Any dog owner would feel and think that giving dog treats is one of the great ways to show that their pet is loved and pampered. Whilst we know that you only want the best for your pup, here are 3 facts that would make you cringe about these doggy treats.
- Obesity
Commercial treats are a primary reason for excess weight in many dogs as these snacks are loaded with carbs, sugar and fat. These treats are specifically designed to intensify the cravings of your dog. No wonder why your dog starts wagging its tail as soon as you show him dog treats.
- Choking
Many dog treats promise to make your dog’s teeth clean (well, this may be true but this is only applicable to the dog’s molars, and not the canine teeth). This promise makes you feel that this is beneficial to your dog without realising that there is a scary outcome to this –the possibility of choking. As we all know, dogs are aggressive gulpers. Thus, when treats become smaller they could be swallowed as a whole and may obstruct the airway and in a worst case scenario, may lead to death.
- Gastro intestinal problems
According to Dr. Stan Kunin on his article The Dangers of Doggy Treats, rawhide, cow hooves, pig ears, chicken jerky, bully sticks and a few other dog treats, are posing potential hazards to dogs. Gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, vomiting, or even bowel perforation are just a few unwanted medical conditions. The diarrhea and vomiting can be a cause of irritation of the stomach and/or the intestine, wherein the dog’s body finds ways to expel the product out of their system. Bacterial infection can also cause this. On the other hand, the bowel perforation can be a cause of the inability of the dog to chew the treats completely. This can result in larger and sometimes pointy chunks to travel freely on a dog’s digestive system, thus, puncturing vital organs.
Torn between buying treats and facing the possible consequences of having these medical conditions? Don’t worry! You can still buy your dogs these treats as long as you are particular with the treats’ ingredients and size. You can also opt for healthy and safe dog treats like love’em liver beef liver treats which are made with 100% liver . Lastly, close supervision (by you, a caretaker or a pet minder) is needed, especially with the food or toys our dogs chew to ensure their safety.