can you freeze nudges dog treats
How do you soften dog treats?
What can you do with those dog treats that come out of the package hard? What about dog food and biscuits that sit in your home too long and get stale? It may seem like those items are good for nothing but the trash, but there are some ways to soften them up. You dont want to drop money in the trash, so lets check out some of the best options to resurrect treats, biscuits, and food so that your dog doesnt miss out.
How Do You Soften Stale, Hardened, or Dried-Out Dog Treats?
You may need to soften hard dog treats for your dog to chew them comfortably. Older dogs often have trouble with hard treats, but even younger dogs are at risk of breaking their teeth on hard treats. Its best to soften them up some if your dog seems to struggle when chewing them. You may also want to do this if you know your dog already has dental issues.
If you believe the dog treats are stale, check the expiration date on the package. You dont want to feed your dog treats that are too far out of date because they may lead to sickness. If you believe theyre still good and want to soften them, we have a few suggestions.
Soften Treats with a Warm Rag
Wrap the hard treat in a warm, moist rag. You can also use a paper towel. Allow it to sit, bending the treat occasionally to see if it is softening up. This is the simplest way to soften up some dog treats that are too hard for a dog to chew safely.
Soften Treats in the Microwave
If allowing the treat to sit in a warm rag or paper towel doesnt do the trick, you can try steaming it in the microwave. Wrap it in a moist paper towel and place it in the microwave on low heat. Just a minute or two should work for many dog treats. You can repeat the process a few times if you dont get the results you want the first time.
Soften Treats in a Ziploc Bag
Place the hard dog treats in a Ziploc bag along with a slightly moist paper towel. Make sure the towel isnt too wet. You may have good results with a piece of bread in place of the paper towel. Seal the bag tight and let it sit overnight.
Keep in mind that you dont want to allow the dog treat to sit in the bag too long. It may soften, allowing bacteria to build up inside the treat. Its best to soften it overnight and take it out immediately.
Turn Hard Dog Treats into Gravy
Do you have dog treats that just will not soften? You can pour hot water over them, allowing them to become soggy and crumble. Add just enough water to create a gravy, and then pour that over your dogs food for at treat at the next feeding.
Can You Add Water to Dry Dog Food to Soften It?
You can add water to dry dog food to soften it, but you want to feed it to your pet right away afterwards. Dog food and treats are often hard because softer textures arent self-stable for long periods. Soft treats and foods may allow bacteria and microbes to grow, potentially causing sickness in a dog.
Its best to soften dog food with water right before youre ready to feed your pet. One option is to splash just a little water over the dog food. You can use little bits over the top, pushing down on the food afterwards to see if it has softened.
If you want to add more hot water, you can turn it into a gravy substance. The more water you add, the thinner the gravy. This is a good idea if your pet is struggling to chew even slightly hard food. Its best to have your pets teeth checked by a vet if they continue to struggle with hard dog food.
How Do You Soften Dog Biscuits?
You can soften hard dog biscuits just as you would other hardened dog treats. Start by wrapping it in a damp, warm wash cloth or paper towel. If sitting like that doesnt work, try putting it in the microwave for a minute or two.
Placing the biscuit in a plastic bag with a moist paper towel and zipping it closed is another option. Let it sit overnight and remove promptly to see if it has softened to your satisfaction. Some pet owners have success doing this with a piece of break in place of the paper towel as well.
You may want to try adding small drops of warm water to the biscuit, but water is more likely to leave it soggy. You can always turn biscuits into gravy if you plan on feeding it to your dog right away. This takes away the pleasure that many dogs get from chewing hard bones and biscuits, but it is an option when all else fails.
How Do You Keep Store Bought Dog Treats Soft?
Soft dog treats are gentler on your dogs teeth, but they come with a much shorter shelf life than hard dog treats. You can keep them longer by selecting more carefully when in the store. Look for plastic bags that have zip locks across the top. That allows you to seal the treats in the bag, preserving them for a longer period of time.
If you buy dog treats that dont come in an airtight bag, you can seal them in Ziploc bags at home. Pushing all the air out before you seal the bag will extend their shelf life at least a little.
Finally, you can place dog treats in an airtight container and then store in the refrigerator or freezer. Homemade dog treats can last up to two months in the refrigerator, and some soft dog treats are the same. You will need to thaw the treats out before feeding to your pet if you go with the freezer.
How to Soften Dog Food for Older Dogs
Water is the best resource for softening hard dog food when your pets teeth arent as strong as they were in the puppy days. Start by adding just a tablespoon or two, and then add more water as needed. The food will expand in size and get soggier as more water is added. You dont want to go overboard if your dog can handle a little crunch.
If you have an older dog unable to chew even slightly crunchy dog food, you can add more water and turn it into a paste or even a gravy. To add more flavor, try adding some broth or milk to the mixture. That can add more nutrients to the food, which many older dogs can use. If nothing else, your dog will likely appreciate the added flavor.
How to Soften Dog Biscuits for Puppies
Its best to stick with dog biscuits and treats that were designed for puppies. Theyre generally softer and much easier to chew because puppies may not have the full chewing power of an adult dog. If you store those biscuits and treats in an airtight container, they should stay softer for a longer period of time.
