Treats For Healthier, Happier Dogs
When it comes to dog treats, dog owners will encounter a vast variety of colors and shapes of treats. How do you know which treats ones are the unhealthy ones and which treats are the healthy ones?
Unhealthy Treats
 First, lets talk about some common unhealthy treats. Rawhide chews are a big no-no when it comes to treats. Rawhides are loaded with fat and have no nutritional value for your dog. Some dogs develop skin rashes due to the artificial color that many rawhides contain. They can also cause severe blockage in your dog's intestines, stomach, and throat. However, many dog owners purchase them as treats because they think that their dog loves the taste of rawhide treats. But in reality, the dog enjoys the chewing. Dogs love treats that they can chew on for hours. Chewing is essential to a dog's gum, jaw, and teeth health. Dogs use chewing as a method of relieving stress and boredom. Another unhealthy treat is table scraps. Most table scraps are loaded with carbs, fats, sodium, and sugar which are very unhealthy for a dog's nutriential needs. One unhealth and dangerous treat are chicken or pork bones. These bones are unhealthy because they can splinter easily. When a bone splinters, it can cause severe intestinal problems. So intestinal problems can lead to a costly vet visit or possible death.
Healthy Treats
Second, lets talk about some healthy treats. A great alternative to the unhealthy rawhide is a bone joint from a cow. These bones are too large for your dog to swallow and they are less likely to splinter like a chicken/pork bone. They are great for your dog's dental health and will also bring your dog hours or days of enjoyment. High protein snacks are the essential to your dog's daily diet. Some table food that is actually healthy for your dog is vegetables, chicken, sardines, and turkery. When purchasing treats in a store, be sure to check out the box or bag label. You want to find those treats that are high in protein. Science Diet, Innova, and Pedigree are common brands that carry treats that not only meet the high protein criteria but also promote weight loss, help your dog's breath, and help overall health.
A great way to "treat" your dog is to give him/her a non-toxic chew toy that will last your dog for days even months. A great benefit to this type of treat is your dog will not gain any weight.
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