Loving our dogs comes naturally ... the moment we pick up our tiny pups and hold them in our arms, or connect with them as older dogs in a shelter ... whichever way we adopt our fur babies, we know from that moment that we will take the very best care of them. To love, shelter and protect them, and that is why it's so important to give them the very best, high-quality, well-balanced diet that we possibly can, one that meets your dog's specific nutritional needs ... because we want them to be in our lives, for as long as possible. A good diet, and a healthy lifestyle, will ensure a longer, healthier life for our canine friends (and us, too!)

We need to choose a diet that's right for their age, size, and activity level, and one that will help them maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of particular health conditions. Some dogs will have issues with food allergies and medical conditions so we need to take that into consideration when and if the time arises, so always consult your vet if you have concerns.
Of course, there are always dogs who are just plain fussy, and so this also needs to be considered when selecting a diet for your dog. It's also important to consult with a veterinarian before making any changes to your dog's diet. 

As pawrents, what extra efforts are you taking to ensure that the dog treats you're feeding your dog are good for them?

Every dog loves a treat, and it's so easy to give the wrong treat, when you're snacking on something yourself, and they're looking up at you with those "PLEEEEAASE CAN I HAVE SOME, TOO?!!" eyes!!!

Here are some of the signs and symptoms indicating that your dog might've eaten something they shouldn't have: (Cherished Companions)

1. Vomiting
2. Not eating
3. Stretching a lot
4. Lethargic
5. Moaning
6. Retching
7. Shaking

Always be on the lookout for unusual behaviours in your dog and seek immediate assistance from your veterinarian if need be. Our vet is Cremorne Vet, and Gus loves his own special vet, so here's a shoutout to DR LOUISE STEVENSON!

Watch the video below to find out more about signs that your dog needs medical attention!

Why are dog treats important?

Dog treats are a treat! We use treats in so many ways, from training our dogs, to rewarding good behaviour, as well as to keep our pups content when we're absent. There's no rule about how often we should dole out the dog treats, as long as we limit treats to 10% of their daily calories. Some dog owners choose to give one large biscuit each day. Others give a handful of kibble (perhaps 20 or 30 pieces) over the course of a day, just a few pieces at a time. 

There are good dog treats and bad dog treats. Of course, we only want the good treats to feed our dog, which is why, as pawrents, you must check the labels and the ingredients that make up that treat.

Edible dog treats are preferred over non-edible ones, as they contain vitamins and minerals that help greatly in your dog's balanced diet.

We have a huge selection of edible dog treats that you can choose from. Check them out here!

How do you choose the best dog treats for your pup?

All-natural

This is the most important factor in choosing a treat for your pooch; it must be all-natural. These all-natural treats contain no processed foods or ingredients, nor any chemicals or additives that could harm your dog's health.

We have some natural dog treats available on our website; check them out here!

Treats with fewer carbohydrates

As stated by My Pet Nutritionist, dogs are carnivores, which means that they can survive without consuming too many carbohydrates. Unfortunately, carbs are found in most of the commercial dog treats in the form of gluten and grains; this is why checking the ingredients is a must!

Carbohydrates are hard to digest, which can cause indigestion and stomach problems in your dogs. Yikes!

Here are some dog treats you should never give to your dog, and why!

Here are some fruits that you should never feed your dog—and why!

You can download these pictures (right click and choose SAVE AS), print them and put them on your fridge, as a permanent reminder!

Read our other blogs here as there are great topics to help you on your dog pawrent journey.

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