Why Natural Treats Are best - Even If They Smell
The world of dog treats is a minefield, with so much information, bright packaging and endless promises of “better teeth”, “aids digestion” and “shinier coats”. But how do we look beyond the fancy marketing strategies on TV and in supermarkets to better understand what truly is best for our dogs?
The word ‘natural’ is thrown around a lot, and often misused -because anything labelled ‘natural’ must be good, right? Well first and foremost, we need to understand what ‘natural’ really means in order to know what we’re buying into:
“To exist in or be derived from nature”.
Truly natural treats are not processed or full of fillers, additives or preservatives, there’s no artificial flavours or colours used, and they’re produced in such a way that retains as many nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants as possible. In other words: they’re healthier.
Sure, they smell a bit icky and they don’t look the prettiest, but they are the healthiest, most beneficial way to treat our dogs. And although they smell bad to us, they smell absolutely amazing to our pooches!
So let’s look at some treats (I hope you're not squeamish) and discuss how and why truly natural treats are the better option for your dog.
Firstly: variety. Seriously, you won’t know where to start when you begin shopping for natural treats, and I would suggest-unlike your dog-you do not follow your nose!
Whatever type or variety of treat your dog prefers, there are endless options: chewy chicken fillets and beef jerky; crunchy duck necks and ostrich drumsticks; hairy rabbit ears and doe legs; extra smelly salmon skin rolls and bully pizzles … the list is endless!
So whether you’re looking for something long-lasting, something small and quick for your dog to munch on the go, training treats, or even something mild if your dog has a sensitive tummy … no matter what you require for your dog, it’s available in a healthier, natural form.
Let’s break it down even further and look at the individual benefits natural treats have on our dogs’ general health and wellbeing:
Gut Health
Natural treats are easily digested and free from additives, preservatives and processed fats, which means they help aid a healthy gut. Some offerings are even natural de-wormers! Rabbit ears and hairy cow ears are great for improving bowel movements, which in turn, can help flush any internal parasites or nasties that may be making themselves at home within your pooch.
Low Calorie
Mass produced treats often found on the shelves of supermarkets and large pet shop chains are often high in added, saturated fats, fillers and additives which prolong their shelf life and cut the costs of production. But this makes them high in calories. The same can be said for the snacks readily available for us humans too. If we’re in a hurry or in a supermarket, often the snacks available aren’t the healthiest options -though we have a much wider choice in a supermarket than our dogs do. Supermarkets and most pet shops prefer to stock treats with a longer shelf life and cheaper price point, but this means they tend to be filled with preservatives.
Dental Hygiene
Longer lasting chews help to reduce plaque and tartar build up and promote good oral health and hygiene by scraping against your dog’s teeth as they chew. The more they chew and work at the treat, the more saliva builds up in their mouth and the nasties in their mouths are reduced.
Skin and Coat
The high quality ingredients and the process of making natural treats often means the treats retain most of their nutrients, vitamins and oils, all of which are important to your dog’s overall health and will help their coat and skin. Dry, itchy skin, allergic reactions, flakey skin, rashes, dull coats and shedding can all be common side effects of a bad diet. Choosing treats high in protein, natural oils and fatty acids (especially Omega-3 and Omega-6 found in fish), can all help your dog’s skin and coat.
High Protein Levels
Protein is essential for many aspects of your dog’s overall health: growth, skin, coat condition and muscle health. Natural treats tend to be higher in protein because there are no added ingredients, additives or fillers; just meat, bone and maybe even offal (or some vegetables) but always ONLY what is advertised. Some meats and vegetables are higher in protein than others, so if protein levels are important to you, never be afraid to ask our staff for more information and help to find out which treats and meats will be best for your dog.
Boredom
Natural treats are also brilliant for your dog’s mental health! Yeah, you read that right … mental stimulation is extremely important, especially in those higher-energy breeds, or for dogs left alone for a few hours a day whilst their families are at work and school. Treats that last a long time are natural boredom busters, providing mental stimulation which in turn helps to reduce anxiety and instead releases bursts of serotonin and dopamine - hormones which make your dog feel happy and content.
Joint Care
High in Omega-3, glucosamine and many other vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, natural treats help support healthy joints and can even reduce pain and inflammation over time, no matter your dog’s age.
Allergens
For dogs who are sensitive to certain ingredients, truly natural treats are often single protein and always grain free, which makes it easier for us to make sure our dogs aren’t going to consume anything that may make them feel unwell or cause irritation. With so much variety, it is easier to shop for a dog who is sensitive to chicken (for example), when there’s countless beef, duck, pork and even ostrich or camel options available in the exact same place.
At EmPAWrium, our labels are reflective of the product, for example: our duck necks contain nothing but duck -it’s a duck neck, nothing more, nothing less.
In conclusion, there are countless benefits to feeding our dogs natural treats and often they don’t end with the health benefits. Our dogs also appreciate how enticing they are by smell, taste and texture. The variety available is also a massive benefit: from hairy to chewy, crunchy to super smelly -there’s something for every dog out there, no matter their age, size, breed, weight or health concerns.
Natural treats are better for the environment too, often a byproduct of the meat trade, using all the parts of the animals not sold for human consumption and thus reducing waste and processed in such a way that retains all the natural nutrients, oils and vitamins of the meat, with less processed fat, no artificial flavours, fillers or preservatives.
To browse our range of natural treats and chews, click on the menu above, or pop into the shop where we will be happy to assist you with any questions you might have.
*EmPAWrium understands and emphasises that although there are many health benefits to natural treats, these do not replace or override veterinary medication or advice. If your dog has any health concerns, please seek medical attention.