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We all know that puppy eyes are hard to resist and it is nice to give your little fur baby a tasty snack once in a while. Training also requires a healthy stash a goodies, but it can be difficult to decide which is best. Today we are talking about how to choose healthy puppy treats.
Which type of treat- biscuits or chews? What size? Which ingredients are safe? It can be a real minefield, but there are some simple things you can look out for to ensure you are picking safe and healthy options.
What to avoid – Some Treats are not the Best for your Puppy!
Did you know that your treat choice can actually make your puppy’s behaviour worse? Some pet treats brands use artificial sugars in their recipes. Some cheaper ingredients also contain sugars. These sugars can cause your puppy to experience a sugar rush just like a human child.
This can lead to destructive behaviours, hyperactivity and also health issues like diarrhoea and dental decay. Some cheaper ingredients also contain sugars. Healthy treats should always have no added sugars and use high quality, natural ingredients.
Grain is another ingredient that should be avoided. Companies use grains as fillers because they are cheap. Dogs do not get any nutritional benefit from grain. Puppy treats should use filler options such as natural yoghurt, sweet potato or
When choosing a training treat for your puppy the ingredients list will give you a good indication of quality. By law, ingredients must be listed in order of quantity within the recipe. The best treats are those that list the protein source (meat, poultry or fish) as the first ingredient. The minimum requirement for animal products in dog food and treats is 4%, but this can be any meat source.
“Meat and animal derivatives” is a company’s legal get-out. They do not need to specific what animal meat it is i.e. beef, chicken, pork etc, and they also do not need to say which animals parts they have used. Using this term also allows them to change the meat they use between batches, so the bag you bought last week may not contain the same meat products as the bag you buy this week.
The same goes for the term “cereals”. They have not specified which cereal they have used which means they are free to use a different cereal in each batch and you, as the consumer, are unaware what you are buying.
A company using good quality ingredients will list them clearly, for example:
70% freshly prepared poultry (including 36% Chicken, 24% Duck and 10% Turkey).
Treats that use vague umbrella terms should be avoided, as should those that have a large percentage of grain as one of the main ingredients.
Healthy Puppy Treats
When choosing a training treat for your puppy the ingredients list will give you a good indication of quality. By law, ingredients must be listed in order of quantity within the recipe. The best treats are those that list the protein source (meat, poultry or fish) as the first ingredient. The minimum requirement for animal products in dog food and treats is 4%, but this can be any meat source.
Chicken or Turkey are the best options for a healthy protein source as they are lean meats and easily digestible, making them kind to young tummies.
Look for recipes that advertise “no artificial colours or preservatives” as this means any added minerals or fats will be natural. Also choose treats that say “no added sugars”. If your puppy has a sensitive stomach you should look out for brands that do not use grain or gluten in their recipes.
Bounce and Bella Beef Tasties
Bounce and Bella are the perfect choice for puppy training treats as they only have one ingredient- Beef! They use only premium beef cuts sourced from local Lancashire farmers. Not only is the meat a good quality, but they are also supporting local businesses.
The beef is air dried from raw, which means there are no harsh cooking methods to strip the nutrients. The treats are full of protein, fibre, oils and natural fats. Beef Tasties are suitable for puppies from 8 weeks of age.
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Skippers Puppy Training Treats
If your puppy likes the taste of fish, then these training treats from Skippers are a great healthy option. They contain three ingredients, all naturally sourced. 80% of the recipe is sustainably sourced Salmon, Trout and White Fish, gently steam cooked to prevent loss of nutrients. Fish contain lots of omega 3 fatty acids and fish oils which help support heart health, shiny coat and brain development.
The only other ingredients in Skippers’ treats are white potato and sweet potato. Potatoes have a high dietary fibre content, which helps maintain a healthy digestive system. They are also full of essential vitamins like A, C and B6.
The treats are dried so there is no fish oil residue and they do not smell. They also have an abrasive surface which helps remove plaque from your puppy’s teeth.
- ♥ 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇𝐘 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 - Our fishtastic Training Treats are made from 80% freshly prepared and gently steam cooked Salmon and Trout. The perfect fish-shaped tiddler size to use as high value, highly digestible rewards that are great for sensitive stomachs.
- ♥ 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐔𝐌 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 - Fish is an excellent source of essential omega oils, and packed with important health benefits helping to relieve the effects of arthritis by reducing inflammation in dogs’ joints, promoting shiny coats, calming dry, itchy skin and supporting the hearts cardiovascular health. Long lasting dog chew dog food,
- ♥ 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐔𝐊 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 - We use only 100% natural ingredients, including freshly prepared and gently steam cooked Salmon and Trout to produce our delicious, nutritious, grain-free fishy training treats. No rice, no wheat, just 80% fish, sweet potato and potato. 80% Freshly Prepared and Gently Steam Cooked Fish.
Wagg’s Chicken Treats for Puppy Training
Wagg’s Chicken treats for puppy training are little paw shaped bites of protein goodness, oven baked to lock in all those delicious flavours. This recipe contains chicken as a lean protein source, as well as wheat which is packed with dietary fibre. Wagg also add yoghurt to their puppy treats as a natural source of Calcium to support the growth of bones and teeth. Their treats are also enriched with vitamins and minerals.
Wagg do not use artificial colours or preservatives in any of their products. Their bite-sized treats are suitable for puppies aged 8 weeks and older.
- DELICIOUS TREATS - Every good dog deserves a little treat. And Wagg has something for everyone - tasty, nutritious and naturally good
- ENRICHED WITH VITAMINS & MINERALS - Wagg Puppy Treats are a delicious treat for your dog, enriched with extra vitamins and minerals
- OVEN BAKED - Wagg dog treats are oven baked to lock in nutrition & flavour, for a great, natural taste
Dragonfly Puppy Training treats
Dragonfly puppy training treats on contain poultry, sweet potato and chicken stock. Their 100% natural ingredients are produced in the UK and suitable for puppies being fed a raw diet.
80% of the recipe comes from poultry- Chicken, Turkey and Duck. The remaining 20% is sweet potato and chicken stock. That’s it! No grain, no gluten, no artificial additives, colours or preservatives. Just healthy, nutrient-filled ingredients to support your puppy’s development and aid training.
- TRAINING TREATS - The perfect sized dog training treats for smaller mouths (and larger ones too!) to teach recall commands. Our premium dog treats are irresistible and come in 500g packs, for a long lasting stash of healthy training treats.
- SUITABLE FOR ALL BREEDS FROM 8 WEEKS – Look no further for puppy training treats from 8 weeks onwards or healthy training treats, our training treats grain free are a fantastic high value training reward for younger and older dogs alike.
- GRAIN & GLUTEN FREE - Just unsmoked meat, and no added spices, flavouring, grains, wheat, soy, corn, gluten or fillers go into these dog treats for puppies! A healthy reward, these hypoallergenic dog treats are perfect for pooches with allergies.
They are the perfect size for puppies aged 3 months and older. They are dried during the cooking process, so they is no oily residue and they are good for dental health.
Choose some healthy puppy treats that your dog will love. Remember that natural foods such as cooked chicken or cooked sausage slices are great for training your puppy. Just remember to adjust your puppy’s regular food accordingly so that they are not over-eating with treats when training.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like to read our new puppy checklist and Kibble Nibble Dog Food Dispenser.
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