For many of us, summer’s arrival means focusing on a healthier diet and more active lifestyle. That healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to stop with you though. If you have a pup in your household, you can let them join in on your summer health kick too. Better yet, make positive changes that last all year long, like choosing low calorie snacks for your dog.
As you probably already know, dogs often exhibit unhealthy habits. They eat scraps off the floor, beg for more food, and may not like to exercise. One thing you can control though is what you choose to feed your dog. If your pup needs to trim down, then consider dishing out some low-calorie snacks. Keep reading to learn more!
What Makes a Dog Treat “Healthy?”
Before purchasing your dog diet treats, it’s good to know what makes a healthy treat in the first place. Generally there are certain ingredients and qualities you’ll probably want to look for. Ideally, low calorie snacks for dogs should consist of all-natural ingredients that are also easily digestible. Think chicken, duck, fish and certain types of vegetables.
Even though you’re giving your pup a “treat,” it can still be healthy and promote their well-being via healthy ingredients. Just as with humans, the foods dogs eat go a long way in either supporting or undermining their health. If you could give your dog a treat that better supports their digestive tract, skin and coat, energy levels, and joints why wouldn’t you? More often than not, healthy ingredients include quality meats and nutrient-rich veggies. Unnecessary fillers and icky preservatives are a no-go.
And while some foods are okay for humans and even edible for dogs, they’re not necessarily the best for dogs. So always do your own research first, or speak to a vet for guidance. Now that we’ve covered some of the basics of what makes a treat good, let’s go into more details about doggy diet treats.
Why Focus on Lower-Calorie Treats & Kibble?
Dog obesity can make it more difficult for your furry friend to move around and can even make a simple task such as breathing feel like a Herculean task. It can also lead to concerning health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis, among other worrying conditions. Age, breed, and genetics are all contributing factors too, but so is lifestyle.
Exercise is vital to a dog’s physical and mental health. By simply getting your dog moving, you may very well increase their lifespan, not to mention the quality of their years. And while there’s no replacement for good exercise, a dog’s diet is equally as important!
Tracking every calorie your dog intakes may be too cumbersome, especially for the long-term. Thankfully, there are plenty of brands that focus on low-calorie kibble. This likely means kibble that features low carbs and less calories. They’re often grain-free too! And as for dog diet treats, you’ll want to look for quality treats that are made with wholesome ingredients. You’ll probably want to skip the grains and shoot for wholesome, high-quality ingredients instead. In addition, moderation is definitely key! In general, it’s suggested that treats should account for no more than 10% of a dog’s daily caloric intake. If your dog’s on a doggy diet, then this may even need to be less, at least for a time.
If you’re looking for wholesome treats, then be sure to check out our entire line of carefully crafted Blue Ridge Naturals dog treats. We’re extremely picky about the ingredients we choose, focusing on high-quality meats like chicken breast and Alaskan salmon that are sourced from the USA. We also have 1-ingredient treats that are only made with sweet potatoes. Our focus is to provide simple treats packed with ingredients known for their nutrition. If you’re searching for low calorie snacks for your dog, be sure to check out our wide variety of treats!
Does your dog have food allergies? Read The Ultimate Guide to Hypoallergenic Dog Treats
Use Dog Treats to Supply Nutrients to the Pickiest Eaters
Sometimes the pickiest eaters in our families aren’t children, but rather our pups, so we understand that switching to a low-calorie diet can be challenging. Making your dog’s meals as tasty as possible may require some extra creativity. For that reason, you may want to opt for a bite-sized item, like our Salmon Topper-Treats, that you can easily mix in with their kibble to make things more exciting. Salmon is known for its omega 6 & omega 3 content.
Other items that are relatively low calorie for your dog but may enhance flavor are sweet potatoes, apple, and pumpkin. Just be sure to cook them properly and avoid harmful seasonings.
What about fries? Can your dog eat sweet potato fries? Find out here!
The Bottom Line
While we’ve offered a few tips for including low-calorie snacks into your dog’s diet, your vet is always the best place to start. They know you and your pup and can offer the best guidance for leading your pup towards a happier, healthier lifestyle. We wish you well in your health-focused endeavors!
