Let Me Tell You Why This Works
Ready to become your dog’s favorite human with the most exotic treat they’ve ever experienced? I discovered this incredible wild game combination when my 8-year-old Golden Retriever Amber was dealing with protein allergies, and my vet suggested trying novel proteins that his system had never encountered before. Here’s the thing—I was intimidated by cooking with venison until I realized it’s actually one of the leanest, most nutritious proteins you can give a dog, and way more interesting than the same old chicken and beef.
This venison and sweet potato chew recipe became our allergy solution and our most premium treat experience! Now every time he sees me preparing these, Amber literally does his “special occasion” dance because he knows something incredibly valuable is coming. My dog trainer uses these as the ultimate high-value reward for the most challenging training situations. Plus, I know exactly what’s going into his belly—wild, lean protein and naturally sweet vegetables that actually support his health without any common allergens.
What Makes This So Tail-Wagging Good
Here’s the magic behind these dog-approved chews—it’s basically bringing your dog’s ancestral diet into modern, safe form! The secret to driving dogs wild is the rich, gamey venison flavor that triggers their primal instincts combined with naturally sweet potato strips that provide sustained energy and satisfying chewing. What makes this irresistible to pups is how the coconut oil enhances the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins while adding medium-chain fatty acids that support skin and coat health. It’s honestly better than any commercial exotic protein treat because you get novel protein, natural energy, and healthy fats all in a long-lasting chew format.
What You’ll Need (And My Dog-Safe Shopping Tips)
Good quality venison is absolutely crucial for this recipe—I always source mine from reputable hunters or specialty meat suppliers who can guarantee it’s free from lead shot and properly processed. Don’t skip the quality check because wild game can vary significantly in freshness and safety (learned this after researching proper venison sourcing extensively). I finally found sweet potatoes that are consistently firm and orange year-round for the best dehydration results.
The coconut oil should be unrefined and virgin quality for maximum nutritional benefits and better flavor. Make sure your venison is fresh or properly frozen and thawed (I always grab extra because Amber somehow knows when I’m making his exotic chews and starts his most intense hopeful staring routine). Yes, venison is completely safe for dogs and actually provides iron, B vitamins, and complete protein that’s ideal for dogs with common protein allergies.
For more information about novel proteins for dogs, check out the American Kennel Club’s guide to alternative proteins.
Let’s Make This Pup-Perfect Treat Together
Preheat your oven to a low 200°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper—here’s where this recipe is different because we’re dehydrating rather than baking at high heat, which preserves more nutrients. Start by peeling your sweet potato and slicing it into strips about 1/4 inch thick for even dehydration.
Place the sweet potato strips on your prepared baking sheet and bake for 2 hours until they’re slightly dehydrated but still have some flexibility. Meanwhile, heat the coconut oil in a pan over medium heat and sear the venison slices for 2-3 minutes per side until cooked through. Now for the fun part (Amber will start his most excited drooling at this point)—the venison should be fully cooked but still tender, not tough or overdone.
Let the venison cool completely, then cut it into smaller, chew-sized pieces that are appropriate for your dog’s size. Don’t be me—I used to cut them too small and they’d disappear too quickly, or too large and they’d be hard to manage! The sweet potato strips should be pliable but not crispy when done.
Make sure both components are completely cool before serving—you can serve them together or separately depending on your dog’s preference. My vet taught me this trick: properly prepared venison chews should be tender enough to chew easily but firm enough to provide lasting satisfaction. Every Golden Retriever has different preferences, but Amber loves the combination of textures and the exotic flavors. For more novel protein options, try our duck and pumpkin jerky recipe.
When Things Go Sideways (And They Will)
Venison came out too tough and chewy? You probably cooked it too long or at too high heat—venison is very lean and can become tough quickly. Sweet potato strips too crispy and breaking apart? I’ve learned to check them at 90 minutes because every oven is different, and over-dehydration makes them too brittle.
When this happens (and it will), don’t stress—just adjust your timing for the next batch. This is totally fixable! If your venison seems gamey or strong-flavored, try soaking it in milk for 30 minutes before cooking to mellow the flavor. I always start with smaller pieces to test your dog’s reaction to the new protein.
If your dog seems hesitant like Amber did with his first taste of venison (the flavor was very different from his usual proteins), try mixing small pieces with familiar treats at first to help him adjust to this new exotic flavor.
Ways to Mix It Up
When Amber needs maximum motivation for challenging outdoor training, I’ll cut the venison into even smaller pieces for ultimate high-value rewards that work in any distraction situation. For special hunting season celebrations, I’ll make larger portions and longer sweet potato strips for extended chewing sessions.
