Healthy Treats for Dogs

Is your pup worried about getting in shape for bikini season? If you’ve noticed your dog has packed on a few extra pounds, it’s a good idea to look into healthier treat options.

Store-bought treats can have lots of calories and preservatives, so even small treats throughout the day can cause your pup to pack on the pounds. Thankfully, dogs are omnivores and enjoy a variety of healthy, inexpensive snacks you probably already have in your kitchen!

“‪Girls on a boat be like‬” -Doug

A post shared by Doug The Pug (@itsdougthepug) on May 28, 2018 at 9:08am PDT

Veggies! 
Many dogs LOVE carrots and will even munch on a green bean, piece of broccoli or spinach! Steer clear of onions, garlic and mushrooms as they are toxic to dogs. 

Fruit 
Pieces of banana, apple and seedless watermelon can serve as great tasty treats for pups. Berries are also yummy and nutritious. Dogs should not eat grapes or raisins as they can be harmful if ingested.

Pumpkin 
Plain, canned pumpkin puree is very nutritious for dogs. It’s a great idea to keep a spare can of pumpkin in your pantry because the high levels of fiber can bring your pup some relief in the event of a tummy ache. Pumpkin is also low in calories, so you can replace a small portion of your dog’s regular food with pumpkin puree if he or she needs to lose a few pounds.

Sweet Potato 
Low in fat and high in nutrients, steamed sweet potato chunks can serve as another great healthy alternative treat. You can also make some sweet potato slice treats in the oven for your pup to chew on.

Meat 
Of course, dogs love meat! While your pup would love to devour a whole sausage, a good alternative would be a piece of unseasoned, baked chicken breast or a tasty salmon skin! Just like people, animals need to watch what they eat if they want to stay fit! Keep treats to about 10% of your pet’s daily caloric intake and when possible, use one of the healthy items on this list for a reward.

For special occasions, stop by your local dog treat bakery and ask about their low-calorie treat options!