You love your pet and want them to have the very best, so you may already be providing organic kibble or canned food. But did you know that it’s also important to maintain that high quality when it comes to your pet’s treats?
To maintain consistent good quality food for your pet, you should make sure that your pet’s treats adhere to the same high standards as your pet’s food. Whether your pet enjoys many treats a day or just every once in awhile, quality ingredients are going to be key. Read on to learn more about how organic treats are crucial to your pet’s health.
What is Organic?
Organic ingredients include plants that are grown without pesticides or artificial fertilizers, as well as animal ingredients that come from animals that were raised on organic feed and weren’t treated with antibiotics or hormones.
Many people consume only organic or whole foods in order to improve their health or maintain their already good health. It stands to reason that providing these types of clean foods to your pet will benefit their health in the same way. If you’re skeptical, you can always try organic treats for awhile and see if you or your veterinarian notice a difference in your pet’s health.
Overweight Dogs
If your dog has a weight problem, but still needs the positive reinforcement of yummy treats, try organic vegetables. You can train your dog to enjoy green beans or carrots, which are both healthy and low-cal.
You can try the same thing with small pieces of cooked, organic chicken breast (or other meat). Of course, you won’t need to train your dog or cat to enjoy the meat tidbits, but you can ensure that they will be consuming high-quality, organic, hormone-free, single-ingredient treats.
Expensive Treats
High-quality, organic treats are more expensive than basic pet treats, but, remember, you can always restrict the size of the treat. Your pet won’t know the difference if you break a normal sized treat into a few pieces. They will still react positively to the treat, and this way your dog or cat consumes fewer calories at a time from treats and your treat supply will last longer.
- Ingredients
As with human food, if you can’t pronounce an ingredient, you might want to avoid it. Common additives to standard pet treats include:
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Dicalcium phosphate
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Choline chloride
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Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
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Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
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Sodium Metabisulfite
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TBHQ
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Ethoxyquin
You won’t see these additives in human treats because they are restricted or prohibited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If you don’t want these chemical additives in your food, then you probably don’t want them in your pet’s treats, either.
- Sugar
Did you know that sugar is the first ingredient in many pet treats? Sugar is just as unhealthy and addictive to your pet as it is to you. Best to avoid exposing your best friend to this unnecessary and fattening ingredient when you can. Be sure to check the ingredients on any treats you already have and treats you are thinking about purchasing.
Gotta Love Them
When researching organic pet treats, you might need to try several brands before you find the one that satisfy your need for clean ingredients and your pet’s need for great taste. Be sure to ask for samples, so you can try out a range of products. Also, always ask about return policies. Many pet stores will accept returns on opened packages if your pet refuses to eat the treats.
If you find yourself saddled with treats that your pet won’t eat, consider donating to your local animal shelter. Homeless animals deserve quality treats, too.
You can make pet treats at home from quality, organic ingredients. However, if you’re short on time, organic healthy treats for dogs and cats are available at many pet stores and online. While they tend to be pricier than standard treats, the superior ingredients are worth the additional cost. Make sure to comparison shop to find the best prices for the finest organic treats.
Author Bio: Carl Turner is a freelance writer from Santa Monica, California. He is also a pet lover and specializes in their health and wellness. When he is not busy writing and researching, he enjoys going to the beach and running with his dog, Pickles.
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Hi Marla,
I don’t currently have a pet but I have many friends and neighbors who do. I have listened to them lament about the health problems that their pets have. That’s why it is so important for them to understand the importance of healthy, organic pet treats. Thank you so much for sharing how organic treats are crucial to your pet’s health at The Healthy Happy Green And Natural Party Blog Hop. I’m Pinning And Sharing.
HI Deborah,
I think pets eating healthy and organic food is as important to their health as it is to our own. Thanks for sharing my article.