How to Make Homemade Rawhide Bones

Rawhide bones are a popular treat for dogs. A rawhide treat is made from the inner layer of skin from a butchered animal, usually beef. The problem with commercially prepared rawhide treats is the way they are processed. Commercial processors use highly caustic chemicals like lye and lime treat the rawhide. You can make rawhide treats in you own kitchen without the use of harmful chemicals.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh rawhide, about 1 square foot
• Hide scraper tool or large kitchen spoon
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Food dehydrator
• Beef or chicken stock (optional)

Instructions

1. Visit a slaughterhouse and ask for a prepared piece of rawhide. A prepared piece will have the tough outer layer of skin and hair removed. A piece that is 1 square foot will make 24 small treats or 12 large treats.

2. Lay the rawhide on a flat surface. Use your hide scraper or spoon to scrape all the excess fat and flesh off the hide to ensure proper drying. Use a lot of pressure and scrape the hide until no more flesh will come off.

3. Rinse the hide thoroughly under fresh running water. Ring the excess water out of the hide by twisting it as you would a washcloth. Do not be afraid of tearing the hide. It is very tough and pliable.

4. Lay the hide out on your cutting board. To make 24 small treats, first cut the hide in half. Then cut each half into 1-inch strips. You can cut the hide into larger or smaller strips depending on the size of bones you want to make. Keep in mind the strips will shrink by a third during the drying process.

5. Tie a knot in both ends of each strip to make a bone shape.

6. Place the pieces of hide into your dehydrator. The drying process takes anywhere between 24 and 48 hours, depending on the size and thickness of your bones. Bones are done when they are stiff and hard to bend.

7. Make flavored rawhide treats by placing the dried bones in beef or chicken broth. Let them soak for no more than six hours or the bones will become too soft.

8. Remove the bones from the broth and return them to the dehydrator. Dehydrate for another 12 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Rawhide can be slippery. If it is hard to handle and shape, pat it down with a kitchen towel.

• Rawhide presents a choking hazard for dogs. Supervise your dog while it is enjoying your homemade rawhide bones.

References

• Pet Factory: Making Rawhide Chews
• Great Dane Angel Network: A Lurking Danger to Your Pets