From Treat Maker to Guide: My Journey with Single-Ingredient Dog Treats
You know that feeling when you think you’re prepared, only to realize you’re in way over your head? Yeah, that was me the first time I sourced organ meat for dog treats. I thought I’d get clean, butcher-paper-wrapped cuts ready to slice and dehydrate. Nope. Instead, I got raw, unprocessed animal parts, staring me down like, “What now?” Spoiler: Emily, my guide co-creator, went through the same thing—and I totally forgot to warn her (sorry, Em!).
Helping Emily with our FREE guide, From Fresh to Fantastic: DIY Dehydrated Treats for Your Dog, reminded me just how messy, overwhelming, and amazing this journey can be. Making single-ingredient treats isn’t all sunshine and Pinterest-perfect snacks. It’s real, raw (literally), and 100% worth it. Let’s talk about how it all started.
The OG Days of The Combine Dog
Before The Combine Dog became what it is today—a mission-driven hub for dog wellness—it started with single-ingredient treats, chews, and freshly cooked dog food. Back then, I was just a dog mom figuring things out, one freezer emergency at a time.
My first meat delivery was a wake-up call. Did you know they don’t just send it butcher-shop-ready? No labels. No instructions. Just a heap of raw meat I had to process myself. Thankfully, I had a stand-up freezer (pro tip: get one). And the persistence to figure it out. Those early days weren’t glamorous, but they set the foundation for everything I’ve built today.
DIY Treats: Both Fabulous and Frustrating
Making your own dog treats? It’s equal parts empowering and “what did I get myself into?” Sure, it sounds easy: slice, dehydrate, and store. But here’s the real tea:
Sourcing Meat: Cue the side quest to find high-quality, affordable organ meats. Farmers’ markets? Butchers? Small slaughterhouses? Yup, I’ve hit them all.
Proper Storage: Do you have freezer space for 20 pounds of raw liver? Because I do now.
Learning Curve: My first batch of dehydrated liver looked more like burnt jerky than dog treats. Trial and error, my friends.
Emily and I poured all of this chaos—and the lessons we learned—into our guide so you don’t have to wing it like we did. It’s a roadmap for anyone ready to swap store-bought junk for treats made with love (and, okay, maybe a little swearing during prep).
Just for Yenko (and Maybe for You?)
These days, I only make treats for Yenko, my American Staffordshire Terrier. No mass production, no freezer packed to the brim (that's a lie..)—just high-quality snacks for my boy. It’s about more than food; it’s about connection. Watching him devour a treat I made? That’s the kind of joy you can’t put a price on.
Want More?
If you’re feeling inspired to start making single-ingredient treats—or even to explore selling them—let me know! I’m cooking up ideas for a follow-up post or guide to help you crush it, from sourcing and prepping to marketing like a pro.
Drop a comment, slide into my DMs, or just dive into our FREE guide. Because your dog deserves treats that are as real as the love you share.