There’s a primal satisfaction in watching your dog crunch into something you handcrafted—especially when that something is lean, iron-rich venison that would cost a fortune at the boutique pet bakery. If you’ve ever frozen a strip of back-strap “just for the pup” or felt guilty tossing trimmed silver skin, 2025 is the year you turn those trimmings into tail-wagging gourmet snacks without spending an entire weekend in the kitchen. Below you’ll discover how to transform venison—whether it’s farm-raised, field-harvested, or freezer-burned—into ten beginner-level treats that look chef-plated but come together faster than a boxed muffin mix.
No dehydrator? No problem. No culinary school? Even better. These techniques rely on common appliances, supermarket staples, and a few wild-game tricks that keep the meat safe, tender, and irresistibly aromatic to the canine nose. Let’s dig in.
Top 10 Venison Dog Treats Recipe
Detailed Product Reviews
1. O.T.I.S. Wild Things Venison Recipe Jerky for Dogs – 4 oz – Soft Dog Treats with Venison as 1st Ingredient – GMO-Free – No Hormones or Artificial Additives
Overview: O.T.I.S. Wild Things Venison Jerky delivers gourmet-grade, ethically sourced venison in a soft 4-oz pouch designed for daily treating and training.
What Makes It Stand Out: The brand marries ethics with efficacy—every purchase donates $1 to medical service-dog programs, while upcycled flaxseed boosts omega-3s and reduces food waste.
Value for Money: At $47.96/lb you’re paying boutique-snack prices, but the single-ingredient transparency, GMO-free assurance, and charitable kickback partially offset the sticker shock.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: Soft texture ideal for puppies, seniors, or clicker training; genuinely clean label; feel-good philanthropy.
Cons: Wallet-thinning cost per ounce; small 4-oz bag empties fast with large breeds; packaging isn’t resealable.
Bottom Line: If budget isn’t the top concern, this is the Rolls-Royce of training tidbits—nutrient-dense, guilt-free, and socially conscious.
2. Rewardables | Wild Chews | Venison Recipe, Made with Real Venison, Limited Ingredient, Long Lasting Chews for Large Dogs | 12 Count
Overview: Rewardables Wild Chews are 12 hefty venison-based chews engineered for power chewers who turn ordinary biscuits into confetti within minutes.
What Makes It Stand Out: Unlike quick-swallow jerky, each roll is extruded for density, delivering extended chew sessions that naturally scrape plaque while keeping couch cushions safe.
Value for Money: At $10.34/lb you get nearly five times the weight economy of premium jerky, making it one of the most affordable venison diversions for big dogs.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: Long-lasting entertainment; added calcium for bones; no corn/wheat/soy; competitively priced.
Cons: Contains some unspecified binders; strong aroma may offend humans; not suitable for toy breeds or weak jaws.
Bottom Line: A wallet-friendly boredom buster—hand one over when guests arrive and enjoy peace long enough to finish dinner.
3. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Rewards Jumpin’ Stix, Grain-Free Dog Treats for Adult Dogs of All Breeds, Venison Recipe, 4 Ounce (Pack of 1)
Overview: Natural Balance Jumpin’ Stix are limited-ingredient, grain-free venison sticks fortified with glucosamine and chondroitin for adult dogs of every size.
What Makes It Stand Out: Functional treats that double as joint supplements eliminate the need for separate pills—helpful for aging athletes or couch-potato recuperation.
Value for Money: $2.50/oz lands in the mid-range; considering built-in joint support, it rivals the cost of standalone supplements while delivering tasty motivation.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: Clear sourcing transparency via batch testing; single protein + sweet-potato formula ideal for allergy management; semi-soft texture easy to break.
Cons: 4-oz pouch skimps for multi-dog households; added salts make portion control important; joint nutrients present but modestly dosed.
Bottom Line: A smart pick for sensitive systems that need a mobility boost—consider it edible health insurance disguised as a treat.
4. Addiction Venison Recipe Meaty Bites, All Natural Free Range Grain Free High Meat Dog Treats, 4 Oz.
Overview: Addiction Meaty Bites import New Zealand free-range venison into soft, pea-sized squares marketed for guilt-free training or topping kibble.
