Shelf-stable and flexible pet treat item

A pet treat item (10) formed from shelf-stable pet treat material that enables the pet treat item (10) to be shelf-stable and flexible and therefore well-liked by consumers. The pet treat item (10) remains pliable at room temperature over many months and can be formed from ingredients including tallow, meat, gelatin, glycerin, egg, starches and rice flour. Preferably, the pet treat material includes at least 25% by weight animal fat (e.g., tallow). The item (10) can be in the form of a strip (11; 41) that is malleable and fruit leather-like in texture and that can optionally be formed into a roll or coil. A user could fold or wrap the strip (11; 41) around a veterinary medication (102) to camouflage the medication (102). The pet treat item (10) can take on alternative forms, e.g., a rope (110), and/or can be filled. A method of making the pet treat item (11; 41) includes forming a shelf-stable pet treat material into the pet treat item (11; 41).