Which Natural, Healthy Treats & Chews are Suitable for Dogs with Special Dietary Requirements
Can Dogs with Special Dietary Requirements Still Enjoy Natural Treats?
As this is a question we are often asked, we thought we would cover the topic with all the information in one handy blog post. We will give guidance for diets that require any of the following treat or chew options:
* Low-fat
* Gluten-free
* Hypoallergenic treats
* High protein
* Low protein
* Suitable for Diabetic dogs
We all love to spoil our puppies and dogs with the occasional treat. However, for those of us with dogs who have special dietary needs, the question arises: can these pups still enjoy treats without compromising their health? The good news is that with some careful consideration, dogs with dietary restrictions can indeed still indulge in tasty rewards.
Many dogs require specialised diets due to various health conditions. These may include food allergies, diabetes, kidney disease, pancreatitis, or gastrointestinal sensitivities. While it's crucial to adhere to veterinary advice regarding their main meals, treats don't necessarily have to be completely off the menu.
The key is to choose treats that align with your dog's specific dietary needs. For instance, dogs with food allergies may benefit from single-ingredient treats made from novel proteins they haven't been exposed to before. Those with diabetes might require low-sugar or low-carb options, while dogs with kidney issues often need treats low in phosphorus and sodium.
It's also worth noting that treats don't always have to be food-based! For some dogs, a favourite toy or an extra play session can be just as rewarding as a biscuit. This can be particularly useful for dogs on very strict diets or those trying to lose weight.
Important Information
When incorporating treats into your dog's diet, moderation is key. The general rule of thumb is that treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake. This is especially important for dogs with health issues, as exceeding this limit could upset the careful balance of their prescribed diet.
Another consideration is the timing of treats. For dogs with conditions like diabetes, it's important to maintain consistent blood sugar levels. This means treating them at the same times each day, rather than randomly throughout.
Every Dog is Different
Remember, every dog is unique, and what works for one may not be suitable for another. It's always best to work closely with your veterinarian or canine nutritionist when deciding on appropriate treats for your dog with special dietary needs. They can provide tailored advice based on your dog's specific condition, weight, and overall health status.
Which Treats for Which Dietary Requirements?
Which G&W treats are the lowest in fat or are low in fat?
Some dog owners ask as they are looking for healthier alternatives or to introduce some variety into their dogs' treat selection and swap a few higher-fat treats out per week for lower-fat ones instead.
There can also be a number of health reasons and conditions a dog requires a reduction in fat in their diet or has to remain on a low-fat diet, and we would always recommend consulting your vet or canine nutritionist about what is best for your dog before introducing treats as part of a new, controlled lower/low-fat diet.
Too much fat in a dog's diet can lead to obesity, liver problems, and a life-threatening condition called Pancreatitis.
Below are 12 of the most popular G&W treats that are low in fat, along with their Analytical Constituents percentage for fat content:
1. Fish Deli Cubes: 0.3%
2, Sweet Potato Treats: 0.5%
3. Mighty Mussel Munchies: 1.1%
4. Wild Garden Herbal Bakes: 1.1%
5. Super Seaweed Snacks: 1.2%
6. Fishcakes with Salmon & Pumpkin: 1.3%
7. Cod Skin Bites: 2.4%
8. Fish Crunchies with Chamomile: 2.4%
9. Veggie Bakes: 3.1%
10. Plaice Sticks: 6.0%
11. Eco Insect Bakes: 6.8%
12. Cod Sticks: 7.9%
There are many other products in the G&W range with 10% or less fat content and you can view them all by clicking here.
Which G&W treats are high in protein and which are the lowest in protein?
Protein plays an important role in a dog's diet and is essential for healthy growth in puppies, muscle development and repair, helping to build healthy cells, tissues, and organs and keeping your dog energised and agile. It also has a positive impact on their skin and coat. Protein also helps to boost the immune system and can lead to increased resilience to illness. Protein is easier for dogs to digest than carbohydrates.
If you are looking for high-protein treats, five of the favourites are listed below with their Analytical Constituents percentage for protein:
1. Cod Sticks: 85%
2. Fish Deli Cubes: 84.4%
3. Cod Feasts Whole Skin: 82%
4. Venison Hide Chews: 75%
5. Salmon Skin Rolls: 71%
Owners ask us about low-protein products as their dog has been recommended a low-protein diet by their vet. This can be due to a chronic, medical condition that affects their dog's liver or kidney function or their dog is unable to process protein.
Temporary low-protein diets may also be vet recommended for dogs with certain types of bladder stones, dogs that are suffering from stress or in certain cases of post-operative care.
