Healthy Snacks for Dogs

Healthy Snacks for Dogs

May 23, 2010

Did you know that dogs are omnivores? This means that they naturally enjoy many healthy treats that you probably already have in your refrigerator, freezer or pantry. Give some of these a try:

•   Apple and banana pieces. Two of our clinic “mascots”, Tinkerbelle and Tank, love banana chips.
•   Green beans and peas, either fresh or, for a refreshing summer “pupsicle”, frozen. Both are suitable for those with chronic pancreatitis.
•   Carrots and zucchini either shredded or cut into bite-sized pieces or use the baby carrots. Also suitable for those with chronic pancreatitis.
•   Cubes of sweet potato. Many people buy or make dried sweet potato slices for dogs prone to pancreatitis. Jeri steams sweet potatoes for Quimby and she loves them.
•   Rice cakes are another crunchy option, just small bites, unsalted.
•   Dehydrated meat treats. You can create your own dehydrated treats by drying thin slices of low-fat meat in a dehydrator or an oven set to a very low temperature. Sprinkle with garlic powder or nonfat Parmesan cheese before drying to make them even more enticing. Click on our newsletter page for a recipe courtesy of one of our favorite clients, John, and his dog Maxine.
•   Use low-fat or nonfat yogurt in place of peanut butter or cheese for stuffing Kongs. Put them in the freezer to create a frozen yogurt treat that will last a long time.
•   Red, orange, yellow or purple bell peppers
•   A cooked egg white is a great protein treat; hard boil a few and keep them on hand. (The yolk has all the fat!)

Looking for an already prepared treat that is ready to grab and go? Try Solid Gold’s Beef, Turkey or Lamb Jerky or Tiny Tots. All have 5% crude fat and are suitable for dogs with pancreatitis. Halo’s Liv-a-Littles® 100% Freeze-Dried Chicken Breast Protein Treats are also suitable for dogs with chronic pancreatitis.

Raw bones are also a wonderful treat and help keep your dog’s teeth in good shape. We carry beef, lamb and turkey bones. Ask us which would be best for your dog. Never treat an animal to cooked bones as they can cause potentially fatal intestinal injuries. If your dog has chronic pancreatitis, raw bones are way too fatty. Instead, try Greenies to give him the enjoyment of chewing.

Avoid using dehydrated chicken jerky, as most are imported from China (check the small print carefully), and the AVMA and FDA have warned that these treats have been linked to kidney failure in dogs. Unfortunately, we have seen evidence of this first hand. Also avoid using pieces of cheese, hot dogs, lunch meats (even those marked low fat), and other fatty foods as treats.