Whenever you think of snacking, does your mind go for healthy snacks or does it go for the decadent ones? What about when it comes to your dog’s snacks? Let’s be real, the snacks you find at the pet store aren’t always the healthiest options for your dogs. So which ones are? We’ll talk about healthy snack options for your dog in this article, including a few grab-and-go options that you can have in your arsenal for the future.
We’ll be going through some all-natural options as well as some human foods that can be safe and beneficial in moderation, so get your fridge (and your pup) ready and let’s dive in!
Apples
Let’s start with a classic, after all “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” - and that applies to the vet too! Apples are some of the most accessible fruit varieties worldwide and extremely beneficial for both you and your dog. For one, they are high in fiber, aiding digestion, and vitamins and antioxidants which can help combat free radicals. But even more than that, apples can help with cleaning your dog’s teeth, by removing food build-up.
Cashews
Munching on cashews is something that you may find yourself doing every once in a while. You can also share some with your dog every once in a while. They are an easy to grab snack that you can both enjoy, filled with vitamins and healthy fats. That being said, make sure you don’t overdo it and don’t share this treat with your dog too often as it can mean too many fats for them.
Watermelon
Being mostly water and fiber, summer’s favorite snack is a delicious and refreshing treat for both you and your pupster. It can help keep your dog refreshed and hydrated and sweeten up his day and. Like you would, also make sure you wash it it thoroughly before cutting, and make sure you remove the rind and seeds before your dog can enjoy this sweet treat.
Cooked Sweet Potato
The benefits of sweet potatoes are well known to humans, and they don’t shy away from having the same benefits on dogs as well. You can offer your dog sweet potato as a meal or as a snack, provided you cook them and that they are unseasoned. Avoid giving your dog raw potatoes of any kind and make sure you avoid seasonings (yes, even salt), as it may cause adverse reactions in dogs.
Peanut Butter
So far we’ve mentioned healthy treats that are, to some extent, made in nature and eaten as is. Now, we’re also divert our focus to store-bought, good-ole peanut butter. In moderation, this can be a fun and safe snack for your pooch. That being said, you do need to be weary of peanut butter varieties that don’t have condiments, salt or xylitol, since they can be harmful to your dog. It’s best to go for the variety that consists of minimal ingredients.
Cheese
As long as your dog is not lactose intolerant, it’s okay for you to share a piece of cheese with your Fido. A little goes a long way, so please make sure this does not happen too often, though. Cheese can provide some healthy gut bacteria for your pooch and can be a delicious treat for them. As with any processed food, make sure you watch the salt content before feeding it to your dog.
Broccoli
Controversial in the human world, for its taste, broccoli is a delicious and healthy treat for your dog. You can feed it to him raw, as a snack, or cooked and unseasoned in their meals. It provides lots of fiber and healthy vitamins for your dog.
It should be pretty clear to you by now: veggies and fruit are life, except if they’re on the forbidden food list, and then when it comes to processed foots, watch out for toxic ingredients, spices and condiments and you should be fine.
In the end, though, whichever option you go for when it comes to snacks and your dog, make sure you’re aware of portion control. That’s the best way to make sure that your dog is happy and healthy, and prevent it from becoming overweight. Everything in moderation should be a key element here.
