Nearly 70% of all households in America include a pet. Because so many people have canine companions, they may constantly search for healthy dog treats, homemade by them or someone else. Some of the snacks dogs love aren’t exactly the best for them, just like with humans. Still, you can show your dog that some of the most nutritious “people food” can be delicious, too.
The trick to finding dogs’ favorite treats is knowing their likes and dislikes, as well as introducing new foods to them regularly. Sometimes, dogs won’t like what you feed them and will refuse to eat something that might be healthy.
Keep trying until you find something that sticks. Once you know what your dog loves, you’ll be able to start integrating those healthy ingredients into their food regularly.
Snacks dogs love that are great for them
The best way to find a dog’s favorite treats is to test them out, as they will all like different things. Still, you can opt for healthy treats for dogs, homemade with love or bought in the store. Consider incorporating these natural ingredients in baked goods for an even more special treat for your pup.
1. Carob
Most people know they can’t feed their dog chocolate. It can feel unfair to keep such delicious treats away from your dog, even if it’s best for their health. Luckily, you can find a substitute in carob. It tastes similar to chocolate and is acceptable for dogs to eat. Consider adding carob to your diet as well, so you can reap its health benefits, like lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
You may consider baking carob chip cookies using a dog-friendly recipe. You also might be able to find carob dog treats on the market. People can also eat carob, so you and your dog can enjoy cookies together or eat it on its own. It’ll be a great way to savor a delicious snack with your pup and is at the top of our list for snacks dogs love.
2. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a hit with most dogs. It can help aid in digestion — as long as you’re feeding them the best-quality canned pumpkin you can get and not pumpkin pie. It’s an affordable and healthy addition to your pup’s dinner or baked into healthy treats for dogs, homemade with love.
Just be careful when introducing too many human foods to your dog. They could get an upset stomach from not limiting their diet, which means you might need to lay off the tasty or flavorful people food for a little while.
3. Blueberries
Blueberries are perfectly safe for your dog to eat and might be one of the only superfoods they can have as a replacement for treats. You might snack on them with your dog, as eating them might help you live longer, as well as provide several other health benefits. Frozen and fresh blueberries carry the same benefits, so they’re a fantastic dietary addition in any form for canines and humans.
You only need to limit their intake of blueberries when you think they’ve had too much. Otherwise, they make a great snack for a warm day. Try introducing the fruit to your dog before buying several containers of it. Like humans, dogs have preferences, and as good as blueberries are for them, they could refuse to eat them. You should always strive to feed your dog the best diet possible so they can stay healthy and happy.
Dogs’ Favorite Treats in Moderation
Other snacks dogs love should be fed to them in moderation. While your pup may enjoy these treats, you should always prepare them carefully and watch out for your dog eating too much of a good thing. Knowing a dog’s favorite treats is important, but you should also pay attention to how much you feed them.
1. Lobster
It might surprise you to learn that lobster is safe for dogs to eat in moderation and could be a good source of protein for your pup. However, you have to be careful with how you prepare the lobster for your dog. Uncooked lobster can be full of bacteria that can harm your dog, so you must ensure it’s cooked well.
When picking out lobster for you and your dog to share, look for the highest quality you can get — as a treat to both of you. While your dog may love the taste of lobster, be wary when feeding it to your pup and never give it to them raw. Always search for a safe way to prepare your lobster so you and your dog can enjoy it without any issues.
2. Cantaloupe
Have you ever met a dog that ate cantaloupe? If your pup is a fan of most fruits, try giving them some of this melon. It’s got plenty of nutrients, but you should watch how much you offer them. Cantaloupe has a lot of sugar in each serving, so you should limit how often you feed it to your pup.
As delicious as cantaloupe is, you may want to avoid giving it to dogs who have diabetes or are trying to lose weight. You may choose to take overweight dogs on a walk that lasts about 10 or so minutes so they can get some activity in.
3. Bananas
Bananas are another beneficial snack that could work well for your pup if they enjoy them. This fruit is high in vitamins and minerals like potassium and fiber, so it could be a great addition to any dog’s diet. Unfortunately, they also have lots of sugar, which can be bad for your dog. Several homemade healthy treats for dogs rely on bananas as a staple ingredient, so you should easily be able to find recipes for dog treats you can bake.
4. Watermelon
Your dog should be able to eat all the watermelon they want, especially since it’s mostly made of water and can provide hydration on a warm day. Just make sure to scoop it off the rind before offering it to your pup. Give them only seedless watermelon so they don’t accidentally swallow the seeds. Otherwise, this food is a great treat full of several vitamins.
Keep Snacks Dogs Love on Hand
Finding the snacks dogs love might be tricky if your pup is picky, but after some trial and error, you should pinpoint a treat your dog enjoys. Dogs’ favorite treats typically involve meat, but most of these snacks are fruit and veggies that are great for them.
Whether you feed them these ingredients by themselves, bake them into treats or add them to their food bowl, your dog will be glad you’ve worked so hard to find something tasty just for them.