Master The Art Of Healthy Snacking: Piggyback's Guide For Health-Conscience Pet Parents

As pet parents, we want the best for our furry companions. A balanced diet is crucial, and healthy snacking is an important piece of that puzzle. The right snacks can enhance training, strengthen bonding, and boost your pets' happiness and health. This guide is filled with practical tips for healthy snacking to keep your furry friends in excellent shape.

1. Choose Lean Proteins to Lower Fat Intake

When you look for snacks, lean proteins should be your first choice for pets on a diet. Organs like lung, heart, necks and poultry feet and are not only tasty but packed with essential nutrients. For instance, choosing lean muscular cuts versus rich fatty options can lower your pet's caloric intake and they will never notice or be missing out, because these options are just as tasty. By incorporating these lean proteins, you help maintain a healthy weight while supporting muscle growth in your pets.

2. Portion Control is Key

The healthiest of treats can lead to weight gain when served alongside a bowl that hasn't had the portion reduced. To manage your pet's weight effectively, adjust their meal sizes when offering snacks. Aim for treats to account for about 10% of their total daily food intake. We suggest picturing the bowl like a pie chart and slicing out 10% of the food, then visualize that quantity of treats and go from there. This strategy ensures that when snacking happens, it is a complimentary addition to the day's meals without leading to calorie overload.

3. Opt for Natural Treats

Select natural treats that are free from artificial preservatives and additives. Ingredients like glycerine, potato starch, tapioca starch, rice starch, potatoes, peas and flours should be avoided all together. Look for single ingredient treats! Pet food labeling is sneaky, and often makes unhealthy ingredients sound healthy to consumers. As a side note, vegetables and fruits shouldn't make up more than ~4% of their daily food intake, and whenever possible, choosing leafy greens and low carb veggies is the best option! Using whole foods means your pets get nutrition that supports their well-being.

Piggyback Treats Company Freeze Dried Pork Kidney

4. Integrate Snacks into Training

Transform snack time into a training opportunity. Using healthy treats during training sessions can encourage good behavior while adding valuable nutrition. Choose small, easy-to-chomp-and-swallow treats, like our thinly sliced beef organ meats or our diced pork organ meats, to keep your pet engaged. This approach makes training enjoyable, reinforcing positive behaviors with tasty rewards.

5. Stay Hydrated with Snack Choices

Hydration is essential for your pet's overall health. Some snacks can contribute to their water intake. For example, fruits like watermelon and cucumbers are not only refreshing but contain about 90% water. Pair these snacks with fresh water to ensure your pets stay hydrated and healthy. Remember, don't overdo it with the sugary fruits, though!

6. Consider Texture and Size

Every pet has individual preferences when it comes to texture. Some enjoy chewy snacks, while others prefer crunchy ones. Factor in your pet's likes when selecting treats. These can still become part of the daily food intake, even if they're a little bigger on a day when you're feeding a chew!

7. Variety is the Spice of Life

Just like us, pets can grow tired of the same snacks. Introduce a variety of treats to keep their taste buds excited. Consider rotating between different proteins, fruits, and vegetables. This not only keeps snack time interesting but also ensures a wider range of nutrients! For example, mixing blueberries or green beans into the treat routine can enhance their meals while maintaining their interest by providing variety, or if your pup isn't into veggies, do your best to source unique meats that you might not see often, like sardines, duck liver, quail eggs or beef spleen. For added fun, freeze these items in bone broth before offering them to your pup! (This is our favorite tip in our Healthy Snacking Guide For Pet Parents!)

8. Create Your Own Healthy Snacks

Take control of your pet's nutrition by making homemade snacks. This allows you to choose the ingredients that best fit their needs and preferences. Simple recipes include slicing lean beef or chicken breast and drying it on a cookie sheet in your oven, or whipping up a "smoothie" of assorted organ meats and freezing them into fun shapes! These treats let your pet indulge while ensuring they eat healthily.

Frozen Bone Broth Makes For A Healthy Ice Pop On A Hot Day

9. Challenge Your Pet With A Puzzle Toy

Hiding snacks in a puzzle toy provides your pet with the thrill of solving a mystery using their nose, mind, and paws! This can be as elaborate as purchasing a reusable puzzle toy or as straightforward as reusing toilet paper tubes by placing treats inside, stuffing the ends with newspaper, and filling a cardboard box or kiddie pool with balls, toys, and these cardboard tubes mixed in!

10. Consult With A Trusted Source

This might be your veterinarian, your neighborhood pet shop staff, a good friend or a pet nutritionist. Going to someone you trust can provide tailored advice based on your pet's unique health status and dietary requirements. This close-to-home guidance ensures your snack choices remain healthy and beneficial for your pet's well-being.

Wrapping Up Our Healthy Snacking Guide For Pet Parents

Snack time is an important part of pet care that can affect their health and happiness. By following these essential tips for healthy snacking, you can ensure your furry friend enjoys nutritious, delicious snacks. Remember, healthy snacking is not only about what you offer but also how and when you do it. With some thought and creativity, you can master the art of healthy snacking for your pets.

Puzzle Toys Enrich Our Pets By Stimulation Their Minds, Noses and Paws!