Healthy Pet Treats: What To Look For
If you are a dog or cat owner, you undoubtedly have come across the myriad of dog and cat treats available today. Determining what type of dog or cat treat to give to your pet can be challenging. While there is a wide variety of so-called healthy pet treats; what to look for specifically is the subject of our discussion.
There used to be a time when milk bones would suffice; in most cases they still remain the top choice for most pet owners. However, there are considerations you must make to safeguard the health of your pet. The ingredients in any treat must be the first priority. No doubt your vet will advise you as to the nutritional value of most treats, or you can certainly research their viability on your own.
The caloric intake is the second consideration. Too many treats are not a healthy way to maintain your pet’s weight (same applies to humans as well). The ingredients should be of the highest quality. For example: Milk bone treats consist of 15% protein; 12% moisture; 5% crude fat; and 3.5% crude fiber. The size of the dog determines the size of the treat; 1-8 of these treats a day are a good dietary regimen for large dogs. As long as the treats are low in fat and high in vitamins and minerals, there will unlikely be any stomach upset to your pet. Conversely, smaller milk bone treats are ideal for puppies; and a recommendation of 1-3 biscuits a day is sufficient.
Pets are no less fussy than humans. There are some pets who desire certain treats. Certain types of dogs require treat experimentation to ascertain which treat they prefer, especially puppies. Older dogs, however, invite any type of treat with excitement; but in any case, choosing the safest and healthiest treat is ultimately up to you.
Never substitute treats for good nutrition. Feed your pet the best quality food available. It is not advised to give any pet table food, chocolate or any other type of “human” food that will wreak havoc with their digestive system. While it may take a while to determine which type of food your pet finds acceptable; if it is high quality, your pet will most likely settle for it without any problem.
By their very nature, treats are just that; a reward for good behavior or just because you want to give them something special. It’s akin to a snack; and everyone enjoys a snack now and then, right? A good way to control treat-giving is to break the treat in half. In this way, your pet will not expect that which he didn’t receive in the first place. In addition, this will save you money in the long run, as the treats will last longer.
If your pet has any food allergies, check with the vet who can advise you which treats are suitable. While some pet owners use specialized treats for dental hygiene, the best method would be to simply brush away the plaque and tartar. Another consideration is to ensure that your dog actually chews the treat, and not swallow it whole. Breaking the treat in half or in pieces is recommended.
Pets not only provide unconditional love, but trust that you will take care of them in every facet of their growth process. This applies to their diet as well. As with all healthy pet treats, what to look for as it relates to nutritional benefit should be first and foremost in the care of your pet.
James Allen
View all articles by James Allen
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Hills Hypoallergenic Cat Treats 2.5 oz $499.89 |
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Bell Rock Semi-Moist Cat Treats Savory Salmon 22.5Lbs (120 x 3oz) $313.54 |
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Bell Rock Semi-Moist Cat Treats Roasted Chicken 22.5Lbs (120 x 3oz) $311.65 |
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Bell Rock Crunchy Cat Treats Turkey & Veggie 22.5Lbs (120 x 3oz) $311.65 |
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Bell Rock Semi-Moist Cat Treats Deep Sea Tuna 22.5Lbs (120 x 3oz) $311.65 |
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Bell Rock Crunchy Cat Treats Seafood Salad 22.5Lbs (120 x 3oz) $311.65 |
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Bell Rock Crunchy Cat Treats Chicken Pot Pie 22.5Lbs (120 x 3oz) $310.09 |
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Bell Rock Freeze Dried Cat Treats Chicken 5.63 Lbs (120 x 0.75oz) $305.75 |
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Bell Rock Freeze Dried Cat Treats Liver 5.63 Lbs (120 x 0.75oz) $305.75 |
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MERMAID HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN TEAPOT CAT TREE DOLPHIN TRICK OR TREAT ORIGINAL ART $300.00 |
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INNOVA CAT TREATS 3OZ 120 BAGS IN A BOXTHE GOOD STUFF $220.00 |
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Trick or Treat Candy Cane Art Gothic Lollipop Emo Cat $219.00 |
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Bell Rock Semi-Moist Cat Treats Savory Salmon 11.25 Lbs (60 x 3oz) $169.15 |
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Bell Rock Crunchy Cat Treats Chicken Pot Pie 11.25Lbs (60 x 3oz) $167.85 |
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Bell Rock Semi-Moist Cat Treats Deep Sea Tuna 11.25Lbs (60 x 3oz) $167.85 |
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Bell Rock Crunchy Cat Treats Turkey & Veggie 11.25Lbs (60 x 3oz) $167.85 |