My sensitive introduction version starts with very small amounts mixed with familiar proteins, though that’s perfect for dogs trying venison for the first time. Sometimes I substitute duck for venison when I can’t source good quality wild game, but Amber honestly gets more excited about the venison! Winter version includes extra coconut oil for joint support and coat health, while my 8-year-old senior dog version gets cut into smaller, easier-to-manage pieces for comfortable chewing.
What Makes This Recipe Special
The secret behind this dog-approved recipe is using venison as a novel protein source that provides complete amino acids while being naturally lean and free from common allergens found in commercial proteins. Unlike mass-produced treats that use conventional proteins, this wild game option delivers nutrition that closely mimics what dogs’ ancestors would have eaten in the wild.
What sets this apart from other exotic protein chew recipes is the combination of dehydrated sweet potato strips that provide sustained energy and natural chewing satisfaction with seared venison that delivers maximum protein density and novel flavors. The technique of low-temperature dehydration preserves more nutrients while creating the perfect texture for long-lasting chews.
Questions I Always Get
Can puppies eat these exotic chews?
Start with very small amounts for puppies over 12 weeks old since venison is a rich, novel protein. Always introduce new proteins gradually and watch for any reactions.
How long do these wild game chews stay fresh?
These chews last about 5 days in the refrigerator or up to 6 weeks in the freezer if stored properly. The dehydrated method extends freshness naturally!
What if I can’t find venison?
You can substitute with other novel proteins like duck, rabbit, or bison—just adjust cooking times since different proteins have different textures and fat content.
Are these good for dogs with allergies?
Perfect! Venison is an excellent novel protein for dogs with chicken, beef, or lamb allergies since most dogs have never been exposed to it.
How many chews can I give my dog per day?
Since these are very rich and high in protein, I limit Amber to 1-2 pieces per day and use them as special treats or high-value training rewards.
What’s the best way to store these exotic treats?
Once completely cool, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. For longer storage, vacuum seal and freeze—they maintain their texture perfectly.
Are these chews suitable for senior dogs?
The lean protein is excellent for seniors, but adjust the size and texture based on your senior dog’s chewing ability—softer pieces work better for older teeth.
One Last Thing
I couldn’t resist sharing this because watching Amber experience these exotic, wild-inspired chews makes me feel like I’m honoring his ancestral heritage while providing the safest, most nutritious version possible. The best dog treat days are when you know you’re spoiling your furry family member with something that’s both incredibly special and genuinely beneficial for their protein needs and chewing satisfaction. Your pup deserves to taste the wild side of nutrition!
Print
Venison and Sweet Potato Chews
Description
Wild, exotic chews that bring ancestral nutrition into modern, safe form for the ultimate novel protein experience
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes | Makes: 8 chew portions
Ingredients
- 8 oz venison, thinly sliced (fresh from reputable source, properly processed)
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and sliced into strips (firm, bright orange preferred)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (unrefined, virgin quality for maximum nutrition)
Instructions
- Prep for dehydration: Preheat oven to 200°F (95°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper—low heat preserves more nutrients!
- Dehydrate sweet potato: Place sweet potato strips on baking sheet and bake for 2 hours until slightly dehydrated but still pliable, not crispy.
- Sear the venison: In a pan, heat coconut oil over medium heat and sear venison slices for 2-3 minutes per side until cooked through but still tender.
- Cool and portion: Allow venison to cool completely, then cut into chew-sized pieces appropriate for your dog’s size.
- Serve the wild experience: Offer venison chews with dehydrated sweet potato strips for the ultimate exotic treat combination!
Notes:
- Always ensure venison is from a reputable, safe source
- Amber prefers these when completely cooled with perfect chewy texture
- Perfect for dogs with protein allergies or those needing novel proteins
- These work excellently as ultimate high-value training rewards
Storage Tips:
- Store in refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container
- Freeze for up to 6 weeks—vacuum sealing preserves quality best
- Always supervise chewing and remove small pieces
- The dehydration method naturally extends freshness
What Makes This Recipe Special: These chews combine lean, wild venison protein with naturally dehydrated sweet potato strips, creating exotic treats that provide novel protein for allergic dogs while supporting skin and coat health through coconut oil’s medium-chain fatty acids.
Mix It Up (Dog-Safe Variations):
Duck Alternative: Substitute venison with duck breast for another novel protein option with slightly richer flavor
Training Size: Cut venison into smaller pieces for ultimate high-value training rewards in challenging situations
Senior-Friendly Version: Make smaller, more tender pieces and shorter sweet potato strips for easier handling (perfect for dogs like Amber)
