Veterinarian Pet and Dog Treats
The effect of eating snacks, especially when too many calories are involved is quite well known to all of us humans. But what about for snacks for pets? Healthy nutrition may include dog treats and snacks when needed. As guided by your Veterinarian on the Sunshine Coast, humans can provide a healthy choice of snacks for their animals, especially active dogs who may need the additional calories.
Unfortunately, many of the treats on the market today are not very healthy. While they are certainly flavourful, they are also packed with unnecessary calories, fat, or sweeteners that do not add to the health of your pet. Just like humans, dogs prefer what tastes good instead of what is good for them. When dogs consume too many calories, they can get overweight just like humans do.
However, this does not mean you should eliminate treats altogether. For pets, treats are not only tasty they play an important role in the bonding process. Finding the right balance between providing enough treats to satisfy while not having too many is the key to good health. Your local Vet can advise you how the good health of your animals prevent so many problems down the track when you have you pets annual checkup and vaccinations.
Appropriate Pet Nutrition
Treats are no substitute for the appropriate pet food. The food you provide your pet has all the vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and other healthy elements to provide enough nourishment for the day. Pet treats have only a fraction of the needed aforementioned elements. What treats do provide is calories which the pet food does as well. So, try to keep the treats as no more than 10% of the total calorie intake your dog consumes daily.
Size of Your Pet
The size of your dog or cat will dictate how many calories they should consume in a day. For many smaller breeds, they can consume as little as 300 calories per day to maintain their weight. This means you should curb the snacks, so they do not exceed the total calorie amount for each day.
It should be noted that dog treats are not necessarily bad for your pet, but they do represent empty calories much like ice cream or cookies for humans. However, when used properly as a snack, they are just as enjoyable for your dog as eating your favorite dessert is for you. Just remember to limit how many treats they consume.
Exercise your dog everyday for a healthy balance this will avoid becoming overweight and the next physical examination at the Vet will be a good one.
Healthy Alternatives Sunshine Coast
There are good, natural alternative snacks for all animals living on the Sunshine Coast. Many love treats such as baby carrots or canned green beans. You can also shop for pet treats that meet nutritional standards and do not provide much in the way of calories. However, baby carrots are nearly perfect since they have almost no calories and can be easily carried. Shop around first before deciding on which healthy alternative is right for your dog.
If you are considering whether pet treats are right for your dog or cat, then consult with your Vet about the benefits and potential downsides. For those who live on the Sunshine Coast, appropriate pet nutrition starts with healthy snacks that provide the calories, vitamins, minerals.
Contact All Animal Vets for all your queries in regards to your pets nutrition, make an appointment for a checkup today.
