Thursday, January 17, 2013

Learn How to Make Homemade Dog Treats

By Geraldine Dimarco


No matter how convenient commercial pet food is nowadays, all experienced dog owners know that natural dog treats are still the best way to go. Why is that? Simple, the less the preservatives and chemicals that food contains-the better it is for the health. It doesn't matter your species-- The same rule applies for humans and canines alike.

The great thing about this is that homemade dog treats are really not as difficult as it would initially seem to be. If you have a picture in your mind of a dirty kitchen strewn with pots and pans of messy, canine food-that's not an accurate idea. Actually, if you prepare and plan it well, making these delicious treats should be pretty simple and fuss-free.

OK, let's begin. You might be asking-- what should I know about natural dog treats? Well, before anything else, understand that natural does not mean you can feed anything that grows out of a plant or ground to the animal. There are some things that might be beneficial to human beings but are really bad for the canine.

An example of this would be the tomato plant. This is an excellent source of vitamins for sure, but it also contains atropine. Atropine, as found in higher concentration in tomato stems and leaves, are known to result in dilated pupils, tremors and erratic heartbeat for dogs. Avoid serving meals that have tomatoes in the recipes.

Be very careful of the fruits that you include in the dog's meals. Cherries, apricots and apples are fine but make sure you remove the seeds and pits of these completely. The seeds are full of cyanogenic glycosides, a compound which produces cyanide poisoning. Ingesting avocados and grapes will also induce vomiting and diarrhea for the animal as it contains harmful toxins that may damage his organs.

When you look for things to feed your pet-- look up the ingredients to verify if they may cause harm to them first. While there are several food substances that will be bad for them, there are a lot more things you can give them. Do not let the limitations hinder you from creating really good treats for Fido. Homemade snacks and meals are definitely an excellent way to reward him for being the good boy that he is.

Now, what can we serve him? Most meats are acceptable for canines to ingest. Choose from chicken, turkey, beef, pork and fish (except salmon). You can give organ meat but not too much. Overuse of liver meat has been known to result in damage to the canine's bones. Also make use of vegetables like carrots, green beans and corn.

Remember, homemade dog treats doesn't have to be boring. Make them more interesting by adding flavor and other yummy ingredients mixed into it. Take care that you do not over feed them though because obesity has hampered the health of many canines. Exercise careful thought in preparing your dog's meals-- and discover a healthier and happier pet when you do.




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