Here are the top five treats with the lowest amount of protein:
1. Sweet Potato: 4%
2. Veggie Bakes: 7.5%
3. Wild Garden Herbal Bakes: 8.9%
4. Super Seaweed Snacks: 10.4%
5. Mighty Mussel Munchies: 12.6%
Hypoallergenic & Single Source Proteins
What is a single-source protein treat or chew? It's one that contains only one source of protein. The primary protein comes from only one type of meat (or just one vegetable in the case of our Sweet Potato Treats!)
Why might a dog need single-source protein treats?
One of the most common reasons is due to intolerances/allergies. A dog may develop an intolerance/allergy to a particular meat and must avoid all products containing that meat source.
G&W has always believed that all dogs deserve to have a treat. We have worked hard to make treats accessible to those dogs with intolerances, allergies, or health conditions by formulating a wide range of products with single sources of protein, plus many without cereals, grains, and other ingredients that dogs may have intolerances or allergies to. We aim to keep it simple and don't mix lots of different protein sources within our products.
We introduced our 100% One Ingredient Award to give dog owners the knowledge and confidence in selecting appropriate treats and chews. If it says it's a particular treat, that's what it is! There's no having to search through long lists of ingredients to make sure nothing is lurking that can aggravate a known intolerance or set off a known allergy.
Single-source protein treats can also be helpful if you are working through an elimination diet with your dog as part of a vet or canine nutritionist-recommended diet.
The G&W range includes treats derived from novel proteins such as wild boar, pheasant, goose, turkey, venison, salmon, duck, and insects. Owners of dogs with sensitive digestion, intolerances, and allergies may find these novel proteins more suitable due to their classification as hypoallergenic (relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction) and are easy on digestion.
Gluten & Grain Free
Because G&W believes in treats that are inclusive for as many dogs as possible and are made with as few ingredients as possible, grains and cereals are not used to bulk our treats! Therefore, many of them have just one ingredient or a mixture of ingredients that are naturally grain and or gluten free.
Grain and gluten can be known to aggravate certain health conditions and in the case of Canine epileptoid cramping syndrome (previously called Spikes disease), the most effective form of treatment has been found to be a gluten-free diet or a gluten and grain-free diet. This hereditary dog disease was initially found in Border Terriers, although more recently, it has been documented in many other dog breeds too.
It is not always known what causes a gluten or grain intolerance or allergy, with some puppies being unable to cope with gluten or grains in their diet from an early age, whilst some dogs can develop an intolerance at a later stage in life.
If you do find yourself in a position where your dog requires a gluten and or grain-free diet, know that you can trust G&W to have something your dog can enjoy and they don't have to miss out. You can use the handy filters on the G&W website to view the range of Gluten Free or Grain Free treats.
Treats & Diabetic Dogs
Having a dog with diabetes can require careful management of their diet and exercise regime. Still, it doesn’t mean they have to miss out on tasty, nutritious, and appealing treats or training rewards if they are given as part of a controlled diet and contain ingredients that are safe and won’t affect their blood sugar levels.
The important factors to consider when selecting treats for diabetic dogs are:
1. High in protein – this helps to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. If protein is the sole ingredient that’s an even better choice. (Although meat treats made using
organs are usually naturally high in calories which should be taken into
consideration)
2. No added sugars – you won’t find these in a G&W treat or chew anyway!
3. High-quality ingredients and ideally natural. This is what G&W is so well known for!
4. Low or no carbs – lots of carbs are bad for diabetic dogs so it’s advisable to avoid them. Complex Carbohydrates (such as potatoes and carrots) are better as they help to slow down the body’s absorption of glucose.
5. Treats with a low-fat content are generally better for a diabetic dog.
6. Monitoring calorie intake is an important part of a diabetic dog's diet, although the number of calories can depend on an individual dog’s weight, age, and breed.
We always recommend consulting your vet or canine nutritionist about what is best for your diabetic dog before introducing any treats as part of a new or existing, controlled diet.
G&W treats that may be suitable for diabetic dogs:
Cornish Fishcakes with Salmon, Carrot & Turmeric
Salmon Skin Rolls
Fish Deli Cubes
Fish Crunchies with Chamomile
Fish Crunchies with Charcoal
Herring Sticks/Plaice Sticks/Cod Sticks
Fish Skin Minis
Beef Jerky
All Dogs Deserve a Treat
Having a dog with dietary restrictions doesn't mean you have to completely forgo the joy of giving treats. With careful selection, moderation, and veterinary guidance, you can still find safe and enjoyable ways to reward your furry friend. By being mindful of your dog's specific needs you can ensure that treat time remains a positive and health-conscious experience for your beloved pet.
G&W has always believed that all dogs deserve a treat and dogs with health conditions, sensitivities, intolerances or allergies shouldn't have to miss out!
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