Don't Risk Your Dog's Health - Make Your Own Chicken Jerky

Posted by Clare Bristow

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States recently cautioned dog owners of a possible link between their dogs becoming ill and the consumption of chicken jerky products.

This alert comes in the wake of the FDA receiving more than 70 complaints from dog owners whose dogs had eaten the chicken jerky treats and became ill; sadly in a couple of cases the dogs died.

The FDA has yet to determine what caused these dogs' illnesses. Despite extensive testing of the products in question, no contaminant has been found.

The products being investigated by the FDA are Bestroâ€™s Chicken Jerky Strips and Chicken Jerky Strips from Import-Pingyang Pet Product Co., both sold by Wal Mart.

Dogs that have become ill have shown some or all of the following symptoms:

decreased food consumption, although some may continue to consume the treats to the exclusion of other foods;
decreased activity or lethargy;
vomiting;
diarrhea, sometimes with blood; and
increased water consumption and/or increased urination.

If your dog has eaten chicken jerky treats and is showing any of the above symptoms, take him to a vet as soon as you can.

Source: FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine

The alternative has to be to make your own chicken jerky treats

Here is a quick and easy recipe for chicken jerky that I found on the Diet Skin Allergies In Dogs blog:

Homemade Chicken Treats for Your Dog

Slice chicken breasts into thin strips;

Place the strips on a non-stick or greased cookie sheet;

If you don't have a dehydrator (who owns one of these?), bake in the oven at 180 degrees overnight or for several hours during the day - it will be like jerky when done;

Let the chicken cool before placing in plastic bags; and

Jerky strips can be frozen for use later if desired.

I haven't tried the recipe yet but it sounds easy enough, and a whole lot healthier for your dog than any dog treat made in China.

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