What Makes It Stand Out: New Zealand’s pristine pasture-to-product pipeline delivers ultra-low contaminant risk, while probiotics, blueberries, and mango offer antioxidant and gut perks rarely seen in meat treats.
Value for Money: $31.96/lb sits below boutique jerkies yet above biscuit bags; you pay for island-sourced purity, not marketing glitz, which feels fair.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: 90% animal content but low fat; fruit/veggie phytonutrients; resealable pouch preserves softness.
Cons: Inclusion of fruits raises carb fraction—avoid for strict keto-style raw diets; kibble-sized bits may disappear too quickly for large-jawed dogs.
Bottom Line: Ideal for urban pet parents who want clean, exotic protein without chartering a plane to Oceania.
5. Real Meat Dog Treats – 12oz Bag of Bite-Sized Air-Dried Venison Jerky for Dogs – Grain-Free Jerky Dog Treats Made up of 95% Human-Grade, Free-Range, Grass Fed Venison – Natural High Protein Dog Treats
Overview: Real Meat’s 12-oz bag offers air-dried, bite-sized venison jerky made from 95% human-grade, grass-fed New Zealand deer, touting gourmet nutrition in every nibble.
What Makes It Stand Out: Gentle air-drying locks in heat-sensitive nutrients like taurine and B12 while achieving jerky texture without chemical preservatives—then packages them in a generously sized, resealable 12-oz sleeve large enough for multi-dog homes.
Value for Money: $37.32/lb is steep, yet the human-grade certification, bulk quantity, and absence of fillers soften the blow when compared gram-for-gram with pricier pocket-sized rivals.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: Single-protein simplicity excellent for elimination diets; naturally high omega-3s; training-friendly cube size.
Cons: Crunch exterior can crumble into bag dust; calorie-dense—easy to overfeed; strong gamey scent.
Bottom Line: For trainers or guardians of allergy-prone gourmands, this is the closest you’ll get to offering your dog your own steak—minus the grill.
6. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Rewards Crunchy Biscuits, Grain-Free Dog Treats for Adult Dogs of All Breeds, Venison Recipe, 14 Ounce (Pack of 1)
Overview: Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Rewards deliver grain-free crunch in a venison-based biscuit aimed at every adult dog. A 14 oz bag runs $12.98, translating to roughly sixty-five 6 g biscuits.
What Makes It Stand Out: Single-protein venison plus sweet potato keeps the recipe list ultra-short, while the company’s batch-testing “Feed with Confidence” portal lets owners verify safety by simply typing in the bag code.
Value for Money: At under a dollar per ounce this is mid-range for limited-ingredient treats; you pay for transparent testing but still stay below prescription-diet prices.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths—clean label, food-allergy friendly, satisfying crunch that doubles as a quick dental scrub, consistent biscuit size for simple portion control. Weaknesses—bag isn’t resealable once opened, venison aroma is mild (some picky dogs want a stronger scent), and the biscuits can crumble into powder if stepped on.
Bottom Line: If your dog needs—or you simply prefer—minimal-ingredient snacks, these crunchy biscuits balance safety, quality, and price. Stock a small airtight jar at home and you’ve got a go-anywhere reward that won’t upset sensitive tummies.
7. O.T.I.S. Wild Things Trainers Venison Recipe – 4 oz – Bite-Size Dog Training Treats with DHA, Ashwagandha & L-Theanine – GMO-Free – No Hormones or Additives
8. CARU – Soft ‘n Tasty Baked Bites – Venison Bites Dog Treats – Flavorful Training Treats – 3.75 oz
9. Earth Animal No-Hide Stix Venison Recipe Natural Rawhide Alternative Dog & Cat Chews – 20 Count Value Pack
10. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Rewards Crunchy Biscuits, Bite-Size Grain-Free Dog Treats for Small-Breed Dogs, Made with Real Venison, 8 Ounce (Pack of 1)
Why Venison Belongs in Your Dog’s Treat Jar
Venison is naturally low in fat, high in heme iron, and rarely triggers the protein allergies that plague chicken- or beef-sensitive pups. Because deer graze on mixed forage, the meat also carries a broader micronutrient spectrum—think zinc, selenium, and B-vitamins—than grain-fed livestock. Translation: you can feed smaller pieces for the same nutritional punch, stretching your harvest (or grocery budget) further.
