Smoked pig hides and ear treats are available just about anywhere dog food is, however, they can be expensive. Making and smoking your own can reduce the cost and allows you to make treats the right size for your special pooch. With just a few ingredients, you will have homemade pig treats and you don’t need a smoker.
Take the wood chips and soak in a large bowl filled with water for one hour. While the chips are soaking, prepare your pig hide or ears. Thoroughly wash the hide or ears and remove any remaining hair. Pig ears and hides are tough, so you will need a sharp knife or kitchen shears. Cut off any bone that remains attached to the hide or ears. Cut the hide and ear pieces into sizes appropriate for your dog. For example, a large dog may do fine with an entire ear while that ear could make four to five smaller dog treats.
Pull out two sheets of aluminum foil, each about a foot long, and stack them. When the wood chips have finished soaking, place 1 to 2 cups of the chips in the center of the foil. Fold the foil to cover the wood chips. Fold each open end multiple times to ensure the packet is sealed. Using a knife, poke 10 holes on the top of the foil packet. Place this packet on top of the burner shield in your BBQ. Ignite the BBQ and let it heat to 250 degrees F.
Brush each side of the pig pieces with a little olive oil. For added flavor, sprinkle with the chicken or beef bouillon granules. Place the hides and ears on the uppermost rack in your BBQ and let smoke for four hours. Remove with tongs when done and allow cooling.
Tips
Since these ears take four hours, check your BBQ gas levels before getting started to make sure you have enough.
Smoking pig hide and ears is not the only way to make these treats. You can make these same treats without the wood chips. If you choose to omit the wood chips and smoking, these treats can cook in your oven following the same basic instructions and cooking time.
Warnings
These are treats and should be given to your dog in moderation. They are not intended to be a meal substitute. If your dog is overweight, talk with your veterinarian about treats and diet.
Warnings
These are treats and should be given to your dog in moderation. They are not intended to be a meal substitute. If your dog is overweight, talk with your veterinarian about treats and diet.
Tips
Since these ears take four hours, check your BBQ gas levels before getting started to make sure you have enough.
Smoking pig hide and ears is not the only way to make these treats. You can make these same treats without the wood chips. If you choose to omit the wood chips and smoking, these treats can cook in your oven following the same basic instructions and cooking time.
Items You Will Need
- Gas BBQ
- Wood Chips
- Large bowl
- Aluminum foil
- Pig hides or ears
- Sharp knife or kitchen shears
- Olive oil
- Basting brush
- Beef or chicken bouillon granules (optional)
- Steel tongs
References
Tips
- Since these ears take four hours, check your BBQ gas levels before getting started to make sure you have enough.
- Smoking pig hide and ears is not the only way to make these treats. You can make these same treats without the wood chips. If you choose to omit the wood chips and smoking, these treats can cook in your oven following the same basic instructions and cooking time.
Warnings
- These are treats and should be given to your dog in moderation. They are not intended to be a meal substitute. If your dog is overweight, talk with your veterinarian about treats and diet.
Writer Bio
Deborah Lundin is a professional writer with more than 20 years of experience in the medical field and as a small business owner. She studied medical science and sociology at Northern Illinois University. Her passions and interests include fitness, health, healthy eating, children and pets.