Natural Treats!

Natural dried bone

When it comes to enrichment and treats for your dogs there we are absolutely overwhelmed with options now. You could walk into most supermarkets now and the aisles will be packed with dog chews, treats, and toys. I remember as a kid my grandparents always got their dog a pigs ear from the market, it didn't take him long as a Shepherd X Collie to get through them. At that time, this was probably one of the only natural options on the market, now we're spoilt for choice! We give Odin natural treats for many reasons, the first and foremost being he loves them, another being they are 100000 times better than the dreaded rawhide! (which shockingly IS still available to buy from just about anywhere).

What are the benefits of natural treats?

• Cheaper - more often than not, it will cost you next to nothing to buy natural treat for your pooch. I can get hold of dried chicken necks at our local market for 30p each and a pigs ear for less than £1. So they won't break the bank!

• Longer Lasting - they are not brittle like rawhide, which easily splinters, especially in the strong old jaws of a GSD! When we give Odin a deer's leg, it takes him ages to get through it. In actual fact I don't think he's ever got through an entire one, but it certainly keeps him busy for a good few hours!

• Health Benefits - I could go on for ages about this reason. But ultimately, anything natural is usually better for your health, and it's no different when it comes to dogs! There are so many health benefits to feeding natural, the first and foremost being dental hygiene, particularly ones with fur. They act as a natural floss for dogs, and will help break away any built up tartar. Rabbit ears are natural wormers so one of these every so often is fab for dogs and keeping pesky worms at bay. Treats like chicken feet and tracheas are naturally high in glucosamine, which is a natural joint aid. The list goes on, but in a nutshell - they are soooo much healthier!

• Anxiety Reducing - chewing is a natural, calming behaviour for dogs. Long lasting chews such as natural ones keep dogs from getting bored, becoming destructive and suffering stress. So it saves your sofa too when your dog decides that is a tastier treat than the Dentastix you got them!

We use such a wide variety of natural treats with Odin, I'll list some of his favourites below, they often come very cheap and last him ages! Even with his big old jaws!

• Beef Tracheas

• Beef Moon Bone

• Goat or Deer Legs

• Beef Gullet

• Lamb Braids

• Goat or Lamb Plate (normally made of the skin of the animal)

• Pig Ears

• Cow Ears with Fur

• Rabbit Ears

I normally order online for Odin as it works out cheaper but if you have a local natural or raw pet shop nearby, they will almost definitely stock natural treats and chews. Even Pets at Home have them now!

We've just placed an order for 35 items of natural chews to be delivered and it total it came to just under £40 - that's about £1.15 per chew, and it will absolutely last you longer than any other treat on the market.

I'll be posting some 'reviews' of the treats when we get them, we'll see what Mr Odin thinks!