As avid dog owners, we all love to give our dogs treats. We seem to enjoy giving our dogs the treats as much as our dogs love receiving them. It undoubtedly has something to do with the way your dogs face instantly lights up when he sees you pull out one of his favorite treats. At that moment you realize that without a doubt you are truly his best friend.

Dog treats can add up to become quite an expense which leads many owners to purchase their dog treats in bulk or at least search for the cheapest brand. Although this may save a buck or two in the long run, it can be rather unhealthy for your dog. The reason is that all dog treats are not created equal; some can even cause health problems.

Commercially Prepared Dog Treats

Chewing Treats

One of the most popular dog treats are the ones that are made out of Rawhide or other dried animal parts. These types of treats include rawhide bones, pig ears, hoofs, leg bones and knuckles, and even rawhide chips. The reason that this type of dog treat is so popular is that they help control one of the most destructive tendencies of a dog. CHEWING! And according to many dog owners, especially those with large breed dogs, any form of treat that will willingly sacrifice itself to save your shoes and table legs is worth its weight in gold.

This form of dog treat can be very beneficial for dog owners and dogs alike. But be careful when selecting rawhide treats for your dog. Pay close attention to how the dog treats has been processed. These types of treats should be baked instead of chemically processed. The dog treats should not have any added preservatives or coloring. Chemically processed treats are full of preservatives and artificial coloring which can cause allergic reactions and digestive disorders. Many dogs often show signs of irritation around their gum lines after chewing on chemically processed treats. Be sure to check the label carefully.

Snack Treats

Another type of commercially prepared dog treat is the snack treat such as dog biscuits, cookies, greenies, and meaty treats. These types of treats should not contain artificial flavors, preservatives, or colorings. They should also offer some nutritional value as well. Since these treats are designed to be eaten, we want to make sure we give our dogs something that has a positive health value. Many of these forms of treats are simply made of scrap animal matter that is full of preservatives and other potentially harmful chemicals.

Besides being inhaled by dogs, these types of dog treats have other benefits as well. Greenies for example help clean your dog's teeth and use chlorophyll in a unique way to naturally freshen your dog's breath. This can also be worth its weight in gold to some dog owners. These types of dog treats should also have essential vitamins and minerals to help keep your dog healthy.

Mother Nature's Dog Treats

Some of the best dog treats can be found right in your refrigerator and in your garden. Fruits and vegetable such as baby carrots, broccoli, celery, and sliced apples are excellent dog treats that are packed with vitamins and void of any added chemicals. Want to drive your dog wild using fruits and vegetables? Try chopping up some fruits and vegetables and mix them with a little bit of peanut butter to form a bite sized snack that your dog will love. If your dog prefers something a bit meatier you can bake beef liver in the oven until it is crispy to make one heck of a treat. Chicken, beef, and pork can all be processed into dog treats in this manner and offer plenty of protein and flavor.

As dear as our dogs are to us, we owe it to them to give them the healthiest form of treats that we can reasonably afford. We all get caught up very easily in trying to save a dollar. Usually our dogs, and other pets for that matter, are the first ones to suffer. So next time you are out purchasing treats for your dog, resist the urge to buy the bargain bag of treats and go for a better brand that is not loaded with preservatives and other chemicals. Just think of the next time you give your dog a treat, not only will you get a happy and perky face from your dog but you will also be much happier with what you have given him.