Giving Your Dog Treats

Does your dog get super excited when he thinks he’s about to get a treat? We suspect that the answer to that question is a yes. If there’s one thing that gets Fido’s cute tail going, it’s the thought of a yummy snack. While your pooch would happily gobble up anything in paws’ reach, it’s best to stick to healthier options. A local Glen Ellyn, IL vet offers some tips on giving Fido treats in this article. 

Buying Snacks

Fido would probably happily sample any store-bought treats you bring home. However, try to stick to high-quality products. Get into the habit of reading labels, and choose treats made from ingredients you can actually identify. 

H  omemade Goodies

If you like baking, you can make your furry pal’s things. Just stick with ingredients that are safe for Fido. Dog biscuits are quite easy to make. For a base, you can combine two or even three of the following: natural peanut butter, pureed meat, eggs, sodium-free broth, organic baby food, plain yogurt, ripe bananas, canned boneless meat, fish, or poultry, or pureed pumpkin. Then, customize them by adding things like bacon bits, kibble, or cheese. Combine the batter, roll it out, and then use a cute cookie cutter to divide into small portions. Then, just pop them into the oven. Start with 20 minutes at 350. Keep them in longer for a crunchier texture.

Unsafe Foods

Not everything we eat is safe for our canine buddies. Some things on the no-no list include meat on the bone; pitted fruits; grapes, currants, and raisins; and anything with xylitol or a lot of salt, sugar, or fat. Garlic, scallions, onions, and chives are also unsafe, as are chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, nuts, mushrooms, and raw meat, dough, or yeast. Ask your vet for more information. 

Petiquette

We probably don’t need to point out that our canine companions are very, very good at getting us to fork over yummy snacks. Fido has had thousands of years to perfect that sad-puppy look that is so effective on us. However, begging is bad manners. Indulging pups this way can also cause some dogs to get pushier and pushier, until they eventually start getting a bit aggressive. Nip this bad habit in the bud! 

Please contact us, your Glen Ellyn, IL veterinary clinic, for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!