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Bell Rock Semi-Moist Cat Treats Roasted Chicken 11.25Lbs (60 x 3oz) $167.85 |
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Bell Rock Crunchy Cat Treats Seafood Salad 11.25Lbs (60 x 3oz) $167.85 |
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Bell Rock Freeze Dried Cat Treats Liver 2.81Lbs (60 x 0.75oz) $166.69 |
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Bell Rock Freeze Dried Cat Treats Chicken 2.81Lbs (60 x 0.75oz) $166.69 |
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Freeze Dried Chicken Liver Plus Pumpkin and Apple Cat Treats -0.75 oz. 90301 $143.52 |
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Zukes Natural Purrz Healthy Moist Treats Cat Chicken 13.5lb (72x3oz) $147.54 |
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Zukes Natural Purrz Healthy Moist Treats Cat Salmon 13.5lb (72x3oz) $147.54 |
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Freeze Dried Chicken Liver Plus Peas and Carrots Cat Treats -0.75 oz. 90201 $137.28 |
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Freeze Dried Chicken Liver Plus Sweet Potato and Broccoli Cat Treats -0.75 oz. $137.28 |
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Byers Choice Cute Halloween Caroler Black Cat Costume Trick or Treat $114.99 |
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Whiskas Temptations Tartar Control Tasty Hearty Beef Treats for Cats, 6.3oz Pouc $117.33 |
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Bell Rock Crunchy Cat Treats Seafood Salad 7.75Lbs (36 x 3oz) $110.40 |
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Bell Rock Semi-Moist Cat Treats Deep Sea Tuna 6.75Lbs (36 x 3oz) $110.40 |
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Bell Rock Semi-Moist Cat Treats Roasted Chicken 6.75Lbs (36 x 3oz) $110.40 |
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Bell Rock Crunchy Cat Treats Turkey & Veggie 7.75Lbs (36 x 3oz) $110.40 |
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Bell Rock Semi-Moist Cat Treats Savory Salmon 7.75Lbs (36 x 3oz) $110.40 |
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Bell Rock Crunchy Cat Treats Chicken Pot Pie 7.75Lbs (36 x 3oz) $110.40 |
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Bell Rock Freeze Dried Cat Treats Chicken 1.69Lbs (36 x 0.75oz) $109.81 |
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Bell Rock Freeze Dried Cat Treats Liver 1.69Lbs (36 x 0.75oz) $109.81 |
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Trick or Treat Candy Cane Art Gothic Lollipop Emo Cat $109.00 |
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Halo Liv A Littles Dog/Cat Chicken Treats 2.2 oz-12 pk $106.95 |
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INNOVA CAT TREATS 3OZ 48 BAGS IN A BOXTHE GOOD STUFF $99.99 |
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Enisyl-F Lysine Treats for Cats 6.35oz $99.94 |
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DogTek EYENIMAL Pet Video Camera + Sound for Dog Cat Memories + FREE Treat $99.00 |
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Vtg LARGE 15 inch Kitty Cat Kitten Cookie Yarn Treat Food Jar Container Storage $79.99 |
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CAT TREAT CANISTER COOKIE JAR HANDMADE POTTERY CLAY VASE ANTIQUE RAKU PET BOWL $84.95 |
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Arthur Court Tuscan Cat Treat Jar Kitchen Cookie Candy Tin BRAND NEW!! $97.75 |
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Whiskas Temptations Tartar Control Tasty Hearty Beef Treats for Cats, 6.3-Ounce $97.71 |
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100% Alaskan WildSide Salmon YUMMY Dog Cat Treats 1.9lb $89.99 |
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100% Alaskan WildSide Salmon YUMMY Cat Dog Treats 1.9lb $89.99 |
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Disney Cinderella Lucifer Cat Jaq Gus Perla Mice Halloween Treat Box Le 300 Pin $89.50 |
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Generic Dog & Cat Wormer each tab treats 22lbs 30ct $89.00 |
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Zukes Natural Purrz Healthy Moist Treats Cat Chicken 6.7lb (36x3oz) $82.15 |
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Zukes Natural Purrz Healthy Moist Treats Cat Salmon 6.7lb (36x3oz) $82.15 |
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368343 Dental Treats For Cats- Case of 72 $82.09 |
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Whiskas Temptations Hairball Control Chicken Flavour Treats for Cats, 2.1-Ounce $78.84 |
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Whiskas Temptations Indoor Savory Salmon Flavour Treats for Cats, 2.1-Ounce Bags $78.75 |
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Disney Tinker Bell Dressed Black Cat Halloween Trick or Treat Mystery Le 100 Pin $78.50 |
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Friskies Party Mix, Beachside Crunch Cat Treats, Shrimp, Crab & Tuna Flavors, 6o $78.33 |
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Tartar Control Treats for CATS 12-PACK (1.8 lbs) $70.14 |
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Tartar Control Treats for CATS 12-PACK 1.8 lbs $70.14 |
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Bulk Dried Catnip by the Ounce, Cup or Pound For Cat Toys,Treats and Crafts $75.99 |
