Healthy Dog Treats
Only the Best for your Pet
For many people, dogs are so much more than pets. They are constant companions who offer unconditional love and affection whenever we want it. In many ways, they offer a level of emotional support that humans can’t. It should be every pet owner’s goal to keep their canine companion happy and healthy, right down to which treats they buy. After all, it is the least we can do in return. Homemade Versus Store Bought Dog Treats If you want to know exactly what goes into the dog treats you offer your pet, then making them at home may be your best option. You can limit specific ingredients and know exactly what he is eating. Unfortunately, many dog owners do not have the time to make their canine’s favorite biscuit. This is where store bought dog treats can come in handy.
Just because you are purchasing your dog treats rather than making them does not mean you can’t find a quality treat that is good for your pet. As you shop, watch out for is misleading labels. Some manufacturers talk up the quality of their treats when in reality they are not as healthy as the label says. The Ingredients List When searching for dog treats, or dog food for that matter, there are a few ingredients you should watch out for. Make sure you read the actual ingredients list rather than relying on the commercial labeling or highlighted benefits to tell you what you need to know. The list should not include corn or wheat gluten meal, which is essentially cheap filler and in some cases, can have adverse health effects on your pet. Meat by-products should also not be listed. The only exception to this rule is if the by products are listed as human grade. Artificial preservatives such as BHA, Ethoxyquin and BHT should also not be present. In fact, Ethoxyquin has been banned for use in most human foods with only very few exceptions. What you should see on the ingredients list includes USDA approved ingredients. Meat should be listed among the first two ingredients with the type of meat specified. Grains are alright in small quantities. The less grains the healthier it is for your pet.
Get More out of Your Dog’s Treat There are a few things you can do to make your pet’s treats last even longer. Consider offering only half or a quarter of a larger biscuit rather than the whole thing. He will still appreciate the taste, but will not be getting the full sized fat and calories. Make the treat larger using ice! This is an especially popular method during hot summers. Take a small treat (or break a large treat into pieces) and freeze them in ice cubes using a standard ice cube tray. Then, when your dog is outside (or on a surface you don’t mind getting wet), give him an ice cube to play with. Some dogs love the cube alone, and once they discover a prize inside, it becomes a game. Not only will he get a treat, but he will busy his mind figuring out how to retrieve his reward. Kong toys are specifically designed for hiding treats. They come in all shapes and sizes, including variations made for weaker puppy teeth. You can place treats inside the Kong and let your dog spend his afternoon working his reward free. Choosing a healthy treat is almost as important as choosing a healthy dog food. Monitor what your dog is eating to guarantee he gets all the nutrients and vitamins he needs for a long, happy life. With a little creativity, you can come up with new ways to present his dog treat that will keep him busy for hours!