Veterinarian Lists 4 Dog Treats He Wishes People Would Stop Giving Their Pups
If you're like me, chances are anytime you see a new dog treat at the pet store, you buy them to see if your dog will like them. My husband rolls his eyes at me because I'm always bringing new ones home! Veterinarian Amir Anwary shared a video on Sunday, August 25th of four common dog treats he wouldn't buy, and why they're a no on his list.
From treats with complex ingredient lists to those with added sugar or salt, Dr. Anwary explains why these treats should be avoided. For example, treats labeled as "flavored" (say shrimp for instance) doesn't necessarily mean that shrimp is an ingredient, and unhealthy ingredients could be used instead to make the treat taste like shrimp. Listen in to hear what other things to avoid when you're looking for treats for your pup.
Dr. Anwary's video sparked a lot of questions, the main one being which treats you should be giving your dog instead, as well as treat recommendations for cats. Another commenter asked, "I'd like to make my own treats for both our cats and dogs. Not for resale, but just would love to know what ingredients I should add and what I should avoid." @Pawsome Pastries of Georgia shared, "I have a dog treat business for this reason!!! You can eat a treat with your dog because I add nothing but human ingredients. The reason I started it was because of my Shar-Pei he had so many issues!" Here's hoping the vet will do a Part 2 video and answer some of these questions!
Related: Veterinarian Explains Why Pineapple Is a Great Treat for Dogs
Homemade Healthy Dog Treats
I love to cook and spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so I experiment with new recipes and make a lot of dog treats for my dog. I like knowing exactly what ingredients she's getting, and some of the recipes I've found even help with stinky dog breath or excessive itching. Some people choose to make their own treats because their dog may have allergies or medical issues, because they're cheaper to make at home than to buy, or because they enjoy it. Whatever the reason, it can be a fun thing to do, especially if you get your kids involved, too!
One thing that drives me nuts is when my dog itches. These DIY allergy pops are like a treat, and really help cut down on her itching. An even simpler way to cut down on itching is by adding coconut oil into their food each day or freezing it to make a yummy frozen treat.
Speaking of frozen treats, who doesn't love eating ice cream! This recipe for dog-friendly ice cream was a hit at my house. Another favorite that I always have on hand are these peanut butter and honey dog treats. And while I haven't tried making these chicken and rice treats yet, I know my pooch will love them.
Homemade treats don't have to be a lot of work. Frozen treats are so simple to make and take no time at all. Use coconut oil or peanut butter as the base ingredient and add in fruits or veggies and freeze in silicon molds. Your dog will love them!
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