Natural Pet TreatsAs pet owners, it brings us great satisfaction to spoil our pets
with a special treat. Who can resist seeing their pet's little eyes
light up, whiskers twitch and tails wag as they devour that snack? It's
at that point, when your pets know without a doubt that you love them. You
probably haven't thought much about it, but those treats actually help
to build a positive and long-lasting bond between you and your pets.
So, what are the best types of treats for your pets?
We recommend treats that contain wholesome, natural ingredients
to keep your pets healthy and happy. Treats that work to improve the
overall health of your pets are also a great option. There are many
out there that promote dental health, assist with achy joints, are high
in antioxidants, or vitamin enriched.
Here are some tips to consider:
- Avoid table scraps - people food tends to be high in calories and fat and
low in vitamins and nutrients for pets. Their body processes
food different from humans so many times people food can cause
digestive problems for the pet.
- Keep various treats on hand
- a good assortment of treats adds variety to their otherwise
monotonous diet.
- Use treats for behavioral enrichment
- animals love to please us, making them sit, stay, etc. for
their treat will only strengthen the bond you have with them.
- Don’t let treats make up more than 10 - 20 percent
of your pet's diet - remember while it is beneficial to reward
your pets with treats, those treats can be high in fat so please
limit the amount that you give them.
- Avoid treats that are high in sugar - read your
labels; if sugar, corn syrup, fructose or maple syrup is at the
top of the ingredient's list, you may want to choose a different
treat.
It's important to always consider your pet's health and well being
before making any decision as to what to feed them. Ask yourself these
questions:
Is my pet overweight? Obesity is one of the fastest growing health concerns for pets
in the US - nearly half of all pets are now overweight. Just like humans,
obesity can contribute to a wide range of health problems for pets —
arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease to name a few. It's important
to be aware of how many treats you give your pet each day. You may not
realize it, but many treats are very high in calories. For example,
a large biscuit may contain well over 100 calories. Unfortunately, pet
food manufacturers don't list the calorie intake on their labels. But,
you can rest assured that if one of the key ingredients is sugar and
the percentage of fat is high, it is a high calorie snack. You might
consider breaking up the larger treats into many pieces to use throughout
the day. Consider too, giving your pet a low fat treat like HealthyPetNet's
Wholesome Hearts Low Fat Dog Treats. They are all natural and low in fat, made with high
quality proteins and harvest fresh fruits, vegetables and multi-grains. Dogs
love them!
Is my pet constantly
chewing on his paws and back side area, does he get skin irritations,
hot spots or ear infections? Your pet could have
a food allergy. These are some of the more prominent symptoms related
to food allergies. Food allergies are a lot more common in pets than
we realize. Some of the more common allergens are beef, corn, wheat,
soy and dairy products. If you believe your pet suffers from allergies,
eliminate these ingredients in their food as well as their treats.
HealthyPetNet's Life's Abundance is an all-natural, wholesome
pet health food that we highly recommend for pets with allergies. It contains
fresh, organic ingredients chocked full of vitamins and anti-oxidants
for a healthy pet.
Do I have an older
pet that moves a little slower than he used to? Does he have problems
getting up? Is he reluctant to climb stairs? Do I have a large breed
or long-backed dog? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider
treats containing joint enhancing ingredients. There are several on
the market these days that are believed to help strengthen joints and
relieve discomfort related to arthritis or hip problems. Look for supplements
and treats enriched with Glucosamine, MSM and sea mussels. For a dog joint supplement,
we recommend Agility. It contains a combination of nutrients designed
to work together to promote healthy joints, bones and surrounding tissues. This
liver-flavored chewable tastes so good that your pets will think it's
a treat. For an additional treat, we also like Oxyfresh's Pet Jerky. It
also works to increase
your pet's range of motion, stimulate healthy cartilage growth and offer
relief for hips and joints. Dogs love this beef flavored jerky treat!
Do I practice good dental hygiene for my pet? It is estimated that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats today
have periodontal disease - a chronic deterioration of the gums and supporting
bones of the teeth. This disease is known as the "silent killer" because
it can cause serious health problems for your pet. Bacteria can enter
the bloodstream through the gums spreading throughout the body. If the
bacteria attack the vital organs, your pet can experience an infection
or damage to the kidneys, lungs, heart or liver. There are several treats
on the market today that promote dental health. To begin with, you'll
want to provide your pet with hard, crunchy treats.
The mechanical action of the dry food against
the teeth and gums assists in removing plaque build up. In addition
to hard treats, we recommend HealthyPetNet's Dog Dental Treats. These delicious,
wholesome treats are formulated with a patented plaque-fighting ingredient
that works to reduce plaque build up. For more information on dental
health please visit our Pet Dental Care section.
Always use your best
judgment, when making a decision about your pet's well being. Learn
to read labels and check the ingredients. Make sure your pet's overall
diet is balanced and nutritious and they should be healthy and happy
for a long, long time. Suggested Treats:
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