Have you ever tried shopping for dog treats? There are gazillions of choices out there which can be very overwhelming if you don’t know what the best dog treats for your pooch are. Treats are among the best forms of positive reinforcement, which makes them an indispensable training tool. Most dogs are food-motivated and the anticipation of their favorite treat will surely influence their behavior, a lot!

Similar to choosing dog food, always make a habit of reviewing the list of ingredients. The internet is also a good source of information about dog treats, as customers would be eager to review the pros and cons. If your dog is experiencing weight-related issues, has food allergies, or other health concerns, it is always a good idea to consult with a veterinarian.

What are the best treats for dogs?

The best dog treats should have ingredients that are simple, wholesome, and natural. Here are some tips to help you choose the best treat for your dog:

• Read the list of ingredients and choose treats in which you recognize all the ingredients. Steer clear of treats in which ingredients are only listed in categories.
• Treats that contain artificial additives, preservatives, colors, and flavors should be avoided.
• Know what ingredients your dog may be allergic or intolerant to and be sure to check if these are present in the treat.
• Be mindful of how many treats you offer your dog each day. Moderation is the key. Pet nutritionists have always recommended that calories from treats should not exceed 10% of a dog’s total calorie intake per day.
• Offer treats that contain added nutrients and/or offer specific benefits, such as dental treats that help prevent plaque and tartar buildup.

Healthy, Natural Treats for Dogs

Many types of fruits and veggies make tasty and healthy treats for dogs. They are rich in nutrients and are convenient because they are right in your kitchen and are low in calories! Some of the all-time favorite healthy treats for dogs include the following:

• Apples
• Green peas
• Carrots
• Green beans (cooked with no seasoning)
• Watermelon
• Sweet potatoes (cooked)
• Bananas
• Broccoli (raw, roasted, steamed, with no seasoning)
• Squash (cooked)
• Strawberries
• Blueberries

Alternatively, single-ingredient treats are also healthy and natural for your dogs.

What dog treats are bad for your dog?

Dog treats are not created equal.

Some are hard enough to fracture teeth. Treats like rawhide are hard but as the dog chew on them, they soften. A dog that is gnawing on rawhide should be closely monitored because as the rawhide softens, it breaks down into little pieces that the dog could swallow and possibly become lodged in their throat. Once the rawhide starts getting smaller, it’s best to take it away and dispose of it properly.

Many treats also contain ingredients that are potentially harmful to dogs. Some rawhide treats have been cleaned and preserved using chemicals while other treats may contain artificial flavorings and colors. Some of the common chemicals that are used for processing include sodium sulphide, hydrogen peroxide or bleach, titanium oxide, formaldehyde, mercury, lead, arsenic, and glue.

Beware of treats with pretty colors because they may be saturated with artificial food colors that could be harmful to pets. They are often listed as E102 or Tartrazine (Yellow#5), E110 or Sunset Yellow (Yellow#6), E132 Indigotine (Blue#2), and E129 Allura Red (Red#40). There are speculations made by veterinarians that undesirable behaviors in dogs could be associated with pet food and treats that contain artificial colors. E129 Allura Red (Red#40) has been linked to the occurrence of cancer in animals that is why it has been banned in several countries in Europe.

Treats could also contain high quantities of sugar or salt, something that treat manufacturers do to improve their product’s appeal and compensate for low-quality ingredients that are used. A more pressing concern is using sorbitol, an artificial sweetener. It is a cheaper sugar substitute which means manufacturers could make more profit. Sugar has no place in a dog’s diet.

What makes dog treats a potential health minefield?

• Many dogs’ treats contain additives, such as artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives that could make dogs sick.
• Dog treats could undergo processing methods that could alter or destroy the components of ingredients.
• The ingredients that are used may not be as digestible or safe for dogs.

Do Dogs Need Treats?

Treats are important as a form of positive reinforcement during dog training. However, as lifestyles become more hectic and many pet owners are out of their homes for most of the day, and being generous with treats becomes a way to compensate for their guilt in leaving their pets home alone. With dog treats being a million-dollar industry, there are now several varieties of treats that sprung from simple traditional treats. These include the following:

• Training treats - The best training treats should be small and dry. If the session is quite long, cut treats into bite-sized pieces so it will not become a distraction and you get to watch your pet’s caloric intake too.
• Comfort treats - These include chew treats, bone treats, butter treats, and other delicious treats that dogs won’t be able to gobble up in 2 seconds.
• Healthy dog treats - Dental treats, joints treats, and tummy-friendly treats belong to this category.

What Should Not Be in Dog Treats?

Some ingredients in treats that should be avoided at all costs include the following:

• Corn
• Wheat
• Soy
• Meat meals and by-products
• Sugar
• Butylated Hydroxyanisole or BHA
• Butylated Hydroxytoluene or BHT
• Ethoxyquin
• Food dyes including Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and 4-MIE
• Propylene Glycol or PG
• Rendered fat
• Corn and wheat gluten
• Meat and grain meals and by-products

What Are Dehydrated Dog Treats?

Dehydrated dog treats are made up of meat, fruits, or vegetables that are sliced and placed inside a dehydrator for a certain length of time. During the process, water is removed to improve the treat’s shelf-life.

An important benefit of dehydrated dog treats is that all the nutritional benefits of raw meat are intact. Without moisture, there is no way that pathogens in raw meat could survive. Also, dehydrated dog treats are easier to store compared to raw treats and they last longer.