Dried fruit as treats

[DynaBMan]

Does anyone use dried fruits, such as apples for treats? I thought I could get some from a health food store that wouldn't be harmful to Duke. Just a thought.

[MrsGrace]

I don't see a problem, but watch for sulfur and other nasties they tend to use when drying fruit to "preserve" the colors etc.

And of course, no raisins or grapes at all.

Can you dry your own?

[DynaBMan]

Originally Posted by MrsGrace

I don't see a problem, but watch for sulfur and other nasties they tend to use when drying fruit to "preserve" the colors etc.

And of course, no raisins or grapes at all.

Can you dry your own?

I don't have a way to dry my own, no. I was thinking apples and bananas, mainly. We have a health food store near here that is very particular about what products they carry. I would probably get them from there.

[Jespah]

Corgimum makes her own dried apples and bananas for Dylan and Montrose and they seem quite healthy and happy.

You can slow dry very thinly sliced fruit on a low setting in your oven - I'm sure you could Google it and find out how - it's not really a lot of work and then you will know exactly what is in it!

I used to do that with grape tomatoes to make delicious "sun" dried tomatoes.

[MrsGrace]

Dyna,

You have a PM.

[CorgiMum]

Originally Posted by Jespah

Corgimum makes her own dried apples and bananas for Dylan and Montrose and they seem quite healthy and happy.

You can slow dry very thinly sliced fruit on a low setting in your oven - I'm sure you could Google it and find out how - it's not really a lot of work and then you will know exactly what is in it!

You are exactly right!

[DynaBMan]

Originally Posted by Jespah

Corgimum makes her own dried apples and bananas for Dylan and Montrose and they seem quite healthy and happy.

You can slow dry very thinly sliced fruit on a low setting in your oven - I'm sure you could Google it and find out how - it's not really a lot of work and then you will know exactly what is in it!

I used to do that with grape tomatoes to make delicious "sun" dried tomatoes.

I found a recipe online that says 115° for 6-8 hours, turning the slices at 4 hours. My wife volunteered to try it tomorrow with the apples we have already at the house. Some of the recipes I found says to soak them in a solution to prevent them from browning, but I don't see the need to do that. I don't think Duke is going to care what color they are.

[corgimom]

Originally Posted by DynaBMan

I found a recipe online that says 115° for 6-8 hours, turning the slices at 4 hours. My wife volunteered to try it tomorrow with the apples we have already at the house. Some of the recipes I found says to soak them in a solution to prevent them from browning, but I don't see the need to do that. I don't think Duke is going to care what color they are.

Thank you, I am going to try this

[Michael Romanos]

I agree, dried fruit is very healthy for humans and dogs - they say the top fruit of all the range for humans are raisins, figs, prunes, dried apricots and other dried fruit (not necessarily in that order). For dogs one must be aware of the processes and any additives that have been used in the drying. I would say that dried apricots and bananas would be near the top of my list for dogs. There are domestic drying machines that one can buy otherwise there is the sun and there is Jespah's low heat oven method.

[minnesotaCorgi]

In addition to certain fruits, yams seem to work too. Don't know if you've ever heard of "Sam's Yams" so just for fun, here's the link to that site: Front Porch Pets -- A healthy alternative to rawhide - Sam's Yams

[tandemgal]

I have not tried dried fruit for The Girls but they do like fresh apple slices and bites of banana

does anyone who does dried and fresh see a difference in their puppers enjoyment ? or is it better to use dried or just the convenience of having the treat more handy dried?

I may need to try the oven method

[CorgiMum]

Both Montrsoe & Dylan love the dried apples & bananas that I make them. I think the fruit itself doesn't matter, but they may enjoy the dried more becuse they earn those, in training etc. Were as the fresh is just something that I share with them while am eating.

A dried apple silce, well dried, can be broken into many pieces and goes a long way which is great for my chow hounds.

[Jespah]

I would say that the only thing to worry about with the dried fruit is how much you give them - 3 or 4 little slices of apple or banana equals a lot of fruit sugars - when I have read about dried fruits this has been the concern.