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3 boxes of INNOVA cat products top end treats clean $75.00 |
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All Natural Temptations Beef Flavor Treats for Cats, 2.47-Ounce Pouches (Pack of $74.73 |
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INNOVA CAT TREATS 3OZ 36 BAGS IN A BOXTHE GOOD STUFF $74.54 |
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Bonito Flakes Cat Treats: *6 PACK* TunaTreats **NEW** 2 OZ Size! $68.75 |
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Crave Cat Treats Surfy Turfy, Beef, Salmon and Shrimp, 2.1-Ounce (Pack of 12) $73.11 |
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Whiskas Temptations Treats for Cats ★ 5 Mega Packs ★ 5 Flavors ★ 900 grams $37.00 |
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New Crystal World Trick or Treat Miniature Figure Halloween Cat Kitty 1068 $68.99 |
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Organic Cat Grass Seeds ★ Oats ★Bulk★ Great Natural Treat ★ Feline ★ 1 lb. Seeds $19.99 |
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Snoozer Buon Appetito Cat Treat Jar by Tracy Flickinger $68.99 |
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Dog & Cat all wormer each tab treats 22lbs 25 tabs $68.97 |
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Pet project Thrive Cat Treats 100% Chicken 25g Tube x12 $55.31 |
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Bulk Dried Catnip by the Ounce, Cup or Pound For Cat Toys,Treats and Crafts $68.39 |
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Trick or Treat Candy Cane Art Gothic Lollipop Emo Cat $65.00 |
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Smokehouse Brand Dg Treat 85940 Rib Bone 6 In 30Cat Display $63.05 |
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Cat With Bat Treat Insider Foil Balloon $15.28 |
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Cat With Bat Treat Insider Foil Balloon $15.28 |
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Whiskas Temptations Treats for Cats ★ 5 Mega Packs of Savoury Salmon ★ 900 g. $37.00 |
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Whiskas Temptations Treats for Cats ★ 5 Mega Packs of Seafood Medley ★ 900 g. $37.00 |
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Whiskas Temptations Treats for Cats ★ 5 Mega Packs of Tantalizing Turkey★ 900 g $37.00 |
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Whiskas Temptations Treats for Cats ★ 5 Mega Packs of Hearty Beef ★ 900 grams ★ $37.00 |
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Whiskas Temptations Treats for Cats ★ 5 Mega Packs of Tasty Chicken ★900 grams ★ $37.00 |
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Whiskas Temptations Treats for Cats – 5 Mega Packs – 5 Flavors – 900 grams $37.00 |
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Merrick Bone Corporal Cap Dog Treats 30 Pack New Bones Dogs Treats Cats Supplies $61.07 |
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Meow Mix Ocean Explosion Cat Treat Set of: 12 29274-45097 $53.40 |
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Whiskas Temptations Mega Bag Tasty Chicken Treats for Cats, 6.3-ounce $60.52 |
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Bonito Cat Treats: TunaTreats **JUMBO 1 LB SIZE!** $59.99 |
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Bonito Cat Tuna Treats: by TunaTreats **JUMBO 1 LB SIZE!** – Made from 100% Tuna $59.99 |
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Karen Mary Hammerschmidt Trick Or Treat Posse Halloween Black Cats 3 Piece Set $59.99 |
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Sm Nutech Greenies Feline Chews Salmon Flavor Treats For Cat Reduce Tartar $59.99 |
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100% Alaskan WildSide Salmon YUMMY Dog Cat Treats 18 oz $57.99 |
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HALO Liv-a-Littles Chicken Natural Treats Cat pack of 6 $50.49 |
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100% Alaskan WildSide Salmon YUMMY Cat Dog Treats 18 oz $57.99 |
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Enamelled Retro Tin Cat Food Treats Storage Box With Scoop $22.52 |
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Lenox ~ 12 Halloween Ornaments ~ TRICK OR TREAT ~ Pumpkin, Ghost, Owl, Cat $56.99 |
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Halo Liv A Littles Dog/Cat Chicken Treats 2.2 oz-6 Pack $56.45 |
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No Pull Dog Harness with Removable Fun Patches GOT TREATS? $47.97 |
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No Pull Dog Harness with Removable Fun Patches CATS ROCK $47.97 |
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No Pull Dog Harness with Removable Fun Patches CATS ROCK $47.97 |
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MACPHERSON’S PET BAKING KITS Cat Treats Baking 1 kit $53.01 |
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12PACK 2OZ, CASTOR & POLLUX ORGANIX CAT TREATS, CHICKEN $54.99 |
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Whiskas Hardy Beef Temptation Treat for Cats-12 Pack Set of: 12 72302 $47.88 |
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Whiskas Seafood Temptation Treat for Cats-12 Pack Set of: 12 70122 $47.88 |
