With so many different dog treats on the Australian market, it can be hard to know which ones are best for your pet. From frozen treats to pig ears and everything in between, we’ll cover which healthy dog treats to feed your pooch for a happy, healthy life.
When to feed your dog treats
Dog treats should be used in the same way humans eat treats – as rewards for good behaviour or on special occasions. As treats tend to be higher in fat, sugar and calories than your dog’s food, they shouldn’t eat them all the time as they’ll quickly start to gain weight.
Healthy dog treats
Best Healthy Dog Treats With so many different dog treats on the market it can be hard to know which ones are good for your pet. From frozen treats to pigs ears and everything in-between, we’ll cover which healthy dog treats you need to be feeding your pooch for a healthy and happy life. H2: When to feed your dog treats Dog treats should be used in the same way humans eat treats – as rewards for good behaviour or on special occasions. As treats tend to be higher in fat, sugar and calories than your dog’s food, they shouldn’t eat them all the time as they’ll quickly start to gain weight. When using treats as rewards in training, use them sparingly so your dog doesn’t expect them all the time or you’ll end up creating a bad relationship with treats which can be hard to correct as they get older. H2: Healthy dog treats When shopping for treats you’ll see all different kinds advertised so it can be difficult to know which ones are best for your dog and which ones he/she will like the best. We’ll cover some of the most
common ones below:
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Liver treats
often known as training treats, liver thins are a low in calories so make great treats to train your dog with. As these aren’t as high in calories as other treats, you don’t need to worry too much about how many they need. It’s important to be aware of the mood your dog is in when you give them a treat – only give them one when they are calm and focused so they learn to associate the treat with good behaviour.
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Dental treats
if your dog has smelly breath or his/her teeth are starting to look a bit yellow, there are plenty of treats on the market designed to help give them a fresher, healthier mouth. These dental themed treats can help to brighten their smile and reduce plaque build-up. When buying these treats look for the seal of approval from the Veterinary Oral Health Council.
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Natural dog treats
pigs ears, lambs ears and beef ears are all some of the most dog loved healthy dog treats. Dogs enjoy them so much because they’re naturally high in fat and really tasty to them. While these treats are free from any added preservatives, they are extremely high in fat so need to be saved for special occasions only. It’s okay to give your dog a natural treat occasionally as a special reward, but as with humans, make sure it’s only every so often.
Unhealthy dog treats
It’s important to never reward your dog with human treats. Many human foods can be really dangerous for dogs to ingest and really upset their tummies – with chocolate being poisonous. Try to remember not to give them scraps of your food or let them jump up at the table to swipe your food as this can be toxic for your dog. If your dog does want human treats, see if there is a doggy version out there. There are tons of doggy ice cream treats available which are safe to give your pooch on hot days.
While treats with horn, bone or deer antlers are loved by dogs and aren’t unhealthy in terms of calories – they can be very dangerous. If your dog does love these type of treats it’s important to make sure they aren’t left alone with them as they can be a real choking hazard. They can also break their teeth and upset their stomachs. The main risk comes from if they break them into smaller chunks which then can get stuck in their tummies.
Healthy dog treat recipes
If your dog has specialist issues, you might prefer to make your own treats rather than give them something shop bought. There are tons of healthy dog treat recipes out there, but it’s important to make sure the ingredients in these recipes agree with your dog as they can still give him or her an upset tummy. There are also plenty of specialist dog treats on the market, designed to help your dog with any ailments they might be suffering from. A popular type is treats for joint pains and arthritis or for a glossy coat and healthy nails.
There are also treats designed to help calm excitable dogs and treats for dogs with skin conditions. When shopping for these type of treats make sure to look out for a seal of approval from the Veterinary Health Council. With all types of healthy dog treats the main thing to bear in mind is that your dog should only be given treats in moderation. When given as rewards for good behaviour your dog will remain a fit and healthy pooch.