What’s so wooftastic about natural dog treats?
It’s hard to resist that adorable face or ignore the fact your dog has just done something you’ve been training them to do for ages, which is why you often find yourself reaching in the treat cupboard to reward and praise your pooch. Treating is one of the most enjoyable elements of being a dog owner but how much attention do you pay to the treats you give your dog? Do you know the difference between natural dog treats and those that have been mass manufactured with little care for the health of the animal?
If you’ve answered no twice then read on as we’re about to reveal why natural dog treats are so superior and why you should think about switching to more wholesome treats to help keep your dog healthy and happy.
Natural = nutritious
Natural dog treats are made using wholesome ingredients and will state the sources of protein that they contain - such as beef, chicken or salmon. By comparison, lower quality treats will probably contain ‘meat or animal derivatives’ on their list of ingredients, which you might think means a choice cut of meat but could actually be any animal by-product not considered to be useful as part of the human food chain. This very vague terminology could pose problems to your dog’s health, particularly if they are sensitive to certain ingredients.
If you prefer to stay informed about what your dog is actually ingesting, then opt for natural dog treats which contain 100% natural ingredients.
Better for skin and coat health
We all know that a healthy diet, rich in nutrients, can maintain glowing skin and glossy hair and the same goes for your dog. Natural dog treats, particularly those made with duck or salmon, can help keep your dog’s coat and skin in great condition. Duck and salmon are both great sources of omega-3 fatty acids - essential nutrients that have to be consumed in food or supplement form because your dog’s body can’t produce them on its own. Omega-3 is beneficial for dogs of all ages:
- Puppies - omega-3 helps develop the immune system, perfect as they explore the world around them by chewing it!
- Adult dogs - omega-3 promotes healthy skin and coat and can improve mobility
- Senior dogs - omega-3 helps fight the inflammation that is linked to many degenerative diseases
Better for heart health
You might not realise, but heart disease in dogs is almost as common as it is in humans. Whilst some dogs may be born with a heart defect, most cases of heart disease are acquired as the dog ages and can be exacerbated by poor diet or lack of exercise. To help keep your pooch fit and promote heart health, try natural dog treats. Consuming foods or supplements that contain omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E and vitamin B6 in particular, can support the cardiovascular system and help protect your dog’s heart:
- Vitamin B6 - choose treats made with chicken for a B6 boost
- Vitamin E - choose treats made with salmon to increase vitamin E intake
- Omega-3 - choose treats made with duck for a fatty acid fix
Great choice for podgy pooches
If your dog is a little on the overweight side then you might be tempted to stop treating them altogether, but there may be a better way. After all, you still want to be able to reward your pooch, but without the guilt of overloading their calorie intake. Swapping your dog’s daily treat for a natural dog treat can help them to consume a lower fat diet. You’ll probably find they enjoy it more too as natural treats are packed full of lean meat or fish! Mass produced, cheap dog treats often contain additives, fillers and fattening ingredients, so by treating your dog you might be doing them more harm than good. Make the switch to natural treats today and you might be surprised next time your dog jumps on the scales at the vets.
Are you ready to make the switch to natural dog treats?
You might like the price tag of your shop bought, artificial treats, but are they really doing your dog any good? It’s a bit like fast food for humans, it tastes good initially, but after a while you feel sluggish, bloated and tired as your body struggles to cope with the high calorie, fat and additive content.
Swapping to natural dog treats is making a great investment in your dog’s health and happiness.
Don’t believe us? Follow us on social media to see what our customer’s dogs think about our natural dog treat boxes. Connect with us on Instagram @nibbleandnosh.co.uk or Facebook @nibbleandnosh or visit our shop to browse our full range of natural dog treat boxes.