As a dog or cat owner I’m sure you are like me and concerned
about the health of our fur babies, I question what types of treats are the
most beneficial, if I’m in charge of what is given then I should make sure what
I give them has a purpose, not just empty calories, I want their treats and everything they eat to be
functional. (I need someone to do this for me lol)
This is the trend that is happening throughout the United
States in the last 7 -9 years which is a good thing. In my opinion giving a “biscuit treat” that
is just carbs/calories is ok once in a great while, but because we are the ones
making the decisions as to what they eat we should make sure it is a help and
not a harm. With so many offerings
available in today’s market why would you give just a plain “bone biscuit” (I
know we have been marketed to that they clean teeth, but they don’t, really
think about that for a minute would eating granola clean your teeth?) (This was a great marketing ploy along with kibble cleans your teeth)
Generally, functional treats won’t make a difference in a
dog's health unless they are given to them consistently and once you find a
treat that is showing the needed results, you can feel good about giving it.
There are countless ingredients that naturally aid in pet
health and overall well being. Some of the biggest ingredients in the
marketplace now are:
·
Spirulina – is high in protein
and a good source of antioxidants. It is known for immune support,
detoxification, and gastrointestinal support.
·
Glucosamine – is a natural
joint lubricant and can help reduce swelling and promote the strength of
muscles and bones.
·
Inulin – is a source of
prebiotic that can promote digestive health.
·
Apples – help freshen breath
and are high in fiber.
·
Turmeric – is a very strong antioxidant
and has been shown to have several benefits to dogs including reducing inflammation
and lowering the risk of blood clots. For senior dogs that struggle with
joint pain, anti-inflammatory products help to serve as a pain reliever.
·
Parsley – is another source of
antioxidants and vitamins and can be used as a breath freshener and for
gastrointestinal support.
·
Peppermint Oil – is known to
support gastrointestinal health.
·
Pumpkin – is high in fiber, pumpkin
seed is a natural dewormer, can help aid in preventing constipation, and can
also help improve skin and coat appearance/health. It is also an excellent
source of vitamin A.
·
Ginger – is known for helping
with upset stomach and nausea.
·
Coconut – is beneficial in
increasing energy levels, improving skin and coat, improving digestion, and reducing
allergic reactions
·
Salmon – is high in omega-3
fatty acids which are good for boosting immune health, promoting skin and coat
health, and have indicated they may be helpful in reducing allergy symptoms.
(For everyone who knows me, knows that for Omega 3’s I love sardines, just the
plain water ones you can buy at the store.)
Whether you're looking to add a treat to your offering that
aids in hip and joint health, offers probiotics, or you're looking skin and
coat health, we have several options of function treats. Stop in today and check them out, ask one of
our educated staff to point you in the right direction. We believe that treats should help and
sometimes treats cause problems like excess weight. (we have a possible help
for that also).
Please share this with your friends so they can feed "treats" that do no harm.
This is my opinion Paula Gorman