Aah.. dog treats. A lot of dogs would literally munch on this food.
However, before you give treats to your dog, you should know whether it would be good or bad for them. After all, treats should not just be a way for your dog to have fun, but also to become healthy.
So, what are the best treats and worst treats for your dog? Here are some things you should learn about.
Best Treats To Consider
Sometimes, it is difficult to choose treats for your dog especially when you really don’t know how manufacturers prepared their products.
However, as much as possible, aim to only buy high-quality dog treats that are sourced and made in the United States. Treats shouldn’t have unnecessary fillers or grains, added sugar, rendered animal byproducts, and artificial ingredients and preservatives.
Aside from commercially prepared treats, you can opt to feed your dog that are already available in your home.
While it is true that dogs love juicy and savory meat, they are still considered as omnivores — meaning, they eat both meat and vegetables.
You can give baby carrots, broccoli, and green beans. Dogs generally don’t mind whether you give them tasty treats or not. For them, if you give them something, that should be enough.
Alternatively, you can also choose to give your dog fruits such as berries, banana slices, apple slices, and watermelon.
Just a word of caution: be careful with what treats you give to your dog. There are foods considered to be toxic to them such as chocolate, grapes, avocado, caffeinated food, raisins, and onion. So, be sure to read further about this crucial topic.
Worst Treats To Give
Choosing a treat out from the market can be tricky. For one, there are numerous treat products out there and each of them trying to get your attention. Second, don’t be fooled with packaging. You always need to check the ingredients and labels. If something is unclear, simply steer away from it and consider other options.
When choosing treats, make sure they don’t destroy your dog’s teeth. Treats such as bones, hooves, or antlers might be too hard and difficult to chew.
As a general rule, push your thumbnail into a treat. If it doesn’t leave a mark, then the treat could be too hard for your dog and may fracture his teeth.
Here’s something to note as well. One of the most common treats available in the market is the rawhide. A lot of people have already made a point to never give this to their dog. The main reason is that they have been treated with chemicals, preservatives, and flavorings that can potentially hurt your dog in the long run.
So, be careful with what rawhide product you give to your dog. If unsure, choose safer products instead.
Things To Consider
As a rule of thumb, you need to remember that treats should only make up about 10% of your dog’s diet. It is not intended to replace balanced, nutritious and healthy meals.
If you give too many treats to your dog, you are unintentionally giving him too many calories and when that happens, your dog gets too full for the real meal. Not only that, but excessive calories in your dog’s system may lead to weight gain and obesity — which, could lead to deadly medical conditions.
Moreover, please don’t forget that treats are basically given to dogs for fun. They are in no way should be considered as a primary source of your dog’s nutrition.
Finally, don’t simply limit your treats to food. Dogs are likely happier when they have your attention and time. Treats can be also in a form of play, a walk in the park, or simply a pat on the head.
If you want to make sure that you are giving the right treats to your pooch, don’t hesitate to speak to your vet. He can give you more details about what’s right and what’s not. You can also do your own research to gather as much information as possible to make the best decision for your four-legged friend.
