The benefits of natural, healthy dog treats: why we should ditch the processed stuff and switch to healthier options.
As a general rule, processed foods are not good for us or our furry friends. The same principles that apply to our diet also apply to our pets – whole, natural foods are better for their health than processed foods full of artificial additives.
When it comes to choosing treats for our dogs, many of us reach for the same familiar brands we’ve been feeding them since they were puppies. However, these mass-produced treats are often full of unhealthy ingredients that can have a negative impact on our dogs’ health.
Commercial dog treats are often made with fillers such as corn, wheat, and soy, which can cause digestive problems and allergies in some dogs. They also often contain artificial preservatives and flavorings, which can be difficult for your dog to digest and may cause stomach upset. In addition, many commercial dog treats are high in calories and fat, which can lead to weight gain and other health problems.
On the other hand, natural, healthy dog treats are made with whole food ingredients that are easy for your dog to digest and full of nutrients that can benefit their health. Many natural dog treats also contain added vitamins and minerals, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which can help keep your dog’s coat healthy and promote joint health. Plus, natural treats tend to be lower in calories than their processed counterparts, so you can feel good about giving them to your dog without worry about weight gain.
If you’re looking for healthy treat options for your dog, there are plenty of great brands that make natural, healthy treats using whole food ingredients. Here are just a few of our favorites:
-Halo Holistic Garden Medley Dog Treats: These grain-free treats are made with a mix of fruits and vegetables that provide your dog with essential vitamins and minerals. Halo’s holistic approach to pet nutrition means they only use high-quality ingredients that meet strict standards for safety and nutrition.
– Honest Kitchen Beams Dehydrated dog treats: these single-ingredient Dehydrated liver treats are rich in protein And perfect for dogs with Allergies or sensitive stomachs. the Honest Kitchen only uses human-grade ingredients in their products, so you can be sure your dog is getting the best possible nutrition.
– Merrick Classic Grain-Free Dog Treats: These grain-free crunchy bites are made with real chicken as the first ingredient and contain no artificial preservatives or flavors. Merrick is committed to using high-quality ingredients in all of their products, so you can feel good about giving these healthy treats to your pup.
While training treats are gone in an instant, occupier treats are meant to last a long time. They’re often used to reduce boredom (and owner guilt) when dogs are left alone all day. Dogs will like different kinds depending on their size, tastes, and how veracious a chewer they are!
Functional dog treats are super popular because they’re yum and offer some functional health benefit to your pup. They mostly fall into two categories:
This is a new, but growing area overseas (especially in the US). Basically it’s treats that include cannabidiol oil: an extract of cannabis without the bit that makes you feel weird. Fans of CBD claim it has a range of benefits including reducing anxiety and inflammation, but it’s still early days. You can read more about it here!
The options for treats to give your dogs are ever growing. Sometimes it feels like there are as many dog snacks on the market as human ones. We can see the appeal: dogs obviously love them, and they’re a great way to train and reward your pet. But not all snacks are created equal. So let us help you sort the best from the rest!
These are little morsels that when given together with praise, are a great way to help train your dog. They’re also very delicious, so make for a nice (and small) special nibble.
So, What Makes Some Treats for Dogs Unhealthy?
With all the advancement in dog nutritional science, you can now provide your dog with snacks that support their health. However, many of the “old fashioned” dog biscuits, cookies and chews only provide your dog with a dose of artificial flavours and synthetic scents. And while dogs love these, they often mask subpar ingredients.
The most common “unhealthy” ingredients are inexpensive fillers. These include corn, wheat, and soy, all of which are nutritionally incomplete. But treats can also contain synthetic ingredients that have been linked to the formation of cancer.
Healthy SCHMACKOS for Dogs!
When you give your dog a cookie, you’re letting them know just how much you love them. However, not all dog treats demonstrate the same level of care, especially when you consider that some treats are detrimental to your dog’s health. Unfortunately, many dog owners have no idea that many dog biscuits available on the market in Australia are unhealthy and even dangerous for their dogs. So, what treats are bad for dogs? Read on to find out.