What dog treats to stay away from

Processed Dog Treats: Why to Stay Away from Them

As pet owners, we only want to give our four-legged friends the very best. When it comes to dog treats, there is a broad range of brands and types available to choose from to reward your treasured pooch for a job well done. But which treats are the best for your dog and which should always be avoided?

Processed food is everywhere and whether you are buying groceries for yourself or food for your pet, we should all try to avoid processed items as much as possible. You may already be aware of how unhealthy these food choices are for humans. But processed dog food and treats can also be just as harmful to your pet.

Why You Should Choose Natural Dog Chews for Your Pet

All-natural treats are always a healthier choice when compared to processed dog treats. You can avoid all theadditives and possible health risks by choosing a treat for your pet that is made from wholesome ingredients.

Its common knowledge that processed foods of any type are unhealthy. But did you know that processed bone treats can actually be dangerous for your dog?

The FDA has recently discovered that 68 pet illnesses and 15 pet deaths were caused by bone treats. The USDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has warned pet owners that these bone treats could be a serious health risk for their dogs.

Store-bought bone treats can be just as dangerous as giving your pet a real bone such as a chicken bone or pork bone. The processed treats in question were reported as looking moldy and they would become splintered once they were chewed on.

Why Processed Bone Treats Should Be Avoided

Processed bone treats are often dried through a smoking or baking process before hitting the store shelves. To keep them fresh longer, preservatives are added along with smoke flavor and seasoning.

These treats may seem harmless, but they have been known to cause serious health issues with dogs. Some of the health problems reported include digestive tract blockage, choking, vomiting, lacerations on the tonsils or in the mouth, rectal bleeding and diarrhea.

The experts say that a fully cooked beef bone has less risk involved, but you should still supervise your pet at all times and take away the bone once it starts to fragment. You can also choose a chew toy for your dog instead of giving them bone treats too often if you are concerned about the potential risks.

Choose a Healthier Alternative with the Best Natural Dog Chews in the Industry

If you are interested in giving your dog a healthier and safer treat, you should give Yak Chews from Peppy Pooch a try. These all-natural dog chews are packed with flavor and are made from the finest ingredients in the industry.

What Makes Yak Cheese Dog Treats Better Than All the Rest?

There are other Yak Cheese Dog Treats out there that claim to be made from Yak milk but often this is not the case.Those sold by Peppy Pooch, however, are made from 100% pure Yak milk and other natural ingredients to provide your dog with a wholesome treat they are sure to love.

These delicious and healthy alternatives to processed bone treats are packed with a rich cheesy flavor that dogs love and are made to last for hours. Plus, once your dog is almost finished with their Yak Cheese Treat, it can be popped in the microwave to create a delicious and crunchy cheese puff snack for them to devour.

Try out the grand selection of Yak Cheese Treats and other healthy snacks for your dog when you browse the selection available from Peppy Pooch.

10 Best Dog Treats That Will Have Your Pet Drooling

Ingredients: Luckily, you don't have to worry too much about whether or not the treats you pick are safe for your pet. "Most dog treats on the market are fine in regards to ingredients," Dr. Conrad says. "There aren't any 'best ingredients' per se but it more so depends on preference." So if you or your pup are more interested in something with a shorter ingredient list, pet parents lean towards treats like dehydrated animal lung, liver or meat. "Since treats shouldn't make up more than 10% of [your] dog's diet, ingredients aren't too much of a concern, especially if it's a commercially-made treat," she says, aside from your pet's personal preference, of course!

Purpose: If you're trying to find the right treat as a reward for training, look for something soft and small. "Dogs get excitable while training so a soft treat avoids any crumbs that may go down the wrong tube and cause them to cough," Dr. Conrad says. "Small, smelly, super tasty treats will give the best results so make sure you choose a treat your dog really loves so they'll work hard for their reward." If you're just looking for something that your dog can chew on for fun after a long day, larger, tougher treats are okay as well.

