healthy natural treats for dogs

The seven best healthy dog treats, according to a vet

Does your dog need treats?

Fortunately, many dog treats are nutritious, so dog treats can be part of a balanced diet for your pup. Dog treats are especially helpful when you are training your dog or rewarding them for good behavior. If your dog has food allergies, youll need to pay close attention to treat ingredients, and dogs that are overweight or with certain medical conditions should only follow a veterinarian-recommended diet and may not be allowed to have treats.

Choosing healthy treats for your doggie

When your best friend learns a new trick or behaves really well at the dog park, its tempting to reach for the first treats you can find to praise them. But not all treats are a good reward for good behavior. Unfortunately, some treats may have questionable ingredients or high-calorie counts that can be detrimental to your pups health. To keep your pup healthy and following good nutrition, opt for healthy treats instead.

What to look for in healthy dog treats

If youre ready to start shopping for healthy dog treats for your best friend, there are several things to keep in mind. Take a close look at labels to evaluate the ingredients and calories, but also keep things like size and texture in mind.

Ingredients. One of the most important things to look for in healthy treats is the ingredients list. Stick to treats with an ingredients list of whole, natural foods. Many treats include healthy ingredients like meat, peanut butter, fruits, and vegetables. Our vets also recommend treats with fish or salmon, because omega-3 fatty acids can help with brain and eye development in puppies or boost cognitive function in older dogs.

Brand. Some brands offer higher quality dog treats than others. Our veterinary team trusts brands like Purina Pro Plan, Science Diet/Hills, and Royal Canin. They all avoid cross-contamination between foods and treats during manufacturing.

Calories. Generally, treats should be just that treats! Treats should make up less than 10% of your dogs daily calories, so read the label for the calorie amount per treat and stick to the correct portion sizes.

Texture. You want to choose treats that arent too hard, otherwise, they can pose a choking hazard. Hard treats are difficult for a dog to bite into, so they might only be able to bite them into large pieces, which are hard to swallow. Too-hard treats can also fracture your dogs teeth.

Size. Treats can be a choking hazard if they are too large or too small for your dog. Opt for small treats for puppies or small dogs. Large dogs may enjoy large treats, but also make sure to keep an eye out. Even large dogs can choke on treats that are too big.

Labels. Treats labeled as all-natural can be misleading, as the treats may still be highly processed.

If your dog is overweight or has dietary restrictions, youll need to scrutinize the treat labels very carefully.

Types of dog treats to avoid

There are many popular treats out there that arent good for any dogs. Here are some common treats to stay away from.

Rawhides. Rawhides are inexpensive treats with little nutritional value. Some rawhides are treated with toxins like formaldehyde and bleach. They also pose a huge choking risk as they break down into pieces over time. However, some rawhide-like products, such as Purina Pro Plan Dental Chewz, are VOHC-approved and safe for consumption.

Animal bones. Sure, bones are all-natural but they can be covered in pathogens, such as E. Coli and salmonella. Some people may suggest boiling the bones to sanitize them, but this process actually makes the bones brittle and more likely to splinter. This is a choking hazard for dogs, and splinters and sharp pieces can puncture the intestines.

Jerky-type treats. Since 2007, the FDA has received reports of sick pets after consuming jerky pet treats. Learn more about their ongoing investigationTrusted SourceU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Government agency.Go to source and how theyre testing treats to determine why some jerky treats are making pets sick. While these cases are rare, we recommend avoiding jerky-type treats especially with so many other great options on the market.

Treats with additives. We like treats that dont contain lots of additives or artificial colors. Some additives, such as Red#3, used for coloring or preservatives have been linked to cancer in animalsTrusted SourcePubMed CentralArchive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature.Go to source.

Toxic human food. While dogs may love chicken and sweet potatoes as we do, there are many foods that humans eat that are not suitable for dogs. While you treat yourself with chocolate, you cant do the same for your pup, because the chemicals in chocolate can cause seizures and increased heart rates in dogs. Instead, you can give your dog human food treats like some fresh fruits and vegetables (avoid grapes and items with seeds or pits), like watermelon, broccoli, green beans, bananas, or carrots.

Can you make DIY treats at home?

