Obesity in dogs is a real thing, and it is a problem for almost all dogs, especially those that are neutered or indoor dogs. At least for the case of the indoor dogs, they have a higher chance of being obese because of their lack of exercise. In other cases, dogs can get obese when their owners overfeed them with their favorite treats. The lack of exercise, coupled with the overfeeding of the dog, is a deadly combination.
Why Healthy Dog Treats are Important
Dogs, like humans, require a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs. However, many dog treats on the market are high in calories, sugar, and fat, which can lead to weight gain, obesity, and other health problems. That’s why it’s essential to choose healthy dog treats that are low in calories, fat, and sugar.
Healthy dog treats also provide essential nutrients that can improve your dog’s overall health. For example, treats that contain omega-3 fatty acids can improve their coat and skin, while those with glucosamine can support joint health.
Additionally, healthy dog treats can also be used as a training tool. Positive reinforcement is an effective way to train your dog, and treats can serve as a reward for good behavior. By using healthy treats, you can reinforce positive behavior without compromising your dog’s health.
Healthy Treats For Your Dog
While you might love to pamper your dog with treats, do you know if your dog’s treats are healthy for them? Not all commercially available treats are healthy for the dog. Also, have you ever considered providing naturally occurring food as treats for the dog? There are indeed quite a few naturally occurring food that brings about a ton of benefits to the dog’s health. They are equally as tasty too, so it will surely be enticing for your dog.
Here are some of the top choices that you can take when it comes to giving your dog healthy treats!
1. Cabbage
Who says that vegetables are only for humans? The benefits of vegetables can also be taken by dogs, and it is one of the best healthy treats that you can ever provide to the dog too. Indeed, the amount of antioxidants in all types of cabbage brings about a lot of benefits to the dog. One of the huge benefits of giving your dog cabbage as a healthy dog treat is that it can help to aid your dog’s digestion as well as providing a healthy glow on the dog’s skin.
Of course, too much of anything is bad, and that goes the same for cabbage too. If your dog consumes too much of this healthy dog treat, it will cause a build-up of gas in your dog’s stomach. Also, when given in large quantities over a period of time, it will actually cause hypothyroidism. To avoid this, feed your dog in smaller quantities.
2. Frozen sardines
This does come as a surprise for many, but not to us! Sardines are known to be an extremely good source of omega-3 fatty acids as well as proteins. As you might already know, omega-3 helps to boost the dog’s immune system while providing the dog a healthy coat. And dogs simply adore sardines too!
3. Pumpkin
Pumpkin makes a good source of healthy treats for the dog. Canned pumpkin does help to prevent the dog from having constipation as well as diarrhea. It contains a lot of fiber as well as converting the beta-carotene into vitamin A for your dog. What we do is that we mesh a couple of teaspoons for our large dog. You should not be giving too much of it to your dog as too much of vitamin A is bad for your dog.
4. Apples
Apples are one of the most fantastic healthy treats that you can ever give to the dog. They are readily available and are actually quite cost-effective for most dog owners. Apples are a good source of vitamin A and C, as well as dietary fiber and antioxidants. However, though apples are indeed healthy and tasty, do ensure that the core and the seeds are removed before you give them to your furry friend.
5. Beef Jerkys
When it comes to commercially available dog treats, there are quite a few out there who are actually very beneficial to dogs. One such treat is the beef jerky. A good and healthy beef jerky for dogs is one that does not contain artificial ingredients, preservatives or fillers. Fillers include wheat, soy and other products that form up the weight of the jerky itself.
When choosing a good source of jerky, we usually stick to high-quality beef or chicken sources. The various benefits of feeding beef jerky to your dog are that they will be getting a protein-rich treat that has a low level of fat content. While this means that your dog can eat more of these treats than others, it doesn’t mean that you should feed them with too much of this healthy treat!
6. Dental care treats
There exist some form of treats that allow the dog to have a fun time eating healthy treats, yet at the same time helping the dog to protect their teeth. One such example is the Purina DentaLife Daily Oral Care Mini Dog Treats.
This healthy dog treat is able to help reduce the buildup of tartar in the dog’s teeth. If your dog is having breath issues, then it is most likely that the dog has too much tartar in its teeth. Just by chewing on the DentaLife treat, it can actually help to freshen up your dog’s breath too. Usually, the dog will chew on dental care treats, and each of the can last for some time.
7. Training treats
Of course, during the process of training our dogs, we will usually provide treats to our dogs so as to incite the dog to follow our commands. However, if you have been giving the wrong type of treats to your dog, it can actually be detrimental to your dog’s health. Hence, why not you use healthy training treats that are completely healthy for your dog. Once such training treats are the Zuke’s Training Treats.
Zuke’s Training Treats is an organic dog treat that uses real ingredients such as chicken, duck, salmon or even peanut butter and oats. It is devoid of corn, wheat or soy, hence making the calories low for the treats. It also mixed in cherries as well as turmeric into the healthy treat too, hence making it wonderful for your dog. All of these wholesome ingredients are actually beneficial to your dog. Of course, as per all the other healthy treats that we have recommended, you shouldn’t overfeed your dog with the treats.
What to Look for in Healthy Dog Treats
When choosing healthy dog treats, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, check the ingredients list. Avoid treats that contain artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Look for treats that are made from natural ingredients, such as meat, vegetables, and fruits.
It’s also important to consider your dog’s dietary needs. If your dog has a sensitive stomach or allergies, look for treats that are specifically designed for their needs. For example, if your dog is allergic to wheat, look for treats that are wheat-free.
Another thing to consider is the size and texture of the treats. Treats that are too small or too large can be a choking hazard, while treats that are too hard can damage your dog’s teeth. Look for treats that are the appropriate size and texture for your dog’s breed and size.
Conclusion
While the above does provide you with some of the best healthy treats that you can give to your dog, always be sure to do everything in moderation, as too much of a good thing can be unhealthy for your dog! Also, when selecting healthy dog treats, always check the ingredients list, ensure that they are the appropriate size and texture, and consider your dog’s dietary needs.
