There's nothing that compares to seeing your dog's eyes light up when you get a treat. Even before placing the treat in front of his nose, he will probably be wagging his tail in excitement. As an owner, however, it's important to choose the right treats for your canine companion. Today we'll take a closer look at what you can give to your dog as a treat.
What Not to Give Your Dog
Before we reveal some of the best dog treats, let's first discuss some things you shouldn't give your dog.
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Chocolate: no, it's not just a myth. As explained by the AKC, chocolate is toxic to dogs and can cause tremors, seizures and even heart failure.
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Onions: while most owners are familiar with the dangerous of feeding chocolate to dogs, many are unaware of the dangers of onion. When consumed, however, onions cause the destruction of red blood cells in dogs. So, avoid giving your dog onions or foods cooked with onions as a treat.
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Grapes and Raisins: what's wrong with feeding your dog? While perfectly safe for us humans, grapes and raisins have been shown to cause a toxic reaction in dogs. The exact mechanism of this toxicity is unknown.
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Hot dogs: another food to avoid giving your dog is hot dogs. Hot dogs aren't necessarily toxic, but they still contain high concentrations of sodium, saturated fat and nitrites.
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Foods with Xylitol: Xylitol is an artificial sweetener commonly found in sugar-free gum and other sugar-free foods. Although safe for humans, however, it's severely toxic to dogs; therefore, you should avoid feeding your dog any food containing it.
Safe and Healthy Treats
Thankfully, there are plenty of treats that are perfectly safe and healthy for your dog to consume. A fun do-it-yourself treat is chilled fruit juice pops. Fill an ice tray of fruit juice – strawberry, apple, watermelon, etc. – and place them in the freezer. Once frozen, your dog will have a delicious and nutritious treat to enjoy.
Another dog treat idea is baby carrots. They contain vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B-6, calcium, fiber and potassium. And unlike many other dog treats, baby carrots are not loaded in sodium or saturated fat.
Of course, there are plenty of store-bought treats that your dog will love. Jerky, for instance, is an all-around great choice that dogs seem to love. Whether it's chicken or beef jerky, the savory flavor will keep your dog coming back for more. Best of all, dog beef jerky is made by dehydrating meat, so it doesn't spoil or go bad like softer treats.
This article was brought to you by Dog Treat House. We offer premium private label pet treats, dog treats, dog jerky, and more, for independent retailers, boutiques, and online e-commerce sellers.
