Dog Treats

In most dog owners' homes there are a few key words that must be spelled if the dog is within earshot and is not intended for them. One of the most common of these is "walk" or "go to park" while the others generally involve food; such as "hungry" or "eat".

Among this repertoire of words your dog will freak out upon hearing is usually "treat", "cookie" or another variation your family has come up with to mean a little snack betweens meals or a bone to laze around and chew on. It's hard to resist giving too many treats throughout the course of day when you see your dog's tail wagging, panting, and jumping up and down excitement upon receiving one of the most coveted prizes. However, too much indulgence with snacks can make your dog overweight and therefore more prone to certain serious health problems. To avoid this, eatable treats should be limited to no more than 1 or 2 a day, be an all natural calorie conscious snack ( never table scraps) and be part of an exercise rich routine for your dog.

A healthy choice in dog treats is one which has all natural ingredients. For instance, if you can't read most of the words listed as the main ingredients, it is probably not the most health conscious food. Look for ingredients such as carrots, apple, rice, peanut butter: you know, things that you would eat. Many low fat dog treats are available but the ones made from these all natural ingredients are the best bet for a slim and healthy dog. In addition, some of these dog snacks contain multigrain and even vitamin supplements to aid digestion and promote overall well being.

In addition to functioning as a snack, other dog treats are made for chewing and will keep your grateful dog occupied for hours on end. Puppy owners also know the amount of peace which can be gained by settling a teething puppy in with a nice chew treat. In addition to satiating a dog's urge to chew, a chew treat maintains dental help by helping to scrape tartar from the teeth with its rough surface. Some all natural, healthier alternatives to rawhides or meat bones are made from pork and are formed into fun shapes like ears, noses or bones. Pork breaks down much easier than rawhide and is a lot easier for your dog to digest.

Giving your dog treats is a way of showing them affection and praise; choosing nutritional, natural snacks will prove how much you love them and care for their continued happiness and well being.