What Type of Ingredients are in Organic Dog Treats?
When it comes to your furry friends, you only want the best. Especially when you are thinking about their diet. After all, we go to such great lengths to ensure our kids are eating healthy, nutritious meals—shouldn’t we do the same for our pet children too?
So, when you are shopping for organic dog treats, it’s worth knowing what goes into them. If you are going to be spending your hard earned money on the best dog treats on the market, shouldn’t you know what your pooch is eating?
In this post, we’ll talk about what type of ingredients are in organic dog treats, as well as what it actually means for a food to be labeled organic.
What Does Organic Mean?
The term organic gets thrown around a lot, and in most people’s minds it’s just synonymous with “healthy”. But when it comes to being certified USDA organic, food is required to meet some pretty stringent guidelines.
For starters, certified organic foods have to meet requirements regarding the quality of soil, livestock conditions, weed and pest management practices, and the usage of additives. Furthermore, organic foods are always GMO free.
For a multi-ingredient food to be labeled as organic, all the individual ingredients (with a very few reasonable exceptions) must meet these requirements. The food must also be free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
When you choose organic treats for your pet, simply put you are choosing high quality, natural ingredients that were raised and harvested using the best means available.
Organic Dog Treat Ingredients
Now that you have a better understanding of what organic food is, let’s take a look at common ingredients in organic dog treats. You obviously aren’t going to find all of these in every treat, but these are the sorts of whole foods that make up some of your puppy’s favorite healthy snacks.
Apples
A little fruit is good for anyone’s diet, including your pet’s! Apples are packed with antioxidants, Vitamin C, and flavor (of course), and they make a perfect addition to a healthy organic dog treat.
Barley
While some dog treats are so loaded with grains that you’d think they were bird food, barley is a great source of fiber that promotes healthy cholesterol levels and digestion. So it can make an excellent organic ingredient in the occasional dog treat.
Blueberries
Another excellent way to sweeten up organic dog treats with a little bit of fruit, blueberries are just as much a canine superfood as they are for humans. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, blueberries are an excellent addition to any dog treat.
Carob
Carob is a canine-friendly substitute for chocolate. Harvested from Carob Tree pods, this delectable ingredient won’t just satisfy your doggy’s sweet tooth, it will load them up with a natural source of vitamins B1 and B2.
Carrots
Don’t worry. Your dog’s fur won’t turn orange from eating too many carrots. But they will get a healthy dose of Vitamin A and antioxidants to promote healthy heart and eyes. Antioxidants, like those found in carrots, are even known to help prevent cancer.
Chicken
A healthy doggy diet should be chock full of protein. Dogs are natural carnivores, after all. Organic chicken is going to fill your pup up without burdening them with the added steroids or hormones that are loaded into factory farmed chicken. Good Doggy Treats are made from 100% Grade A chicken breast. Learn more here.
Citric Acid
Organic food must be free of unnatural preservatives. Well, citric acid (commonly found in citrus fruits like lemons and limes) is nature’s own preservative. You can rest assured knowing that your organic dog treat ingredients are all natural, but still promoting as long a shelf life as possible without adding anything you don’t want Fido to be eating.
Fish
Omega-3s and 6s aren’t just great for your diet. Your pup will benefit too, and fish is a perfect source of these healthy fatty acids that promote healthy skin and fur, as well as cardiovascular health.
Honey
Honey is the perfect natural organic sweetener for dog treats that need a little something extra. It’s preferred over sugar because of extra nutrients, like magnesium, potassium, and zinc.
Milk
Dogs need calcium for healthy bone production, just like you do, and what better way to give it to them than an organic natural treat. Beyond calcium, milk is also a great source of riboflavin and vitamins D, B12, and K.
Peanut Butter
Organic peanut butter, without Xylatol or other unnatural additives, is a great source of vitamin E that packs the perfect protein punch for your pooch (hey, sometimes we like to get alliterative). It’s also tasty, and when mixed in with other treats won’t get pup’s tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a great organic dog treat ingredient to help promote healthy weight. It is low in calories but very filling because of the high amount of fiber. It also tastes great and provides a perfect source of so many nutrients, such as potassium, iron, and carotenoids.
Spinach
Leafy greens aren’t just for salads anymore. Spinach can make a great addition to an organic dog treat because it is known to contain nutrients with anti-inflammatory properties. Spinach also provides your furry friend with beta carotene, manganese, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are the perfect slow burn carb to add to organic dog treats. They are relatively low in calories compared to how much energy they provide and how much they’ll keep your pup full. Dogs also love the taste, and you’ll love the fact that you are providing your pet with a good source of potassium and Vitamin A.
Check Out Our Own Organic Dog Treats
Good Doggy Treats is committed to providing nothing but the best for your furry companions. Don’t settle for less than organic when it comes to ingredients in your dog treats. Not only are you avoiding all the added hormones, preservatives, colors, pesticides, and more, but you are choosing all-natural whole food ingredients that are rich in nutrients.
If you want what’s best for your dog, check out our own line of organic dog treats, and give your pooch the healthy ingredients they deserve.