Why We Dehydrate

January 17, 2026

Why We Dehydrate Our Treats

And why where our ingredients come from matters just as much as how we make them.

At The Chosen Spot K9 Kitchen in Canandaigua, NY, we believe dog treats should be made with the same care and intention as real food—because that’s exactly what they are.

How a treat is made and where its ingredients come from directly affect its quality, nutrition, and integrity. That’s why dehydration isn’t just a method for us—it’s a nutrient-conscious philosophy.

What Dehydration Allows Us to Do—The Scientific Way

Dehydration is one of the oldest and most natural food preservation methods. However, in 2026, "natural" isn't enough—it must be safe. That’s why we utilize a Cornell University Scheduled Process reviewed and approved dehydration technique for our functional treats.

We use low heat (165°F) over an extended 48-hour window to gently remove moisture. This approach preserves what high-heat commercial baking destroys:

Bioavailable Nutrients: Preserving the iron, Vitamin A, and B-vitamins in our organ meats.
Structural Integrity: Creating a "gentle crunch" that is safe for digestion.
Intense Natural Aroma: Eliminating the need for artificial flavor enhancers.

Why Local Sourcing Isn’t Just a Buzzword to Us

In the Finger Lakes region, we are surrounded by incredible agriculture. Dehydration only works as well as the ingredients you start with, which is why we prioritize traceable, regional sourcing.

🥓 Bacon from Duvall Farms

We source our organic bacon from Duvall Farms right here in New York. By starting with high-quality, local pork, we ensure a cleaner ingredient profile with fewer variables for sensitive dogs.

🐔 Pasture-Raised Chicken Feet from Stoney Acres Farm

Chicken feet are one of the most nutrient-dense, functional treats you can give a dog. By working with Stoney Acres Farm in Canandaigua, we use pasture-raised poultry that provides:

Glucosamine and Chondroitin: Essential for senior dog joint health.
Bioavailable Collagen: Supporting skin, coat, and connective tissue.
Natural Dental Engagement: Abrasive action that helps scrape away plaque.

What Sets The Chosen Spot K9 Kitchen Apart

Every batch reflects our commitment to 3rd-party lab testing and AAFCO compliance. We don’t just ask if a treat is tasty; we ask if our process preserves its biological benefits—or strips them away.

Every batch reflects our commitment to:

Cornell-Approved Safety Standards
Traceable Finger Lakes Partnerships
Small-Batch Consistency
Transparency Without Gimmicks

No shortcuts. No compromises.

How Pet Parents Use Our Dehydrated Treats

✔ High-value training rewards for high-distraction environments
✔ Safe, brittle chews for dental enrichment
✔ Natural joint-support for active and senior dogs

Many pet parents use our Veal Liver Jerky or Chicken Feet as part of structured training. For a deeper look at how treat value affects learning, see our guide:

Training Treats Explained: Value, Size, and When to Use Them

Final Woof 🐾

When you choose dehydrated treats made with locally sourced ingredients, you’re choosing intentional nutrition. From the pastures at Stoney Acres Farm to our kitchen in Canandaigua, every ingredient has a story—and your dog gets the benefit of that care in every bite.