Choosing the Right Cut for Beginner Recipes
Tenderloin vs. Trim: Tenderloin cooks quickly and evenly—perfect for single-ingredient jerky—but humble burger trim or neck roast works if you freeze it firm, slice against the grain, and simmer briefly to tenderize.
Fat Content: Unlike beef, deer fat is waxy and can cause pancreatitis in dogs. Remove all visible silverskin and fat; what remains is ultra-lean and dehydrates faster.
Wild vs. Farmed: Flavor, Safety, and Sourcing Ethics
Wild venison boasts earthy, herbaceous notes from acorns, sage, and cedar browse; farmed venison is milder and more consistent in parasite load. Both are safe if you follow the freeze-then-cook protocol (≥ -4 °F for 3 weeks, then ≥ 165 °F internal temp). If you buy from a ranch, ask for “never-frozen” so you control the first freeze yourself—critical for killing Neospora and Toxoplasma cysts.
Kitchen Tools You Already Own (No Specialty Gear Required)
A rimmed baking sheet, wire rack, parchment, instant-read thermometer, and a $20 box grater are enough for 80 % of the recipes. A citrus zester makes quick work of garlic-free herb dusting, and a pizza wheel slices uniform training bites in seconds. Pro tip: invert a muffin tin, spritz with oil, and drape meat squares over the domes for “jerky helmets” that air-dry from every angle.
Food-Safety Checklist Before You Start
- Freeze raw venison 21 days.
- Thaw under 40 °F; brine 20 min in 1 Tbsp salt + 1 tsp vinegar per cup water to reduce surface bacteria.
- Pat dry; sanitize cutting board with 1:10 bleach solution.
- Cook to 165 °F, then dehydrate or bake to ≤ 15 % moisture for shelf-stable snacks.
- Cool completely before storing; condensation ruins texture and invites mold.
Ingredient Pairing: What Dogs Crave & What They Should Skip
Canines relish umami—think shiitake powder, low-sodium bone broth, or a whisper of smoked paprika. Skip onion, garlic, nutmeg, raisins, xylitol, and excessive salt. Fiber from pumpkin or apple binds moisture, creating a pliable training bite that won’t crumble in pockets. A drizzle of salmon oil post-cooking adds omega-3 without oxidizing during heat.
Texture 101: From Cloud-Soft to Tooth-Flossing Chews
Adjust the final moisture to control texture:
– 25 % moisture = soft “meat cookie,” great for seniors.
– 15 % moisture = jerky that snaps but rehydrates in warm water.
– ≤ 10 % moisture = crunchy chips that clean teeth.
Bake an extra 10 min at 200 °F for every 5 % drop in target moisture, checking weight loss on a kitchen scale.
Batch Size & Storage Math for Single-Dog Homes
A 30 lb dog earns ≤ 10 % of daily calories from treats (≈ 60 kcal). One pound of raw venison yields ~90 g dehydrated treats at 3 kcal/g—enough for 45 days if stored airtight with a 300 cc oxygen absorber. Vacuum-seal half, freeze the rest; label with grams so you don’t overfeed.
Quick-Prep Marinades That Elevate Without Overpowering
- Apple Cider & Sage: ½ cup cider, 1 tsp dried sage, 1 Tbsp honey; 30 min soak.
- Blueberry Bone Broth: ¼ cup no-salt broth, ¼ cup blueberry purée, pinch parsley; adds polyphenol antioxidants.
- Turmeric-Ginger Recovery: ½ tsp turmeric, ¼ tsp ginger, crack of black pepper (pepper boosts bioavailability).
Dehydrator-Free Oven Method: Set It & Forget It
Place marinated strips on a wire rack set inside a foil-lined sheet. Prop the oven door open with a wooden spoon, set to 170 °F, and convection if available. Every hour rotate trays front-to-back; total cook time 3–5 h. Slide a toaster-oven tray underneath for the final 30 min to catch flavorful drippings—pour over kibble for a “gravy” boost.
