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How To Freeze Dry Liver Treats

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Freeze Dried Fruits

What are other treats that dogs like the most? Liver treats! They’re dense yet crumbly at the same time and have that delicious smell that dogs love. But dog treats can be so expensive, and you’re left to make do with what you have. If you’ve got your own freeze dryer, then why not make your own?

Here’s how to freeze dry liver treats so you can give your dog the healthy snacks they deserve.

Are Freeze Dried Liver Treats Good for Dogs?

Freeze-dried liver treats are good for your dogs because they contain many nutrients. These are:

  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin D
  • Copper
  • Folate
  • Iron
  • Niacin
  • Pantothenic Acid
  • Phosphorus
  • Riboflavin
  • Selenium
  • Zinc

These are essential to keeping dogs’ eyesight sharp, coats healthy and shiny, and their immune system boosted.

pieces of freeze dried liver treats

Can Freeze-Dried Liver Treats Cause Diarrhea in Dogs?

In small amounts, liver treats won’t cause any reaction in your dog’s tummy. But they love the taste that you’ll find them begging for more – and yourself giving more than one.

That’s when problems with giving them the treats happen. Liver in itself is already nutrient-rich, so imagine how rich it is freeze-dried. If your pup’s tummy is sensitive, or you’re giving the treat for the first time, go slow. Start with one treat a day, especially for puppies or small breeds. Cut the treat in half if you have to. Then observe for any unpleasant reaction. Don’t give them any other treats even strawberries while introducing this one.

If diarrhea persists for more than two days, stop the treat and consult your vet.

How To Freeze Dry Liver for Dog Treats

Now that we have your interest in freeze-dried liver treats, it’s time to start making your own.

Preparation

Prepping is important whether you’re freeze-drying lamb, chicken, or beef liver. You’ll get a strong, earthy, metallic smell, and that’s okay. If the liver has a strong putrid smell that’s a touch sour, it means your liver isn’t good.

Slicing the liver can be challenging because it doesn’t have the same firmness as meat. To make them easy to slice, freeze them for just an hour. Not to turn them into a solid block of ice, but make them firm enough for you to cut. This is helpful, especially if you don’t have sharp knives around.

Slice them into wedges or steaks that are 3/4 of an inch thick. The slices can be thinner but not so thick that they’re higher than the freeze-dryer trays.

After cutting, wash the slices of liver thoroughly. Don’t mind the murky run-off from the organ. It’s okay and should be expected. Drain the liver slices well and pat them dry with paper towels.

Pre-Freezing

Line your freeze-dryer trays with parchment paper or silicone liners. This helps keep the liver from sticking to the tray when you freeze dry.

Place the liver slices on the trays, spacing them at 1/4 or 1/2 inch. Avoid stacking the liver so that your freeze-dryer can work efficiently. Place the trays in your deep freezer and let the liver steaks freeze for 12 hours or overnight.

Freeze Drying Liver Treats

Freeze drying is easy when you have your own Harvest Right freeze dryer.

  1. Turn on the machine and let it know you’ve pre-frozen the liver.
  2. Pre-freeze the unit for 15-30 minutes.
  3. When it’s ready, close the valve and load the frozen trays in.
  4. Press continue, and it will start freeze-drying.
  5. When it’s done, open the valve, ensuring the hose doesn’t touch any water. This will release the pressure inside the chamber, allowing you to open the door.
  6. Take out the trays and check for dryness.

close up look of freeze dried liver treats

How Will I Know That They’re Done?

The freeze-dried liver treats should be dry, hard, and crumbly to the touch. It should snap easily between your hands and feel dry even in the middle. If some pieces feel soft, moist, and cool, put the trays back and add an extra dry time. About 4 hours would do it.

How Do I Store Them?

Mylar bags are always an excellent choice for storing freeze-dried liver treats. They’re easy to seal and carry around, especially on trips. You can have it with you when you vacation with your dogs and continue their training without interruption.

Mason jars are great as well because they’re impermeable. Using a vacuum sealer, they’re as good as Mylar bags when storing food. The only downside is they’re heavy and take up space. Their transparency is a double-edged sword too. It allows you to see how much treat you have left while letting the light go through. Light breaks down protein and ruins the edibility of the liver.

You need to remember to use oxygen absorbers for a longer shelf life. When using 300cc oxygen absorbers, put 1-2 of them per gallon size of your container.

Where To Buy Freeze-Dried Liver Dog Treats

If your freeze dryer’s loaded and you ran out of liver treats, you can buy them from the following brands.

Stewart Freeze Dried Liver Treats

These are 100% pure liver treats for dogs. They come in two flavors: beef liver and chicken liver. They’re freeze-dried in the USA and created especially to give dogs the protein they need.

The liver treats are all-natural, gluten-free, grain-free, and additive-free to give your dog the best experience. No worries about overfeeding because they have a guide on how much to give by body weight.

Pure Bites Freeze Dried Lamb Liver Dog Treats

If you love giving your dog raw food, you’ll love PureBites. They made the dog treat using 100% pure New Zealand human-grade lamb liver. No artificial colors, fillers, or sweeteners that can affect your dog’s health.

A raw dog diet has many benefits, like higher energy levels and shinier coats. They are ideal for dogs that need a high-protein/low-calorie diet. These liver treats compliments the current raw diet dogs have, and you don’t have to worry about refrigeration.

Stella & Chewy’s Beef Liver Dog Treats

These are made with just one simple ingredient: 100% beef liver. They’re made for dogs who suffer from allergies, may they be pups, adults, or seniors. They’re all-natural, and responsibly sourced with no added hormones or antibiotics.

Stella & Chewy’s is good for teasing appetite back to your pet friend. With its high protein content, a treat or two can help them recover from a health setback or a needed surgery.

How did you discover liver treats, and how do you intend to give them to your dog? Let us know in the comment section.

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