Usually, dog owners enjoy giving tasty treats to their dogs; and dogs…well, you know how it goes when your dog receives a treat. More than food, dog treats are a way to bond with your dog; they serve as rewards during training sessions, keep dogs busy, and can help maintain oral health.
But, just like in humans, the calories in those little snacks during the day add up to our caloric consumption and can lead to overweight and obesity. Dog treats should be about 5 to 10% of your dog’s daily caloric consumption. Your dog’s veterinarian is the best person to guide you regarding how much your dog should be eating in snacks; they may help you find out the total amount of food (including treats) that your pet should be eating.
Here are some healthy alternatives to treat your dog during the day, which will help her stay healthy.
Peanut Butter Balls
These frozen snacks are an excellent choice for the summer months. To make them, you will need to mix half a cup of peanut butter with half a mashed banana. Make balls measuring about 1 inch in diameter and freeze them up. Keep the balls frozen until you give them to your pooch; this will make him lick the ball instead o swallowing it.
Fruits
Dogs are fond of the sweetness of fruits. And, just like for us, fruits are an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals for dogs. Apples are a good option because they are crunchy, which helps dogs use their teeth instead of swallowing them. Other crunchy fruits like pears are good options too. Cut the apple into pieces and remove the seeds and core before handing it to your pooch.
Carrots
Most dogs enjoy the flavor of raw carrots, so this vitamin-rich vegetable is a great snack option for dogs. Cut a carrot so that you get 3 or 4 sticks out of it. You can give these sticks just like you would provide rawhide sticks or beef jerky.
Sweet Potato Sticks
Baked sweet potatoes sticks are loaded with flavor and fiber for your dog.
Wash the sweet potatoes, cut them to make sticks, and baked them in an oven set to 225 F for three to four hours. You can store them in the fridge for a few days and feed them to your dog as needed.
