There’s a saying that you’re what you eat, and the same can be applied for your pet. Diet has a very important role in shaping up your dog or cat’s life, and what they consume has a direct impact on their physical and mental health. Deciding to go natural with your pet’s food is an important and excellent step in this regard.
One of the easiest ways to incorporate natural food to your pets diet is by starting out with their most favourite thing – treats! Natural dog and cat treats are of superior quality, with a lot of health benefits and with virtual no adverse health effects. Here are some reasons why you should prefer natural snacks for your canine or feline –
1. High quality ingredients
A lot of pet treats contain artificial, low-quality ingredients and some have very dubious additives and E numbers. All animals need high quality food sources from an early age for normal muscle development and growth. The treats you give to your pet add to their daily intake of nutrients.
If you keep feeding your pet treats low in nutrients they need and high in ingredients they don’t, such as carbohydrates, your dog or cat are likely to put on weight. They will also be sufficient in important vitamins and minerals needed for their wellbeing and vitality. Choosing natural treats for your pet you’ll be providing them with far better nutrition leading to better health.
2. Less chance of allergic response
If your pet has ever suffered from a food allergy, you will know how difficult the treatment can be. Moreover, food allergies in dogs can manifest in severe skin problems. Natural treats are a much safer option as they reduce the chances of triggering any food allergy, as high-quality natural treats do not contain ingredients like soy, wheat or corn that are common triggers of canine allergy.
“Much safer option as they reduce the chances of triggering any food allergy.”
Natural treats will also be gentle on your pooch’s stomach, thus reducing inflammation and lessening the chances of a reaction.
3. Less fattening
Keeping your dog in shape by cutting out on treats can be a little difficult for your pet, especially when using treats as a reward for good behaviour. In such cases, opting for natural treats or dog snacks is always a good idea as most contain fewer calories compared to other conventional pet treats.
Natural treats contain more nutrition and less fattening ingredients. As they don’t contain additives and filler content, fewer treats can make your pooch satisfied. At the same time, your pet’s weight is also under control without having to stop them from munching on their favourite snacks. In other words, it’s like the same way as you would opt to snack on your favourite fruit instead of finishing a bag of potato chips.
4. Wholesome nutrition
When you’re selecting dog treats for your four-legged friend, you will want to go ahead with a human mindset – meaning that you would want the same things that you would prefer in your own food. Like you, even pets are able to obtain the best nutrition from minimally processed, quality ingredients. In fact, recent studies have shown that all animals, including us humans, select foods based on their nutritional content by delicate bio-chemical cues. Read Nourishment by Dr. Fred Provenza.
“Recent studies have shown that all animals, including us humans, select foods based on their nutritional content by delicate bio-chemical cues.”
Natural dog treats use minimum and quality ingredients, that are not chemically processed or added with unnecessary fillers. Taking a look at the details on the packaging will give you an idea of what’s in your pet treats. Human-grade natural treats containing adequate amounts of proteins and fiber are the best for providing wholesome nutrition.
5. Better dental health
Dogs and cats love chewing which is naturally good for their teeth. Natural treats do not contain artificial sweeteners or other harmful chemicals that can be detrimental to your pet’s oral health. Instead, they can help maintain healthy teeth and gums by natural chewing action.
Treats like Yak Snacks are made from cheese that are 100% natural and high in nutrition that help remove accumulated dirt, plaque, and tartar between the teeth. These bars also become soft on chewing, proving to be beneficial for the teeth and gums. The cheesy bars also have a pleasant taste, compared to hard antlers or processed rawhide.
6. Mental well-being
Highly processed treats can cause irritation to your dogs digestion over time and create an imbalance in the gut flora, which is integral for positive mood and good mental health. Moreover, just like humans, your pet’s stomach, heart and brain are sensitive to what they eat or drink. Any kind of imbalance can contribute to inflammation and stress, thus affecting them mentally.
“High quality and natural treats contribute to better digestion, lower risk of diseases, strong immunity, increased energy and activity.”
High quality and natural treats contribute to better digestion, lower risk of diseases, strong immunity, increased energy and activity – leading to overall good physical and mental health. Chewing is known to act as a mental stimulator for dogs, so it’s better they chew on good things!
7. Improved Quality of Life & Longevity
The food that your pet eats directly impacts how they look, act, behave and feel. Having unadulterated, natural pet treats will lead to a healthy and shiny coat, ample energy to run and play, balanced weight to remain active and strong immunity to increase life expectancy.
Maintaining a natural diet from a young age will also ensure that your dog and cat remains fit and active, even in old age.
What to keep in mind when choosing treats for your pet?
It goes without saying that you would want to give the best to your furry family member. Seeing your pooch happy with a wagging tail is indeed satisfying. So, choosing the right treats is very important to keep your pet healthy and happy.
Here are the 3 main things to consider when choosing treats for your pet –
1. Ingredient Source
A lot of pet food brands may be natural, but do not mention the place from where the ingredients are sourced. However, this is an aspect that should not be overlooked. A product may be manufactured in one country, but the ingredients may be sourced from another. Knowing the quality control level of these places/countries is important to ensure that you’re giving the best to your pet.
2. Number of ingredients
The number of ingredients used in traditional pet treats can be extensive when reading the list of ingredients on the pack. Your main goal when looking for a good quality treat for your dog or cat is to find high quality, easily digestible species appropriate ingredients. However, most of the artificial treats found in the supermarket or online contain unwanted fillers, artificial colours, flavouring and additives that are not at all good for your pet. When it comes to the wellbeing of your pet, the less the ingredients in their treats, the better.
If your pooch is prone to allergies or has a sensitive stomach, single-ingredient treats like Duck Necks are one of the best. Here at Gallipots we have a great range of natural treats with single source ingredients.
3. Ingredient Quality
One thing that you need to remember is that even if the ingredients are natural, it does not always mean that it would be suitable for your pet. A lot of times, natural ingredients can also prove to be toxic, like chocolate, raisins, onions, so ensure to do your research properly before choosing dog treats.
Soopa Healthy Bites are low in fat, grain free and hypoallergenic. Small in size, but still full of natural nutritional values. Using only 100% natural human grade ingredients, these bites are easy for your dog to digest. The small sized treats are excellent for rewards in training, and also great for on the go too, as they come in a handy pocket friendly pillow pouch. Available in 3 tasty varieties. Suitable for all dogs 6 months and over. Simply delicious, nutritious & best of all dogs love them!
Feeding your pet natural treats not only keeps them happy and improves their quality of life, but it also brings a positive difference to your life and the time you spend with them. Choose natural, because when it comes to your pet, we know you would want nothing but the best!
