Dog and cat treats – how healthy and useful are they really?
As pet owners, we know how much our furry friends love tasty snacks. Whether as a reward for good behavior or just to show them some love, treats play an important part in the lives of our dogs and cats. But are these tasty treats good for our pets? In this blog, we explore the question of how healthy they really are, which ingredients you should pay attention to when choosing and how you can use them sensibly.
Are treats unhealthy?
This question cannot be answered simply with yes or no. Treats can be both healthy and unhealthy depending on the ingredients used and how often you feed them to your pet. Some treats contain important nutrients and can contribute to a healthy lifestyle for your pets. Others can contain harmful additives and excessive amounts of sugar, fat, and carbohydrates that can lead to obesity and other health problems.
It is important that you choose quality treats with healthy ingredients that contribute to your pet's overall health and well-being.
What ingredients should I look for when choosing my rewards?
Basically, the more natural a snack is, the better. Because when treats are more processed, they usually contain more artificial additives and unhealthy ingredients. It is therefore better to choose treats with high-quality ingredients that provide important nutrients.
No vegetable fillers
Some treats contain cheap plant-based fillers like corn or wheat, which have little nutritional value and can cause digestive problems and even allergies in some pets. V. a. you should avoid such plant-based ingredients in cats, as they do not need them for their diet as they are pure carnivores. But even for dogs, ingredients such as grain are not necessary, as they are only unnecessary, cheaper substitutes with no added value.
No artificial additives
Avoid treats that contain preservatives, artificial colors or flavors as these can have a bad impact on your pet's health over time. These often only serve to make pets prefer to eat the snacks. Instead, look for treats with natural ingredients and no artificial additives like the Lila Loves it goodie mix .
high quality meat
Make sure your treats contain clearly declared sources of meat, e.g. B. muscle meat or organ meat and the type of meat (chicken, beef, etc.) is mentioned. A great example is Cat's Love's Pure Bites , which only have a high-quality meat source. Avoid treats with unspecified "animal by-products."
low in fat, sugar and carbohydrates
While these ingredients are necessary parts of a dog's and cat's diet, excess can lead to obesity and other health problems. Therefore, choose treats with a moderate carbohydrate content, little fat and preferably little to no sugar, such as the WOW turkey and pear soft bars .
How can I use treats sensibly?
Using treats wisely is crucial to keeping them a healthy and enjoyable part of your pet's life. Here are some tips for responsible use:
The right measure is crucial
Avoid overfeeding with treats. They should not make up more than 10% of your pet's daily calorie intake. So it is best to set a daily limit for certain snacks that you do not exceed. If you feed a lot of treats, it is also important to reduce the amount of your main food accordingly so that your pet does not get too much energy.
Treats only as a reward
Treats are a great way to reward good behavior and strengthen the bond between you and your four-legged friend. Use them solely as tasty rewards for following orders, learning new tricks, or positive behavior.
Tailored to your animal
Only select treats that are appropriate for your pet's size and age, such as Superfruits Kitten . Smaller treats are great for training sessions, while larger treats can be used for special occasions. The degree of hardness, for example of chewing rewards, should also be adapted to the teeth of your darling.
Watch your loved one's weight
Always keep track of your pet's weight and adjust treats accordingly. If you find that your furry friend is gaining weight, you should reduce their number or switch to a lower-calorie variant.
Grab healthy snacks with important functions
Many treats are not only tasty, but also have positive effects on the health of dogs and cats. There are a number of z. B. Lakefield chews that are good for teeth by being able to remove impurities. There are also treats or pastes for cats that can prevent the development of hairballs. In addition, rewards that contain vitamins or other important nutrients are a useful supplement.
Conclusion
In summary, when carefully selected and used judiciously, treats can be a healthy and enjoyable addition to a dog's or cat's diet. When shopping for treats, pay attention to high-quality ingredients and when feeding the right amount.
And make sure that treats always remain what they are: a special, delicious reward for your darling.
Sources:
https://www.mammaly.de/pages/lp-warum-leckerlis-deemen-hund-mehr-schaden-als-benefit
https://www.imtest.de/122588/ratgeber/tipps-zu-hundesnacks-which-leckerlis-sind-sinnvoll-und-gesund
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