Dogs are very special to us. They walk alongside us in both good and bad times, their tail wagging and their step springing. Although I do not currently have a dog, I have been enjoying spending time with Green Diva Meg’s dog Gracie for a while. Every Tuesday, as I enter the house, Gracie waits by the door for me to give her a treat. There are probably many readers out there who have dogs who perform similar rituals when they get home.
We spend so much time being aware consumers, so I got to thinking, and that’s why I decided to write this post. We read food labels and purchase regional, humane, organic, and fair-trade products. So why do we purposefully avoid feeding ourselves packaged, processed foods while feeding our dogs these foods?
Because of this, I did research on the advantages to your dog’s health of making your own dog treats rather than purchasing them from a store. You love homemade desserts, right? Why shouldn’t your dog. Anyway, here are some justifications for why making homemade cookies for your dog is a really smart idea.
Homemade food doesn’t contain filler ingredients
Numerous manufacturers of commercial pet foods use cheap filler ingredients with minimal nutritional value as part of their diets. The majority of the cheap ingredients are used to prepare food in large quantities.
In essence, these filler ingredients have little nutritional value, pass through your dog’s system, and do nothing but increase waste. According to some studies, these dog food filler ingredients are the main allergens that cause allergies.
However, making your own food allows you to use the highest-quality, nutritionally-dense ingredients while removing any potential allergens and pointless fillers.
Five Key Points of Safety in a Homemade Dog Treat Recipe
1 Avoid ingredients in this post and on this ASPCA dangerous people food list in any homemade dog treat recipe for the reasons mentioned.
2 Just because a writer or creator claims something is safe for dogs doesn’t mean it actually is. People make mistakes, no matter who they are. Before feeding anything to your dog that you are not absolutely certain is safe for dogs, double check each ingredient and consult your dog’s veterinarian, the information in this article, and/or a veterinary nutritionist.
3 Calorie counting: Some recipes for homemade dog treats contain a lot of calories. When determining how many treats are appropriate or excessive, authors of treat recipes frequently omit the caloric intake.
4 Know Thine Flour: The crunch of a dog biscuit is provided by brown rice flour, which may also aid the dog’s digestion of the treat. Some dogs can’t tolerate wheat flour because it can cause rashes or stomach problems.
5 Yogurt Alert: Yes, yogurt is a probiotic. Indeed, a lot of dogs enjoy it as a treat and a snack occasionally, even straight from the container or as a food topping. Choose only yogurts that are free of added sugars or artificial sweeteners.
Homemade dog treats Can Be Expensive
The biggest drawback to homemade dog treats is their cost. On the other hand, commercial dog food is quite affordable. Homemade dog treatment often becomes expensive due to costly ingredients. Your pet food budget can be reduced if you can choose an affordable ingredient.
FAQ
What is the healthiest treat for a dog?
- Apples. A whole apple would be too much for a dog, and an apple a day doesn’t necessarily keep the doctor away, but apples are healthy for dogs just like they are for people!
- Green Peas. …
- Carrots. …
- Green Beans. …
- Watermelon. …
- Cooked Sweet Potatoes. …
- Bananas. …
- Broccoli.
Are homemade dog treats better than store bought?
Regular store-bought dog treats contain more preservatives, fats, and chemicals than homemade treats do. This is simply because homemade dog treats can contain the freshest and most natural ingredients available since they don’t have to sit in bags on store shelves for weeks at a time.
How long are homemade dog treats good for?
Dry, baked, homemade dog treats have the longest shelf life. The longer your baked goods stay fresh, the longer they’ll last: up to one week in the pantry and up to two weeks in the fridge.
What ingredients should not be in dog treats?
- Corn syrup.
- Artificial colors.
- Xylitol or any other sugar alcohols.
- Excessive salt.
- Propylene glycol.
- Brewer’s rice.
- Nitrates or nitrites.
- Vegetable oil.