacturers that I recommend and hopefully help narrow down your search. This company makes all of their products right here in the good old U.S. of A! All are made with quality, wholesome ingredients that will not only make your dog wag his tail in delight but also pack nutritious supplements that benefit all highly active sporting breeds.

Zukes, A small Durango, CO company was founded in 1995 and has been consistently producing an assortment of the finest dog treats on the market. According to their website; Unlike other treats that are comprised of unrecognizable 14 letter ingredients, Zuke's is formulated to provide the specific nutrients your dog needs. Our products include the finest meats, premium grains, fruits, vegetables and oils available. With Zuke's treats you'll never find any harsh preservatives like BHA, added animal fat, nasty by–products or artificial colors or flavors. In other words, we don't put anything in our products that we wouldn't eat ourselves. I highly recommend and use all Zukes products but my top picks are their "Z-Fillets" and "Power Bones". Their Z-Fillets will make any dog jump up and go crazy in edible anticipation. Just the fresh smell from opening the bag with have your dog by your side in a millisecond. These treats are 100% pure, premium meat resulting in a high protein snack for added strength, health, and vitality. Their "Power Bones" are exactly what they sound like. According to their website; they are like an energy bar for people but for dogs. I could not agree more! These are the perfect treat to pack in your hunting vest and use to recharge your gun dog on those long treks into the backcountry...or when you realize both of you are 12 miles from where you parked and the walk back now seems even further! Again, please click on the image link to visit their website. Zukes website.

Without doubt there are now hundreds of other great manufacturers making treats in this world. I have focused on only one brand since I believe in only writing about what has worked successfully for my own dogs in the past and present! Next time you are in your local pet store take a little extra time to find a treat that will not only satisfy your dog's craving for the munches, but one that is also a healthy supplement to his or her diet. Your dog will love you even more...and if your lucky, hunt for you a little harder on your next trip to the field.

Best of luck to each of you out there. -Mark