Data from the American Pet Products Association (APPA) put pet ownership among US households at 67%, with some 90 million dogs nationwide. For pet food, valued at $37+ billion in 2023, there is a growing trend of owners who are conscious of their pet’s health and ensure that they offer natural and healthy pet food.
Organic dog snacks are increasingly being embraced because nobody wants their dogs to be infested with health complications such as obesity, dental complications, or allergies.
Research conducted in 2022 revealed that 38% of dog owners buy natural or organic treats for their canines.
These treats can make up a part of a dog’s nutrition plan, especially if they are used correctly as a balanced diet.
Health Benefits Offered by Organic Dog Food
Natural dog treats can enhance a dog’s nutrition by filling in nutritional gaps that the conventional meal might fail to address fully. Treats, primarily made from whole food sources like meat, vegetables, or fruits, provide protein, vitamins, and antioxidants. For instance, lean chicken treats can be a source of good protein; carrot-based snacks can include beta-carotene and fiber, enhancing bowel movement.
Protein and real meat are combined with vegetables, grains, and natural treats, which make sure that dogs get balanced nutrients for their skin, coat, and immune system. These will also help eliminate some diseases from processed food items, such as digestive complications or allergies.
Managing Portion Control
According to most veterinarians, treating to most veterinarians, treatments should be at most 10%. For example, should a dog need 500 calories daily, no more than 50 should be from treats.
Consumers of pet foods should ensure that natural treats are not dense in energy, particularly protein or fats. Spending a closer look at portion sizes and estimating treats as one of the portions in the diet helps the owner avoid the obesity issue and still be suitable for the pet with its treats.
Supporting behavioral training
Natural treats also have a primary application in behavioral training. Puppies are more apt to follow commands and cues when reward-based, and treats are the most common form of reward.
Because natural treats maintain the dog’s focus during the training, owners can offer their pets nutritious rewards. For instance, dried and processed meat chunks or fruited morsels can serve as healthy and tasty rewards to give during the training. This positive association not only maintains the positive behavior but also builds up the relationship between the dog and the owner.
Final Thoughts
Supplementing a dog’s diet with a natural dog treat has several benefits, from nutrition to training or behavior.
According to Pet Obesity Prevention, approximately 55.8% of dogs in the United States are either obese or overweight; therefore, treats must be strategically assigned to the dog’s diet.
When choosing snacks for the pet, it is possible to use the rules of portion control and choose high-quality, natural treats, so the pet’s health will only benefit from the process, without such adverse effects as overfeeding, low-quality products, or additives. Natural treats should, therefore, be used with moderation and from time to time to ensure they complement the rest of the diet of all dogs, big or small.
