There isn’t a single person out there who doesn’t love giving their dogs a well-deserved treat? We all love their wagging tails, and the pure excitement on their faces! But how do you know that the treats that you’re giving them are healthy?
It’s actually really simple! We’re going to give you a couple tips for making sure your very important puppy has nothing but the healthiest little body!
- Read The Label!
The first step really is that simple –– health is all in the ingredients! All companies are legally required to share every single ingredient on the product’s label. So you may ask, “What do I look for?” Easy! The highest quality ingredients are fresh, pure, and minimally processed, meaning you should favor whole food ingredients over by-product or food fraction ingredients. For example, “wheat” is better than “wheat flour.” Most importantly, if you see a long list of words that only a chemist might know, then put those treats down, your dog deserves better!
- Look For Ingredients Sourced In The U.S!
The freshest treats available to any consumer in the U.S. will always be produced here domestically. For example, if a treat was made in Sweden, it takes longer for the product to be shipped to stores in the U.S. and make it to your dog’s tummy! With that same logic, the more locally sourced the ingredients are to the manufacturer, the fresher they are compared to ingredients shipped across the country! Locally sourced ingredients aren’t only better for your dog, but also the environment!
- Organic Ingredients!
When in doubt, go organic! These treats are less likely to be adulterated with contaminants, plus they get inspected harder by health officials! If a treat is preserved, the preservatives should only be natural; the most safe and effective preservatives being Vitamin C and E. If sweeteners are used, they should always be natural and food-based. Our favorite natural sweeteners are applesauce, molasses, and honey!
- The 10% Rule!
Yes, the best ingredients are safe for your dog –– but only in moderation! Treats and snacks should only make up 10% of a dog’s daily calories, according to the animal science community! We all get it, it’s so easy to give our dog’s that extra treat –– especially when they give adorable puppy eyes! But giving too many can lead to health issues. To get an exact idea of how many treats you should give your doggo, ask your vet. They’ll give you a full recommendation based on your dog’s weight, activity levels, and specific treats!
- Try Veggies and Fruit!
If all of this sounds overwhelming, you can do without sugary, fatty, store-bought snacks, and try some good ole fashioned vegetables. According to vets, baby carrots, green beans, and broccoli are great, tasty choices, with no calories! You can even try banana slices, berries, watermelon and apple slices! However, make sure to never feed grapes, raisins, or onions, as these can be toxic for dogs! Remember, dogs are open to most foods, so these can be wonderful, healthy options!
- Homemade Treats!
What better way to show that you love them by baking up a batch of homemade dog treats? Get your kitchen gear ready to make your dogs happy! Not only are there tons of great recipes on the internet, but local pet stores are beginning to carry “homemade dog treats” too! One of our favorite recipes is this one from The Cookie Rookie check it out! and watch your dog LOOVE em.
Source: how to identify and pick to quality dog treats
Source: What to look for and what to avoid when buying dog treats
