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Natural Dog Treats
& Holistic Dog Treats
What To Look For

Natural Dog Treats and Holistic Dog Treats have become an extremely popular products for dog lovers but what determines if a dog treat is “Natural” or “Holistic”. The term “Natural” basically means that the ingredients of the dog treat or dog food have not been through a large amount of processing or minimum processing.

The term “Holistic” means that each individual ingredient in the dog treat is lending itself or contributing to your dog's health and nutrition in an individual or separate way. “Holistic” items are usually high quality or human quality foods, but you must always follow through with reading the labels with any product no matter how it's labeled.

Just because it's labeled natural or holistic doesn't mean that it's a complete Natural Dog Treat or holistic dog treat. This is why it is so important to read the labels of what you are purchasing for your dog. Many companies love to use the terms “Natural” or “Holistic” but they may not be 100% natural or 100% holistic, so read those labels and don't be fooled!

The problem with the labels is that they are not regulated properly. This means that the way in which the treat bakers are allowed to list their ingredients on the packages isn't exactly the “whole story”. For example, if your dog treat was baked with eggs, flour and then a flavored broth out of a can, it most likely would be listed as a natural product. However, this doesn't take into account the added ingredients that are in the can of broth such as preservatives and coloring. So it really isn't a natural product.

Using Treats For Nutritional Benefits

Now if a product is truly natural or holistic, what does it offer your dog compared to a commercial dog treat? A natural dog treat or holistic is missing the added preservatives and chemical additives that can lead to allergic reactions and even death after long term exposure. By leaving out these unnecessary additives, you increase the nutritional value of the treat by adding more vitamins and minerals that your dog needs to maintain healthy a healthy body.

All of the benefits such as quality nutrition reduces a dog's chances of developing serious health issues such as stomach and digestive disorders or developing a serious disease. Overall feeding a natural dog treat or holistic dog treat and a natural/holistic diet is better overall nutrition and that means better overall health. It also means your dog will likely live a longer life and you will have the benefit of many more years of your best buddy by your side.

With a natural/holistic diet, your dog will not only live a longer life but with the quality of the diet comes the quality of a better life that isn't plagued with pain and suffering. The same goes for your dog's health.

You will find that any existing health ailments or injuries will heal much faster and many conditions will disappear completely. This also reduces your time and money spent at your vet's and not only are the ingredients beneficial for your dog but they are safe for you and your family and the environment.

Dog Treats Have Calories Too!

It's important to keep in mind that no matter which type of treat your choose to feed your furry friend that you do not get crazy with the frequency and amount of treats or rewards. A good rule of thumb is their daily Natural Dog Treat or rewards should never exceed more than 10% of their daily diet. Personally I like to limit Rodeo and Maddie to once or twice a day.

Treats can quickly become a habit and they learn fast how to beg for them. I do allow hard pressed chew bones throughout the day for teeth cleaning and because Maddie is still young and chews on everything. It's appropriate to give her safe items to chew on and distract her attention away from potential dangers in the house.

You should always pay attention to the calorie content of the snacks that your are feeding them too. Some snacks can have an outrageous calorie count of over 100 calories per treat! Try to stick with a lower count treat around 5 – 30 calories. Personally, I generally don't feed more than 2 or 3 snacks per day and sometimes not even that many.

I also have a rule in our house, that if the dogs begin to expect snacks or start begging for them during the day, then they get cut off from snacks for a few days. It is not healthy for them to depend on their snacks as their nutrition source.

When they start that tendency to want to make it more frequent, change up their schedule for a few days to encourage them to eat more of their regular dog food diet. It may also be a good time to change up their dog food variety. Remember, you wouldn't want to eat the same turkey sandwich everyday, every meal for the rest of your life.

Remember To Consider
How The Treat Taste

It really comes down to what nutritional needs your dog has, what stage of life your dog is in and if you are a pampered pooch owner, you will want to be sure to get a Natural Dog Treat or holistic dog treat that taste good and meets with your dog's approval! Otherwise, you're probably gonna be stuck eating them – lol!

I don't know how it is at your house but at my house, Rodeo and Maddie are extremely picky. I've been to friend's homes and seen them throw out food to the dogs and they snarf it down in whole gulps. Not Rodeo and Maddie! They have to look it over, give it the sniff test, as if at a formal dinner testing the wine cork, then a small taste and if it doesn't meet with their approval they will NOT eat it! LOL!

The point is that dog's absolutely do care about the taste of their food if they are given the chance to evaluate their food. So take the time to consider what you are serving them and consider the long term effects on their health.

Ask questions when you are shopping and picking out your dog treats, are they truly all natural? Choosing a natural dog treat or holistic dog treat can be one most positive steps in loving your dog healthy!