If you want to feed your puppy a harder biscuit, start by wrapping it in a soft rag or paper towel. You can either let it sit there for a while to soften or place it in the microwave for a short period of time. Sealing it in an airtight plastic bag with a moist paper towel overnight is another option, but dont leave it in there too long.
The Best Foods to Freeze Dry for Dog Treats
Dogs are such loyal and loving furry companions. They deserve all the love, care, and attention that we can give them. So, to honor your loyal canine friend, here are some of the best dog treats that you can freeze dry. Well even teach you how to freeze dry them, so lets get started.
Chicken, Turkey, and Beef Best Dog Treats Just For Fun
Dogs just love treats. They cant get enough out of them. And sometimes, whether wed like to admit it or not, there are just moments when you want to give them a treat just because! Theyre funny, goofy, and just plain cute even when theyre doing nothing.
So instead of giving them treats that are commercially made, loaded with fillers and sugar how about making your own? Chicken, turkey, and beef are one of the best treats because theyre packed with protein. Plus if you freeze-dry them, they get this satisfying crunch that dogs love.
You go all-out and buy the good cuts for your dogs. Or, if youre on a budget and wish to lessen food waste, then use leftover meat. Its a perfect way to watch and keep to your dogs diet.
Vegetables
A great treat to give your dog, especially if your furry friend is trying to lose weight. Squash is perfect and has few calories, making it a guilt-free snack to give to your dog. If your furry friend has an upset stomach, then give it a piece of pumpkin. This is also great for senior dogs who have tummy issues.
Tuna or Salmon
These are just amazing proteins of the sea. Its a good source of protein and other nutrients like Omega-3
Chicken Gizzards
No dogs can resist the intense dark meat flavor of chicken gizzards. Theyre chewy, making it a satisfying treat for dogs. Other than that, they are high in glucosamine, which is beneficial for your dogs joints and cartilage. However, they can be on the gummy side so you can cook them first in the pressure cooker to soften them up.
Liver Cubes Best Dog Treats For Training
Nothing spells like fun training for you and your dog other than dog liver. They love the taste so much, that they would do just about anything once they see that you have it in your hand and B-vitamins.
How do I freeze dry dog treats?
Freeze drying dog treats is easy and simple. Depending on your dogs recommended diet, you can freeze dry the dog treats raw or cooked. Either way, heres how to freeze dry your dog treats using a freeze dryer.
*Note: handle cooked and uncooked treats separately. Also, separate raw meats from vegetables.
- Line your freeze dryer trays with parchment paper and pre-freeze them.
- Cut the meat or veggie pieces 1 inch long and 3/4 inch thick. For meats and fish, make sure to take out all the fat as possible. If youre using beef, only get the leanest cuts you can afford.
- Take out the trays from the freezer and place the dog treats on them. Dont pile them too high than the freeze dryer tray, so they all freeze dry evenly.
- Put the trays back in the freezer and freeze the food items.
- Once frozen, load the trays in the freeze dryer.
- Depending on the food item and thickness, it will take 24 hours to process the meat.
- Before you open the freeze dryer, remember to open the drain valve. Otherwise, all the water is going to go back to the fish. Make sure that the drain hose is in the bucket to catch the water.
- Check the food for any coldness or wetness. If theyre not dry enough, extend the freeze drying time to 3-5 hours, depending on the moisture content.
- Once done, defrost your freeze dryer as needed.
How Do I Store Them?
You have two options for storing the dog treats.
One is in air-tight mason jars, which gives you the convenience of giving your dog special treats on demand. Vacuum sealed, your dog treats can last for 20+ years if stored in ideal conditions. Once opened, the treats can last for 3-6 months in room temperature.
If youre stocking up on treats and dont have much room, Mylar bags are ideal. You can stack them in the pantry and not worry about space or breakage in case of accidents. If you open a bag, ensure you get what you need, then vacuum seal after.
Whatever storage method you choose, throw in a packet or two of oxygen absorbers. This helps them last longer. Also, keep the bags or jars away from light and moisture. Keep the ambient temperature no higher than 72F (22C).
How To Give The Treats To Your Dog
You can give the dog treats as is. No need to cook or reconstitute them before giving them the treat.
Just make sure that the raw meat youll use comes from a safe and reliable source. Practice proper food handling and sanitation as well when preparing the food.
Can I Freeze-Dry A Full Dog Meal As A Treat?
Sure you can! Whats good about freeze-dried dog meals is that its a mix of different food items. This way your dog gets all the macro and micronutrients needed for healthy development.
TL:DR
The best freeze-dried dog treats are chicken, turkey, and beef. When you prepare them, you have the confidence to give your dog safe and healthy treats. Vegetables are a great way to go if your dog is on a diet. For training, nothing beats liver, as the intense flavor makes dogs crazy.
You can change things up by giving your dogs tuna or salmon. Chicken gizzards can help maintain their tendons and joints if you have a senior dog.
Freeze drying is easy and usually takes 24 hours. As long as you cut the treats in the right size, the freeze drying time is easy to discover. Store the treats properly by keeping them away from heat, light, moisture, and air. With proper storage, your dog treats can last for 25+ years.
How do you freeze-dry your dog treats? Let us know in the comment section.
