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Choosing Healthy Dog Treats
As
pet owners, we love to show our dogs how special they are
with an occasional healthy dog treat. Luckily these days there
are many tasty and nutritious snacks from which to choose.
But, how do you determine the right healthy treat for your
dog?
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Charlee Bears are healthy, low in
calories and are "pocket friendly". |
Healthy Dog Treats Are Great Rewards
Just like humans, our dogs love the occasional yummy snack,
but it is always best to stick to healthy treats. Dog treats
are great rewards if you're training your dog through positive
reinforcement dog training. Not only is it wonderful to create
a pleasurable experience for your pet, some kinds of treats
can help your pet stay healthy. And, there are several treat
dispensing dog toys on the market etc.) that can be used in
conjunction with your dog's favorite snack to provide hours
of fun and entertainment for her. There are, however, several
things you should consider when selecting a healthy treat
for your dog.
Calories Count
Obesity is one of the fastest growing health problems for
dogs in the US - nearly half of all pets are overweight. As
in humans, obesity may contribute to a wide range of health
problems, including arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease.
Overindulgence can be the cause of weight gain in many dogs.
This is because we don't necessarily realize how many treats
we give our dogs throughout the day and how many calories
those tasty dog treats really contain. For example, a large
biscuit may contain well over 100 calories. A good rule of
thumb is to stick with low-calorie dog treats, or break larger
treats into many pieces to use throughout the day. If your
pet is overweight, you might consider cutting back his dog
food and his treat consumption until he reaches a healthy
weight. If you think your dog is overweight, talk to your
vet about what you can do to implement a healthy feeding and
exercise routine.
Avoid Table Scraps
Resist the urge to sneak Fido snacks from the dinner
table. People food tends to be high in calories and fat and
low in vitamins and nutrients. What's more, some people food
is dangerous for dogs (like chocolate), and some products
can be at the root of food intolerances including wheat, corn,
and soy. Furthermore, feeding your dog from the table can
encourage your dog to beg. No matter how tempting it is, for
the sake of your dog's health, try never to share table scraps
with your pup, opt for healthy dog treats instead.
Tips for Choosing The Right
Dog Treats
So how do you choose the right healthy treat for
your dog? Here are some tips:
- First off, always buy Healthy Dog Treats made with
natural ingredients. Treats loaded with sugar and fat
aren't good for you or your dog! Look for treats made
from whole grains like oats or quality, single source
proteins like chicken or lamb.
- Fish is a great snack for dogs, and it's low in fat
and calories. There are lots of great fish treats available
in our Healthy Dog Treats section.
- Don't
let her fill up on dog treats before meals. If you take
positive reinforcement training classes with your dog,
cut back her dinner portion on class days, when you know
you will be feeding her extra treats.
- Try
giving your pet treats that benefit her health. Many dog
treats are now formulated with supplements like glucosamine
which can help maintain joint health and even relieve
symptoms of arthritis.
- Look for bite-sized dog treats that are low in calories.
Charlee Bears and Simon & Huey are pint sized, low
in calories and are "pocket friendly".
- Don't
let treats make up more than 10 percent of your dog's
diet.
Use your best judgment when deciding what dog treats are best
for your pup. Learn to read labels and check ingredients.
Make sure your dog's overall diet is balanced and nutritious
and she will be with you for a long, long time.
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