Baking Ingredients that Are Dangerous to Dogs

Buying manufactured dog treats is easy, but making them yourself is a fun way to treat your dog to something special and more times than not, is a healthy alternative. But when making Fido some baked goods, what ingredients do you need to avoid? To help ensure you’re making the best treats for your furry friend’s health, here are some tips.

Precautions to Know from the Start 

Baking homemade doggy biscuits is fun as long as your pooch isn’t harmed in the process. To help prevent any injuries or illnesses are some precautions to take:

• While you’re busy baking in the kitchen, it’ll probably be best of Fido isn’t in your way. Your dog may get overly excited from the smell of those delicious treats and get in your way – harming them or you in the process. This is especially true when hot stoves and ovens are involved. 
• Ensure you’re not using any baking molds that contain BPA, a contaminant linked to cancer and other health issues.
• Ensure you’re not using any of these ingredients that are highly toxic to dogs: xylitol(used in popular peanut butters), onions, garlic, chocolate, or raisins. 

Skip Out on Unhealthy and Unnecessary Ingredients 

Many ingredients we love to add to our treats are neither good nor tasty to your canine companion. For example, sugar and frosting are a definite no go when it comes to Fido’s treats. Avoid anything high in fat as well. Painful inflammation of the pancreas known as pancreatitis can occur in dogs when exposed to high-fat treats and food. 

Ingredients to include are most fruits and vegetables. Some favorites are broccoli, carrots, summer squash, zucchini, brussels sprouts, pumpkin, cucumber, celery, spinach, kale, dandelion greens, apples or unsweetened apple sauce, peaches, pears, strawberries, blueberries, and bananas. 

Counting Those Canine Calories 

Feeding Fido too many treats can result in a nutritional imbalance. Keeping your furry friend’s food intake constant while adding on a bunch of extra treats will only increase their risk of weight gain and obesity. You don’t want treats to make up more than 10% of your pooches diet. 

Making treats for your pup can be fun and is a great healthy alternative traditionally processed doggy biscuits. Just always double-check the ingredients and don’t over spoil your furry friend (no matter how cute they are).