Health: It's important to avoid ingredients that you know your dog is sensitive to, and make sure you only purchase treats that are the correct size for your dog breed. "Make sure treats are easy to chew and digest and not too big for your dog to avoid any choking hazards," says Dr. Conrad. "Feed small amounts to avoid an upset stomach as too many treats can potentially cause GI upset." In general, treats should only make up 10% of your pup's daily diet, so don't overfeed them.

11 Worst Dog Treats To Avoid (And Healthy Alternatives)

We love our dogs and it can be tough to say no to them, especially when they are giving you those oh-so-pleading puppy dog eyes and eyeing your food.

However, humans and dogs have way different digestive systems, and what works for us may not necessarily work for them.

From cookies filled with sugar and chemicals to dried fruit thats covered in sugar, these treats are anything but good for your pooch.

While it is tempting to give them whatever they want, there are a few things that you should really stay away from. In this blog post, well look at some common dog treats that could actually harm your dog, and share some healthy alternatives that you might want to give in its place.

Dog Treats To Avoid

1. Rawhide

Rawhide is a popular dog treat that is made from the inner layer of cow or horse skin. While it may seem like a harmless treat, rawhide can be very dangerous for dogs. These chews are made from leather and dont necessarily dissolve when ingested.

If not properly monitored and any large pieces are ingested, they can cause blockages in the intestines of our canine companions. On top of that, even if the chews get bitten into smaller pieces, they can still pose a serious choking hazard.

2. Bones

Bones are another popular dog treat but they can also be dangerous. Bones can splinter and break, which can cause choking or blockages in your dogs digestive tract.

In addition, bones can also harbor bacteria that can make your dog sick. Always avoid small bones and only give large bones to your dog which are too big to swallow.

3. Sausage Links

Sausage links as a dog treat can be dangerous for many reasons. Sausage links are often made with chicken or beef, both of which can contain bacteria that can make your dog sick.

In addition, sausage links often contain garlic and onion powder, both of which can be toxic to dogs in large quantities. A small quantity, on the other hand, will not hurt your dog.

4. Hot Dogs

Hot dogs should not be a part of your pups regular diet. Although it may seem like an easy treat, these processed sausages contain unhealthy ingredients. They typically have high levels of fat, sodium, and preservatives such as nitrates which are not suitable for canine digestion or overall health.

Hot dogs also generally dont contain any nutritional benefits like the vegetables and lean proteins found in well-balanced dog meals. Adding this snack consistently can cause obesity and other medical problems over time that result in expensive vet bills.

5. Jerky Treats

Some jerky treats have been found to contain harmful ingredients, such as preservatives and additives, that can be harmful to dogs. In addition, some jerky treats are made with low-quality meat sources that may not be ideal for dogs to eat.

It is important to carefully read the ingredient list on any jerky treats you are considering giving to your dog to ensure that they are made with high-quality, safe ingredients.

6. Potato Chips

Potato chips are not a suitable treat for dogs for several reasons. First, potato chips are high in fat, salt, and other additives, which can harm dogs if eaten in large amounts. In addition, the crunchy texture of potato chips can be hard on a dogs teeth and digestive system.

It is best to avoid giving your dog potato chips and choose healthier treats that are specifically designed for dogs.

7. Blueberry Muffins

Blueberries may be yummy for humans, but they are not a good choice of treat for dogs. Dogs should not eat any type of muffin or pastry, as these treats contain too much sugar in addition to fats and oils.

Furthermore, things like baking powder and baking soda can irritate a dogs stomach if ingested. Blueberries also have the potential to be toxic for some dogs, depending on their weight.

8. Donuts

The truth is, donuts are not only bad for a humans health but for your pup as well! Donuts contain a large amount of sugar and other additives that can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other long-term health issues in dogs if consumed regularly.

Even worse is the lack of essential nutrients that these sweet treats provide to an animals diet.

