By definition, dog treats are not only a tasty addition to a dog’s diet, but also an important element in the process of training, rewarding and building a bond between guardian and pet. For this reason, their composition must be based on exceptionally tasty raw materials and the form must be suitable for play and training.
Types of dog treats
The most common forms of treats are: dehydrated meat and animal products, folded pieces of skin and tendons, baked dog biscuit snacks, extruded snacks or functional snacks. While the compositions of snacks vary widely and only the manufacturers’ ingenuity limits the use of raw materials for their production, they are a source of nutrients, delivered in a condensed and very attractive form. Meat and animal products, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables, should form the basis of these dog snacks and it is therefore advisable to focus only on those snacks whose composition is based on such raw materials.
An important role for the carer – dosage of dog treats
An extremely important role of the carer is to precisely observe the amount of snacks given. Their systematic, perennial and uncontrolled use can lead to overweight and obesity in dogs.
Remember that a highly palatable treat is at the same time a high-energy element of the animal’s diet. For this reason, if you decide to use snacks in building a relationship with your pets, the safer form of snack will be so-called functional snacks. These are products that, in addition to their nutritional value, also provide ingredients that have a strong and safe effect on the body and can therefore form the basis for the prevention of diet-related diseases. They are a source of biologically active compounds whose mechanism of action helps to combat the effects of oxidative stress.
The use of all methods of protecting the body from the effects of oxidative stress, including functional snacks, makes it possible to slow down the ageing process, control inflammatory processes, thus protecting, among other things, joint cartilage from degradation, and improve the metabolism of every cell in the body.
Valuable nutrients in functional snacks for dogs
The raw materials providing the biologically active compounds most valuable to pets include n-3 fatty acids, prebiotics, polyphenols, chondroprophylactic substances, beta-glucans, vitamins and minerals.
The use of this type of snack relieves the carer of the obligation to ensure the correct amount given to the animal – I would even write that it imposes an obligation to strictly comply with the manufacturer’s suggested amounts. When choosing this type of snack, it is worth looking out for those that will not be based solely on high fat content.
The production method that most preserves the nutritional value of the raw materials is drying. It does not use preservatives or synthetic antioxidants. The simplicity of the composition is quite a strong argument for using this type of snack in your daily interaction with your dog. Such dog treats, especially dried ones, while retaining the high nutritional value of the raw materials from which they are produced, guarantee the convenience of their use during walks and other activities with the dog.
An extremely important issue in terms of the safety of such articles is the proper conduct of distributors and pet shop personnel. Any product which, due to its chemical composition, is susceptible to changes in microbiological and chemical safety should be protected against any factors compromising this safety. This is one of the reasons why leak-proof packaging is so important, allowing the carer to use it conveniently in their daily activities with their dog.
