There are numerous ways to express your love for your four-legged friend, but most pet parents usually favor 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 concerned about your dog’s well-being or just searching for healthier alternatives, we’ve created a list of healthy and delicious options you can introduce to their regular 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’ve done. However, you may need to refrain from 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. 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 sweetened or salted peanut butter with artificial sweeteners, as xylitol can be highly toxic. If your pet shows negative reactions and alarming signs after consuming peanut butter, take them to a nearby vet laboratory center to determine their condition and address your situation right away. You may click here for more information on their diagnostic services.
2. Carrots
Carrots are crunchy, tasty, low-calorie snacks your canine will surely like. This root vegetable is an abundant source of beta-carotene for dogs, which helps enhance their immune responses and is good for the eyes, skin, coat, and reproductive system. Coarsely chopped carrots also allegedly treat tapeworm infestations, but insufficient proofs support this claim.
It is still essential to be up-to-date with your pet’s vaccinations and parasite preventative treatments to ensure their protection from deadly diseases and parasites. You can browse the website of veterinarians to see more about cat vaccinations.
3. Green Peas
Fresh or frozen, green peas make delicious, low-calorie treats for dogs abundant in antioxidant nutrients and flavonols that support cardiovascular health. You can hand feed this to your dog as training treats or add some to their food.
4. 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 good source of vitamins A and C and dietary fiber. They also 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 essential to take them to a veterinary dentist routinely to ensure their oral health is in optimal condition and prevent any unwanted systemic diseases.
5. Pumpkin
This bright-orange treat is delicious for canines and loaded with essential vitamins to enhance your pet’s digestion, keep their coat and skin healthy, and settle an upset stomach. Serve this mashed and cooked, and don’t add salt when feeding it to your pet.
Final Thoughts
Although your dog may probably appreciate it if you give them unlimited bites of these delicious and healthy snacks, 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 veterinarian if you’re unsure how much of those treats are healthy or unhealthy for your dog’s well-being.
