As a human, you can admit to having a secret stash of treats and sweets. In fact, you are so secretive about it that you hide it from everyone else who shares your home. You love having treats as a reward for yourself or simply for your own enjoyment. Your pet dog, who is giving you a dejected look as you munch on your cracklings, is no different. They want some treats too aside from their regular food! If you love having healthy treats for yourself, think vegetable chips, make way for healthy treats for your dog as well. Know what are the healthiest dog treats. If you want to give your dog some extra vitamins, you may just think about sharing your secret stash of treats to your beloved Fido.
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What are the healthiest dog treats? —Different Varieties
Crunchy Treats
Hard, crunchy treats are the most common treats being sold in pet stores, and it is sometimes called dog biscuits. These are available in a variety of flavors, shapes, and sizes. The size of the treat should be appropriate for the size of your dog. Choose a brand that has the same standards as high-quality dog foods. These crunchy dog treats make great everyday rewards for your dog. There are many crunchy treats that will satisfy what are the healthiest dog treats.
Soft Treats
Soft treats are chewy and are available in a variety of flavors, shapes, and sizes. They are an answer to what are the healthiest dog treats. These treats are especially suitable during training due to their flavorful taste and soft texture. Only use small sizes during training for immediate gratification. If your dog can eat the treat fast, the message of it being a reward is made clear. Make sure the treat is the same brand as high-quality dog food.
Freeze-Dried and Jerky Treats
These tough chew treats are made especially for dogs, offer a tasty morsel, which is similar to human food. These freeze-dried or jerky treats are usually available in a variety of forms such as meats, liver, poultry, and seafood. Many dog owners find these treats to be very effective for use when training because of their desirable flavor. Plus, they are an answer to what are the healthiest dog treats. Make sure that these kinds of treats are sourced from a US brand, or you can make them yourself using a food dehydrator.
Dental Chews and Bone-Like Treats
Despite their appearance and the name, these dental chews and bone-like treats are not made from animal bones. They are made from corn starch and other digestible materials. Since chewing is required to consume these treats, experts believe they promote dental health.
These treats are far safer than real bones. However, these treats can still cause gastrointestinal blockage if swallowed. Thus, dental chews may not completely satisfy the conditions for what are the healthiest dog treats. There is also the downside that if the treat is too hard, it can cause tooth injuries. Always choose the appropriate size chew for your dog. One test is to bang a chew on your knee. If it hurts your knee, it is too hard for your dog’s teeth. You should supervise your dog when they are playing with any kind of chew.
Animal Bones and Hooves
You may find that your dog will salivate for animal bones and hooves. However, giving this type of treat to your dog is a no-no. These bones can cause chipping or breaking of teeth. It is also dangerous when swallowed as it can cause gastrointestinal perforation or blockage. Bones and hooves are not recommended for all types of dogs. The most dangerous are cooked bones and any kinds of poultry bones, cooked or raw. Give your dog dental chews and other digestible bone alternatives instead.
Rawhide
Rawhide is not recommended for dogs. It is specially treated for digestibility. This type of treat comes from animal hide and are often treated with various chemicals. Rawhide can cause gastrointestinal obstructions and other complications. Give your dog dental chews instead. However, there are some types of rawhide that are specially developed by veterinarians to be digestible and good for the teeth. It is best to ask your vet for the best brands and options.
Pig Ears
These treats are really made from pig ears and are delicious and quite fatty. Some pig ears are processed with chemicals and can be considered unsafe. Pig ears should not be given to dogs who are at risk for obesity or who are already overweight. Get pig ears that are not overly treated with chemicals, and feed it to your dog at a minimum since it has a high-fat content.
Human Food Treats
You may be inclined to share everything with your dog, including your food, but you should know that this can be highly dangerous. Certain human foods are fatal to dogs, which include cheese, hot dogs, crackers, cookies, and other similar foods. However, if you are thinking of giving foods such as carrots, apples, lean meat, poultry, or seafood, it actually is beneficial to your dog.
Treats made from human foods should not contain any seasonings or sauces. Never give your dog grapes, raisins, or onions as these are poisonous foods. Garlic can be hazardous as well and should be used sparingly and only under the direction of a veterinarian. If you are going to give human treats to your dog, consult your veterinarian about the safety of all human food.
Special Diet Treats
Sometimes a dog needs to be on a special diet. They may have a special medical concern that makes this necessary. Treats for dogs on special diets are sometimes manufactured by the same food company that makes the special diet. If no treat is available, ask your veterinarian if there is an appropriate substitute. You can make homemade dog treats with similar ingredients, or even from the canned version of your pet’s special diet.
