Why feed your dog natural dog treats? For the very same reasons, you like to eat naturally. Natural foods are healthier, lacking all the chemicals, preservatives, and the who-knows-what of the modern food industry. And natural foods are often tastier since their flavor hasn’t been destroyed as in by over-processing.
When choosing natural treats for your dog, you have to ask the question: What do dogs eat in nature? Mostly meat, of course! And the meat that Fido’s wolf ancestors ate did not contain preservatives. So when shopping for natural dog treats, look mainly for all-meat treats. Let’s look at several different types of treats.
Natural Dog Treats
Many natural dog treats are made from animal parts humans don’t normally eat, such as ears. A wide variety of ears are available, such as pig, lamb, and beef. Ears are mainly cartilage, so they are nice and chewy, low fat, and very easy to digest. Also available are organs such as lung, which is a high protein, low-fat treat. They are very soft, so they are perfect for puppies or older dogs. An unusual option is beef trachea, which is chewy to help keep teeth clean, as well as being high protein and low fat. The liver is an old standby and is extremely good for your dog as it is jam-packed with vitamins, minerals, proteins, and amino acids.
Another popular natural treat is cartilage chews. Cartilage is yet another great source of protein and is tough to chew, which is great for keeping your dog’s teeth clean. And speaking of cartilage, there are many treats that contain glucosamine and chondroitin, which are great for helping keep the older dog’s joints healthy and pain-free.
Some of the more exotic natural dog treats include antlers, usually from deer and elk. Antlers don’t splinter, so they are safe for your dog as well as being a great source of calcium, potassium, and lots of other minerals.
There are many different natural jerkies available for your dog as well. Besides being tasty, they are high protein, low-fat treats.
Most treats made from animal parts are available from different animals so that if, for instance, your dog is allergic to beef, you can easily find lamb or chicken treats for her.
Plant-Based Dog Treats
Of course, most dogs are not on an all-meat diet, and so there are natural veggie pet treats as well. One example are treats made from yams or sweet potatoes. These treats are very high in antioxidants, which are as good for your dog as they are for you. There are also many corn and carrot-based treats as well.
While many natural dog treats can be found locally, your best resource is the internet. Besides being able to choose from hundreds of makers, you will also find lots of dogs treat coupons to help keep the prices down.
Just remember that when dealing with natural dog treats, use the same standards you would use for your food; chemical and preservative-free, with natural flavoring.
Your dog is your best friend. Honor that friendship by giving her the same quality of foods that you give all your other loved ones.
