It is perfectly understandable that those of us who have the privilege of knowing that a dog loves them will want to spoil them with treats. But there are so many different types of treats available on the market these days. Considering the amount of money pet owners spend on their pets every year it is quite understandable that certain companies and even individual people will try to cash in. This means that you have to exercise caution when you purchase dog treats because it is easy to be taken in by all the sales hype. These days there are edible treats, bully sticks, and even toys one would expect to find in a child’s toy store. Sometimes the simplest things are dressed up with so much fancy packaging and labeling that we end up paying way more than we need to.
Choosing the right types of treats:
Suitability – Make sure that you take your own dog into account when you choose the treat. Just because it might be designed for the same breed as your dog it might not be suitable for your pet. The dog’s personality and health need to be considered, as well as the way the treat is going to be used.
Healthy Treats – You will find that some stores carry organic dog treats that are meant for a particular breed and contain special ingredients that are safe for the dog to eat and easy to digest. Sometimes these types of treats are a bit pricey but they are a safe option.
Purpose – What use is intended for the treat? I.e., is it meant simply as a treat to spoil your dog, or is it to be used during training sessions? Some treats are designed to help keep your dog amused and occupied when there is nobody around. Others are to satisfy their need to chew on something. Determining what purpose the treat is for will help you choose the right one.
Chewy Treats – Bones and rawhide chews are a great treat for any dog. Not only will it keep them occupied if you have to go somewhere but it is also good for their teeth and gums. You need to make sure that the bone or chewy dog treat that you buy is the right size for your dog. Also, make sure that whatever it is it won’t break into smaller pieces. These can not only become lodged in the mouth causing problems and discomfort, they can even be fatal.
Home-made – If you are on a budget and would prefer to make your own dog treats this is a great idea. There are many different natural dog treats that you can make at home with ingredients you probably already have. Just remember that some foods can be very harmful for dogs so before you even begin it is wise to do a little bit of research beforehand. A search online will yield many sites that will be able to advise you on the different types of home-made treats that are available.
Whenever you give your dog a treat it is important to remember that you are responsible for his health and well-being. With that in mind make sure that the treats you choose to give are going to benefit him and not harm him in any way.