Love is in the air! With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, we naturally think of those we love. We may even want to shower the objects of our affection with gifts to show just how much we care, including our pets. If you’re about to indulge your four-legged friend with treats for the holiday, there are a few tips that will help you make the best choices.
Tip #1: More Treats–Less Food
Pet obesity is a common problem in the United States. Adding treats every day, or even on special occasions, can add to this problem. Be sure to reduce the amount of your dog’s regular food to compensate for
the added calories from treats. For information on managing your pet’s weight, see this blog post: http://natureslogic.blogspot.com/2010/11/surprising-reason-your-pet-might-be.html.
Tip #2: Skip the Sugar
While we humans might consider chocolates and other sugary treats a requirement for Valentine’s Day, sugar is NOT an essential nutrient for pets. In fact, too much of it can lead to health problems, such as obesity, tooth decay, and diabetes. Read the labels on treats and avoid such ingredients as corn syrup, fructose, or cane molasses, as well as carbohydrate sources high in natural sugars, like chickpeas, green peas, and sweet potatoes. You can learn more about not-so-obvious sources of sugar in pet food here: http://natureslogic.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-much-sugar-is-hidden-in-your-pets.html.
Almost anything that is not Fido’s everyday food will be seen as special and appreciated. Some pet owners also give their dogs raw carrots and other veggies as treats. If you want to treat your dog, guilt-free, with healthy whole foods and 100% natural ingredients, check out Nature’s Logic Canine Treats http://www.natureslogic.com/products/dp.html. They are made with the same wholesome ingredients that go into our foods, so are high in protein, low in carbohydrate and natural sugar, and contain no man-made ingredients.
A treat can be anything special to show your love. Take your dog for an extra walk or engage him with his favorite toy. Belly rubs, scratches, and doggie massages are all great ways to express how much you care. He’ll love those gestures as much, or more, as any treat you may feed.
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