9. Ice Cream

Dogs can often be tempted by the same treats we enjoy. However, an ice cream treat could do more harm than good. Like humans, dogs can suffer from lactose intolerance and struggle to process the dairy in traditional ice creams.

Even if your pup isnt lactose-intolerant, milk-based products can cause digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhea.

10. Peanut Butter

Peanut butter might contain an artificial sweetener called xylitol whichcan be toxic for your dog.

If you want to feed your pooch peanut butter, use only organic brands made with natural ingredients, and only feed small quantities.

11. Microwave Popcorn

An occasional popcorn is fine to feed your pup. However, in larger quantities, its high-fat content along with chemicals used in the flavoring and packaging process, microwave popcorn can prove to be damaging when fed to dogs on a regular basis.

In addition, the popcorn kernels pose a serious choking hazard; so next time youre looking for something special to treat your pup, skip the microwave popcorn.

Safe, Healthy Alternatives

You are what you eat, and the same rings true for our favorite canines. Many store-bought treats contain additives and chemicals, so why not opt for some healthy, natural snacks? You can enjoy them too!

1. Apples

Apples can be a great treat for your pup! Not only are these crunchy fruits low in calories, but their firm texture is good for keeping your dogs teeth and gums healthy. Theyre also full of fiber, vitamins A and C, calcium, and antioxidants that can help support your pups immune system.

2. Bananas

Bananas are a great treat to give your pup since theyre packed with plenty of beneficial nutrients. Not only do they provide dietary fiber, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C, but they have a healthy dose of potassium that helps regulate blood pressure in dogs.

An added bonus is that bananas contain natural sugars, so they offer energy-boosting sweetness while avoiding artificial sweeteners.

3. Broccoli

Broccoli contains lots of vitamins and minerals that keep your pup healthy and happy. For example, broccoli has nutritional yeast that helps fortify your dogs immune system. It also has a ton of fiber which can help support the digestive system and make it easier for pups to process their food.

Lastly, it has low-calorie content compared to other vegetables, so you dont have to worry about your pup packing on extra pounds.

4. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a nutritious and healthy treat for your pup. They provide plenty of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals and can also help improve your dogs digestion. Sweet potatoes may also help prevent dental disease in dogs due to their crunchy texture, which cleans plaque from the teeth while they eat.

They are low in fat and sodium and contain important antioxidants that boost the immune system.

5. Red Peppers

These crunchy vegetables provide a great change of pace from regular treats, and their high antioxidant content will help keep your pups immune system strong.

If eaten in moderation, red peppers can also help promote healthy digestion and boost the overall health of your dogs gut.

Dogs especially love them when theyre cooked just be sure to cut them up into small pieces to avoid any choking hazards.

6. Watermelon

As long as there are no added sugars or salt, watermelon can be a great way for dogs to get a refreshing treat on hot days. They have plenty of vitamins and even have some anti-inflammatory properties, so theyll do wonders for your pets health.

7. Carrots

Carrots are one of the most nutritious treats you can give your pup. They offer a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and other healthy components like biotin and potassium, which are key in maintaining optimal canine health.

Not to mention theyre low in calories so giving them as a snack wont result in weight gain. In addition, carrots crunchiness makes them an excellent treat for helping reduce tartar buildup on teeth and gums.

8. Green Peas

Green peas are a superfood for not only humans but for dogs too. Green peas, both fresh and frozen, can provide a great source of vitamins and minerals that help support the overall health of your furry pal.

Packed with antioxidants, B-Vitamins, Vitamin K, and protein, green peas are full of nutritional value that does wonders for your pups skin and coat as well as improving their digestion.

Final Thoughts

The worst dog treats are those that contain harmful ingredients such as artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Some might even contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs like garlic, onion, xylitol, or chocolate.

It is crucial to carefully read the label and choose treats made with natural, high-quality ingredients to ensure the health and safety of your canine bestie!