How to “Treat” Your Dog Without Compromising His Health

In the last 20 years Americans have entertained a plethora of nutrition theories, considering everything from low carbohydrate diets to one comprised entirely of green smoothies. Whether the diet of the hour is good or bad for our bodies, this increased attention to nutrition has at least had one positive side effect – it has made us more conscious of reading our food labels. But if we understand the importance of reading labels for our own food, why shouldn’t we for our pets as well? According to D.V.M. Ernie Ward, about 44 percent of dogs in the U.S. are obese, which increases their risk of heart disease, cancer and osteoarthritis. Yet some pet parents continue handing out treats without regard to quantity or quality.

Enough Is Enough – When considering the quantity of treats we give our dogs, we need to look at it from two perspectives. First is the actual number of treats and the frequency that we give them. Second, the size of the treat itself can make a big difference in overall fat, calories and carbohydrates. Dr. Ward reminds us that a single high-calorie dog treat can provide as much as 25 percent of our dog’s caloric needs for an entire day. When you consider that we often give our dogs two or three at a time, it’s no wonder we have so many obese dogs. So if your dog has a weight problem, switching to smaller sized treats, and giving them less often can have a significant impact on weight reduction.

They Are What They Eat – The nutritional quality of dog treats can vary as much as human treats. For instance, we know that snacking on an apple is better for our bodies than a bag of potato chips. A Milkbone brand Original Dog Biscuit contains a minimum of 5 percent crude fat, 15 percent crude protein, and 12 vitamins and minerals. The Original Beef Flavored Pup-Peroni treat has a minimum of 12 percent crude fat and 24 percent crude protein. But these mass produced, commercial treats aren’t our only options. Dr. Ward advises that one of the best treats for our dogs is something many of us probably keep stocked in our refrigerators most of the time – raw baby carrots. Dogs love them, and they are obviously more nutritious and less harmful than most of the commercial dog treats available on the market.

A Pound of Prevention – Although with treatment, some of the diseases caused by obesity in dogs are manageable, generally speaking, they are not curable or reversible. Therefore, the best course of action is to make sure our dogs do not become overweight in the first place. Crunchy vegetables – like baby carrots – are some of the best treat options for your dogs. However, you should avoid giving them onions, grapes, garlic or raisins, since these foods are toxic to dogs.

Reading labels and giving serious consideration to the number and kinds of treats you give your dog can help ensure he has a longer, healthier and happier life.

Sources:

Katherine Kam, “Healthy Dog Treats: Natural, Organic, and Other Treats to Help Keep Dogs Fit,” Pets.WebMed.com

“Original Biscuit,” Milkbone.com

“Original Beef Flavor,” Pupperoni.com


People also view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *