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Expert Guide to Finding the Best Treats for Dogs
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Table of Content
What Are Dog Treats? Things to Consider When Choosing Furry Friend Treats Treat size, consistency, flavor and texture Specific needs your dog may have Consumption Seek out organic and non-GMO options Look for ones with limited ingredients How to Shop for Healthy Dog Treats Natural dog treats Dental chews Tasty treats for training List of Best Treats for Dogs Top recommendation: CBD Full-Spectrum (600mg) Happy-Furever™ Chews Calming Treats for Dogs Frontier Pets Free-Range Beef Tripe Hill’s Prescription Diet Hypo Crunchy Dog Treats Wrapping Up: Best Dog Treats that Support Long-Lasting Quality of Life Products Featured In This Blog Related Readings
What Are Dog Treats?
Dog treats are complementary feeds (Calancea et. al., 2024) for canines with a high content of specific nutrients intended to support their daily food ration. They aim to provide added nutrition to supplement regular dog food nutrition and should not exceed 10% (Pacelik et.al., 2023) of their total daily caloric intake. Dog and treats-giving activities also create a stronger relationship with their human families, and encourage positive habits during their pup’s early stages.
Dog treats come in different shapes, sizes, nutritional content, and texture. They provide a wide variety of health-related advantages, helping to meet canines' specific dental, digestive, training, development, and behavioral needs.
Things to Consider When Choosing Furry Friend Treats
With hundreds of choices available in the market, how do pet owners choose the best dog treats to give? Here are a few important things to consider when buying one:
Treat size, consistency, flavor and texture
Small dogs may have a hard time chewing on bigger treats while some dog treats may be harder to break than others. Treats can also be wet or dry in consistency depending on the moisture content, hard or soft or chewy, and come in different shapes, flavors, and sources. Pick one based on the type of food you know your dog enjoys. Many dog treats contain whole wheat flour, a favorable ingredient because it contains fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Specific needs your dog may have
Treats have different nutritional content and finding the perfect one that caters to specific dog needs is vital. Some dogs may have digestive or dental problems which makes drier treats more difficult for them to consume. Consulting a medical expert is also important when choosing treats suitable for dogs with allergies and other health concerns.
Consumption
Treats may be added to dog food, or given directly. Palatable treats are given as toppers to add variety to their food; no more than 3-4 pieces of freeze-dried meat or a maximum of 1/4 cup of bone broth at each meal. (Abood, 2023)
Each development phase also requires specific nutrients from treats, particularly when selecting treats for puppies and senior dogs. More active dogs also require special considerations because they need more protein to complement their training and behavior. If the treats given are not matched to the dog's age and activity level, it could only lead to weight gain for less active dogs.
Seek out organic and non-GMO options
Verification of treats in the market also guarantees that they meet federal consumption standards. Look out for labels like "USDA-inspected," "SQF-certified," and "human-grade" for quality and safety. For supplements or treats with health benefit claims, check for NASC certification and do extra research on the manufacturer to ensure they are a responsible supplier.
Look for ones with limited ingredients
Opting for short lists of recognizable ingredients also ensures that dogs receive healthy treats. Some jerky treats contain artificial colors and preservatives, and a considerable amount of salt content. By checking treat labels, owners can look out for common allergens like beef, dairy, wheat, soy, and corn.
How to Shop for Healthy Dog Treats
For new dog parents, finding a treat that makes their furry friend’s tail wag can be a challenge. Here are different types of treats that can draw a positive response from pets and are approved by vets:
Natural dog treats
Natural treats offer a variety of health-related benefits for our canine companions. Although they can vary in flavors and textures, they are made with fewer preservatives, artificial colorants, and harmful chemicals. They are therefore safe for puppies, adults, and senior dogs of all breeds. The fewer ingredients, the more natural the treats usually are.
If finding one-ingredient treats in the pet shop is a challenge, the most natural dog treats are fruits and veggies often found in pet owners‘ kitchens like apples, carrots, bananas, baked squash, and cooked sweet potatoes.
Dental chews
Dental chews can help keep a dog’s teeth and gums healthy as they aid in removing plaque and tartar while promoting better breath. Chewy options are a great addition to a dog’s oral healthcare routine and help keep teeth clean while relieving their anxiety and stress.
Tasty treats for training
Dog training treats are designed to help expedite the teaching process by providing a great reward for a puppy during its training sessions. Training treats are small, easy to chew, low in calories, and are made with beneficial nutritional elements to help with training.
List of Best Treats for Dogs
Here’s a list of carefully selected treats that owners can check out for their furry companions:
Top recommendation: CBD Full-Spectrum (600mg) Happy-Furever™ Chews Calming Treats for Dogs
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CBD Full-Spectrum (600mg) Happy-Furever™ Chews provide relaxation from canine stressors like traveling and separation anxiety, help restore pups’ calm demeanor, and relieve pet parents from unnecessary worries.
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They offer a wide range of health perks including reduced pain and inflammation, joint support, stronger bones, and better heart, digestive, and dental health.
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The entourage effect gives senior canines and dogs suffering from chronic health conditions longer relief, more energy, and improved overall well-being.
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These treats are third-party tested, vet-recommended, and come in packs of soft flavor-filled biscuits that can be consumed safely in different ways to provide variety to a dog’s diet.
To ensure pets enjoy their CBD treats, dogs and owners must follow the proper way to give them and stick to the correct amount. Check out the article “ CBD Dosage Chart for Dogs ” for more information.
Frontier Pets Free-Range Beef Tripe
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These are beef tripe dog treats made with premium meats and packed fresh using gluten-free, non-GMO, and all-natural ingredients.
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They are presented in freeze-dried form to ensure all the nutrients and flavor are preserved and easily digested.
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The tripe is made of free-range grass-fed beef for high-quality meaty goodness that supports the brand's mission to end factory farming.
Hill’s Prescription Diet Hypo Crunchy Dog Treats
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Clinically-tested crunchy biscuit treats for dogs with food and skin sensitivities under a special prescriptive diet
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Contain hydrolyzed protein for sensitive stomachs as well as omega-3 and antioxidants to promote healthy skin and coat growth
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List of key ingredients is complex since it is formulated to control allergic reactions and digestive issues
Wrapping Up: Best Dog Treats that Support Long-Lasting Quality of Life
Opting for a holistic approach to giving dog treats can significantly enhance your pet’s overall well-being. By choosing treats that not only satisfy but also support health, owners can provide a balanced experience for their furry friends.
CBD treats, in particular, have shown promising positive effects such as reducing anxiety, alleviating pain, and promoting a sense of calm. These benefits contribute to a pet’s long-term health, improving their quality of life.
Dr. Kathryn Rosalie Dench
With nearly two decades of experience, Cambridge veterinarian Dr. Kathryn Dench is dedicated to enhancing animal health through holistic practices. A member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, she focuses on preventive care over traditional methods, particularly for long-term wellness solutions in pets suffering from anxiety and chronic conditions. As Chief Scientific Advisor at Paw Origins, she champions holistic strategies and education to revolutionize pet care practices.
Products Featured In This Blog
Why Choose CBD Happy-Furever Oil™ Over Another Product?
We understand that there are other products on the market that claim to help your dogs with anxiety, or inflammation. However, many of times these products are either careless extracted with low potency in each bottle, lacking the dosage that would truly benefit your dog, or some products falsely market when in reality there's no CBD content.
We combat this by providing you with an Independent Third Party Certificate of Analysis that not just guarantees potency but ensures there's zero contamination.
Our 1,000mg CBD tincture stands out for both its high quality and its exceptional value, offering a greater amount of CBD at a price that's more affordable than what many competitors charge for a 500mg tincture. Additionally, the higher potency of our product means that each use requires less oil, resulting in longer-lasting effects and a more significant entourage effect, ensuring you get the most out of every drop.
We use an industry-leading CO2 extraction technique that ensures our raw crops are not overprocessed or overheated, making sure your dogs get the 'entourage effect', something most brands don't do.
Is CBD Happy-Furever™ safe for dogs?
As the stigma surrounding hemp-derived CBD continues to lessen, there’s no reason not to try CBD for your dog. However, we understand why some are still skeptical because in many ways CBD sounds too good to be true. So, we'll put your mind at ease, here’s why you’d be making the right choice:
Reputable health organizations all over the world including the World Health Organization (WHO) have deemed CBD a ‘safe & effective’ health alternative for both humans and animals. It's well-tolerated even in high doses, and it has very mild side effects.
Both Hemp and Marijuana are species of cannabis plants, and while they have the same cannabinoids and terpenes, the percentages and ratios differ immensely.
In particular, Hemp contains very low amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), where Marijuana contains higher percentages. High levels of THC results in the euphoria associated with marijuana.
Marijuana has approximately 20-30 % THC vs. industrial hemp 0.01-0.3% THC indicating marijuana has one hundred to a thousand times more tetrahydrocannabinol than hemp, a significant difference.
Happy-Furever only uses the highest quality CBD extracted using an industry-leading CO2 Extraction Process, making sure that the raw crops are not overheated or overprocessed, keeping the plant's diverse array of cannabinoids available. Watch as your dogs experience the positive benefits within days.
How do I use CBD Happy-Furever Oil™ for my dog? What's the most effective way?
⚠️ Here are the various methods to use CBD Oil for your dogs:
Highly Recommended Methods (Straight To Bloodstream):
(1a) Transmucosal applications or rubbing CBD oil onto your dog's gums.*
- Highly recommended for the best bioavailability & effectiveness.
- 15 - 60 minutes to take effect.
- *Works well because your dogs' mucous membranes absorb the CBD, so it goes directly into their bloodstream without traveling through their digestive system.
(1b) Rub into the soft skin of your dog's inner ear.*
- Recommended for bioavailability & effectiveness.
- 20 - 60 minutes to take effect.
- *Works well like transmucosal because it does not go through the digestive tract, making it bioavailable. Easy for dog parents finding difficulty applying to their dog's gums.
Least Recommended Methods (Digestive Tract):
(2) Apply directly on dog food - drop it on their food and mix it well.
- Recommended for picky dogs with sensitive digestive systems.
- Least bioavailability.
- 45 - 90 minutes to take effect.*
(3) Apply directly onto treat - trick or treat?
- The next most bioavailable option.
- 45 - 90 minutes to take effect.
*Important note: dogs may be sensitive to oils in general, always start at a low dosage, and slowly increase with time.
Important note: dogs' digestive systems may be sensitive to oils in general, so always start at a low dosage and slowly increase with time.
