what are natural dog treats

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 dog treats with zero additives

At WAG, we're dog lovers to the core and firmly believe that our beloved canine friends deserve nothing but the best when it comes to dog treats.

Our 100% natural dog treats contain none of the nasty stuff no preservatives, fillers, grains, additives or excess sugar here! When you treat your dog to WAG dog treats, you can be assured that they are packed full of the good stuff - nothing but sustainably sourced meats, bones and nutrients.

Kind to tummies, kind to the planet

Sustainability is core to our mission at WAG, so we only choose to work with trusted and ethical farmers to source sustainable ingredients for our Australian made dog treats that are kind to both your doggos tummy and the planet.

Natural dog treats for every age and stage

Our diverse selection caters to every pup out there - no matter the shape, size, age, or stage. From the newest puppy parents seeking the perfect treat, to those with power chewers in need of something more durable, or if you're looking for treats with specific health benefits tailored just for your dog's unique needs, WAG has your furry friend covered. So next time you're looking to buy dog treats - look no further than WAG treats!

Reinforcing bonds between doggos and their humans

At WAG, our mission is to reignite the excitement of treat time. We understand the powerful connection that dog treats foster between you and your furry companion, and we're dedicated to making this special moment both delightful and delicious for your doggo.

Our focus goes beyond the ordinary, venturing into an extraordinary selection of treats that cater to every preference, dietary need, and health concern. Whether it's the crunch of a bone that makes your dog's tail wag uncontrollably, the chewiness of jerky that keeps them occupied and happy, or the special formulation designed for sensitive stomachs, we've thought of it all.

All of our healthy dog treats in Australia are made locally with love, ensuring they're as nutritious as they are delicious.

Our full range - at your fingertips!

Our entire range of WAG dog treats is online or find some of our products at select retailers. Browse our dog treats online - with beef, chicken, kangaroo, pork, goat, and veggie options, we've got every pooch's taste covered!

It all started 4 years ago with a bag of shop bought treats from a large supermarket chain. Full of hidden nasties such as cereals, corn, sugar, derivatives, preservatives and flavourings. It was only matter of time before Dudley had a runny bum and a bad tummy.

We ended up at our local vets who ran a few tests and found Dudley was allergic to wheat. With a lot of research, emails and car miles we found a number of fantastic natural treat suppliers who we now partner with and this is how we can bring you the natural dog treat boxes today.