Choosing the Right Dog Treats for Your Canine Companion
Dog treats are available in a huge variety of flavors, shapes, colors, sizes and types. They are an excellent way to reward or to train any type of dog. However, some dog treats are full of artificial additives and preservatives, so make sure you read the list of ingredients on the packet before you buy them.
Faced with such a variety it’s hard to know which types of dog treats are best for your dog. So let’s take a look at what’s available and then you can make an informed choice.
The first category of dog treats is soft treats. These include LiverSnax, BeefEaters and human food such as raw hot dogs, bologna, cheese and cooked, unseasoned chicken or turkey. Soft treats make great rewards and are ideal for obedience training, housebreaking training or just as a snack. Being small and portable makes these nutritious nibbles particularly suitable for training and they won’t spoil your dog’s appetite for dinner or upset her stomach.
Learn More About Dog Treats And Dog Obedience
Another treat category is biscuits, and these are also good for training purposes. Beef liver treats are a popular choice. They are tasty, healthy and very easy to make yourself – just bake in the oven until crispy. You can also boil beef liver seasoned with garlic powder. When it’s cooked, place on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven until dry. Cut into bite-size pieces after cooling. You can put these treats into small sandwich bags to take with you for training sessions.
Ears and snouts are also much loved treats. Smaller dogs and puppies can be kept entertained for hours with a delicious pig’s ear! Most ears and snouts come with a smoked flavor which will add to you pet’s enjoyment.
Hard treats such as bones and rawhide satisfy a dog’s natural urge to chew and can help clean their teeth and remove plaque. While dogs do enjoy them, many experts advise against rawhide dog treats. Frequent rawhide chewers commonly develop irritation and rashes on their lips from the prolonged exposure to the rawhide’s chemicals. Rawhide cannot be digested and if swallowed can cause serious problems. Non-toxic chew toys are a much safer option and there’s a vast assortment available. Don’t be tempted to give your dog chicken or turkey bones as these can splinter when chewed and can pierce vital organs, often resulting in fatality.
More and more pet owners are choosing organic treats for their dogs. These treats are free from any chemicals or toxins and are often fortified with vitamins and minerals, which can help, prevent the development of skin problems, allergies, and diabetes and kidney problems.
Edible dog treats should be high in vitamins and nutrients and low in fat. Vegetables such as raw broccoli, raw baby carrots or raw red peppers can keep even a fussy dog happy. You can also try pineapples, grapes bananas, apples and pears. Your dog will soon let you know which she prefers.
Read More About Organic Dog Treats
Michalis “BIG Mike” Kotzakolios
Kotzakoliou, SSA