Top Healthy Dog Treats …
Just take a walk down the aisles of your local Pet Store and I would bet you will see hundreds of various dog treats. Did you know that according to PetFoodProcessing, ‘Dog treat sales in the USA increased 12.8% from $3.54 billion in 2022 to $3.95 billion in 2023.’ That’s a bunch of money! Although this data is indeed eye-opening, I would ask one question for you to ponder: Are dog parents actually purchasing top healthy dog treats or just ones that were listed with a sale price or a colorful package?
As a proud dog owner myself (German Shepherd & Corgi), I so enjoy providing my furry companions with an ‘occasional‘ treat here and there. I know, as a result of research and experience, the impact these treats can play on our pet’s overall health. The consumption of these goodies should provide some benefits to our four-legged companions, so choosing the top healthy dog treats can’t be overlooked. In this article, we will take a look at some of these dog snacks, and what characteristics to consider when choosing a healthy treat. Let’s get started:
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Top Healthy Dog Treats … Products & Benefits
When considering which type of a healthy dog treat would be appropriate for your four-legged companion, it should be comforting to know that there is a wide variety to choose from. Dog biscuits, soft chews, dental chews, and jerky strips have specific characteristics that provide our dogs with a number of benefits. For your convenience, I have listed a few of these products below:
Healthy Dog Biscuits
Blue Buffalo Health Bars
Benefits:
- Dental Health – Your pets ‘crunching’ of these biscuits will assist in the overall oral hygiene process, helping to remove tartar and plaque from your dog’s teeth.
- Nutrition – This specific product contains a number of healthy nutrients such as minerals, vitamins and fiber that offers a nice balance to your pet’s overall diet.
- Training– This form of treat is ideal for training purposes, rewarding appropriate commands.
Healthy Soft Dog Chews
Milk-Bone Soft & Chewy Beef & Filet Mignon
Benefits:
- Easy to Chew: The soft texture in these treats make the chewing process much easier for dogs who may be experiencing dental issues. Older dogs, and even puppies would benefit from this soft texture.
- Training: This type of treat is both healthy and convenient in the training process as well.
- Palatability: These treats tend to possess an aroma that draws even the pickiest eaters to these soft chews. In addition, our furry friends seem to enjoy the taste of these treats. The Milk-Bone product is a healthy choice that dogs seem to love.
Healthy Dental Chews
Greenies Dental Treats
Benefits:
- Helps To Reduce Tartar and Plaque: These treats are designed to reduce the tartar and plaque from your dog’s teeth. The composition of the Greenie dental treat, with your pet’s chewing process, works together to remove tarter and plaque. This process goes a long way in maintaining healthy gums.
- Gum Health: Greenies are designed to massage your pet’s gums throughout the chewing process, reducing the risk of gingivitis and other gum-related issues.
- Convenient Oral Care: Many dogs simply resist the the tooth brushing process. They want no part of it! The Greenies offer a healthy alternative to tooth brushing, one that your pet will enjoy and maintaining healthy gums in the process.
Healthy Jerky Strips
Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Jerky Recipe
Benefits:
- High Protein Ingredient: These healthy treats are made from dried meats including beef, chicken, and fish. Protein is essential in that it provides a great source of protein, providing energy and supporting muscle repair and development.
- Dental Health: Like the Greenies, the jerky dog treat can help in the overall oral health of your pet. These treats will assist in removing tartar and plaque , assisting and keeping your pet’s oral hygiene a healthy one.
- Convenience: The Milo’s Kitchen jerky treat are grain-free treats have no artificial flavors or colors. Absence from these ingredients make this a great choice for dogs suffering from food allergies or digestive difficulty.
Healthy Pumpkin Treats
Merrick Oven Baked Pumpkin Patch with Real Pumpkin Dog Treats
- Dental Health:These natural dog treats feature the crunchy texture and pumpkin flavor your dog adores.
- Taste: Handcrafted in small batches and slowly baked for a great smell and taste that appeals to pups of all breeds and sizes.
- Wholesome: Made with real, whole foods that you would find in your kitchen like pumpkin and oats.
- Limited Ingredients: With only 6 ingredients, these limited-ingredient dog biscuits are great for treats or rewards.
- Quality: Crafted without corn, soy, or wheat and contain no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or by-products.
Nutritional Benefits of Healthy Dog Treats
You will find that the top healthy dog treats have a number of characteristics in common. These specific treats will provide your pooch with nutritional benefits, with healthy ingredients contained within these treats. It’s essential that you provide a quality and healthy dog treat, which will certainly help in keeping your pet happy and nourished.
I think it’s important that as pet parents, that we take the time in the selection of these dog treats. Furthermore, we must consider the specific needs of our furry friends, and choose the appropriate product. As we know, there are all types of dog treats on the market today, so choose wisely in your selection. Quality, wholesome ingredients are essential in providing these nutritional benefits.
Key Ingredients To Look For In Healthy Dog Treats
When selecting treats, focus on ingredients that benefit your dog’s health. Look for treats that list a healthy protein (Chicken, Beef) as the #1 ingredient. This should give you a good idea that this dog treat product will be a healthy and nutritional one. Other healthy ingredients to consider are fruits and vegetables such as blueberries (Antioxidants), bananas, apples, carrots and sweet potatoes. (Dietary Fiber)
Ingredients To Avoid In Dog Treats
As we all know, dog treats are available in a wide variety of forms, sizes, flavors, and prices. In addition, the ingredients that are used to process these treats include a wide range as well. We have discussed some key ingredients to look for in the selection process , but let’s now take a look at some ingredients to avoid.
Caylee Freels, a licensed veterinary technician at VCA White Lake Animal Hospital, suggest that ingredients such as artificial sweeteners like xylitol, artificial colors, excessive salt (which will make them thirsty) and syrups and molasses (which are high in sugar) should be avoided. In addition, I would suggest you stay away from low quality proteins such as unspecified animal parts.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the top healthy dog treats is a process that dog owners should not take lightly. In this article, we focused on a number of items to consider when choosing the appropriate treat for our four-legged companions. Healthy and nutritious treats should include a number of ingredients that were mentioned above. Understanding the specific dietary needs of your furry friend, and following the guidelines mentioned above, will assist you in the selection process. Which type of the top healthy dog treats you choose, should be based on the needs of your pet.
You were given a list of four different dog treat types, and the benefits of each. Which type of the top healthy dog treats you choose, should be based on the needs of your pet. Dog size and treat size for example, should be something to consider as well. If you are unsure of which treat best fits the need of your pet, I would suggest you speak with your local vet for help. Finally, always supervise your four-legged companion when providing one of these treats, making sure they are safe!
.Disclaimer
For those unfamiliar with dog food grain-free recipes, there has and is a controversy taking place as I write this article. The FDA has made public that it has launched an investigation between a possible connection between the grain-free diet and heart disease within dogs. For further information, the American Kennel Club has provided further details. Click here.
Disclaimer
The purpose of this site and articles are intended to provide a source of entertainment and information. As a dog owner and dog lover myself, I enjoy researching dog food products on the market to provide you with helpful insights. I am not a veterinarian nor an animal nutritionist, just a dog owner who wants to provide a healthy lifestyle to their pet. I use my research to express an opinion which may or may not be one you agree with.
eathealthydoggy.com assumes no responsibility or liability for the use or misuse of what’s written on this site. You should always consult with a veterinarian if you should have questions regarding your dog’s diet or overall health.
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