Dog Treat Nutrition & Choices

The very popular dog treats include Rawhide which is the animal skin usually from cows or pigs and the pigs' ears. Dogs love these very inexpensive treats and can chew this stuff for several hours and days. But actually the fact is, dogs don't like the taste of rawhide which we give it but the act chewing.

Dogs are supposed to keep on chewing things which is needed to exercise their jaws and keep their teeth and gums healthy. Also it relieves them from boredom and stress.

If we consider rawhide on a nutritional note, it does not have any nutritional value at all. They contain artificial coloring and preservatives that can cause severe allergic reactions in dogs. It is generally seen that dogs develop rashes and irritation on the inner side of their lips from continuous exposure of the chemicals while chewing. Rawhides can be contaminated with harmful bacteria and are indigestible. Warnings were sent out by Canadian Federal Government last year that some rawhides were contaminated with bacteria called the salmonella bacteria. Indigestion of rawhide often causes digestive problems almost similar to gastroenteritis, which requires veterinarian care.

In such cases the treatment of the dog includes giving it non-toxic chew toys such as twisted cotton ropes, dried up beef joint bone or Nylabone products. Bone joint should be chosen from either a shoulder or knee that is too big for your dog to break or swallow. The bone should be boiled and then dried in the oven at 350 degrees F until dry for 15 minutes. This bone will last forever and will do great for your dog's teeth.

Treats need to be low in fat, and nutritious (high in vitamins and minerals), and good tasting. Vegetables are good treats to offer your dog. Pieces of apple or pears, , raw broccoli ,raw sweet red peppers, Sweet raw baby carrots can be experimented and be seen if your dog likes this or not as they have taste preferences too.

Baking some beef liver in the oven until crisp can be the best protein treat given to the dog. , Animal bakeries that use all natural ingredients are becoming very popular. Your pooch can even share a piece of his cookie with you for his treat.