It is no secret that dogs love treats. They’ll wag their tails and make those big puppy eyes as they beg for more.
Pet parents use treats to show affection or as a reward for good behavior. But sometimes, as a pawrent, you want to spoil your furbaby with yummy treats just because. While treats are a sure way to a dog's heart, more pet owners are becoming aware of the importance of natural and organic treats.
The demand for organic healthy dog treats has led to an increase in brands lining up shelves with new products. In this article, we take a closer look at organic natural dog treats. What to look for when buying them, plus a list of dog treats that your doggo would love.
Many health-conscious pet parents are turning to organic, and natural pet treats because they understand the importance of keeping their four-legged besties healthy. The task is always to find good quality treats that support your dog’s health while keeping them happy.
Have you ever stood at the dog food section and felt overwhelmed? We don’t blame you. The sheer number of dog treat brands seems to be growing overnight.
Organic natural dog treats are the current trend. And more pet parents appreciate that they can be equally healthy and tasty for their canines. Plus, the ingredients used in organic treats are grown without artificial fertilizers and pesticides. This makes them extra good and nutritious for dogs.
Natural organic dog treats are a great choice for your furbaby because they have plenty of benefits:
While it would be nice to simply pick the first dog treat you see labeled as organic off the shelf and call it a day, there are actually several key considerations you should keep in mind while you’re looking for the right organic dog treat for your canine friend.
The key to healthy dog treats lies in the ingredients used to make them. Only buy organic dog treats made with quality ingredients like real meats, veggies, and fruits. Avoid organic dog food treats made from unspecified animal by-products or that have compromised sources of ingredients. For example, ingredients sourced outside the country can come from places where certain fertilizers, pesticides, or vet medications are not as strictly regulated. Sometimes, the quality control measures may not be as stringent thus compromising the quality of the final product.
Single-ingredient treats are often the best for picky eaters, allergy prone dogs or those with known medical conditions. Stick with organic dog treats that have a minimal number of ingredients—some of the best organic dog treats are things like freeze-dried liver with only one ingredient eliminating unnecessary fillers.
Always check how many calories are packed into treats and the fat content. This information is important if you have a chonky doggo that needs to lose some weight. As a general rule, treats should make up less than 10% of your dog’s daily calories.
Take some time to do background checks on your preferred brands. It is important to pick brands from known and reputable manufacturers who adhere to provided guidelines and have positive customer reviews on their products.
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Organic Dog Treats |
Dog Treats with Artificial Ingredients |
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Made from natural organic whole ingredients |
Made with modified ingredients and ingredient byproducts (e.g., poultry byproducts, wheat byproducts) |
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Less or no filler ingredients |
Contains filler ingredients such as artificial flavors, dyes, and colors |
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Free from common allergens, hypoallergenic options |
Contain potential allergens like artificial preservatives |
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High protein and low fat |
High in artificially refined sugar |
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Often Gluten and grain-free |
Often contain wheat gluten and grain by-products like rice and oat hulls |
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Minimal ingredients (1-4) |
Multiple processed ingredients |
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Lower in overall calories |
Most are high in calories |
If you want to switch your pooch to healthy organic treats but are thinking, “there are no organic dog treats near me,” there is good news. You can always make your own.
Making organic dog treats at home is a fun and easy way to create healthy snacks for your four-legged buddy. As we always recommend, work with your vet or pet nutritionist to get verified dog-friendly recipes for your dog breed.
Let's look at some pros and cons you should consider when making your own dog treats.
The Honest Kitchen is an American brand that prides itself in creating high-quality human-grade pet food products.
This treat is a perfect fix if your pooch has been drooling at your milk and cookies snack. The Goat’s milk N cookies allow your four-legged best friend to enjoy a dog-friendly version of the organic baked dog treats.
The Honest Kitchen treat is made with the protein-rich goodness of goat milk and pumpkin puree with a hint of cinnamon for flavor. In addition, it is fortified with probiotics (20,000,000 CFU/lb) to keep your dog’s gut healthy.
