How often should you give dried pig ears for dogs? Simple tips for safe treating frequency.

Okay, so I decided to try my hand at making dried pig ears for my dog. Got fed up with the prices they charge at the pet store. Seemed like something I could handle myself.

Getting Started

First thing, I had to get the ears. Went down to my local butcher shop. They usually have stuff like this if you ask. Sure enough, they sold me a big bag of raw pig ears. Pretty cheap, way cheaper than the finished chews. Gotta say, they looked a bit grim straight out of the bag. Needed a good clean.

Cleaning Them Up

This part's important. You don't want any nasty stuff left on them. I dumped them in the sink and rinsed them really well under cold running water. Then I took a stiff brush, like a vegetable brush, and scrubbed each one hard. Got into all the folds. Some ears had little hairs still on them. I tried pulling them out with tweezers, which was slow. Ended up using a little kitchen torch to quickly singe the stubborn ones off – worked okay, just be careful. Rinsed them again after scrubbing and de-hairing.

Boiling Step

I read online that boiling helps clean them more and maybe reduces some fat. So, I filled a big stockpot with water, tossed the cleaned ears in. Brought it to a boil, then turned it down to simmer. Let them bubble away for about an hour, maybe 75 minutes. Skimmed off some foamy stuff that came to the top. Have to be honest, the kitchen didn't smell fantastic during this part. Once done, I drained them in a colander.

The Drying Process

This is where the real work, or waiting, happens. I patted the boiled ears dry with paper towels. You could cut them into strips now if you want smaller treats, but I left mine whole. I have a food dehydrator, which makes this easier. Laid the ears flat on the dehydrator trays. Made sure there was space between them so the air could move around. If you don't have a dehydrator, you can use your oven on the lowest setting, maybe prop the door open slightly, but keep a close eye on it.

I set my dehydrator to about 160 degrees Fahrenheit (around 70 Celsius). Then I just turned it on and let it go. This isn't quick. It took a long time. Like, probably 12 hours, maybe even closer to 15 for the thicker parts. You need them to get really hard and dry right through. No moisture left, no soft spots. I checked them every few hours, flipped them over once or twice.

Finishing and Storing

Once they looked totally dried out – dark, hard, and shrunken – I turned off the dehydrator. Left them on the racks to cool down completely. Don't try to store them while they're still warm, that can cause problems. After they were cool, I just put them in a big airtight container. I keep mine in the pantry, seems fine, but the fridge would work too if you're worried.

How'd It Go?

Gave one to my dog. He knew exactly what it was. Took it straight away and was chewing happily for ages. He absolutely loved it. Felt pretty good making a treat he enjoyed so much, knowing it was just pure pig ear, nothing else added. And the cost saving is significant.

Final Thoughts

Was it a hassle? A little bit, yeah. Cleaning wasn't fun, boiling smelled, and the dehydrator ran forever.

Was it worth it? For me, yes. The dog loves them, I save money, and I know what he's eating. It’s not complicated, just takes time and a bit of effort. I'll definitely be doing it again when this batch runs low. It's a straightforward process if you've got a bit of patience.