Does your dog wake from a dead sleep at the sound of a food wrapper opening? Our canine pals certainly do love food. Although Fido may happily chomp down anything you put in front of him, this is one area where you’ll need to put your pet’s health first. A local Crown Point, IN vet discusses giving your dog treats below.
Choose Healthy Options
Plain, cooked meat, fish, or chicken is always a good option for Man’s Best Friend. Your pooch can also have shredded deli meat, sodium-free broth, or a bit of plain jerky. Fido also sometimes enjoys fruits and veggies, such as carrot sticks or apple slices. Ask your vet for specific advice.
Avoid Unsafe Foods
Many of our favorite foods are toxic to our canine companions. Never let Fido have garlic, onions, scallions, or chives; fruits with seeds or pits; chocolate; caffeine; alcohol; or grapes, currants, or raisins. Meat on the bone is also dangerous, as are raw dough, milk, and yeast; anything high in fat, salt, or sugar; and anything that contains xylitol. You’ll also want to limit your furry pal’s intake of organ meats, such as liver and kidney.
Limit Fats
Fido will definitely perk up when he realizes you’re cooking something he loves, like bacon or sausage. Although these fatty treats will get your pup’s cute tail wagging, they should only be offered occasionally. Eating too much fat can lead to pancreatitis, which is a very painful and dangerous issue with the pancreas.
Monitor Recall Alerts
Although the vast majority of dog treats are safe, this is one area where you really can’t be too careful. Keep an eye on recall alerts. You can check them on the FDA site here or the AMVA site here . Or, set up a Google alert.
Don’t Overdo It
If it were up to Fido, your pup would probably be snacking on treats all day, every day. This would, of course, likely lead to weight gain. Obesity is very dangerous for dogs! We recommend keeping treats to about 5 percent of your furry friend’s daily caloric intake.
Tricks For Treats
Why not have your canine buddy do a cute trick for his treat? Fido will be extra-happy, knowing that he’s been a good boy!
Please contact us, your Crown Point, IN vet clinic, for all your dog’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!
