It’s not a secret that some mass produced and marketed pet treats are unsafe for your furry and scaly friends. But it can be hard to find a definitive guide on what is and isn’t safe. Some people will claim that some treats are toxic, while others praise them. Even vets seem to be unfairly biased towards certain treats and brands, likely due to partnerships with those brands. I would like to clarify that if your vet says not to give your dog chicken, you should probably listen. This is for your pet’s safety. What I’m saying is that looking into the science behind certain treats is a good idea. Consider this article your official guide into unhealthy treats and healthy alternatives.
Dogs Unhealthy: Rawhide
This one shouldn’t be a secret. People have been shaming rawhide for years, and for good reason. Rawhide is untanned, untreated leather. It is most commonly used in fashion accessories and dog chews and treats. If it’s just untreated leather, you may be asking why it’s unhealthy. Well, it’s not just unhealthy, it’s actually dangerous. Rawhide is untreated, but can be kept in facilities where treatment occurs. This means it may contain trace amounts of toxins that could be harmful to your pup, even in small amounts. It could also have bacteria such as salmonella or ecoli. A rare occurrence, sure, but still worth avoiding. And if the toxins or bacteria weren’t enough, it’s also very likely for rawhide to cause intestinal blockages. This product isn’t easily digestible, meaning you could be in for a very large vet bill if your dog gets one. In addition, many dogs are allergic to rawhide and some of the products it’s treated with in order to make it into a dog chew.
Dogs Healthy: Yak Cheese Chews
Yak cheese chews are admittedly more expensive, but for good reason. A rawhide bone would be devoured in minutes by my super chewer. She shreds new toys in seconds, and has a tendency to destroy anything she can fit her mouth around. So I was apprehensive about spending $13 on a yak cheese chew. But when she chewed on it for a solid hour and barely made a dent, I knew my money was well spent. We purchased the chew two months ago, and it’s still sitting, half devoured now, in our living room. She spends maybe an hour or two a day chewing on it. It has lasted longer and been more entertaining for her than any other chew we’ve gotten. Better yet, the problematic chewing has stopped completely now that she’s met her match. And it’s a much healthier alternative to many unhealthy chews on the market. It’s packed full of nutrients, can’t be consumed quickly enough to risk intestinal blockage, and is still relatively affordable given its durability.
Cats Unhealthy: Carbohydrate Packed Dental Treats
Did you know that cats don’t get cavities? At least, not the kind that humans get. The cause of decay in cat’s teeth isn’t fully understood yet, but it’s an interesting fact. And because of that, one would assume cats can have any kind of treat. But that’s not true. Cats also lack a certain enzyme in their saliva, Amylase. Amylase is responsible for breaking down carbohydrates, and since cats lack it, carbs create a starchy film on their teeth. Here’s where it gets worse. Most dental treats for cats are high in carbs, and actually do the opposite of what you want them to.
Cats Healthy: Whole Prey and Raw Meaty Bones
So what can you do in order to clean your cats teeth? Aside from a good old fashioned regular tooth brushing, whole prey and raw meaty bones can help. This can be fed as an occasional treat, or as a balanced part of a raw diet. Some examples of whole prey and raw meaty bones includes:
Day old chicks
Quail
Chicken Thighs
Rats
If you feed your pet whole prey and meaty bones, we recommend serving them raw and uncooked. Cooking them makes the bones very fragile and likely to splinter. That’s part of the reason people say you shouldn’t give a dog chicken bones. Raw bones are fine, cooked are not. To make them extra teeth cleaning, serve them frozen as well. Working to get the frozen meat will help scrape plaque and tartar off their teeth. If the idea of serving your cat other animals makes you feel squeamish, definitely invest in a good tooth brush and toothpaste for your kitty.
Rabbits Unhealthy: Most Human Foods
This should go without saying, but rabbits do not have digestive systems even remotely similar to humans. They are herbivores, meaning they can’t process the meaty foods that we do. On top of that, they don’t have tummies that can easily process carbs either. They survive on a fiber rich diet of hay, specially made pellets, leafy greens, and the occasional treat. This means that foods like bread, cheese, chocolate, coffee, eggs, nuts, seeds, and other human foods are unsafe. They can make your rabbit sick or even kill them. A certain condition, known as carbohydrate overload, can affect rabbits that have too many carbs. The symptoms are obesity, gastrointestinal distress, dental health problems, and urinary tract issues, as well as a nutritional imbalance.
Rabbits Healthy: Carrots, Banana, and Other Fruits and Veggies
Carrots, bananas, apples, papayas, and other treats are healthy when given in moderation. Most fruits and treat veggies are high in carbohydrates, so they can’t be given in excess. Some rabbits love bananas and carrots, and it’s also a great way to bond with them. Treats that are formulated specifically for rabbits are great too, when given appropriately. Treats should make up no more than 5% to 10% of your rabbits diet. Leafy greens such as turnip greens, mustard greens, cilantro, and parsley are great for your rabbit on a daily basis. We recommend giving them one to two handfuls of fresh leafy greens every day. And don’t worry, most leafy greens are cheap, averaging about $1 per bundle in my area.
Lizard Unhealthy: Iceberg Lettuce, Onion, and Certain Bugs
Surprisingly, lizards should not have iceberg lettuce. This is because it is mostly water, with very little nutritional content. They will fill up on iceberg lettuce and not eat anything else, leading to a nutrient deficiency. Onion and garlic are a couple of scents that lizards hate most. Some pest control technicians will even recommend growing it as a natural lizard deterrent. They hate the strong scent of onions, garlic, and other plants in the allium family. Some bugs, like ticks and fireflies, should not be fed to your lizard either.
Lizard Healthy: Fruits and Veggies
Some fruits and veggies are safe for your lizard to eat. Just don’t feed them anything out of your own garden until it’s properly washed and cleaned. The following list are all lizard friendly foods.
Apples, peaches, and pears
Strawberries and blueberries
Bananas, papaya, and Figs
Pineapples and kiwis
Grapes
Honeydew melons and yellow squashes
Dark green lettuce
Collard greens, dandelion greens, and turnip greens
Celery, spinach, and parsley
Kales
Tomatoes and bell peppers
Sweet potatoes and carrots
All Pets Unhealthy: Excess
I feel like I need to explain that despite giving you healthy alternatives to unhealthy treats, these healthy treats should only be given in moderation and not in excess. For any pet, you risk obesity, gastrointestinal distress, and malnutrition. How many treats you give daily will depend on multiple factors, such as the type of pet, their size, their target weight, their base diet, and activity levels. If you’re unsure on how many treats to give, contact your vet for more information. They’ll be able to guide you to the right amount of treats for your pet.
All Pets Healthy: Moderation
When treats are given in moderation, pets do not have the same risk factors for obesity, gastrointestinal issues, and other medical problems. They’ll be happier and healthier with a well balanced and nutritious diet. Moderation also applies to their daily food. Overfeeding your pet regular food poses all the same issues as overfeeding them treats, or feeding them the wrong food. Make sure that you only give your pet as much as they need to eat and maintain a healthy weight. Any more than that and you risk illness.
Hopefully this helps you think of some healthy alternatives for your pet, and helps guide you towards what to avoid giving them. If you have any questions about whether something is safe and don’t trust the answer you find online, contact a vet that’s familiar with whatever pet you have. Normal vets regularly treat cats and dogs, but you may need to contact an exotic pet for questions about your bunny or lizard. It’s also a good idea to have a vet in mind for your pets in the event of an emergency. That way you’re not looking for one while your pet needs one as soon as possible.
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