Feb 102 min read

Dangerous Dog Treats

Not all treats sold in the stores are good for your dog. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that most of them have one thing or another that’s not good for your dog to consume.

Bones

Both raw and cooked have their perils in the wrong dog’s mouth. Cooked bones can splinter, get stuck on your dog’s jaw, chip your dog’s teeth, large pieces can get swallowed and either cause the dog to vomit it back up, or worse they can cause death from a block in the intestines where surgery will be necessary. I love bones for dogs (or at least the raw ones) and think they are the best way to clean your dog’s teeth. But it’s important to know your dog and supervise them with this type of chew.

Treats From China

Beware of treats from China as there have been a number of deaths from tainted treats. The most well-known case involved jerky treats. It’s important to note that it took roughly 6 years before those treats were removed from consumer shelves. So, who knows how many other treats are causing harm to pets that just haven’t been removed yet.

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Check Your Ingredients

If you’ve read my other posts on dog food and what is biologically appropriate then you’ll know it’s best to avoid treats with additives, fillers, starches, and grains. You’ll want to seek out treats made with real fruits, veggies, and meat (not from China). But, just as people will treat themselves to the occasional guilty pleasure it comes down to moderation.

Homemade

The best way to know what your dogs it is eating is to make the treats yourself. If you have the time, there’s several good recipes out there for homemade cookies, jerky, pup cycles . . . Get creative and find out what your dog enjoys that’s a healthier and safer option than store bought treats.