Biscuits
Are you often tempted to purchase that box of generic or poor quality biscuits for your pet when you are in the grocery or department store? Don't compromise your pet's good nutrition with unhealthy, unsafe "junk food" biscuits! It's fine to feed your pet treats; as long as they are a safe and healthy contribution to your pet’s diet.
The ingredient panel on poor quality treats often reads similarly to the “candy” they resemble: full of sugar, fat, dyes, salt, artificial flavours and chemicals. They also contain fillers that provide absolutely no nutritional value for your pet, such as bone meal, animal ‘digest’ and byproducts.
Your pet’s treats need to be low in fat, good tasting, and nutritious (high in vitamins and minerals). You should look for the same premium quality in treats as you do in your pet's food. Even if your pet is eating healthy, natural and nutritious food, his or her well-being can be compromised if you are also giving him or her treats full of chemical preservatives, sugar, salt, fat, and other harmful ingredients.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different biscuits and see what your dog likes. They have taste preferences too! Animal bakeries that use all natural ingredients are becoming popular, and at Pet Planet we carry a wide variety of biscuits so tasty, your dog won’t even realize they are good for him! There are many all-natural biscuits available, a variety to please even the fussiest of pups!
It is important to remember that a treat is just that - a treat. It should not replace your pet's regular meals, as most treats are not formulated to be nutritionally complete. This is particularly vital when giving treats to a small breed dog or cat – just a few treats in a day can add up to a significant portion of his or her diet!
Soft Treats
Do you ever give your dog or cat soft “jerky” style treats? Did you know most soft treats available in grocery and department stores contain a dangerous chemical called Propylene Glycol? Propylene Glycol is a common additive not only to soft cat and dog treats as well as soft or semi-moist dog foods. Itl is a synthetic preservative and flavor enhancer linked to kidney damage. It is also used as a less-toxic version of the sweet-tasting chemical found in anti-freeze and brake fluid solvents.
Although is not healthy for any kind of pet, Propylene glycol poses a greater risk to cats than for dogs. Recent scientific studies have shown that propylene glycol reduces red blood cell survival time, leaves cells more susceptible to oxidative damage, and has other adverse effects for cats consuming the substance at levels found in soft-moist food and treats.
In light of this research, the use of propylene glycol in cat foods is prohibited. However you will still find this additive in grocery and utilitarian dog food and treats. Propylene glycol can also be found on the ingredient panels of items such as anti-freeze, laundry detergents, soap, etc.
Pet Planet does not carry moist or semi-moist pet treats that contain this harmful additive so you can confidently shop for your pet’s treats at Pet Planet! Some alternative soft treats you will want to consider for your pets are: Buddy Soft & Chewy treats, Zukes, and Waggers. Ask about them at your local Pet Planet today!