Safe Treats for Dogs

There are many dog treats on the market, which can make it difficult to choose the one that's safe for your dog's health. Many commercial dog treats are full of ingredients that can harm your dog: chemical preservatives, sugar, salt and artificial colors and flavors. To make sure you're getting safe treats, read the package label and check carefully for healthy ingredients, buy raw food for your dog or make your own dog treats.

  1. Reading Dog Food Labels

    • It's required that dog treat packages list the ingredients. The Association of American Feed Control Officials has standards that pet foods have to meet. Look for at least one of their standards on the dog treat labels. Dog treats made with fresh, pure ingredients are best for your dog. Don't buy treats that contain a lot of fat and sugar. Beware of dog treats with high amounts of preservatives, artificial flavorings or colors, because they may trigger an allergic reaction such as itching or other skin problems, gastrointestinal upset and joint problems.

    Raw Dog Food Treats

    • Raw food has important enzymes that dogs need for proper digestion. A diet filled with enzymes will help your dog stay healthy and may prevent cancer, arthritis, parasites, bowel and urinary problems and obesity. Dogs have a difficult time digesting cooked grains, unhealthy fats or meats with antibiotics and growth hormones. Grass-fed chicken and cattle are healthy, so you know raw food dog treats made from their meat will be good for your dog. Dogs have strong stomach acids that stave off salmonella and other bacteria, so you won't need to be concerned they'll get sick by eating something raw. You may even notice that your dog has more energy, better muscle tone and stronger bones when they eat raw food dog treats.

    Homemade Dog Treats

    • It's best to talk to a vet before you make homemade dog treats. He may suggest appropriate ingredients. You need to be completely sure you don't put anything into homemade dog treats that could harm your dog. You can add wonderful flavors to your dog treats that are so much better than artificial flavorings. Experiment with banana, pumpkin, oatmeal, apple, cheese and peanut butter to see which ones your dog likes. Be sure the treats you make are the right size for your dog. A small dog can choke on large treats.