Best Treats for Dogs

Does your pup perk up at the sound of the word “treat?” Or does he recognize the crinkle of a bag and come darting into the room, expecting a tasty snack? Plenty of dog owners spoil their pets with treats, but it’s important to understand the nutritional value and health effects of the snacks. There are plenty of places to get quality dog treats and make sure that your pup is getting everything he needs, not the bad stuff he doesn’t. Check out this basic guide to dog treats for answers to the most important questions!

Types of Treats

You can give your pup a variety of treats. Household foods make for good treats, which is beneficial because most dogs are not picky eaters – you can feed them fruits and vegetables, but be careful that the food isn’t toxic.

Dog biscuits are crunchy treats that come in a number of flavors. Soft treats are chewy and easily eaten with little to no mess. Jerky treats are made with meat, liver, seafood, chicken, and more, or even a blend of the flavors.

Of course, sometimes your dog needs a little extra dental help. For this reason, many companies have devised dental treats that help dogs’ teeth and do not cause too much stress.

Many dog owners give their pets bones to chew on, but bones can be very hard and actually cause dental damage. It’s wise to stay away from these kinds of treats and stick to what is easily digestible and appropriately healthy.

How often should I feed my dog treats?

Because treats usually don’t provide much nutritional value, they should be given to dogs sparingly. It’s recommended that they do not make up more than 10% of a dog’s dietary intake for the day. Overfeeding treats will cause the dog to beg or abstain from eating his kibble or other food. If your dog eats too many treats and isn’t active, he can gain weight, putting pressure on his joints. Diabetes can also develop in dogs, so it’s important to keep your pups active and go for walks and playtime fairly often. This helps keep the pounds off from all the treats. Remember that dogs do not need nearly as many calories as humans do, so it’s fine to give them smaller portions of food and fewer treats.

You can reward your dog for good behavior with treats. Anytime your dog listens to your command, performs an action, protects the home, or stops barking, you can throw him a tasty snack. Be sure to use verbal commands first, though!

How can I use treats to train my dog?

Dogs are often trained using classical conditioning and reward and punishment. They are taught commands, and when they complete the command, they’re given a treat. During the learning process, you should reward the behavior when you issue a verbal command or a gesture. As time goes on, you can start to reduce the number of times you give out a treat. This will allow your dog to retain the knowledge and still listen to you despite not always getting fed.

In addition to treats, you should reward good behavior and successful commands with petting, sweet talk, toys, and excursions (like letting the dog outside or into a pool).

Can I give my dog human food as a treat?

You can give your dog table food and human food as a treat, but do not give your dog onions, garlic, chives, chocolate, macadamia nuts, avocado, grapes, raisins, and cooked bones (chicken, turkey, cow, etc).

You should not constantly feed your dog table food, though, as it encourages begging. It should also not be given in place of their regular food. Keep human food as treats and your dog will be very happy when he gets the snacks.

What are good treats for dogs?

You should be feeding your dog treats that don’t cause damage to his teeth and provide some form of nutritional benefit. Unfortunately, most dog treats are simply designed to provide some crunch and some flavor, and they have byproducts and processed food in them.

Natural foods and organic ingredients are good options for treats. This helps keep your pup healthy and has a number of benefits for their digestion. Your dog will be less likely to have an upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea when he eats treats that are agreeable and do not contain inherently unhealthy ingredients.

Dog Treats at My Pet Naturally

If you’re looking for some of the best treats for your pet dog, My Pet Naturally has you covered. We stock a number of different types of organic and natural treats in a ton of varieties. Check out our selection!

• KODA PET Treats, coming in Apiye, Papa Icahi Bison, Papa Icahi Chicken, Papa Kitala, Papa Psuka, Papa Tatanka, SAMPLE, Waksa, Woci Chicken Meatball, and Woci FD Chicken Liver.
• Vital Essentials Dog FD Treats, in varieties of beef liver, beef nibs, beef tripe nibs, chicken breast, chicken hearts, duck nibs, minnows, rabbit bites, rabbit ears, and turkey fries.
• Wholesomes jerky strips or sticks in pork, fish, chicken, and beef varieties.
• YAK Pak dog chews
• SAM’S YAMS dog treats in bichon fries, sweet potato, and veggie rawhide.
• REAL MEAT dog treats, which sport flavors like beef, chicken/venison, lamb/liver, lamb, fish/venison, lamb/venison, and venison.
• GRANDMA LUCY’S organic treats, which have flavors like apple, banana, blueberry, pumpkin, cranberry, wheat free coconut, and banana/sweet potato.
• Portland pet food, which offers gluten-free bacon biscuits, pumpkin biscuits, and gingerbread biscuits, as well as regular bacon brew.

Natural Treats for Your Dog

My Pet Naturally is committed to keeping your pets healthy. We want to ensure your dogs have the best lives possible, and diet and nutrition is a large part of that. That’s why we only stock and sell the healthiest treats and food available. If you want to learn more about what our store offers, don’t hesitate to give us a call. You can also visit us in-store and take advantage of some of our services.

Contact My Pet Naturally today for help with dog treats, and more!