Healthy Homemade Treats with Benefits: Gut Health

Healthy Homemade Treats with Benefits: Gut Health

            We all love to give our dogs and cats a little treat now and then. Of course, everything needs to be used in moderation-too much of a good thing can pack on pounds and could lead to digestive issues.  But, while plenty of tasty and healthy commercial treats available, homemade treats can be a good option, too.  Let’s look at what ingredients make good treats for pets and provide benefits for pets with sensitive stomachs and share some recipes!

            Gut health:  Many dogs and cats have sensitive digestive systems.  Food allergies, medical conditions such as pancreatitis or inflammatory bowel disease, or even stress can lead to GI upset, vomiting and diarrhea.  Pets with these conditions may not be able to eat much of anything besides their normal diet.  However, there are some foods that are generally pretty easy to digest for most pets, even with sensitive tummies (think BRAT diet!). It may be best to avoid raw fruits and veggies which are more difficult to digest and, be cautious with dairy products, though some pets tolerate yogurt.  It’s also best to avoid high fat foods-limit use of oil and peanut butter—if using peanut butter, natural peanut butter with no added salt or sugar is best and ensure that it does not contain xylitol. Avoid butter and other animal fats. Small amounts of turmeric, mint or ginger may reduce stomach upset in pets, but don’t add salt or use a lot of spices.

• Oats or rice—these carbohydrates are bland and very easy to digest, especially when cooked
• Lean proteins such as chicken breast or white fish—if your pet does not have a protein allergy, chicken and fish can provide an easy to digest option for nourishment and flavor when pets aren’t feeling well
• Pumpkin, bananas, sweet potato, apple sauce all provide easy to digest fiber which can be soothing to the GI tract
• Yogurt—plain, unsweetened yogurt can be a good source of probiotics and is easy to digest, but use caution if your pet has dairy allergies and make sure it is not artificially sweetened

Some great recipes can be found at these links:

            https://westmonteac.com/blog/homemade-dog-treats-that-are-vet-approved/ (the banana oat treats and chicken and rice balls would be great for pets with sensitive GI tracts)

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/homemade-vet-approved-dog-treat-recipes/  (the frozen meat treats and yogurt pops are good for dogs with sensitive stomachs though you may want to sub in banana for the strawberries in the yogurt pops)

And, here’s one for cats from ASPCA Pet Insurance:

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. ground chicken
• 1/3 c. oat flour
• 1 T. parsley, minced

Directions

Stir ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Spray a non-stick baking sheet. Roll ingredients into ½-inch balls and place 1 inch apart on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes, and let cool before serving.

Remember, avoid any foods with artificial sweeteners, feed treats in moderation, and, check with your vet to ensure ingredients and treats are safe for your pet, especially if he or she has any underlying health conditions.  If your pet experiences vomiting or diarrhea, discontinue treats.  Also, homemade treats do not have as long a shelf life as commercial treats—store properly and inspect for mold or other changes before feeding.  Introduce homemade treats slowly and give sparingly to pets with sensitive gastrointestinal tracts, and be mindful of ingredients if your pet has any food allergies.

This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.