There are numerous ways to express your love for your four-legged companion, but most pet parents usually prefer giving snacks. Unfortunately, there are many dog treats out there with high fat and artificial preservatives, which can only harm your pet’s health.
So if you’re worried about your dog’s well-being or just looking for healthier options, we’ve prepared a list of healthy and delicious options you can incorporate into their diet.
Delicious Snacks You Can Feed Your Pet
It might appear tempting to sneak some table scraps into your pup’s diet, especially when you see their beautiful, begging eyes or if you want to reward them for something good they have done. However, you may have to avoid doing so, as you might only put their life at risk.
Instead of doing something risky, consider the five healthy dog treat ideas we’ve gathered below.
1. Green Peas
Fresh or frozen, green peas make tasty, low-calorie treats for dogs rich in antioxidant nutrients and flavonols that support cardiovascular health. You can hand feed this to your pet as training treats or add some to their food.
2. Peanut Butter Popsicles
If warm months are causing your pet to feel overheated, this cool treat will help them. You can prepare this cold treat by mixing one cup of unsalted and unsweetened peanut butter with a half of mashed banana and water to balance the consistency. Freeze the mixture on popsicle molds or wax paper and give it to your dog once frozen.
Never feed your canine salted or sweetened peanut butter with artificial sweeteners, as xylitol can be poisonous. If your pet exhibits negative reactions and alarming symptoms after consuming peanut butter, take them to a nearby veterinary laboratory center to determine their condition and address your situation right away. You may check websites like https://www.echoparkvethospital.com/site/veterinary-lab-echo-park to see their diagnostic services.
3. Apples
An apple a day might not keep the veterinarian away, and whole apples would also be too much for dogs. However, apples can be just as nutritious for pets as for humans. They are a great source of vitamins A and C and dietary fiber. Furthermore, they help keep your dog’s teeth clean and freshen their breath since apples have enough water content to remove the sugar from the mouth. The apple skins can also act like a toothbrush, which is an added benefit.
However, this doesn’t mean your pet won’t need professional dental care. It’s necessary to regularly take them to professionals specializing in dog and cat dental care to ensure their oral health is in optimum condition and prevent unwanted systemic diseases.
4. Carrots
Carrots are crunchy, delicious, low-calorie treats your canine will surely like. This root veggie is a rich source of beta-carotene for dogs, which helps enhance their immune responses and is good for the eyes, coat, skin, and reproductive system. Coarsely chopped carrots also allegedly treat tapeworm infestations, but there is not enough proof to support this claim.
It is essential to be up-to-date with your pet’s vaccinations and preventative treatments to protect them from deadly diseases and parasites. You may visit the Echo Park Vet Hospital website to see the importance of pet preventive care.
5. Pumpkin
This bright-orange snack is delicious for dogs and packed with essential vitamins to enhance your pet’s digestion, keep their coat and skin healthy, and settle an upset stomach. Serve this cooked and mashed, and do not add salt when feeding it to your pet.
Final Thoughts
Although your pet might probably appreciate it if you give them countless bites of these delicious and healthy foods, practicing moderation in treat-giving is essential. Always observe the 10% rule when feeding treats to your pet. 90% of their diet must consist of their regular food, and only 10% should be for their treats. Never hesitate to ask your vet if you are unsure how much of those treats are healthy or unhealthy for your dog’s well-being.