The treats are GMO-free and do not contain artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Your pooch is bound to love these treats and give you lots of doggie “kisses” in appreciation.
Unfortunately, you will have to dig deeper into your pockets for the Goat’s Milk N’ Cookies treats. They also contain more calories per treat than similar products (11 calories per average treat) .
* Price starts at CAD$ 12.99 as of February 2023.
PureBites is an American brand that makes limited-ingredient dog treats. This means that their products contain one to three human-grade ingredients. PureBites dog treats come in different sizes and flavors. They are made with 100% pure USDA-inspected ingredients.
These PureBites treats are freeze-dried. Freeze-drying preserves the original raw nutrition while maintaining the natural taste and smell of the beef, which dogs love. PureBites dog treats are high in protein, easy to digest, and do not contain any preservatives.
The single-ingredient bites are a great option for dogs prone to allergies and come in various flavors like chicken, turkey, duck, salmon, lamb, and cheese.
Whether you are looking for organic small dog treats or something yummy for your Great Dane, PureBites are a crowd pleaser. They are also great for training, you can easily break the pieces into smaller bits. The treats are also relatively low on calories, packing about 10 calories per piece.
* Price starts at CAD$ 8.99 as of February 2023
This Canadian peanut butter crunch biscuit is made for pooches of all ages and breeds. It is a sure winner for your furbaby if you are looking for organic baked dog treats for a pooch with a sensitive tummy.
The Northern Biscuit bakery sports a range of vegan dog treats in many flavors like lamb berry, bacon, liver, and pumpkin pie, yum! The Peanut Crunch is a wheat-free formulated biscuit made with vegan peanut butter and blended with oats and barley.
It contains zero animal products and comes in bags of different sizes so you can buy the most suitable package for your doggo. One other great thing about Peanut crunch is that it is calorie-light, packing only three calories per treat.
* Price starts at CAD$ 5.99 as of February 2023
Crumps’ Apple bites is a natural and wholesome one-ingredient treat containing non-GMO apples. This treat is made by drying thinly sliced apple pieces into chewy bits suitable for dogs of all breeds and ages. Crumps’ Apple bites are low in fat and loaded with fiber, Vitamin C, and A that help with digestion and keep your canine's coat and skin healthy.
These Apple Bites are packaged in small batches that trap an enticing smell and taste, making them irresistible even to the most fruit-loathing furbaby.
All ingredients are sourced and made in Canada with no added artificial colors, additives, or preservatives. This Canadian brand also carries plaque busters, mini-trainer treats, and other yummy flavors.
Though Crumps’ Apple bites are pricier than similar products, the joy on your dog's face will be worth it.
* Price starts at CAD$ 6.79 as of February 2023
To make sure that your dog’s nutritional needs are met, it is always a good idea to incorporate supplements. Especially with regard to keeping your dog’s joints healthy and strong. Supplements like TRI-ACTA contain 100% pure active ingredients (MSM, glucosamine for dogs, and Chondroitin sulfate) that maintain healthy joints and cartilage
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Exercising is important for every dog. It helps them maintain a healthy weight, build muscle, and reduce behavioral problems such as chewing, barking, and digging. Exercise also mentally stimulates dogs, improves flexibility, reduces the effects of aging, enhances their quality of life, and helps them combat anxiety. So ensure your dog gets in some good quality exercise time every day.
Organic dog treats have numerous benefits for your dog. Whether making your own dog organic treats or buying commercially made natural organic dog treats, remember to look for all-natural and high-quality ingredients.
Also, even while training, ensure you give your pooch treats within reason. Do not exceed the recommended quota regardless of how healthy the treats are.
Ready to learn more? Hop onto our resource page for dogs to learn more about keeping your dog healthy, or check out our info on TRI-ACTA joint supplements for long-term mobility care.
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