Does your dog need to lose weight? Or even just if you want some healthy eating tips for your pup, then this article is just for you! Did you know that dogs can eat human food! It has even been proven that it is great to treat your dog to new foods. Traditional dog treats can be high in calories and low in nutritional value. To help you know what food is appropriate, we are going to suggest the best healthy and natural treats for your dogs that you most likely already have in your kitchen!
The first category is fruit and vegetables, however not all fruits are safe for dog treats!
Apples are amazing for dogs, from the nutritional value and high in fibres, just be careful of the core! Apples are also super affordable and are on most people’s weekly food shop. Carrots are a delicious and crunchy snack for dogs. Specifically, carrots benefit the eyes, skin, coat health and immune system. Top tip: cut the raw carrots into manageable pieces to avoid injury. This next fruit is handy for Halloween season. Are you ever left with pumpkins and have no idea what to do? Roast them and feed them to your dog! Pumpkins are full of fibre, nutrients and vitamins and are great at treating diarrhoea and constipation in dogs.
Sweet Treats
Dogs can eat sweet treats such as popcorn, peanut butter and honey.
Plain popcorn (no salt, sugar, or toffee) is actually great for dogs! Plain popcorn is filled with nutritional goodies such as magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus. Be super careful of popcorn seeds and always monitor your dog whilst they eat popcorn!
Unsalted peanut butter is a great treat for your dog, however, make sure the peanut butter has no added sugar and sweeteners and be aware of xylitol, which is very toxic to dogs. Of course, peanut butter is not the healthiest snack, so only give your dog this treat within moderation or as a special treat such as their birthday. Did you know that there is peanut butter sold specifically for dogs! Below we have linked two of the best peanut butters for dogs currently on the market.
Honey
Honey is another great sweet treat for dogs; however, honey is quite unhealthy so should be a one-off treat. To replicate the taste of honey, without giving your dog honey there are some superb options on the dog treat market.
Did you know that dogs can eat fish? Well, if you don’t mind your dog’s breath smelling!
Anchovies and sardines are one of the best foods to give your dog due to the omega-3 fatty acids. They also have other benefits apart from nutritional value, these include skin benefits, glossy coat and targets your dog’s heart, brain, and joints, keeping them in tip top shape. Be careful when selecting anchovies and sardines, the product must come in water (not oil) and no salt. They are high in calories so be careful to not give your dog too many. Salmon is another great fish as it’s full of vitamins and protein and great for dogs. Just be aware for bones and make sure the salmon is fully cooked!
If you are nervous to give your dog fish, start them with these fish flavoured dog treats.
Air Dried Fish Treats For Dogs
These fish treats are packed full of nutrients and health benefits for your dog. The treats are high in protein and omega fatty acids, but also packed with vitamin B. These treats will keep your digs heart healthy and maintain joint health.
If you want to learn more about vitamins for dogs, read our blog post: does your dog need vitamins and ………
Did you know that most dogs love cheese! (Unless your dog is lactose intolerant)
However, if you are uncomfortable feeding your dog cheese, we have linked the perfect cheesy treats below (specifically made for dogs). If you are feeding your dog cheese, this should be a rare treat as cheese is high in fat.
Cheesy Nibbles
These cheesy nibble dog treats are a fan favourite from Pedigree, they are low in fat and high in vitamins, minerals, and omega 3.
Himalayan Yak Milk Cheese Stick Chews
These cheese stick chews are the perfect dog treat. They are filled of protein, calcium and omega 3. Additionally, they are gluten free and manufactured with no artificial substances. The manufacturer is extremely confident in their product that they offer a money back guarantee if your dog is not satisfied!
Foods to avoid!
Just in case you weren’t aware, there are some foods that are extremely dangerous to dogs and are considered poisonous. These include:
- Blue cheese – very poisonous to dogs!
- Chocolate
- Macadamia nuts – the majority of nuts are not healthy for dogs so best to avoid this food group.
- Onions
- Leeks
- Shallots
- Coffee
- Alcohol
- Garlic
- Cherries – are a choking hazard.
- Grapes
- Raisins – can cause kidney failure
- Currants
- Sultanas
- Avocados – cause diarrhoea and vomiting due to a substance called persin.
If you have given your dog any of these foods don’t panic! Book a vet appointment as soon as possible and make sure that you avoid these foods in the future.n dog
Dog treats that mimic human food!
We have found some great unique dog treats on amazon that mimic human food.
Gravy Bones
The first dog treat linked are by Pedigree and are gravy bones! These dog treats have no artificial colours or flavours.
100% Pure Beef Air-Dried Treats
These beef dog chews are the perfect crunchy dog treat for your furry friend. No chemicals or added flavours, these treats are great for your dog’s health.
Pumpkin and Carrot Dental Sticks
These healthy dog treats not only come in a variety of fruit flavours but also clean your dogs teeth!
The number one rule when feeding your dog any new foods is always to proceed with caution. Just like humans, dogs have allergies and can even be lactose intolerant! Always monitor your dog whilst giving them human food and introduce new foods slowly and carefully. If you are unsure or nervous about human food for dogs, there are a range of great dog treats on the market that mimic human food. These dog treats are designed for dogs so are 100% safe!
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