Best treats for your pet

Every badass pooch and cool cat deserves a treat from time to time but the trick is finding the best treat for your pet. As a pet owner you want to give your furry friend a tasty delight, but also something that packs a nutritional punch, right?

02 Jun 2017 By Leanne Philpott Comments

In the same way that copious amounts of candy are bad for kids, there are some human foods that are poisonous (or really, really bad) to pets, like chocolate for example.

So it pays to get a crystal clear idea of which foods make awesome pet treats and which morsels you need to avoid feeding your mog or dog.

5 top treats for dogs

Blueberries-Fresh or frozen blueberries make a great treat for dogs as they’re bursting with antioxidants, vitamins and phytochemicals.

Watermelon-(seedless)-What better fruit to give Fido that a sweet slice of refreshing watermelon? The high water content is great for hydration and it’s also low in calories and packs plenty of vitamins as well as potassium and magnesium.

Carrots-Canines love to chow down on a crunchy carrot. They’re sweet, tasty and great for dog’s teeth (helping to remove plaque and keep breath fresh). The fibre and vitamins they contain is a bonus!

Bananas-A smooth, sweet banana is likely to send your dog into a blissed-out spin. Not only are bananas super tasty, they contains a bunch of vitamins, minerals as well as fibre and potassium, making them a cool treat.

Yoghurt-Natural yoghurt, that is free from artificial sweeteners or added sugar, is a delight for dogs. It’s high in calcium and protein and if it contains probiotic, well even better! Your dog will have fun lapping it up.

5 top treats for cats

While dogs are more likely to experience weight issues than cats*, obesity in cats can be a real health problem resulting in premature death. No cat owner wants to cause their kitty to kick the bucket so when it comes to treating your moggy (which should only be on occasion), make the right food choices.

Cheese-Dairy should be a special, once-in-a-blue-moon treat for cats as many cats are lactose intolerant. However, those that aren’t will just love a small cube of cheese; it's a great source of protein too.

Canned tuna-Your cat’s diet should never be reliant on canned fish, such as tuna, but it’s puurfectly fine to treat your feline friend to a little tuna fish now and again. Make sure the portions are relatively small to prevent your cat from consuming too much magnesium and mercury. The last thing you want is a mog with no memory!

Cooked eggs-Cat’s should steer clear of raw eggs but there’s no harm in giving kitty some scrambled or hard-boiled egg. It’ll give moggy a tasty munch with a protein punch!

Broccoli-If you ever find your cat munching on your potentially toxic houseplants, pop some broccoli in the steamer and serve it up. Veg makes a great change from protein and they can help address digestive issues. We’re not talking about a full vegetarian diet, just saying Felix might like some greens for a change.

Blueberries-Just like their barking buddies, cats can chow down on blueberries too. Sweet and juicy blueberries are antioxidant rich and high in Vitamin C. Why not see if your feline likes them frozen?

If you decide to opt for commercial packaged treats just be sure to check out the ingredients, in the same way you would if you were shopping for yourself or your family. Avoid preservatives and ingredients you can’t pronounce.

Look for natural ingredients and treats that are low in calories and high in nutritional goodness.

*Australian Veterinary Association

02 Jun 2017 By Leanne Philpott Comments

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