Being a dog owner can be tricky — when you want the best for your pet and there are seemingly millions of options to choose from, how do you know which treat is “the one?” Let us help break it down:

1. Don’t Bite Off More Than They Can Chew

The right treat for a Great Dane will be wildly different from the right one for a Chihuahua. Similarly, a senior dog isn’t going to reap the same benefits that a puppy would from the same treat. A treat that’s too small can become a choking hazard, while one that’s too large may be difficult to chew and won’t effectively clean your dog’s teeth. Look into options that cater to what makes your dog uniquely yours, such as size and age.

2. Prioritize Dental Health

Your dog’s dental health is an extremely important factor in deciding which treat to choose. The key is to find one that removes and prevents plaque and tartar, thoroughly cleaning their teeth. Look for treats that reach the back teeth as those teeth are the most prone to tartar buildup.

3. Check Ingredients

We all want to give our dogs the best, especially when it comes to the ingredients in their treats, but we may not know which ones to seek out as opposed to which ones are red flags. Don’t worry — we’ve got you! Down below is a quick list to summarize the key distinctions.

Search for:

• Simple, natural ingredients: These are easier for your dog to digest and hold more nutritional value. Examples of these would be chicken and oats.
• Natural fiber: Fiber helps aid digestion. Search for naturally-occurring sources such as flaxseed, oats, and/or brown rice.

Avoid:

• Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives: These do not hold any nutritional value and can trigger allergies and/or health risks. Examples of ones to look out for include ethoxyquin, BHT, BHA, nitrates/nitrites, and propyl gallates.
• Xylitol: A sugar alcohol that’s highly toxic to dogs. It causes a rapid drop in blood sugar and can lead to liver failure.
• Excessive sugar and starch content: These can lead to an increase in bacteria and plaque growth.
• Hard-to-chew ingredients: Steer clear of bones, especially when cooked, as they can be difficult to chew and cause splinters or chipped teeth. The same applies for similar ingredients such as hooves and antlers.

4. Keep ‘Em Tasty

While a treat can have all the health benefits, your dog won’t experience them if they don’t want to eat it. It’s important for dental treats to taste good so that dogs look forward to eating them. That way, their dental health is their priority too.

5. Avoid Allergens

Check with your vet to see if your dog has any allergies and make sure that the treats you get are free of them. Common ones among dogs include beef, dairy, and soy. Treats that trigger allergic reactions will do more harm than good, so keep tabs and check ingredients.