Its easy to make DIY dog treats at home, and you might be surprised to find your mouth watering as the smell of our favorite peanut butter and oatmeal cookies (yes, these really are for your pup!) fills your kitchen. Making treats at home means you can customize the ingredients based on your dogs dietary needs and flavor preferences. Try one of our tried-and-true all-natural pet treat recipes for your best friend.

Healthy treats for dogs

Whether your dog is on a diet and youre helping them lose weight, or you just want to keep them in good shape, these cheap homemade snacks are nutritious, low calorie and can help your dog maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Tips for healthy eating

Just because youre trying to keep your dog healthy doesnt mean that you need to stop giving them treats. However, it does mean that you should watch what you give them and how often.

• If you do want to give treats, make sure that they are not high in fat, salt or sugar
• When giving treats, make sure you include them in your dogs total daily calorie intake to balance things out
• Always ensure that any homemade snacks that you give your dog are cut up into small chunks. This can make them last longer and stop them from getting stuck in your dogs throat
• Try putting your dogs snacks in a food puzzle. These toys slowly release food when they are moved around or played with and are a great form of mental stimulation

Find out more about creating and maintaining healthy feeding habits.

Protein helping your dog meat their weight loss goals

Treating your dog to lean meat is a guaranteed way to grab their attention and keep them feeling fuller for longer. Plain boiled chicken breast with no added seasoning or oils is a great healthy snack. It helps build muscle, is gentle on the stomach and the omega-6 fatty acids it contains help to keep their skin and coat healthy too.You could also try giving your dog salmon as this is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, but its much higher in fat and ideally should be given occasionally and in small amounts.

Always avoid giving your dog processed meats that are high in fat and salt.

Kibble - for when they just want a nibble

If your dog is on a prescription diet, or a special low-fat diet, then giving them a small amount of their normal dry food can be a great way to give them a treat without risking their health. Even if theyre not on a special diet this is a good way to give them a snack thats low in calories. Always ensure that the amount you give them is included in their daily allowance.

Peanut butter your dog will go nuts for it

Peanut butter is a great source of protein. Dogs love it, but you have to be careful which type you use. Always avoid feeding them peanut butter that is high in salt and sugar and should not contain artificial sweeteners. An artificial sweetener called xylitol is particularly dangerous and can be fatal to dogs and may be listed as birch sugar or E967. If youre not sure its safe then its best to avoid it.

Pumpkin helping you carve out a healthy diet

Pumpkin and squash are packed full of fibre and vitamins that help keep your dog regular whilst also giving them a healthy-looking coat. You can cook the flesh of these fruits, but make sure you remove the seeds and rind too. You can also give your dog unsweetened tinned pumpkin.

Apple a very a-peel-ing snack

Apple slices are a tasty crunchy treat for your dog. They're full of fibre and nutrients and may even help to freshen your dogs breath. Apples are higher in sugar, so should be fed in moderation. Always give apple slices, because a whole apple could be a choking hazard. The pips should always be removed as these could be poisonous in large amounts or if eaten regularly.

Vegetable snacks for dogs keeping your dog full of beans

There are several vegetables that you can give to your dog either cooked or raw, including:

• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Green beans

Remember any fruits or vegetables should be cut into very small pieces, especially if your dog tends to swallow food whole rather than chew it. As with all foods, remember to give these snacks in moderation. Certain foods, particularly broccoli, can cause stomach problems if too much is eaten.

Where can I find healthy, homemade recipes for my dog?

We've put together a number of healthy recipes that you can give to your dog as an occasional treat:

Foods not to give your dog

Dogs are affected by certain foods in a different way to us and there are a number of human foods that can be very dangerous to them, including but not limited to:

Find out more about foods that are poisonous to dogs.

Whats the healthiest way to help my dog lose weight?

Although obesity is very serious and both diet and exercise are vital in helping your dog to lose weight, it is important to remember that weight loss should always be done in a gradual and gentle way. Always speak to your vet about the best ways to help your dog lose weight.

Find out more about how to manage your dogs weight.

Important things to remember

• The snacks weve listed above should only be given as treats and shouldnt be used to completely replace your dogs usual balanced diet
• Even though these snacks are healthy always remember to give them in moderation
• If possible try to give organic fruits and vegetables
• If your dog is overweight, or requires special food, always speak to your vet about which snacks to give and any lifestyle changes that you may be considering