In today’s world, it can be hard to know what is safe for your dog. This is especially true when you are looking at commercial dog treats! So many of the ingredients don’t even sound like food.
Here are some things to look for in all natural dog treats.
- Whole Ingredients
When you are looking at the ingredient list, look for foods that sound like what your dog would eat if she were in her natural environment. You should see meat or vegetables as the first ingredients, not sugar. Watch out for artificial flavors and colors – these are never good! If you see any ingredients that start with “d,” “s,” or even worse, if you can’t pronounce what you are reading – put it back on the shelf! - Human grade ingredients
When looking for dog treats, make sure all of your ingredients are human grade. This will ensure that they were made in a facility free of chemicals and other contaminants. - No preservatives
If you see any word in the ingredient list that has anything to do with preserving, put it back!
There are no good preservatives for your dog, so it is best to avoid these altogether. You can find natural preservatives like Vitamin E or rosemary extract in treat recipes if you wish. Just be sure to check their use-by date!
- A Good Source of Protein
Protein is the foundation for any good treat, and dogs need a lot of protein in their diets. Look for at least 10% protein in treats – more is better! Also, avoid ingredients like “animal digest” or anything with the word “meal” in it. Meat and eggs are the only sources of complete protein for dogs, not meals or digest! - No Meat By-Products
As with human food ingredients, by-products are never good in dog treats. They can be anything from stomach contents to feet and feathers. Yuck! The best treats are made from meat, eggs, or vegetables. - Limited Ingredients
Look for treats that have no more than four ingredients in them – preferably just one main ingredient! This way, you know what your dog is eating, and it is easier to pronounce the words on the package! Also, look at the feeding guidelines on the package and try to stick as close as possible to those. - No Grains or Carbs
Grains and carbs are not good for dogs, and they can also be a source of allergies in some pets. This includes corn, wheat, rice, barley, or anything else that is a grain – even oats! If you want grains, look for millet or rice-based treat. Vegetables are a good source of carbohydrates, so this is fine as well.
In conclusion, when looking for dog treats, it is better to be safe than sorry. Always check the labels before buying, and watch out for strange ingredients!