Selecting the Best Treats for Your Pooch

Our pets are very similar to us. They too love treats and some pooches will not stop barking, howling and begging until they get what they want. As pet owners, we love to show our dogs how special they are with an occasional healthy dog treat. Luckily these days there are many tasty and nutritious snacks from which to choose. But, how do you determine the right treat for your dog? Here are some of Lucy and Holly’s tips for choosing the right healthy treat for your dog: First, always buy treats made with all-natural ingredients. Treats loaded with sugar and fat aren’t good for you or your dog. Lucy and Holly’s favorite treats are Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Treats™, made with only fresh, whole, single-sourced animal protein and loaded with essential nutrition that dogs instinctively crave. Their absolute fav treats are VE’s freeze-dried Minnow treats. We feel good about feeding Lucy and Holly Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Treats as all products are purely raw, with no “junk” ingredients. Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Snacks also give your dog an added boost of vitamins, protein, and stimulation, while helping keep teeth strong and healthy. Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Snacks (turkey necks and salmon skins) and Vital Essentials Frozen Bones provide healthy and delicious between-meal satisfaction.

Healthy Dog Treats Are Great Rewards

Just like humans, our dogs love an occasional yummy snack, but it is always best to stick to healthy dog treats. Dog treats are great rewards if you’re training your dog through positive reinforcement dog training. Not only is it wonderful to create a pleasurable experience for your pet, some kinds of treats can help your pet stay healthy. And, there are several treat dispensing dog toys on the market that can be used in conjunction with your dog’s favorite snack to provide hours of fun and entertainment for her. There are, however, several things you should consider when selecting a healthy treat for your dog.

Calories Count

Obesity is one of the fastest growing health problems for dogs in the US. Nearly half of all pets are overweight. As in humans, obesity may contribute to a wide range of health problems, including arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. Overindulgence can be the cause of weight gain in many dogs. This is because we don’t necessarily realize how many treats we give our dogs throughout the day and how many calories those tasty dog treats really contain. For example, a large biscuit may contain well over 100 calories. A good rule of thumb is to stick with low calorie dog treats, or break larger treats into many pieces to use throughout the day. If your pet is overweight, you might consider cutting back his dog food and his treat consumption until he reaches a healthy weight. If you think your dog is overweight, talk to your vet about what you can do to implement a healthy feeding and exercise routine. Don’t let your pet fill up on dog treats before meals. If you take positive reinforcement training classes with your dog, cut back her dinner portion on class days, when you know you will be feeding her extra treats. Try giving your pet treats that benefit her health. Many dog treats are now formulated with supplements like glucosamine which can help maintain joint health and even relieve symptoms of arthritis. Look for bite-sized dog treats that are low in calories. Don’t let treats make up more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet. Use your best judgment when deciding what dog treats are best for your pup. Learn to read labels and always check ingredients. Make sure your dog’s overall diet is balanced and nutritious and she will be with you for a long, long time.

Avoid Table Scraps

Resist the urge to sneak your pooch snacks from the dinner table. People food tends to be high in calories and fat and low in vitamins and nutrients. What’s more, some people food is dangerous for dogs (like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, to name a few), and some products can be at the root of food intolerances including wheat, corn and soy. Feeding your dog from the table can encourage your dog to beg. No matter how tempting it is, for the sake of your dog’s health, try never to share table scraps with your pup, opt for healthy dog treats instead. As always, we love seeing photos of you and your pets. Be sure to follow us and tag @vitalessentialsraw and @lucyandholly_atlgirlzclub on all your photos.

Atlanta GirlZ Club® “We’re all about Fashion, Fun & Fundraising” Kathi Welch owns Atlanta GirlZ Club® an influential pet Fashion, Fun & Fundraising brand featuring her fashionable doggie models, Lucy and Holly. As writers and contributors for several outlets and with their significant high profile and social media following, these GirlZ are well known pet influencers and public figures. They host and emcee events, are brand ambassadors and couture fashion models, as well as fashion print and runway models. Kathi and Lucy also have experience and backgrounds working in television. Lucy and Holly are professionally trained. They are trendy influencers in the pet community and have been featured on CNN, appeared on The Weather Channel and in YouTube videos and two books. Atlanta GirlZ Club® burst onto the Atlanta Pet Lifestyle Scene over a decade ago and use their celebrity to shine a light on animal welfare, animal rescues and fundraising efforts. Their brand motto is “We’re all about Fashion, Fun & Fundraising.” Their commitment and core mission is fundraising for animals in need.

For more information on Vital Essentials and our full product line, follow us on TikTok and Instagram. And if you have any questions, be sure to check out our FAQ page for answers. Together, we can ensure your pet gets the proper nutrition they deserve.