People give their dog treats for many reasons, including rewards for training or simply to keep them busy for a bit. And, if they’re healthy and safe, snacks can add a little variety to your dog’s life, as well as some added nutrition. Here are some of the healthiest snacks for your dog, all low-calorie and low-fat, as well as mineral and vitamin-packed.
Peanut butter is not only a highly nutritious dog treat – it’s versatile and entertaining. You can sneak pills with it, put it in an interactive toy, or simply enjoy watching your dog have a lip-smacking good time. There is an excellent treat on the market known as
Poochie Butter, the makers of which have done the peanut butter research for you. It meets all the requirements of a safe and healthy peanut butter treat - no salt, sugar, or preservatives- with added nutrients to boot.
If you’ve never given your dog strawberries, you both may be in for a treat. Many dogs absolutely love strawberries, which are a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and other nutrients that support your pup’s immune system and muscular function.
Fruitables
makes crunchy strawberry-yogurt dog treats, or you can DIY and whip up some
homemade strawberry-oatmeal treats
for your canine companion.
Carrots can add both vitamin A (good for healthy vision and immune system support) and extra fiber to your dog’s diet, Just make sure that it’s small enough for them to safely eat. Whole baby carrots can be given to bigger dogs, but it’s ideal to cut carrots into small pieces to be safe. Whether you make
homemade peanut butter-carrot dog treats
or give your pet the carrots raw, they’re sure to love this particular treat.
Many vets recommend bananas as a healthy alternative to salty, fatty treats. Bananas are high in vitamins C and B6, potassium, fiber for gastrointestinal health, and magnesium for bone growth and protein production. They do contain a lot of fructose, so moderation is the key.
Try some
DIY peanut butter-banana treats
or
Nutro Crunchy with Real Banana
dog treats.
Cucumber is a crunchy, low-calorie snack that many dogs love, with just eight calories per 1/2 cup serving (Milk Bone dog biscuits, in comparison, have 40). They are great for a dog on a weight loss plan and offer other benefits as well. One cup of cucumber contains:
- Potassium
- Copper
- Vitamins C, B1, and K
- Molybdenum
- Manganese
- Biotin
With this well-rounded list of the healthiest homemade and packaged snacks for your dog, you should be able to avoid giving your pup empty calories and add some variety to their life.
