Healthy treats for dogs
A treat a day keeps the vet away! That’s what our precious pups would have us think anyway. Giving your doggo long-lasting treats is a great way to keep them entertained throughout the day, and treats are essential when training your dog. Choosing healthy treats for your dog can not only keep him happy, but make him healthier as well. Check out our favorite healthy treats for dogs, and make sure you share yours below!
If you’re looking for a healthy daily diet for your dog have a look at our Complete Guide to Feeding Your Puppy and our review of pet food subscription services.
1. Raw Bones
Raw bones remain one of the best and healthiest treats for your dog. Giving your dog a raw bone frequently to munch on is a great way to ensure great dental health for your dog. It’s important to make sure you choose a bone that is big enough so your dog can’t swallow any small pieces whole, as this could pose a potential danger for choking or gastrointestinal blockage. Marrow bones are a great option and can be soaked in advance to dissolve the marrow if you are concerned they may be too high in fat.
2. Frozen Sardines or Fish
This is a recent discovery for us here at the Daily Pup! I wouldn’t be exaggerating to tell you our dogs are OBSESSED with eating (uncrumbed) frozen fish fillets and whole frozen sardines! You can buy these at most supermarkets in the frozen seafood section, and you should be able to find several different varieties. So far we have tried hoki, whiting and sardines and every kind has been a winner! Fish is very low in fat, so this is a low fat dog treat suitable for dogs on weight control diets.
Even better, they take quite a while to eat as they defrost slowly, so it keeps them entertained for a long time. Like always, be cautious if you have a dog who gobbles their food, as this may be a choking hazard if they were to bite off a sizeable piece and try to swallow it whole.
3. Carrots
Now, I honestly didn’t believe it when I was told about this one, as my dogs are quite fussy and I doubted the humble carrot would generate any interest. However, I was wrong. Most dogs seem to love carrots, and they are a cheap and healthy treat!
4. Prescription Dog Treats
If your dog has specific medical or nutritional needs you may need to take some extra care when choosing the best kind of healthy treat. Luckily, you still have plenty of options to treat your pooch with the development of prescription dog treats, such as the Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic Dog Treats which have been scientifically proven to support weight loss, with dogs in the clinical studies losing up to 28% of their body weight in two months. There are other options for joint health, dental care, and even anxiety so you can treat your dog and make them healthier at the same time!
5. Frozen Bone Broth
This is a brilliant treat idea for summer! Fill a Kong with reduced salt or salt free bone broth and allow to freeze overnight, and you have a treat and a toy in one!
6. Himalayan Yak Chew
The Original Himalayan Dog Chew is a very long lasting dog chew. Himalayan Dog Chews are made by boiling yak and cow milk and then dried for several weeks to create a hard chew. Dogs must work the end of the treat for hours, softening it with their mouths before small parts of it can be slowly scraped off. There are no added chemicals or preservatives. Himalayan Dog Chews are very hard treats, so they tend to last your dog a long time. Himalayan dog treats are gluten-free, surprisingly low lactose, and high in protein. These dog chews come in many shapes and sizes for a variety of shapes and sizes of pets, including a bone-shaped treat and the original kind.
7. Peanut Butter
Dogs L O V E peanut butter and you might be happy to learn peanut butter is a perfectly healthy treat for dogs! Full of healthy fats it is a great addition to your Kong stuffits and peanut butter is also a great way to hide your dog’s medication without them catching on!
8. Joint Supplement Treats
Joint health for dogs is important throughout their lives, and becomes even more-so in their senior years. It is well established that collagen-rich foods can help keep keep joints strong, and NutrEates Pure Fish Cartilage Treats are a great choice, especially for dogs that require a low-calorie or low-fat diet. For the many fans of Sasha’s Blend you will be excited to hear they have just released a new treat which includes the same premium ingredients proven to support and promote joint health as your dog ages, but in a convenient formulation that dogs love.