Deciding what kind of dog food and dog treats are appropriate for your dog is as important as deciding what to feed your family. Reading ingredient labels to stay aware of recalls is necessary to insure your pet is receiving safe and healthy meals.

Recent recalls include peanut butter dog treats. Not all manufacturers were affected by this recall. Claudia’s Canine Cuisine and Northern Biscuit Company are examples of dog treat manufacturers whose products were not affected by the peanut butter recall. Thankfully the contaminated peanut butter products were taken off the shelves and the recall is over.

As dogs age their metabolism slows down. Sound familiar? Older dogs require special diets. Veterinarians suggest a diet high in fiber and complex carbohydrates and low in fat for dogs who don’t engage in an active lifestyle. There are many brands of dog food specific for aging dogs such as Merrick 5-Star Dry Dog Food Senior Medley. Fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, no animal fat and real meat make Senior Medley an appropriate choice for senior dogs.

Diabetes also affects dogs and requires special care to keep glucose levels in an appropriate range. High fiber diets are recommended for diabetic dogs. The added fiber slows the digestion of carbohydrates and regulates breaking down the carbs.

Many aging dogs and large breed dogs like a Labrador Retriever, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter and Great Dane suffer from arthritis. Arthritis symptoms may increase with age or develop the joint pain and stiffness during old age. Dogswell Happy Hips dog treats with Glucosamine & Chondroitin are not only nutritious all natural chicken breasts, but also scientifically formulated to help maintain the physical condition of a dog’s joints.

Food allergies are common among many breeds of dogs. Wheat, corn and soy can cause itchy skin, skin and ear infections, excessive scratching, hot spots, hair loss, and frequent bowel movements in a dog with an allergy to these products.

Overweight dogs need to be on a special diet. If a dog is eating table scraps too may dog treats, and not getting enough exercise they will become overweight. This happens frequently when a dog is in a crate during the day and then spoiled all evening with love and food.

Caring for your dog from puppy to senior is an educational process. During each stage there are nutritional requirements that need to be met so your dog will be healthy and have the wonderful life every dog deserves!

We all want to feel young enough to enjoy participating in our favorite activities like bicycling, golfing, swimming or just running around to stay ahead of the game of life. The old antidote, “You are what you Eat” is very true. When we eat balanced diets, including healthy snacks we feel great!

The same is true for your dog. Every dog loves their treats. Offering healthy treats to your dog will help them maintain a balance in their lives. Obesity in dogs is a major health concern. Just as with people, canine obesity can lead to very serious health problems. Dogs need the balance of a healthy diet and exercise to maintain their wellness.

About 20-40% of dogs are overweight or obese. Veterinarians currently see more and more overweight and obese dogs. A lot of dog owners cannot resist when their dog begs for a treat. Our human diet isn’t healthy for dogs and can be a factor in their weight gain. Table scraps are one of the major causes of obesity in dogs. Feeding your dog healthy treats formulated for dogs has a nutritional balance designed for a domesticated dog. Unfortunately, dogs don’t live as long as we want them to, so it makes sense to feed them healthy treats that does not lead to obesity that can shorten their lives.

Healthy dog treats that are made with only the best natural, ingredients and still taste great help pets live happier, healthier and longer lives. Dog food treats that offer high-quality nutritional value for your dog include ingredients containing whole wheat, freeze dried meat and vegetables made with human-grade ingredients. Reading labels on pet food packaging is just as important for your dog’s food as it is for your food.

Many dogs have allergies or food sensitivities. Common culprits are dyes, flavorings, preservatives, carbohydrates and protein sources. If your pet is sensitive to any of these ingredients, look for treats that are hypoallergenic, and have minimal or no dyes or preservatives. Or better yet, homemade dog treats are very popular. You can make them at yourself or many bakers sell their homemade treats. Jake’s Dog House offers dog treats made with human grade ingredients that are bought directly from our bakers so our customers can provide healthy homemade dog treats that accommodate their dog’s special diet.

Homemade dog treats made in your kitchen are fun to make and can be tailored to your pet’s special diet. Keep in mind that in addition to wheat, some dogs also have difficulty digesting corn, so if you find a recipe that calls for corn meal or wheat, try using rice flour.

There are many cookbooks with recipes for healthy dog treats. Many dog owners also post their favorite treat recipes online. Please feel free to post your dog’s favorite dog treats and homemade dog treat recipes on Jake’s blog.

Rather than baking biscuits; baking bones is also a favorite dog treat. A dried up beef joint bone can be purchased from your butcher. Choose a bone joint from either a knee or shoulder that is too big for your dog to break or swallow. Boil the bone and then dry it in the oven at 350 degrees F until dry (15 minutes). This bone will probably last forever and will also help with plaque and tarter build up on your dog’s teeth.

Dog treats should be low in fat, good tasting, and nutritious (high in vitamins and minerals). Vegetables are great treats to offer your dog. You and your dog can munch on raw veggies together, baby carrots, broccoli, sweet red peppers, bananas, pineapple, and apple or pears. Doesn’t it make sense to share your good eating habits with your best friend? Avoiding French fries, chips, pizza and other kinds of “junk” food will benefit both of you!

Research has indicated that a dog’s happy face and love make us healthy and happy humans, so why not give your dog healthy dog food treats to let them know how much you love them.

The most important word to remember when thinking about healthy dog food or healthy dog treats is natural. Natural dog treats are healthy dog treats that keep our dogs happy.

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