Dehydrated Moose Trachea Dog Treats

As the years have gone by, the desire to utilize the most of a harvest has grown tenfold. That’s not to say that this way of thinking was never in the back of anyone’s mind. Far from it — if you go back not that many years ago, every piece of an animal was used. Hides were turned into leather for clothing, bones became tools and we weren’t just after the prime cuts; each muscle and organ were conserved to feed families.

While we haven’t made it to “zero waste” when it comes to the animals we harvest, we definitely make a concentrated effort to use more and more of the animal each year. Learning to tan hides, cook organ meats and level up on our butchering skills are just some of the ways we are expanding our skillset.

One of the easy ways to use up bits and pieces that typically end up in the toss pile is turning them into dog treats. If you see these at the pet store or online, you may be surprised at the price tag attached to them – that’s because not only are these fun treats for our furry friends, they also can be high in nutrients, minerals, collagen and more that helps keep our dogs happy and healthy. While there are many different parts of the animal that can be turned into dog treats, if you aren’t afraid to do a little digging around in the gut pile, initially these dehydrated moose trachea treats are some of the easiest to make.

How To Make Dehydrated Moose Trachea Dog Treats

Remove the trachea from whatever you have harvested – the tracheas found in moose are quite a bit larger than those found in deer, but you can save them all! When you get home, trim any excess meat and fat from the trachea.

Place in an oven preheated to the lowest setting possible (usually around 150 degrees Fahrenheit) on a wire rack set on a tin foil-lined baking sheet. Dry for around six hours or until the trachea sounds hollow when tapped and remove from the oven. Let cool. If desired, the trachea can be cut into smaller pieces or left whole. It can then be stored in a freezer bag in the fridge (if you will be giving it to your dog soon) or placed in the freezer for longer term storage.

Note: As with anything, please do your own research and consult your vet if you have any questions about providing natural/homemade treats and chews to your dog.