Air-Fryer Shortcut for Tiny Training Nibbles
Cut ¼-inch cubes, toss with a dusting of chickpea flour to prevent sticking. Air-fry at 300 °F for 8 min, shake, then 3 min more. Result: golden “croutons” that float in bone-broth puzzle toys and stay shelf-stable 48 h—perfect for hike day.
Soft-Baked Bars for Puppies & Senior Dogs
Puree equal parts raw venison, rolled oats, and pumpkin. Spread ½-inch thick on parchment, bake 25 min at 325 °F. Score with a pizza wheel while warm, then return to the turned-off oven to dry 1 h. Yield: bendy bars that hide pills or crumble over reluctant eaters.
Crunchy Cookie Variations for Dental Health
Swap 25 % of the meat for finely ground raw carrot or beet pulp; the fibers act like natural bristles. Add 1 tsp finely crushed eggshell powder per pound of dough for calcium balance. Stamp out shapes with a shot-glass rim for zero-waste production.
High-Value Reward Coins for Reactive Walkers
Pipe pea-sized dots of venison pâté (meat + egg + tapioca starch) onto silicone mat. Freeze 20 min, then bake 12 min at 350 °F. Coins pop off like chocolate chips and stay soft enough to swallow without chewing—ideal for rapid-fire leash training.
Holiday-Shaped Jerky Chips for Instagram-Worthy Photos
Roll thin sheets between parchment, dust with spirulina for green “holly,” or beet for red “hearts.” Use mini cookie cutters, but transfer shapes with a thin spatula to avoid stretching. Dehydrate 2 h, then flip directly onto rack for perfect edge definition.
Allergy-Friendly Swaps: Novel Proteins & Grain-Free Options
If your dog’s already on venison kibble for allergies, rotate in rabbit, bison, or elk using identical technique ratios. For grain-sensitive pups, bind with green-banana flour or coconut flour—both resist crumbling and add prebiotic fiber.
Time-Savers for Busy Hunters & Pet Parents
- Slice While Semi-Frozen: 20 min in the freezer firms meat for paper-thin cuts.
- Double-Duty Brine: Reuse low-sodium pickle juice (no onions) for a tangy, probiotic soak.
- Overnight Drying: Shut oven off after 2 h and leave jerky inside until morning; residual heat finishes without electricity.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can I use road-kill venison for dog treats?
Only if local regulations allow, the animal is freshly killed, and you can chill it within 2 h; otherwise parasites and bacterial load are unpredictable. -
How long do homemade venison treats last?
At ≤ 15 % moisture, vacuum-sealed and refrigerated: 3 months. Frozen: 1 year. Soft varieties: 1 week refrigerated, 2 months frozen. -
My dog has pancreatitis—can she still enjoy venison snacks?
Yes. Use ultra-lean cuts, bake on a rack to drip away residual fat, and feed ≤ 5 % of daily calories after veterinary approval. -
Do I really need to freeze the meat first?
If the venison will reach 165 °F throughout, the freeze step is optional, but skipping it increases risk of viable parasites; freezing adds an extra safety margin. -
Can cats eat these venison treats too?
Most recipes are feline-safe, but cats need taurine. Add 500 mg taurine powder per pound of raw meat before cooking for a cross-species snack. -
What’s the cheapest cut for bulk treats?
Shank and neck meat cost the least, become tender after a 45-min pressure-cook, and shred beautifully for soft training bars. -
Is liquid smoke safe for dogs?
Choose all-natural, mesquite or hickory versions without propylene glycol; use ¼ tsp per pound to avoid stomach upset. -
How can I tell when jerky is dry enough?
Bend a strip; it should crack but not break in half. Or weigh it: 60 % weight loss equals ~15 % moisture, the sweet spot for shelf stability. -
Can I mix venison with organ meats?
Heart and tongue are perfect—nutrient-dense yet lean. Limit liver to 5 % of total volume to avoid vitamin A overdose. -
Why did my treats mold after two weeks?
Either moisture exceeded 15 %, oxygen absorber was undersized, or jar had residual fat on the rim. Re-dehydrate 30 min, wipe rim with vinegar, and reseal with a fresh absorber.