Tuesday

Pet Treats: Why It’s Necessary To Read Labels on Pet Foods To Find Healthy Treats

Generally, anyone who has a pet loves his or her pet. However, many pets will get the leftovers that come from the table. Owners think of these foods as treats for their beloved animal. Actually, these so-called “pet treats” can be dangerous to their health. Pet owners, often times, don’t think about those health problems that face their family pet such as obesity, heart disease, etc. To avoid these health problems, it’s up to you to find healthy treats for your animal.

Even though pets may love them, table scraps are not good for their health. While treats for you look good when you are shopping, be stricter about the treats your pet will eat. That means you have to be picky about the kinds of treats you get them. You have to find them some healthy treats.

Those pet treats you see on the commercials for dogs and cats are regulated so they have to meet the nutritional standards that pet food as to meet. While this may seem unlikely, it’s actually very true. That means you have the job as a pet owner to watch the kinds of pet treats you buy to make sure that they meet nutritional standards. Many of pet treats you find will be high in fat and additives and may contain another hidden danger… contamination.

Unhealthy Foods To Watch Out For

For instance, dog treats called pig ears are often contaminated with the salmonella virus. Other treats that have been imported from other countries have tested positive for e.coli. When you purchase these products, you take a chance with your pet’s life. Those rawhide, jerky and dried beef treats can often have bacteria, mold, fungus and toxins if they were packaged improperly prepared. Rawhide has no nutritional value; some are high in fat with lots of sugar, preservatives and salt. Foods that dogs can be allergic to are often times added to the pet treats. Rawhide is certainly not considered a healthy treat for dogs.

How To ProtectYour Pet’s Health

First, quit panicking. Most foods your pet eats will have a nutritional label of some sort. By reading them, you can discern which pet treats to put back and which ones you should get. Always do a side-to-side comparison of labels.

Second, never get pet treats that have no labels. Again, you are gambling with your pet’s life.

Third, if you are uncomfortable with getting store bought pet treats, research about the kinds of healthy treats you can make from home.

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