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Here’s some information you should know about Treats!
KILL EM’ WITH KINDNESS?
Treats; they come in many shapes, sizes & flavors, but have you considered how they can affect your pet’s overall health? And, how can they be used to not only show your pet how much you love them, but actually improve your pet’s health?
First, let’s discuss: What IS a treat? Well, treats can be your typical biscuit or soft meaty morsels, but treats also include chews (ie: bully sticks), raw supplements like chicken necks, raw veggies, & even bones. Basically, anything that isn’t part of your pet’s daily diet.
Like us, we have to be informed about everything our pets eat…not only because we are adding calories to their diet, but also because there may be ingredients in the treat that could conflict with a health concern you & your pet are attempting to manage with diet. Or, the treat or supplement may not be easily digested by your pet’s sensitive tummy.
First, let’s look at some specific examples of treats that may be harmful to your pet.
Rawhides: These are very difficult to digest and may create gastrointestinal upsets even if your pet doesn’t normally have a sensitive stomach.
Grains: Treats containing grains like wheat, corn or soy (although any grain can be a problem for some pets), should be avoided if your pet has a grain-allergy.
Foreign Sourced/Irradiated: Beware of treats that are “too good to believe”. We all know dogs love the meat strip treats, and we’re all trying to watch our budget, but you really do get what you pay for. Inexpensive treats made in countries that do not use strict processing standards or that
are irradiated can be detrimental to your pet’s health
.
OK, so now you ask,”Well, what are appropriate treats for my pet?”
Answer:
Limited Ingredients: Treats that contain a few, pure ingredients and meet the same criteria you hold dear for your pet’s daily diet; whether you’re controlling the fat content, eliminating specific ingredients, or using unique proteins. All meat treats, raw supplements & meaty bones, tendons instead of rawhides and yes, even veggies are all acceptable and even beneficial treats for your pet.For example, chicken necks and raw meaty bones are not only an excellent source of calcium, but are also a great way to maintain good dental health.
A good rule of thumb is to pick treats that have the fewest ingredients possible. If they have added glutens, soy protein isolates or other ingredients that you are unfamiliar with, just avoid them.
And, be inquisitive, call the companies and ask them where they get their ingredients. A lot of US based companies source their ingredients from other countries to save costs. They can put “Made in the USA” on the package, but they may still be using foreign-sourced ingredients.
Use the same care and diligence in picking your pet’s treats as you do shopping for your own foods, and your pet will be happy & healthy.
Article by Amy Hodges of Wholesome Choice