The Benefits of Homemade Dog Treats

August 29, 2008

Many dog owners are turning to homemade treats verses store-bought or processed treats and snacks. The health benefits of homemade dog treats parallel our human need to snack healthier and live healthier lives, so it only makes sense that we not only want the best nutrition for ourselves, but also for our canine companions.

Some health benefits of homemade dog treats include:

Safety: After the extensive commercial dog food contamination incidents, it is worth it to know what your dog is eating. By baking or purchasing homemade dog treats, dog owners have more control and options about what to feed their pets and what is actually going into their dog’s snacks. Homemade treats can and should be prepared chemical free. Chemicals and preservatives found in commercialized dog treats can actually harm dogs according to research and according to many researchers, the chemicals found in many commercial treats, snacks and food products, impede good behavior, due to the way the chemicals interact with a dog’s delicate brain. In some studies, researchers have also found that chemicals contained in commercialized dog snacks can even cause aggressive behavior.

Taste: Hands down, dogs prefer homemade treats to commercialized dog treats. Why? The answer is simple. Homemade snacks just taste better. Which would you prefer? A homemade batch of cookies or some hard and processed store bought cookies?

Health: We all know that less fat, means a healthier heart. The same principle goes for our dog’s heart. Homemade treats can be made with ingredients that contain less fat than store bought snacks. Giving your dog fat-free or reduced fat snacks will not only help your dog have a healthier heart, but will also help decrease the chances of him becoming obese later in his life.

Many homemade snacks can also be made with ingredients that help keep your dog’s teeth and gums clean. Homemade treats can also include ingredients that enhance your dog’s shiny coat.

Healthy dog treats also mean fewer clean up due to messes and an overall healthier digestive tract.

More Love: Make your dog’s favorite treats. He will appreciate it and in turn love you more for it. Can you remember your mother baking your favorite batch of cookies or muffins? Can you still smell the aroma of chocolate infiltrating your mother’s kitchen? Your dog will be able to smell and taste the love you put into a homemade batch of snacks, prepared especially for him, by you.

Making homemade dog snacks is simple and there are many great dog treat recipes that can be found on the Web. If you don’t have time to make a batch of treats, consider purchasing them online. There are many wonderful dog bakeries that provide healthy and nutritious snacks for dogs.

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