Natural treats tend to be easier for pets to digest and less processed, helping maintain a balanced diet. But some treats can actually be dangerous, like pig ears, animal bones and fish skin chews.
Avoid these foods because they’re indigestible and could potentially cause oral or gastrointestinal blockage as well as being choking hazards for small dogs.
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Rawhide
Rawhide is often considered to be a favorite treat among dogs, helping strengthen their jaws, stimulate their minds, and prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
Unfortunately, rawhides contain bleaching agents and chemicals which are harmful to dogs, while large pieces may break off and present choking hazards for pets.
Make sure that the rawhide you give to your dog comes from the United States and steer clear of flavored varieties. Also be mindful when your pup chews their chew to remove it before it becomes small enough to choke on.
Paddy Whacks
Paddy whacks made of beef neck ligaments provide an abrasive surface that can help reduce tartar and plaque build-up while improving breath odor. Furthermore, they’re low in fat content making them suitable for heavy chewers.
However, these treats can be hard for small dogs to digest and pose a choking risk; additionally, they contain high caloric intake; therefore it’s essential that you monitor their weight closely.
Bones
Choose treats that are small enough to prevent choking hazards and take into account how often and how many treats your dog needs as some require more than others and could become overweight due to too many treats.
Healthy treats typically feature reduced calories, few additives and preservatives, and easily identifiable ingredients. Keep an eye out for treats with the USDA organic seal – it follows the same standards as certified organic human food!
Peanut Butter
Many dogs enjoy chewing peanut butter, which is great for cleaning teeth and freshening breath, but its high caloric intake should only account for 10% of a dog’s diet.
Find treats bearing the USDA Organic seal to indicate they meet human food standards and contain no GMO ingredients or added hormones, and include natural preservatives like citric acid, sorbic acid or mixed tocopherols for preservation.
Garlic
Garlic earned itself a bad reputation when studies revealed its potential toxicity for dogs. This caused widespread panic when used as treats; however, small doses likely won’t harm them and can even provide them with some health benefits.
Thiosulfate found in allium family plants such as garlic and onions is toxic for dogs in high doses and can lead to hemolytic anemia by dissolving red blood cells, which transport oxygen.
Apples
Apples are low-cal treats packed with nutrients like calcium, potassium and vitamins A & C. Plus they contain pectin which regulates bowel movements in dogs!
Always wash apples thoroughly, taking extra precaution to remove stems, seeds, and cores – seeds pose a choking hazard for small dogs while their core may contain trace amounts of poisonous cyanide. Furthermore, avoid feeding apple peels to your pup as these contain high concentrations of oxalate that could potentially cause urinary tract issues in some dogs.
Cherries
Cherries are rich in nutrients such as Vitamin C, A and fiber. Unfortunately, however, their high sugar content means large doses may lead to digestive upset such as diarrhea or vomiting.
Cherry pits, stems and leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides which can be toxic for dogs if eaten in large enough quantities; ingestion could even prove fatal! When feeding your pup cherries for treats, be sure to remove their pits to avoid possible choking hazards or intestinal blockages.
Nuts
Nuts provide essential fatty acids and can be an excellent source of energy, yet can also be high in calories and lead to weight gain in pets. Puppies that ingest too many nuts may choke while older dogs can suffer pancreatitis as a result of eating too many. Furthermore, nuts may harbor dangerous molds or mycotoxins that pose risks to health.
Peanuts (technically legumes) and cashews can be given in small amounts without salt, as long as they’re unsalted and unseasoned. But almonds should be shared cautiously as they can lead to serious salt toxicity issues as well as spiked blood sugar levels in some dogs.
Allergies
Many dogs develop allergies to certain food and treats, particularly animal proteins and wheat or gluten. Hypoallergenic treats provide a safe way for you to reward good behavior without risking an allergic response from your pup.
These soft training treats from Merrick feature salmon and other nutritious ingredients to offer your dog a tasty yet nutritional treat. Additionally, these gluten- and wheat-free treats contain no corn or artificial preservatives for extra peace of mind.
