Before beginning any diet or adding delicious sweet snacks and treats onto your pets menu it is always recommended to speak with your veterinarian first to ensure your precious pooch can eat all of the sweetness that they crave.
Skipping the store bought snacks that are high in fat, sugar and often preservatives can save your wallet and add additional health benefits to your pup’s diet. Fruits and vegetables are naturally sweet treats for your pup and offer added vitamins and nutrients into their bodies. These are simple and easy treats that you can give you dog anytime of the year. Keep in mind, just like anything else moderation is key even with fruits and veggies. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) here are some healthy fruits and vegetables you can feed your dog and the ones that you should avoid.
Healthy Fruits
Apples, Cantaloupe, Pears,
Watermelon, Cranberries, Peaches,
Bananas, Mango, Pineapple,
Blueberries, Oranges, Raspberries
Fruits to Avoid
Avocados
Tomatoes
Grapes
Cherries
Healthy Vegetables
Broccoli, Green Beans,
Brussell Sprouts, Peas,
Carrots, Spinach
Celery,
Vegetables to Avoid
Asparagus
Mushrooms
Onions
Chocolate (yes, chocolate is a vegetable!)
Another sweet treat that your fur-baby will love you for is peanut butter. Tis creamy snack offers a source of protein and healthy fats and vitamins including B and E and Niacin. When selecting a peanut butter for your pooch, be sure that it is unsalted peanut butter and does not include artificial sweeteners, most especially xylitol as these can be very toxic to our beloved pets.
Oatmeal is another treat your dog, especially your senior dog will love you even more for. Loaded with fiber, this treat can help your dog with irregularity issues. Oatmeal contains vitamin B, which helps maintain a healthy coat, and linoleic acid, which is a type of omega-6 fatty acid that helps to keep a dog’s skin strong and healthy. While fruit is fine to add to oatmeal, please do not add any other sugars or other sweeteners to their diet.
Just like people, our pets love to snack, and like us, too many treats can lead to too many calories. Food has always been a way of binding people together and it is no different with our pets. We want them to feel loved and happy all of the time. But because we care about our pet’s health, we must make the necessary measures to ensure that they don’t overdo the sweets or calories. A great rule of thumb to follow is the 10% rule. Our pets snacking and treat intake should not exceed any more than 10% of their daily caloric intake.
To find out more information on how you can bring home a fur-ever friend of your own, please visit premierpups.com and speak with anyone of the knowledgeable and caring customer care service team members today.