Treats can be a great training aid and, of course, many people love to give their pets a treat every now and then just because. But if you’ve ever taken a close look at of some popular dog and cat treat brands, you may have been disappointed to find that they contain all sorts of not-so-great ingredients.
The good news is that there are some healthier options available when it comes to treats for our cats and dogs. So if you’re one to pay strict attention to your pet’s diet, you can opt for treats with wholesome ingredients that your pets will love.
Healthy Cat Treats
Whole Food Treats
You want to be careful feeding human food to cats, but there are a few foods that are safe to feed that can be given as an occasional treat (in small amounts). These foods include:
- fish such as mackerel or tuna;
- chicken or beef;
- bananas;
- berries;
- spinach;
- pumpkin; and
- eggs.
Not all cats will enjoy all of the above foods, but if you find one your cat likes, you can use it as a special treat or add it to their food dish on occasion.
Made from a plant in the mint family, catnip is quite healthy and probably the most well known treat for cats. In fact, they find it intoxicating and many will get silly and playful after eating it. Other cats may get sleepy. Not only can catnip be given as a treat, but you can also rub it on your cat’s toys and scratching posts or even sprinkle it on their food as an appetite stimulator.
The Holistic Horse offers “Silly Cat” Organic Catnip.
Healthy Dog Treats
Whole Food Treats
Though many dogs love table scraps, those aren’t the healthiest option for obvious reasons. However, giving your dog small bits of whole foods on occasion as a treat is fine. Many whole foods that dogs enjoy are the same as those listed above for cats. However, you can also try out these foods as an occasional treat:
- pear;
- strawberries;
- watermelon;
- carrots; and
- apples.
If you’re looking for a packaged treat, The Holistic Horse offers Grandma Lucy’s Organic Dog Treats, which are baked with human-quality ingredients that your dog will love. These treats are all-natural and contain no preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. They’re made with 100% human-grade ingredients and certified kosher.
We have three flavors available in Grandma Lucy’s Organic Dog Treats:
Pumpkin: loaded with vitamins C, K, and E, beta carotene, fiber, and several other antioxidants; great for maintaining the digestive health of our pets.
Banana & Sweet Potato: high in potassium, bananas are good for the heart, kidneys, bones, and nervous system. They are also one of the highest sources of vitamin B6.
Sweet potatoes are great source of dietary fiber, rich in potassium, as well as antioxidants. They’re also an excellent source of beta carotene and vitamins A, C, and E.
Blueberry: an excellent source of pectin, a soluble fiber associated with colon health; blueberries are also rich in many vitamins and antioxidants.