Dog Treats

Choosing Dog Treats

Pet stores are literally filled with aisles and aisles of dog treats. The variety of options available can make choosing a treat for your dog seem overwhelming.

As you shop for treats there are a number of factors to consider. Price obviously factors into the equation, but other factors include:

• Activity level of your dog
• Purpose of the treats
• Pre-existing medical conditions of your dog
• Food allergies
• Size of the dog

Budgetary constraints may be an important consideration when choosing treats for your dog. Some treats, especially those touted as premium dog food, can be rather expensive. However, just because a dog food is expensive does not mean it is of the highest quality. Often advertising costs can drive up the price of the pet treats. Close attention should be paid to the label to verify the actual quality of the dog treat.

The activity level of your dog is also important in choosing dog treats. Treats that are high in protein and fat may be required for dogs who are extremely active, while dogs who are more sedentary should be fed treats that are lower in protein, fat and overall calories, because they burn less energy.

The purpose of the treats should also be considered. If they are bought for the purpose of training, they should be small in size and low in calories. This is because a dog may receive many treats during a training session, so you don’t want the dog to fill up quickly, because if they are not hungry, they may not be so willing to work for food.

Pre-existing medical conditions and allergies should also be considered when choosing dog treats. If these conditions exist, a dog food comparison may be necessary to determine which treats are best for your dog. For example, if your dog is allergic to a particular ingredient, such as wheat, you should read the labels carefully to choose a treat that does not contain wheat in any form. Another example is dogs with debilitated kidneys that require treats low in protein and sodium, because their bodies lack the ability to process these substances.

Treats for Competition Dogs

If you train and compete with your dogs in strenuous dog sports, such as flyball, agility, dog diving, lure coursing or any other high energy activity, your dog may have specific dietary needs. Since these dogs get a great deal of exercise, a diet that is high in both protein and fat may be recommended. Just like endurance athletes, such as tri-athletes and marathon runners, these dogs receive much more exercise than the average pet dog, and therefore require more complex nutrition then most dogs. Treats rich in protein and fat will give these dogs the fuel they need to build muscle mass and maintain their high energy levels during intense competitions. Some owners utilize raw dog food diets for their competition dogs to help them maintain their energy.

Homemade Dog Treats

Those who are talented in the kitchen may want to make your own homemade dog treats. The Internet is filled with recipes for homemade dog biscuits. Most of these recipes are relatively simple to make and involve mixing a few ingredients together and baking the mixture for a relatively long time, until the biscuits harden. Making your own dog treats is the best way to be aware of everything that goes into your dog's mouth.

Before creating your own homemade dog treats, be sure to research foods to avoid. Certain foods can cause problems in dogs, ranging from mild digestive problems to potentially fatal conditions, such as pancreatitis, anemia and enteritis. Common foods to avoid include:

• Onions
• Garlic
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Chocolate
• Caffeinated beverages
• Dairy products

This is just a small sample of the foods to avoid and anyone wishing to make their own dog treats should fully research this topic to ensure they are not giving their dog potentially harmful ingredients.