We all love to give our dogs a treat for good behavior or for performing the perfect trick. But you may want to look closely at the nutritional label on your dogs treats before you hand them out freely.

Many of the dog treats commonly available in stores today have higher quality ingredients, but there are still brands available that have a lot of ingredients that you many not realize can actually be harmful to your dog.

1. Unless you're buying your dog's goodies from an "all-natural" or "organic" source, you'll want to be sure to check out the label.Most "over-the-counter" type dog treats and foods have a lot of grains in them that are extremely difficult for dogs to digest. By nature, dogs have a form of diverticulitis, an ailment where the lining of the intestines have tiny pockets, that tend to trap seeds and grains, causing a painful build up. This can lead to bouts of diarrhea and gas, making it uncomfortable for dogs and humans alike. Many dog treats and foods have rice and wheat flour making up their ingredient list, so be sure to check the package label to try to eliminate this problem. Better yet, look for foods that are advertised as"zero-grain" or "grain-free".
   
2. 
   

   Would you give your dog a candy bar? If not, you may want to look over those labels on their treats to see just how much sugar is in them. You might be surprised at just how many of them have added sugar or forms of sugar in the list of ingredients. That's something dogs just don't need. Having dealt with caring for a diabetic dog, the added sugar can really be an issue. If you're not sure of the names of other forms of sugar, look for words ending in "ose". Those are other names for SUGAR.

3. 
   

   Something fishy? A lot of folks don't realize that dogs have a hard time processing fish. While fish oil can be good for their skin and coat, they may have a hard time digesting the fish proteins. If you're pup is having digestive issues, check the label. If their food contains fish, you might want to find something more mild for their tummy. Chicken is typically a good choice, but one of the most easily digested (although typically most expensive) is venison.

4. 
   

   Watch out for a long shelf life! Any dog food that can last for six months or more is one you want to steer clear of! These foods and treats typically contain preservatives that can damage your dogs digestive organs and may even lead to deadly diseases! The three additives you REALLY want to watch out for are BHT/BHA, Ethoxyquin & Propylene Glycol. These ingredients are commonly found in pesticides, herbicides and even anti-freeze!

5. 
   Beware of by-products! By-products are made of all the left over garbage that NOBODY wants. They can't call it meat and they can't call it food. It's just the stuff that's left when all the edible parts are removed. It's ground up, and mixed in as filler to your dog's food or treats! By-products are typically comprised of the "not intended for human consumption" parts like the brains, heads, feet, undeveloped eggs, lungs and other gross parts that they deemed unfit for people to eat! Ok, so why feed it to our best friends? Yuck!!
6. Salty dogs are thirsty dogs! It is important that your dog has some sodium in his or her diet. It's recommended that your dog's food contain at least 0.3% sodium at the minimum level. However, if you're dog's food or treats contains an excessive amount of sodium, you may notice your dog drinking a lot more. And we all know that drinking more means more potty breaks. Maybe not such a good idea for a pup in training. Keeping an eye on the sodium level in your dog's food can make house-breaking a much simpler task.

The best practice is to aim for the all-natural or organic foods and treats. Ingredient lists that start with real meat and not loaded with tons of fillers. It can be pricy to buy the higher quality stuff, but isn't your furry friend worth it?

Paws 2 Purrfection, LLC - Promotions, Displays & More has a great selection of high-quality, all-natural and organic dog treats available, custom printed to help you promote your business brand. Visit our online store at www.Paws 2 Purrfection.com and shop today.

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