Treats are definitely one of Fido’s favorite things. We can’t blame him: we love snacks too! Your pooch would probably happily gobble down anything and everything you put in front of him. However, it’s important to stick to safe, suitable treats. In this article from Fairfield Animal Hospital, your Cy-Fair, TX animal clinic, a local vet offers tips on giving your dog snacks.

Human Foods

When you sit down to dinner, your canine friend may very well fix you with his most effective sad-puppy stare. Begging is bad petiquette! However, we’ll save that for another post. If you can’t resist, at least stick with healthy options. Give Fido a carrot instead of that hot dog he wants.

Store-Bought Treats

Your furry friend probably won’t turn up his nose at store-bought treats. We suspect Fido would be thrilled with any snacks you offer him. However, it’s best to stick with healthy options. Get into the habit of reading labels. Choose things that list meat, fish, or poultry first and most often. Ideally, you should also be able to identify the ingredients.

Homemade Goodies

If you like cooking, you can make your four-legged friend’s snacks. Just use ingredients that are safe for Fido. Plain, cooked meat, fish, or poultry is always a good option. You can also include things like peanut butter, plain yogurt, sodium-free broth, organic baby food, cheese, eggs, liver powder, and/or wheat germ oil. Fido can also have certain fruits and veggies, such as banana, pureed pumpkin, peas, sweet potato, blueberries, and apples. Always check to make sure a specific food is safe before giving it to your dog.

Unsafe Foods

Many foods are toxic to our furry pals. Never let your pup have anything that contains garlic, onion, scallions, or chives; chocolate; caffeine; pitted fruits, especially avocado; grapes, currants, or raisins; alcohol; or xylitol. Meat on the bone is also dangerous, as are raw meat, dough, and yeast. Ask your vet for more information on what is and isn’t safe for your pup to eat.

Recalls

While the chances of your canine buddy eating unsafe treats are slim, it’s still a possibility. To keep up with recalls, check the AMVA site here or the FDA site here. Please contact Fairfield Animal Hospital, your local Cy-Fair, TX animal clinic, a local vet for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!