There are many health benefits to choosing healthy dog treats. While dogs love simple (not to say bland) treats like cheese, eggs, and even root vegetables, these items should not be all that you feed your dog. As a matter of fact, a healthy diet for your dog should make up about 80{494047a0e4d0fc8244d5de1606c7a31327b3cfc334868d634b16d69ed59da143} of his or her daily nutrition.
For those who are free-feeding, dog snacks should make up about a third of his or her daily nutrition. An easy rule to follow is that free-feeding treats, or dog snacks outside of his regular meal time, should account for no more than 15{494047a0e4d0fc8244d5de1606c7a31327b3cfc334868d634b16d69ed59da143} of his total daily calories. While free-feeding treats are often a welcome bonus for younger dogs, they should not interfere with his or her normal healthy meals. These snacks should be healthy choices such as chicken nuggets, grapes, carrots, celery, chicken, and lean beef. In fact, a free-feeding dog snack should not be too far removed from his regular meal.
All healthy dog foods should have the following ingredients: meats, vegetables, and carbohydrates. Some manufacturers choose to label their healthy treats with the word “human grade,” which gives the illusion that the treat is more healthy than it really is. Unfortunately, this means that these treats can actually be made from meat, vegetables, and carbohydrates, and thus are unhealthy. Stick with foods that are made entirely from all natural ingredients.
Most veterinarians agree that dogs that receive high-quality pet food are happier and healthier. This is because healthy dog treats offer your dog nutrients that help maintain a healthy metabolism, including vitamins and minerals. These nutrients help prevent diabetes, osteoporosis, and obesity. However, many low calorie dog treats are marketed as being healthy dog treats, to contain little nutritional value. Unfortunately, many dog owners give these low calorie treats as a treat, and the dogs end up eating them even when they are not hungry.
If you opt for a healthy dog treat, consider a name you can trust. The best place to find trusted brand names in dog treats is to read online testimonials of other pet owners who have had success with the product. Read comments such as “My dog loves Dr. Navratik’s treats! It makes us sick when he eats these things!” and “I gave my dog Navratik once, and she’s been slim since!”
Low calorie dog treats that are made entirely from natural ingredients will be higher in protein, essential fatty acids, and lower in calories. If you choose a brand that has these characteristics, it is likely that it will be lower in calories than similar brands of dog foods with artificial flavors and colorings. And because natural dog treats frequently have more vitamin C and other antioxidants than do their artificial counterparts, they are good for your dog’s health.
A good treat is one that has no added preservatives. Today, many dog foods are being made with artificial flavors and colors, and even artificial preservatives. Even the preservative thimerosal used to add vitamins A and D to dog food has been found to be dangerous. Many people choose healthy dog treats that contain raw chicken or beef, which have the benefits of the essential fatty acids and the necessary vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal health.
We love our dogs just as much as anyone, and we want to provide them with the very best. If you are considering making your dog’s healthy dog treats yourself, consider getting help from a vet who is knowledgeable about dogs and their nutrition. Even if you do not buy your dogs’ food from the grocery store or go into your local farmer’s market, you can still make healthy dog treats at home. There are plenty of easy recipes available on the Internet that you can easily follow and that will taste great.
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