Everything your dog eats has a direct impact on its health. Not only does your dog get nutrients from the dog food you feed, but also from the treats you give in-between meals. The problem with many commercial dog treats is they contain preservatives that can harm your dog.
Why Do Dog Treats Contain Preservatives?
The biggest reason that companies put preservatives in their dog treats is to extend the product’s shelf life. Preservatives and additives can cause digestive issues that lead to weight loss, and bowel issues. They can also cause problems with their skin and coat. Preservatives can change the flavour and make dog treats less nutritious. Offering your dog treats that are free of preservatives is not only safer and healthier – but also more enjoyable for your dog.
Some companies also use a variety of harmful additives to enhance the flavour or make the treats more visually appealing. Fillers like corn gluten meal, brewer’s rice or yeast, sugar, and salt are used to “bulk out” products without adding any nutritional value. These ingredients can also lead to health problems including bloat, food allergies, and dental decay.
More Reasons to Feed Natural Dog Treats
Natural dog treats are those that haven’t been processed. They contain one ingredient that comes from nature like icky chicken feet. You get the nutrition you want for your dog without the harmful ingredients. You can offer your dog a variety of natural treats to get a broader range of health benefits.
Some of our most popular treats include our fish bites that help support joint health while helping with skin allergies. Our beef dongas aid in dental health with chewy, elastic fibres that help clean your dog’s teeth. Other good choices include Achilles chews and shark skin scrolls. These chews will help clean your dog’s gums without any fillers to cause an additional build-up of plaque. There are also chews created for tiny teeth to give puppies and small dogs a safe way to satisfy their need to chew.
Some of the nutrients found in our natural treats include Omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin D to boost immunity, improve muscle development, and improve skin and coat conditions. Check out the benefits of each treat to determine which one is best for your dog’s dental and physical health.
Some dog parents find that switching to preservative-free food and treats helps alleviate their pet’s existing health issues. If your dog is suffering from health problems, look at the ingredients in their food and treats. If you don’t like what you see in their dog food, it might be time to switch to an all-raw diet.
Look at the Ingredients List
Ingredients are listed in descending order meaning that the first thing listed is the one the product contains the most of. Many pet owners know to look for protein as the first ingredient in their dog’s food. What you might not realise is that there shouldn’t be a long list of ingredients beyond that.
If dog treats contain ingredients you don’t recognise or can’t pronounce, those are probably preservatives and other additives. Don’t buy treats that contain anything you don’t recognise or that contain sweeteners, flavours, or colouring. Single-ingredient dog treats are always the best choice. You know exactly what you’re getting as well as what you aren’t.
Don’t Dog Treats “Spoil” Without Preservatives?
While feeding your dog preservatives is a bad idea, giving them spoiled food could be even worse. Fortunately, freeze-drying or dehydrating treats are effective methods of preserving food. Treats made using these methods are safe, long-lasting, and they retain their nutritional value.
Make Your Own Dog Treats
A growing number of pet parents are making homemade dog treats to avoid feeding their fur babies unhealthy ingredients. It’s one way to ensure you know exactly what goes into your fur baby’s treats. The trick to making treats that are safe is to choose the ingredients carefully.
Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is used in many products including baked goods, skin care products, medication, and toothpaste. It is also used in peanut butter, a common treat given to dogs.
While xylitol is safe for people, the sweetener is highly toxic to dogs. Even a small amount can lead to serious issues including seizures, coma, and death. Any time you make homemade dog treats or feed your dog anything with peanut butter, make sure it doesn’t contain xylitol.
Other healthy ingredients to try in dog treats include:
- Blueberries
- Sweet Potatoes
- Pumpkin
- Quality proteins like human-grade beef, chicken breast, or fish
During the summer months, try freezing natural bone broth for a refreshing, cool treat that your dog will love. Poor broth into an ice tray or onto a lick mat for long-lasting fun.
Buy from a Trusted Australian Brand
It isn’t just what you feed your dog that matters – it’s where you get it from. At Gully Road, our products are farm direct, 100% natural from Australia. Our dog treats include healthy, nutritious snacks that are appropriate for dogs of any age.
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