Dog Food: Not All Dog Treats Are Safe

All our furry four footers like occasional treats. We love to give them treats. Dog owners usually are aware of what their dog likes to chew on. Stores carry a wide variety of dog treats. All shapes, colors, sizes and consistencies are widely represented when it comes to dog treats. Not all dog treats on the market today are good for your dog. Some can really hurt your pet, especially those that are getting stuck in the throat or intestines. Choking is a real risk her. Realize and consider all risks when you give your dog a treat. Your dog needs to be supervised when it gets treats, even with treats that are usually ok.

Greenies: Dogs usually love them. Their teeth are supposed to like them. But there is more to know about Greenies. Choking is a very real possibility. You cannot instruct the dog to slow down when eating these threats and it happens quit often that large pieces get stuck in the throat. Puppies and dogs that eat their food as if they are inhaling it should not get these treats. Keep in mind that it is very common for dogs to vomit after eating these treats. They might have hard time breathing or expel bloody stools. Go see a vet as soon as you notice any of these consequences.

Rawhide Chews: Seriously, is there any dog out there that doesn't like these. They can however be a serious threat to your dog. They do keep your dog from getting bored and his teeth are helped by it, but they can be a danger too. Some Rawhide Chews spiked with arsenic-based chemicals have been imported and your canine will ingest these chemicals while chewing. In the United States this chemical is not allowed, so you might want to choose for the domestic products. Do not buy any dog treats that are unclear about where it was made. Supervise your little friend when he chews on rawhides. Choking is a real hazard here. Keep in mind the size of your dog when you purchase rawhides. The big ones really are for big dogs and the small ones for small dogs.

Chocolate: Do not give your dogs chocolate. Dogs get their paws on food on occasion without our knowledge, and sometimes cake and candy are involved. Theobromine, an ingredient of chocolate, is very toxic to pets. It is the caffeine of dogs. Hyperactivity is a consequence of eating a little bit of chocolate but dogs can OD on it and die. With dogs that ate chocolate you can expect arrhythmia's, breathing problems, and vomiting. Emergency care might be a necessity.

Bones: Many assume that dogs need to have a bone to crunch. They love bones. Many types of bones are potential hazards. Bones of fowl for instance are brittle. Do not give your dog bones of chicken or turkey. These bones splinter and the dog can choke on it. The same problem is often caused by bones from beef or pork. Shinbones are the safest bones to give to your dog. Make sure you always supervise your dog when he has a bone and call the doctor if you see any bleeding occur.

We are not advocates against dog treats.When you love your dog it is only natural you want to treat him. Just make sure that your dog is always adequately supervised. Watch out what treats you buy and check out recalls.