As a dog parent, you need to be aware of the concept of dog treats. Pet shops around the world offer a wealth of options when it comes to treats for dogs. Treats are a great tool to train your furry friend, teach her to be on her best behavior, or sometimes just a tool used to spoil your dogs for being the most loyal and sweet pets. Whatever your reason, dog treats are necessary for any household with a dog.
With so many flavours and types of dog treats readily available, choosing can be a challenging task. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you buy the ideal dog treats available on the market. This article will cover topics such as the different types of dog treats available on the market, the necessary ingredients in dog treats, the unhealthy effects of traditional baked dog treats and much more.
Good ingredients in dog treats
When choosing a dog treat, read the label carefully to check for certain necessary ingredients. Here are some things to be aware of:
- A short list of ingredients, the shorter, the more natural products, the better.
- High quality food ingredients. These should come first on the list because it means that their content is the highest in dog treats.
- Few and even better no additives!
- Meat like pork, which is high in protein and contains good fats, is a healthy choice for your dog’s overall nutritional intake.
- At least 95% of the ingredients must be the food or flavour for which the dog treat is named. For example, 95% of the content must be chicken if it is a chicken good bite.
- The rule of the basic four should be remembered. While buying dog treats, look for these four ingredients – fat, protein, water and fiber. In addition, the company should provide a guarantee for whatever it claims the ingredients consist of.
Ingredients to avoid in dog treats
When buying dog treats, be aware of a few ingredients that are harmful to your pet. These are:
- Sweeteners – artificial sweeteners are harmful. Go for treats that use a natural sweetener like natural honey and not synthetic honey.
- Long lists of ingredients that have names that are hard to pronounce.
- Artificial colours, additives and chemicals.
- Chemical preservatives such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), ethoxyquin, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and so on.
- Chemical humectants, such as propylene glycol, to keep snacks dry.
Different types of dog treats
Crunchy, typical baked dog treats
This type of dog treats includes foods such as biscuits, cookies, bars etc. These dog treats are usually available in a variety of flavours, sizes and shapes. Crunchy dog treats have a low moisture content and dogs take longer to chew and eat them. These dog treats contain some kind of cereal, but some crunchy dog treats also come without cereal.
Soft and cool treats for dogs
These dog treats are great for training as they are quick to bite and eat. They contain up to 25% moisture content, making them soft, and they also contain antibacterial humectants that will keep your dog healthy. While you’re training your dog, you’ll want to reward it with quick treats that are easy to break. The soft and chewy dog treats offer that softness. These treats are also considered to be of higher value because they are smellier. Try to go for the more natural and low-processed dog treats, as they are healthier.
Dehydrated dog treats
These are dog treats that have a texture similar to jerky. Dogs find them extremely appetizing; therefore, these can also be used treats for dog training. Jerky meat is dehydrated in a food dehydrator. You can even use fruit and vegetables as dehydrated treats. Choose a dehydrated dog treat that is free from preservatives and contains mainly one ingredient. This is important for good health.
Natural dried treats for dogs
Rawhide is an animal part that can appear natural and healthier. The truth is that it contains a lot of fat and calories, which is considered harmful. Even chicken bones or cooked bones of any meat are considered dangerous for your pet.
Chewing sticks made with real rawhide and designed to help dogs maintain healthy teeth and gums. They also provide a fun chewing activity for dogs.
Be wary of certain dried animal parts that are often used as dog treats but can cause problems. Kohove is such a meat that dogs like as a chew toy. However, they can lead to damage in your dog’s mouth or even intestine. Pig ears are another example of dog treats. Despite how delicious your pet may find it, they contain a high amount of fat, which is not a good idea for your pet.
Try our MÆT Homestyle natural dog snacks
MÆT dog treats are made is like jerky made from 100% chicken, beef and pork – nothing else. They contain no artificial flavours, colours, preservatives or added sugar. They’re perfect for training, exercising and bonding with your dog.
Long-lasting chewing sticks
A Beef Stick can be the perfect replacement for a real bone for your dog to chew on. They offer long-lasting chews that are soft and free from preservatives. Traditional baked dog treats used to be extremely harmful as they were full of additives, wheat etc. But companies that make dog treats like Beef Sticks are much more aware and conscious today.
These long-lasting chew sticks are a great idea when you need to do some work and you want your pet to stay busy.
Human food
Dogs cannot tolerate all raw foods, but several foods such as carrots, apples, unseasoned lean meats and others can be liked by dogs. They especially love peanut butter, but since it is high in protein and fat, it is best to give the unsweetened and natural peanut butter that is readily available on the market today.
Read more about the best vegetables for dogs
Read more about which foods dogs can and cannot tolerate
Homemade dog treats
Want to make sure your dog gets the highest quality ingredients? Do you have a dog with food allergies or sensitivities? Do you like to experiment, cook or spoil your dog? Making homemade treats can be a good option. Some fun “ice cream alternatives” to give your dog on a hot day include: mixed frozen yogurt and fruit, or even frozen chunks of fruit or veggies alone. If you have a food dehydrator at home, making freeze-dried and shredded and vegetable treats is a great way to ensure quality. There are many recipes out there for homemade biscuits and snacks, just remember to pay attention to the ingredients, size and calories of your dog delicacies.
Homemade dog treats of MÆT
If you want to make an easy homemade treat that’s packed with protein, try experimenting with our fresh dog food. With chicken, pork and beef varieties that are high in fibre and low in fat, you can make both dog ice cream and small balls for dog training, for example, make homemade dog treats with chicken. Our fresh dog food recipes are designed to meet your dog’s nutritional needs. You
Summary
Dog treats are used for a variety of purposes such as bonding with your dog, training them, keeping them occupied, cleaning their teeth and also as supplements. But with the number of options available, it can be hard to narrow down to just a few treats. This article tried to provide information about some basic things in dog treats that can make it easier for you to choose the ideal dog treat for your furry friend.
What are the best treats for dogs?
When choosing a dog treat, read the label carefully to check the ingredients. The list should preferably be as short as possible, but natural ingredients. At least 95% of the ingredients must be the food or flavour for which the dog treat is named. For example, 95% of the content must be chicken if it is a chicken good bite.
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