Originally Posted On: https://bendersbakery.com/blogs/news/what-treats-are-healthy-for-dogs

What Treats Are Healthy For Dogs?

As dog owners, we love to spoil our furry companions with tasty treats. Whether it’s training time, or you want to give them something special, treats play an important part in a dog’s life. But are all treats created equally?

Many store-bought treats are packed with unhealthy ingredients that could affect your dog’s health. From added sugars that cause tooth problems to additives and fillers, some treats may not be as beneficial as you think. Finding nutritious treats is an excellent way to reward your dog while caring for their health. In this post, we’ll take a look at the healthiest dog treats so you can make the best decision for your pooch.

What makes a dog treat healthy?

With so many types of dog treats on the market, it can be difficult to know which ones are healthy, and which ones should be avoided. When it comes to choosing the right dog treats, some things to look out for include:

Natural, nutritious ingredients

Keep an eye out for treats that use natural, whole ingredients. This could include lean meats, fruit and vegetables. The fewer ingredients there are, the better.

Limited processing

As with human food, processed food isn’t the best choice for dogs. Look for treats that have gone through limited processing to help maintain the integrity of the proteins, vitamins and minerals.

Low calorie

Your dog should only eat a certain number of calories in a day. Choosing low-calorie treats can help prevent weight gain, especially in small or senior dogs or those who are injured or less active than other dogs.

If you’re unsure of what your dog’s daily calories should be, use a calorie calculator to work it out.

Easy to digest

Some dog treats contain fillers that can upset a dog’s stomach. Avoid rawhide and similar options like bone-based treats, cooked bones or fatty and rich treats like pig ears, that can cause problems for your dog’s digestion.

The best ingredients for healthy dog treats

Providing the best diet for your dog can help keep them happy and healthy, both at mealtimes and when giving treats. Some of the best ingredients for dog treats include:

• Protein sources like chicken, turkey, salmon, beef and eggs.
• Fruits like blueberries, apples (seeds removed) and bananas.
• Vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes.
• Healthy fats like coconut oil, flaxseed and dog-friendly peanut butter.
• Whole grains (for those without an intolerance), including oats, brown rice and quinoa.

Knowing which ingredients to look out for can make it much easier to treat your dog with confidence. While some brands may make bold claims about the nutritional value of their treats, it will benefit you and your dog to know exactly which ingredients you should be feeding them.

Dog treat ingredients to avoid

So which ingredients should you avoid in dog treats? Some may be obvious, but others might come as a surprise. When choosing treats for your pet, be sure to avoid ones containing the following:

Artificial colors, flavors and preservatives

Artificial colors and flavorings have no place in your dog’s diet. Avoid treats that contain ingredients such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin.

Excessive sugars or sweeteners

Some pet food manufacturers add in sugar and sweeteners to make treats more tempting for dogs. But ingredients like corn syrup can increase the calorie count, and are considered unhealthy for your pet.

Xylitol is often used as a sugar substitute, but it could be toxic to your dog. It can be found in some brands of peanut butter, store-bought honey, etc., so make sure you check the label to avoid products containing xylitol. Specialist pet-food stores will sell alternatives that are made especially for dogs.

Unhealthy fats and salt

Try to avoid treats that contain saturated fats, such as hydrogenated oils. Natural oils like coconut oil is a much wiser choice for your pet. You should also avoid treats that contain high amounts of salt, as this can cause problems for your pet’s kidneys and cause other life-threatening conditions.

Fillers and by-products

Some pet food companies will add ‘filler’ ingredients to treats and pet food, reducing the goodness for the sake of bulking out the product. Treats that contain corn, wheat gluten and meat by-products, like rawhide are best avoided. Some treats contain artificial versions of these products and should also be avoided.

With so many potentially harmful ingredients, it’s important to do your research when it comes to pet food and treats. You’ll soon learn which types of treats to avoid to help you give the best to your pet.

Reading dog treat labels

Learning to read dog treat labels can be very useful when it comes to choosing treats for your dog. Some of the best tips for reading dog treat labels include:

Look for short ingredient lists

As with all food, the fewer the ingredients list, the better. Keep an eye out for labels with a short ingredients list, with recognizable items. If the list is long and full of chemicals and other artificial ingredients, it’s best to avoid this type of treat.

Keep an eye out for named protein sources

Healthy dog treats should be clear about their protein sources, explaining exactly what they are. Look for ingredients like “chicken” or “beef” instead of “meat meal – of unknown origin” and similar ingredients.

Avoid ambiguous terms

Some ingredients in dog treats can be a bit of a ‘catch-all,’ meaning you don’t know what’s really in them! Try to avoid ambiguous terms like “artificial flavors” or “animal digest,” as these can cover a lot of different ingredients.

Look out for high salt, fat and sugar content

Many dog treats will contain the nutritional information that can help you work out what’s best for your dog. Avoid treats that have high salt, fat and sugar content to make sure you’re giving them the best treats for their diet.

Choose treats that are suitable for your dog’s needs

All dogs are different, and some might have special dietary requirements that can rule out certain types of treats. From digestion issues to renal-friendly diets, make sure you choose treats that are suitable for your dog. If you’re unsure, consult your vet who can advise you on the best types of treats for your dog.

Homemade dog treat ideas

Finding the right dog treat can make it much easier to reward, train and bond with your dog. But did you know there are some treats you can provide straight from your own kitchen? Some simple homemade dog treat ideas include:

• Pieces of fruit and vegetables – apples, carrots and blueberries are big favorites with dogs.
• Cubes of low-fat cheese. Try not to give too many of these!
• Small pieces of meat, including chicken and turkey. Some dogs need a higher-value treat like fresh meat to help them stand to attention, so this could be a great reward for your pet.

Treats and your dog’s diet

Choosing the right treats can bring many benefits for your dog, helping them to learn new skills and behaviors, while also adding extra nutrition to their diet. Some things to consider when it comes to treats and your dog’s diet include:

Avoid giving too many treats

While it may be tempting to give your dog a treat every time they give you the eyes, try to avoid giving too many treats. It can spoil their dinner, and could lessen the impact of a treat over time. Agree how many you can give a day – and make sure everyone in your home sticks to this too!

Consider treats that can improve dental health

Some treats can help improve your dog’s dental health. Crunchy treats like carrots or dental chews made with natural ingredients can also help keep their teeth and gums in check.

Remember that senior dogs will have different needs

Some treats may not be suitable for more senior dogs, especially if they’ve lost some teeth over the years. Choose softer treats for them like banana pieces.

Make training simpler with smaller treats

Small, bite-sized treats are perfect for training. You can break up larger treats into smaller ones, which could help during those longer training sessions. Some dogs may prefer other rewards like a little pet or a scratch to know they’ve done a good job.

Healthy, natural treats from Bender’s Bakery

At Bender’s Bakery, we know what’s good for our dogs. This is why we’ve created a range of healthy treats for dogs that not only help their wellbeing, but the planet’s too! We sell treats containing no artificial colors or flavors, and baked for goodness. All of our products are made using solar energy, with 1% of sales donated to environmental causes. Best of all, they’re tasty too!

Make good choices when it comes to your pet’s health. Explore tasty treats from Bender’s Bakery for healthy dog treats your furry friend will love!