Homemade treats are not only economical but also help us to give our furry friends preservative-free treats. They also allow us to spend our leisure time caring for them. It is always easy to prepare them in bulk and store them but you are not sure how long they will last.
How Long Do Homemade Dog Treats Last
Your handmade dog biscuits will last for months. Refrigerator: The best option is to use an airtight container. Your snacks will last at least 2 months in the refrigerator if you utilize this method. Freezer: Homemade dog cookies should survive at least 8 months in the freezer if stored in a sealed jar.
Read on to understand more about homemade treats.
Are Homemade Dog Treats Cheaper
Sure, homemade dog treats are often less expensive than store-bought dog food. They can cost as little as $2 per day, depending on where you buy the food and the size of your dog. Most high-quality dog food brands are more expensive than this. So, if you’re prepared to put in the effort to create your dog’s food, you’ll probably save money at last.
Can I Use Regular Flour For My Homemade Dog Treats?
Yes, ordinary flour can be used to make dog treats. Although wheat flour is called for in this recipe, all-purpose flour can instead be used. It should not affect the overall appearance or outcome of these homemade dog treats.
In contrast, dogs do not require flour in their meals. Because wheat is a common cause of allergy in dogs, you should use whole-grain flours if your dog has a sensitive stomach. When buying food for a dog with allergies, keep in mind that certain dog meals include wheat to bind components.
Storing Home-Baked Dog Treats
Soft Baked Dog Treat
Unless they’re made with perishable components like cheese, cream cheese, or meat, they should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. These treats are more susceptible to spoilage (and, if stored incorrectly, could potentially make your pooch sick) Refrigerate dog treats prepared with perishable ingredients in a sealed jar.
Freshly produced, home-baked soft dog treats can be refrigerated for 3–5 days or kept in a freezer for up to 3 months for longer shelf life.
Hard Baked Dog Treats
These treats e.g. a rolled cookie that has been prepared until crisp must be kept in a sealed jar in a cool dry place.
Dehydrating your dog treats to eliminate the moisture is an excellent way to extend the life of your homemade dog treats beyond a few days. Often do a snap test to confirm they’re entirely dry. A dehydrated dog cookie should snap with a clean, crisp snap and have no visible wetness in the core. (Most wetness patches will seem darker than fully dried cookies, and you may be able to break the dried pieces away from the moister center in certain situations.) If this happens, dry the cookies for a few more hours in the oven or dehydrator on the lowest setting.
These types of treats can be stored for up to three weeks or three months if kept in a freezer.
How Do I Know If My Homemade Dog Treats Have Gone Bad?
Texture
When soft-baked sweets get stale, they become dry and crumbly. Hard-baked sweets like jerky, on the other hand, will become more flexible and moist.
Visible Moisture
If you store treats when they are too hot or when they release moisture, you may notice actual drops or a mist inside the container. Unfortunately, once this occurs, the treats must be discarded.
Odor
This can be difficult, especially with meaty foods that aren’t as little as a cookie. Be on the watch for musty, dusty aromas.
If you use the nut butter in your snacks, they may smell like paint or nail polish, and meaty foods may become sour or harsh.
Visible Mold
This one may seem self-evident, but mold is more difficult to deal with than you might imagine! On the surface of the treat, look for little, pinhead white specks, small patches of fluff, or discolored regions.
8 Poisonous Ingredients That Should Not Prepare Treats
- Artificial sweeteners
- Artificial colorings
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Macadamia nuts
- Chocolate
- Baby food with onion and/or garlic
- Nutmeg
Always Follow the Ten Percent Rule
Whenever you are giving your dog treats, either commercial or homemade, you should ensure that they do not exceed ten percent of the total meal. Too many treats can lead to obesity which is a big health problem.
Conclusion
How long homemade treats last is determined by the ingredients used to prepare them and how they are stored. No matter the amount of time you spent preparing your treats if you notice that they are releasing some unpleasant smell, do not feed them to your dog. If you are not sure whether a treat is good or bad, you should throw it away to prevent future problems.
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