How to Dehydrate Raw Dog Food Using an Oven, Air Fryer or Dehydrator Using No Fuss Fill to Make Perfect Training Treats

How to Dehydrate Raw Dog Food Using an Oven, Air Fryer or Dehydrator Using No Fuss Fill to Make Perfect Training Treats

If you feed raw and you’ve ever wondered:

  • Can I dehydrate raw dog food at home? ⚠️ (See note below before proceeding)

  • How do I make training treats from raw food?

  • Can I use an air fryer to dry raw dog food?

  • How do I turn my dog’s daily allowance into healthy treats?

The answer is yes,  and it’s easier than you think! 

⚠️CAUTION⚠️  

Aways check with your food supplier/manufacturer BEFORE dehydrating. Some raw food contains fragments of bones and when cooked these are dangerous for dogs

Using a No Fuss Fill, you can pipe long, even strips of food that dehydrate beautifully into high-value training treats and the best bit you cane make it with part of your dog’s normal meal allowance.

No additives.
No mystery ingredients.
No additional calories ( if part of their daily allowance is used) 

Just smart prep.

Why Dehydrate Raw Dog Food?

Dehydrating raw dog food allows you to:

  • Turn complete raw meals into treats

  • Use part of your dog’s daily allowance for training

  • Avoid ultra-processed shop bought treats

  • Control ingredients for allergy-sensitive dogs

  • Reduce waste

For dogs on restricted diets or elimination protocols, this can be a game-changer.

Why Use No Fuss Fill for Dehydrating Raw Dog Food?

Uniform thickness matters when dehydrating.

By piping long extruded strips you:

  • Create evenly sized strips that dry safely

  • Avoid thick centres staying moist

  • Make snap-apart training pieces

  • Keep hands clean

  • Speed up prep time

Thin, consistent strips dry better than spooned blobs,  and that’s the key to safe dehydration.

If you have been searching

  • Best tool for filling enrichment toys

  • How to portion raw food for training

  • How to use raw food during training sessions

and now you are wondering how to pipe long extruded strips then the No Fuss Fill is the one tool that will do all of this. 

 

Step-by-Step: How to Dehydrate Raw Dog  Food at Home 

Step 1: Pipe Your Raw Food 

Load your No Fuss Fill with raw dog food ⚠️ (PLEASE check your brand is safe to dehydrate before proceeding)

Pipe long, thin strips onto:

  • Parchment-lined baking trays

  • Air fryer racks

  • Dehydrator trays

Aim for:

  • Finger-width thickness (or thinner for faster drying)

  • Even pressure

  • Small gaps between strips

Thinner strips = quicker, safer drying! 

 

No Fuss Fill piping a long thin line of food

 

Step 2: Choose Your Drying Method

Oven Method (Most Accessible)

Best for: Beginners

  • Set to lowest temperature (50–70°C)

  • Leave door slightly ajar

  • Dry for 4–8 hours

  • Turn halfway if needed

Dry until completely firm with no soft centre.

Air Fryer Method (Small Batches)

Best for: Faster results

  • Use lowest temperature setting

  • Dry in 1–2 hour intervals

  • Check regularly

Air fryers circulate heat more intensely, so monitor closely to avoid cooking rather than dehydrating.

Dehydrator Method (Most Consistent)

Best for: Regular treat prep

  • 55–65°C

  • 6–10 hours

  • No turning required

This provides the most even drying and longest storage life. 

It also doesn't tie up your oven for 6-10 hours so you can still cook your dinner! 

A 5 tier Dehydrator with digital controls and timers like the Emperial Dehydrator start from £39.99 with the benefits of temperatures from 35c to 70c 

How Do You Know It’s Fully Dehydrated?

Your raw dog food strips should be:

  • Dry all the way through

  • Firm or crisp

  • Slightly bendy (depending on thickness)

  • Showing no visible moisture when snapped

If unsure, dry longer.

Moisture is what causes spoilage.

Storage Guidelines

Because these are made from raw food:

  • Store in an airtight container

  • Keep in the fridge for short-term use

  • Freeze for longer storage

  • Check before feeding

Even when fully dehydrated, I suggest making smaller fresh batches regularly.

 

Using Dehydrated Raw Treats for Training

This method allows you to:

  • Use part of your dog’s daily calorie allowance

  • Create high-value recall treats

  • Make enrichment toppers

  • Prepare scent-work rewards

  • Support dogs with allergies

It’s cost-effective.
It’s practical.
It’s nutritionally aligned with your feeding plan.

Finally

Our top tip is to experiment with small batches first to see what works . We have noted that certain meats with a higher fat content take longer and in our opinion are less suitable for dehydrating. 

⚠️  Please remember to check that your dog's brand or variety of food is suitable for dehydrating ⚠️  

A note from me to you-The link to the dehydrator is an Amazon affiliate link. All other links are direct to our products on this site.

Tagged: Dehydrating Food
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