What are the healthiest dog treats? Our Top 3 Choices
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Runners Up
[su_service title=”Newman’s Own Organics Premium Dog Treats” icon=”icon: star” icon_color=”#2D3092″ size=”32″ class=””][/su_service]
Organics Premium Dog Treats are unique since they are heart-shaped. Texture-wise they are crunchy organic dog treats that come in a wide variety of flavors and sizes. Flavors include Turkey and Sweet Potato, Salmon and Sweet Potato, Peanut Butter, Chicken, and Cheese.
This brand is the answer to what are the healthiest dog treats since it is organic and all-natural. They are made in Canada and contain no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. These are one of the healthiest dog treats you can find on the market, and they contain no wheat, soy, or corn.
These premium dog treats are the perfect size for dog training. Some customers, however, will break these treats into smaller sized pieces when used as such. This brand is also appropriate for dogs with digestive problems.
[su_service title=”Zuke’s Mini Naturals Healthy Moist Training Treats” icon=”icon: star” icon_color=”#2D3092″ size=”32″ class=””][/su_service]
What are the healthiest dog treats? Zuke’s Mini Naturals Healthy Moist Training Treats comes in a wide variety of flavors that will satisfy your dog.
It is important to note that this brand is all organic and uses meat sources such as chicken, duck, peanut butter, pork, salmon, wild rabbit, seafood, and exotic. It comes in a variety pack and in multiple size bags of each.
Each treat is only 3.5 calories, so it is a healthy treat for dogs that will keep them from getting obese. Real meat is great when used for your dog training purposes. Zuke’s moist nugget treats are made in the USA, and the company prides themselves for sticking to their all-natural dog treats. They use no wheat, corn, or soy, but only natural whole food ingredients.
What are the healthiest dog treats? The different uses of dog treats
Dog training
Training your dog requires the use of treats. Give your pup a small bite-sized treat and teach him or her to sit, shake, or roll. You should choose a treat with good texture and has a flavorful taste so your dog will go crazy for the mini treats and will be eager to please. You should watch the number of dog treats you give to training your puppy since too much can cause them to get bloated.
To motivate your dogs with treats, give them a jerky that is all-natural beef, chicken, or turkey.
Puppy treats
Puppies are adorable, and you will want to give them treats because you are training them, or you simply adore them. Small puppies will have different nutritional needs than adult dogs. Salmon and lamb treats are good choices. Make sure the treat does not contain corn, soy, artificial colors or flavors and is grain-free, so it won’t upset your puppy’s stomach. The ideal treat should also contain an array of omegas, DHA, and antioxidants to help develop your puppy’s skin, teeth, and bones.
Treats for dogs with allergies
Sometimes a dog will have allergies, and you should choose treats carefully since new ingredients will cause an additional upset. Feed them only limited ingredient food treats.
Choose treats with a limited number of protein and carbohydrate sources, such as sweet potato and lamb or potato and duck. Make sure the treats are grain-free without any additives or preservatives, and protein is always the first ingredient. Protein, fat, fiber, and moisture should make up each treat.
Treats for teeth cleaning
Does your dog have a horrible breath? Tooth plaque and decay can be a real health concern of dogs. Vets recommend thorough brushing and regular dental cleanings. Treats are a great way to keep your dog’s teeth healthy between vet visits.
Special treats for teeth cleaning can help clean down to the gum line and reduce plaque and tartar. Some chew treats even come in blueberry and fresh mint flavor. They also come in sizes ranging from small to large. Ingredients like flour and oat fiber are mad into these highly soluble chews. Even sensitive dogs digest them well.
These types of treats keep your dog’s mouth healthy. Finally, you can give Fido a kiss.
Treats for senior dogs
Your dog may be a senior now, but he or she still deserves a treat. Choose treats with your aging dog’s nutritional needs in mind.
Glucosamine and chondroitin to protect your dog’s joints and bones should be infused in dog treats. Appetizing flavors are chicken, peanut butter, and beef. Make sure the treat is free of corn, wheat, and soy.
Final Thoughts
If you have been with a dog for long, you will realize how human-like they can be. Just as you love your own human treats, so do they love their specific dog treats. Treats are crucial to a dog’s life and health and should be given throughout the lifespan of dogs. The answer to what are the healthiest dog treats will depend on your dog’s age, breed, and activity level. Choose treats that you know will benefit your dog’s health and will deeply satisfy their cravings.
