All caregivers have at some point felt the need to offer their dog a treat. Whether it is because he has behaved very well, because it is a special day, because we want to encourage him to learn our commands or simply to strengthen our bond with him by showing him how much we love him, edible treats for dogs are a classic.
You will find a lot of snacks of different types, shapes and flavors for sale, but not all of them are as he althy as they should be. In this article on our site, in collaboration with KOME, we will talk about an alternative with which you not only reward your dog, but also take care of his he alth, something especially important, especially if he has a few extra kilos or the usual prizes feel bad. It's about the natural snacks for dogs We explain what they are and talk about their types and their benefits.
What are natural snacks for dogs?
We consider natural snacks to be those made only with natural ingredients and whose composition does not include additives, preservatives, colorants, s alts or sugars, aromas or flavors. Delicious for the dog, they are also a he althy source of protein, vitamins and minerals. Always look at the label to know if you are choosing he althy snacks for dogs.
On the other hand, we can also consider as natural snacks those pieces of vegetables or fruit that we offer our dog as a reward.
Benefits of natural snacks for dogs
We have advanced some of the benefits of snacks, such as the reinforcement of the dog-caretaker bond by associating them with positive sensations or the incentive that suppose for the practice of the obedience and the fixation of the learning. They also promote chewing, an action that tends to relax and entertain the dog, reducing stress and combating boredom. In this line, the snacks can be inserted into some toys so that the dog is forced to get hold of them using her skills. We can also hide them ourselves and encourage our dog to look for them guided by his sense of smell.
But, in addition, choosing natural snacks offers our furry other he alth benefits:
- Prevents digestive problems.
- Contributes to maintaining good he alth as it does not provide excess calories, which can especially harm dogs with a tendency to gain weight or with a few extra kilos. Remember that obesity is not only an aesthetic problem. It affects your dog's quality of life and predisposes him to suffer from some diseases, while aggravating others.
- By having a limited number of ingredients, these snacks may be better accepted by dogs with food intolerances or allergies.
Types of natural snacks for dogs
As we have pointed out, the natural snacks that we can offer at home are pieces of fruit or vegetables. However, if we prefer to open the range of snacks and offer our dog different prizes, we also find for sale a good variety of natural snacks suitable for dogs of all ages and characteristics, although it is preferable to administer them from 5 months old.
As an example, we review below the natural snacks offered by the dog and cat food brand KOME You can have on hand several and use one or the other according to your dog's preferences and what you want to achieve from him, for example, to distract him in a particularly difficult moment:
Chips
Kome chips are sweet potato and are dipped in salmon oil. They contain nothing more than 99% fresh sweet potato and 1% salmon oil. The final product is an excellent antioxidant, which helps care for your dog's skin and coat, making it look shiny and he althy. In addition, it provides a high content of potassium and iron. For all these reasons, it is also an excellent natural snack for puppies even before they are 5 months old, yes, previously chopped to prevent them from choking.
Snacks
In addition to snacks for dogs, KOME offers an option that is also suitable and recommended for cats. They are the crumbled tuna bites, made of 100% yellow fin tuna. Nothing more. They are a good way to reduce cholesterol, thanks to their high content of polyunsaturated fats. In addition, they take care of the he alth of the skin and coat due to their high contribution of two key fatty acids, such as omega 3 and 6.
Barritas
KOME also has a bar snack, it's the sea bar, made with 60% yellowfin tuna and 40% shrimp. Reduces cholesterol thanks to its high content of polyunsaturated fats. In addition, it is rich in vitamins B3, B12, D, E and K.
Dehydrated Foods
This type of snack is made by subjecting the chosen food to a dehydration process. The idea is to remove all the water, preserving its nutritional properties and inhibiting bacterial growth. Kome offers Chicken Breasts for Dogs, which are just that, 100% Fresh Chicken Breast, without any other ingredients. Chicken meat is low in fat and offers a high content of protein and essential amino acids. Its consumption contributes to the protection of the immune and neuronal system of our dog. Therefore, it is a he althy and easy to digest option.
Another equally natural alternative is the boqueroncitos, valid for both dogs and cats. They are made up of only 100% size M anchovies. They are an aid for the reduction of cholesterol and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. They contain omega 3, perfect for skin and hair care.
But, if you prefer, you can also choose the snack based on nervio de toro, which satisfies the dog's chewing instinct, helps maintain the he alth of their teeth and can be especially appreciated by puppies while they are changing their teeth. It serves to strengthen the gums, while helping the dog to release accumulated stress.
How to give your dog natural snacks?
Snacks are a complement to the dog's usual diet. Therefore, they should be given in moderation, in small quantities, better not daily, and they must be taken into account when calculating the daily ration. For example, if we want to use them for daily training sessions, we must break them into very small pieces so as not to give a final amount that is excessive. The snack has to work as an incentive, we do not give it to relieve hunger. Otherwise, we could unbalance the diet and lose the dog its ideal weight.
Thus, snacks can never exceed 10% of the daily calories that our animal should eat. In addition, it is important to monitor their size so that they cannot pose a choking risk. Finally, remember to keep natural snacks in a cool, dry place.
