If you have ever sat down to eat your meal at the dinner table, you know the puppy eyes that will follow. Sometimes you might even feel a paw on your hand as you take a bite. When your pooch is hungry, they will make it known with some woofs and follow you around in the kitchen. You might be tempted to feed them whatever you find, but remember that not all ingredients are safe for them to ingest. So what do you do when you want to treat your dog?
Here’s a list of healthy dog treats that are kitchen staples and easily found in the comfort of your home-
Honey - Honey is used in many products and is known for its anti-microbial properties. It also contains antioxidants that help boost immunity. While honey-containing products are good, raw and unfiltered honey is not advisable as it may contain botulinum spores that might paralyze your dog. Wiggles has dog treats in the honey chicken flavor with these benefits.
Bananas - Dogs can eat bananas. They are high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and are also low in calories. But it also has a high sugar content which is not good for the dog in high quantities. So remember bananas as a treat, not food.
Eggs - Boiled eggs are great for dogs and puppies. They are a great source of fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Avoid raw eggs because they contain avidin (antinutritional factor) which makes dogs suffer from hair loss and dull skin.
Potatoes - Your dogs can have potatoes but make sure that they are simply boiled or baked. Raw potatoes contain solanine that is toxic to dogs and hence should be avoided. Don’t fry them or add salt or flavoring. Better yet, give them cooked sweet potatoes which are rich with fibers and support digestion.
Cheese - Your dog can have cheese. It is a great treat for training your pet and also a widely accepted food for hiding treats. It contains calcium and vitamins but is also high in fats, which may lead to more problems than just obesity.
Watermelon - It is a great fruit to give your dogs. They have a high water content, contain essential vitamins and minerals, and the best part? It’s low in calories. Just make sure to remove the seeds as they may cause blockages in the dog’s intestines.
Strawberries - Strawberries are a good source of fiber, and vitamin C, and also help in whitening their teeth. They also contain anti-aging properties. Since it contains sugar, they should eat it in limited amounts. The Barkstix Chicken and Strawberry dog treats contain these properties besides Hyaluronic Acid for good gum and eye health.
Peanut Butter - This one is a fur favorite. Be careful to use only unsalted and Xylitol-free peanut butter. Xylitol is used as an artificial sweetener which is highly toxic to dogs. You can find peanut butter specifically for dogs. It is great for building healthy muscles and contains essential vitamins. We suggest limiting it to a tablespoon for larger dogs, and half a teaspoon for smaller dogs.
Mushrooms - Your dogs can eat store-bought mushrooms unseasoned and raw, or cooked with a little olive oil. But just like humans, avoid the wild ones because they may be poisonous.
Blueberries - This is a natural superfood full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and helps in reducing the risk of heart attacks, diabetes, and more! As with all treats, remember that it does not compensate for a dog’s full meal. Berry blast dog treats contain Sea buckthorn pulp which has anti-oxidant and prebiotic properties.
Ice cream - This is a very commonly asked question, and the answer is a partial yes. They can have only vanilla-flavored ice cream that is sugar-free. You might feel bad that they don’t get to taste the multitude of flavors available, but remember, their bodies are different and certain foods may have unwanted consequences.
Some fruits and vegetables that are advisable for dogs can also be made into smoothies and frozen in cute shapes as treats like cucumber, carrots, apples, and green peas. But, if making treats seems like a hassle, you can try Wiggles Barkstix Dog Treats.
Big NO NO’s
Some kitchen staples don’t fall in the good dog treats category.
Bread - Bread does not provide any nutritional value to your dog's daily diet and can cause skin allergies. If eaten accidentally, it won’t cause harm but it’s better to give them Sorghum or Jowar flour roti.
Grapes - This fruit is highly toxic to dogs. Grapes can cause kidney damage. Dogs cannot metabolize tannins, flavonoids, and monosaccharides from grapes. Even small amount can be fatal.
Tomatoes - Your dog can enjoy a ripe tomato as a treat once in a while. However, make sure to keep unripe tomatoes away from them. If ingested in large quantities, unripe tomatoes are highly toxic to dogs. Tomato plants are toxic for pets as well.
Chocolate - If you’re still unsure about this, let us confirm that chocolates are bad for your dogs. They contain theobromine that your doggo cannot metabolize properly. From bars to flavoring, keep chocolates away from your dog. In case a pup has ingested it, call a vet and seek help immediately. Adult dogs may show signs a little later on, so keep an eye on them.
Caffeine - Caffeine is very bad for your pets. Besides increasing blood pressure, it can also lead to loss of muscle control and seizures. So make sure to keep coffee beans, residues from coffee filters, etc away from their reach. Also, many products contain caffeine like soft drinks, flavored milk products, etc which needs to be avoided.
Avocados - Dogs should be kept away from this fruit. It contains persin that can cause serious health repercussions, even leading to death.
Cherries - This fruit is not good for your dogs. Their pits, stems, and leaves contain cyanide which gets released once it enters the stomach. While it is not dangerous to humans, it may be fatal for dogs. A cool tip is to avoid any fruits that have small seeds, or bits in them that may get stuck in the intestinal tracts.
Contrary to popular belief, pet parents might be hesitant to try clinically advised hemp products and treats but they could have many benefits for your pets. The Chicken & Hemp Barkstix flavor provides anti-anxiety benefits while also calming your pet.
Dogs differ in breed size and not all ingredients can be given in the same quantity for all. Some dogs can be allergic to chicken and might need hypoallergenic ingredients in their treats. In such cases, you can give the Lamb & Peanut Butter dog treats. Lamb is hypoallergenic meat that supports a dog's brain health.
Your dogs can safely and happily extend their palate with these delicious treats and those puppy eyes will be worth it.
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*Disclaimer: This blog is vet-approved and includes original content which is compiled after thorough research and authenticity by our in-house team of vets and content experts. It is always advisable to consult a veterinarian before you try any products, pet food/treats, or any kind of treatment/medicines on your pets, as each pet is unique and will respond differently.
