Christmas Dog Treats - What are the best treats for your dog?

Dogs love to play with toys of all types and descriptions. Dog toys also form an important part of your dog’s education and keep your dog fit and healthy. Dog toys and treats are also an integral part of dog training. See Dog Training for more details on dog training 

Dog Treats 

All dogs love treats. But you will find that your dog likes some treats more than others. There are now so many dog treats on the market that you’re sure to find a treat, (or 20!!), that your dog adores. These treats make excellent training tools and of course you can reward your dog ‘just because’. By giving your dog treats for good behaviour you are helping to promote a positive experience for both you and your dog.   

There are many different types of dog treats. You can find dog treats that are soft, sweet, salty, crunchy and savoury. Just like you, at different times your dog will enjoy different types and flavours of treats. If you pick a hard crunchy dog treat for your dog make sure that it’s not too hard otherwise it may hurt your dogs teeth or even break them. As your dog gets older you will need to adjust the type of dog treats that you get your dog.  You can even find delicious, satisfying dog treats that clean your dog’s teeth and eliminate nasty doggie breath! 

But not all dog treats are good for your dog. Many of the dog treats have preservatives, sugar, or chemicals in them so always look at the label. If your dog has allergies you will need to find dog treats that are similar in formula or that don’t cause allergic reactions. For more information on dog nutrition go to Dog Food

If you can’t find a good dog treat that matches your dog’s nutritional requirements you may want to consider making your own dog treats. You can make chicken flavored dog treats or, chicken and rice dog treats, and many other flavours. Making homemade dog treats for your dog is fun and shows how much you love your dog. You may even find that making and selling specialty dog treats is a fantastic business opportunity if you want to work from home and have some fun. Many pet shops carry locally homemade treats and someone has to make them!! There are many places you can find homemade dog treats recipes on the internet or try inventing your own. Remember to keep the dog treats in airtight containers with lids. This will keep them safe and secure from your dog as well as keeping them fresh.

Dog Toys 

Dogs love to chew, and chew, and chew......oh and chew! So it’s not surprising that many of the dog toys available revolver around chewing. Chewable treats and toys are designed to provide that important, natural chewing activity your dog loves. You will find that many dog toys have the additional benefit of being good for your dog’s teeth too! Chewing toys promote good dental health and give your dog a safe, non-destructive outlet for his need to chew.   

But not all chew toys are created the same. You need to consider the type of chewer your dog is. If your dog is a serious chewer then nylon dog toys or hard rubber dog toys are ideal. For the lighter chewer you may go for the vinyl or latex dog toys. Keep an eye on your dog though as some dogs can chew up a vinyl toy in a matter of minutes. Squeaky vinyl or latex dog toys are great fun for non aggressive chewer dogs.  Be sure to keep and eye on squeaky toys and if your dog starts chewing it apart take it away immediately so that he doesn’t swallow any of it. 

For puppies and dogs who are average or moderate chewers, manufacturers have designed edible, flavored or dental chews made out of rawhide.  For puppies you might like to try realistic looking plush animal dog toys. Use plush toys if your puppy or dog is looking for a toy to carry around and snuggle up with. Machine washable is a good idea when looking to but a plush dog toy. 

To keep your dog entertained you might like to try a Tricky Treat Ball. This is a toy that you fill with treats such as dry kibble dog-food, or cheese cut into small cubes. Shake up the contents and let your dog play with the ball while the treats fall through the holes. If  you’re concerned about your dog’s weight, you can fill it with low-cal kibble, cubed carrots, or even Cherios!  

A twist on this theme is a gumball machine which uses treats or dry food, not gumballs that has been specially designed so dogs can work it themselves.  Simply insert your dog’s favorite dry food or treats into the ball and let him play :-)

Dog toys and treats are important to keep your dog happy, healthy and entertained. And it’s fun for you too!!