Service Dogs in Florida Need Healthy Snacks
All dogs love treats; we’ve yet to meet a dog who doesn’t. That doesn’t mean their human companions should indulge them frequently. Many pet parents, while having the best of intentions, tend to grab the first box of dog bones or chewy treats they see at the supermarket or pet store. Most don’t stop to think about the nutritional value of the treat. At Genesis Assistance Dogs, Inc. we consult with our trainer and veterinarian to learn what foods are suggested as being healthy treats for service dogs in Florida.
As with humans, fresh is best. A dog’s metabolism requires vitamins, minerals and fiber just as we do. Treats and snacks such as peeled, skinned and cored apples are a true favorite of our Golden Retriever’s. Be very careful not to let your service dog in Florida ingest the seeds of an apple at any time. They are toxic to the canine digestive system. (Click here to read our recent blog about foods that are poisonous to dogs. Just remember that healthy is not always safe for animals.) Baby carrots are another dog favorite and green beans come in at a close third.
Since carrying around a bag of apples or carrots is not always practical, what other treats and rewards might your dog enjoy?
For training service dogs in Florida we recommend small treats that can be used as rewards during training sessions, or used for a quick snack when out and about, we suggest you seek out products that provide superior choices in protein. They can be crunchy, chewy or a combination. Select the appropriate size treat for your service dog as they enjoy variety. A great training tip is to break treats into smaller pieces so they last longer during training sessions. Read the labels carefully to make sure that the whole meat source is listed as the 1st or 2nd of the 3 first ingredients on the label. By law, the ingredients are itemized in decreasing order by weight. Keep in mind that by-products are NOT the same as the whole food and their nutritional value can be very misleading.
Something that many folks don’t know is that manufacturers of dog food and related products have 10 months from the time they change a recipe to the time they have to notify the public. When something that you’ve been purchasing for a while indicates that it’s new or improved please take the extra time to read the label and decide if it really is either.
Your dog’s health depends on it.
When you’re at home with your assistance dog and it’s time for a chew toy, elk antlers are a big hit with our pups. Be careful to purchase only U.S. sourced antlers. Another favorite are dried sweet potatoes. If you own a dehydrator they are simple to make and your dog is going to thank you for the special effort. They are available commercially but once again, please read the product labels to make a smart choice. Crunchy biscuit-type treats are o.k. if limited to one per day as they do assist with dental health. Once again, check the labels before making your decision.
A major responsibility of keeping service dogs in Florida happy and healthy requires good nutrition including healthy training treats, snacks and chews. With just a little research you can help to ensure he or she will be at your side for a long time to come.
