What Can I Give My Dog as a Treat?

Who can resist a good snack now and then? Not you, certainly. Andrnprobably not your pooch, either.

Of course, your pup doesn’t need additional dogrntreats. As long as you’re feeding them a nutritionally balanced diet, yourndon’t have to account for extra nibbles. Nonetheless, healthy dogrntreats can be exactly that — a treat! Especially as a motivator duringrntraining and as a reward for good behavior.

The key is for you to be responsible when it comes to choosing dogrntreats that will be beneficial and not harmful. Below are some toprntail-wagging picks.

Dog Treats From the Farm

As it turns out, dogs enjoy fresh produce. And as an added bonus,rnmany fresh fruits and veggies are suitable as healthy dog treats.rnJust make sure that you serve them correctly.

For instance, slices of raw apples and pears without seeds, stems,rnor cores can be part of a balanced diet. Just a handful of apple and pearrnpieces will give your pooch a dose of vitamins C and E, as well as fiber, too.rnTake them with you on walks or hikes for a sharable pick-me-up.

In terms of salad fixings, bite-sized portions of carrots, celery,rnand cucumbers are practical dog treats. Beyond beingrnlow-calorie and high in nutrients, they help your dog’s teeth stay clean andrnbreath remain a bit fresher. Feel free to toss your four-legged pal a few sweetrnred pepper strips from time to time, too, as long as the pepper isn’t spicy andrnno seeds remain on the strips.

Dog Treats From the Kitchen

Are you starting to get the picture that you don’t have to gornoutside your home for dog treats? It’s true. Right now, yournprobably have lots of acceptable dog treats in your pantry andrnrefrigerator. Everything from cooked oatmeal to a spoonful of organic,rnsugarless peanut butter can work.

For example, the next time you’re baking chicken breasts or groundrnturkey for dinner set aside one or two ounces. Bake it in foil until no rawrnpieces remain. Once the meat has cooled, you can cut it into slices or break itrnapart to use as dog treats. Don’t season it or add any oils.rnOtherwise, your dog could suffer from an unpleasant stomach episode thatrnrequires emergency care.

Dog Treats From the Box or Bag

There are also countless options for dog food and treats atrnyour favorite pet store. From traditional Milk-Bone dog treats torntreats focused on a specific goal, like reducing dental plaque or temperingrnanxiety, you have your pick. Which ones are the best dog treats forrnyou and your companion, though?

In general, you will want to lean toward buying dog treats fromrnreputable manufacturers. Read reviews and always check ingredients; the fewerrnthe ingredients, the less processed the dog treats are likely to be. Thatrndoesn’t make them healthier, necessarily, but being able to pronounce everyrningredient can alleviate your fears about buying dog treats that are more akinrnto human “junk food” than “smart snacks.”

Tips for Serving up Healthy Dog Treats

You’re now equipped to make confident decisions about what dogrntreats to serve up as a responsible pet parent. Moving forward, keeprnthese insights in mind, particularly if you’re new to raising a furryrncompanion.

• Moderationrn is essential. Dog obesity is a real problem inrn the modern world. Make certain that you limit the number of times yourn offer your pooch dog treats daily. Even healthy dogrn treats can cause unwanted weight gain.

• Practicern consistency. Establishing a feedingrn schedule for your dog is important. Try to feed dog food andrn treats at the same times each day. An example might be torn provide dog treats during your midday walk and then againrn before bedtime.
• Keeprn an eye out for problems. Justrn because a type of food is safe for dogs to eat doesn’t mean your dog canrn handle it. Like humans, dogs can become allergic to anything from evenrn tiny bits of dairy to wheat. Talk to a trusted local veterinarian ifrn you suspect your dog may have an allergy or intolerance.

To learn more about healthy dog treats, getrnin touch today!