Barks and Bangers: The No-Nonsense Natural Treat Guide
Right then, Britain’s practically bursting with dogs, around 13.5 million of the furry blighters, all waiting for dinner, treats, and the odd belly rub. Meanwhile, we’re shelling out about £500 a year on pet treats alone. Not pennies down the back of the sofa; this is serious biscuit business.
There are roughly 3,000 pet shops scattered across the country. From posh garden centres to your local corner shop pretending to sell dog food. The dog food trade itself is a near £2 billion beast. Feeding your pooch usually costs more than the vet, the toys, or even those questionable jumpers you buy only for them to chew up.
Most owners are trying to tighten belts on grub; two-thirds of them, apparently. But when it comes to treats, well, they’re still splashing cash like it’s going out of fashion. Treats aren’t just snacks; they’re training tools and love notes all rolled into one.
So, with a new shop opening on the High Street, it’s time for a proper chinwag about what dogs really want to chew and why it’s a bit more important than picking the prettiest packet off the shelf.
Why Natural Dog Treats Are Worth It (And How to Choose the Right One)
Most dog treats look the same - colourful biscuits, bones that smell like cardboard, plastic-looking chews that last forever because, well, they might actually be plastic. Natural dog treats are different. Real ingredients. No weird chemicals. Something your dog’s stomach can actually recognise as food. You wouldn’t eat a bag of additives and colourings, so why should your dog?
Stress relief for your pooch
Picture your dog, once a fierce wild beast chasing rabbits and howling at the moon, now reduced to dodging noisy hoovers and enduring your questionable dance moves. Stress levels? Through the barking roof.
But fear not! Natural chew treats are like a spa day for their jaws; proper stress relief without the cucumber slices on their eyes. Chewing these treats gives their ancient instincts a cheeky workout, gnawing away the worries of modern life. It’s like therapy, but with slobber. So when your pooch’s world feels more “rush hour on the M25” than “stalking prey in the wild,” a good chew treat calms the beast within and reminds them they’re still a proper dog, not just your slightly daft housemate.
What Are Natural Dog Treats?
Natural treats come from real meat, veg, or animal parts - no synthetic rubbish. Think dried liver, fish skin, or beef trachea. Some sound grim, but to your dog? Gourmet. Usually air-dried or freeze-dried. No fake flavours. No preservatives. Nothing you can’t pronounce.
Why bother?
Easier to digest: Dogs have short guts, made for meat, bone and fat; not corn syrup and “smoke flavouring.” Natural treats cut down upset tummies and diarrhoea.
Better for teeth: Some natural chews scrape off plaque. Bones, antlers, hooves. They clean as well as entertain.
Fewer allergies: Many commercial treats bulk out with grains or dairy; common causes of itchy skin and ears. Natural single-ingredient options are safer bets.
More nutrients: Organs like liver or kidney pack vitamins. Fish skins deliver omega-3s. These treats actually do some good.
Choosing the right type:
Watch how your dog chews:
Inhalers (the gobble-and-go types): Harder chews like beef tendon, dried trachea, raw bones to work on.
Nibblers: Small training treats like dried liver cubes, tiny fish, or jerky.
Destroyers (toy-ripping enthusiasts): Longer-lasting options like deer antlers, yak chews, buffalo horns. But watch out - some are tough enough to snap teeth.
What to watch out for
Treats should list one or two ingredients. If it reads like a chemistry test, bin it.
Avoid cooked bones as they splinter. Raw or dried only.
Check origin. Stick to the UK, EU, or reputable sources. Some imports have safety issues.
How to introduce them
Don’t dump a new treat in and expect happy tails. Go slow.
Start with one new treat at a time.
Watch for reactions: any itching, loose stool, or vomiting means bin it.
Keep portions small. Organs like liver can cause the runs if overdone.
A few good optionsDried chicken feet – crunchy, full of glucosamine.
Beef trachea – good chew, supports joint health.
Sardines or sprats – omega-3s, great for skin.
Rabbit ears with fur – yes, with fur. Natural fibre, helps digestion.
Yak chews – long-lasting, low odour.
Final thought
Natural treats aren’t about spoiling your dog. They’re about feeding something closer to what they’re built for. Less nonsense. More benefit. Not sure what your dog likes? Buy a few singles before committing to a kilo of dried pig snouts; unless you enjoy being stared at with betrayal.
Need help picking treats based on breed or behaviour? Ask away.
Demystifying Treat Ingredients: What’s Really in Your Dog’s Snacks?
Right, before you rush off to stock up on treats at that shiny new shop, here’s a quick heads-up on what to avoid. Think of it as your dog’s version of dodging dodgy takeaway.
Here’s the dodgy dozen — artificial nasties you really don’t want sneaking into your dog’s snack stash:
Carrageenan (E407) – sounds like a fancy seaweed, but nope, best avoided.
Propyl Gallate (E310) – no, it’s not a new superhero, just a preservative.
BHA (E320) and BHT (E321) – they sound like robot names, but they’re artificial antioxidants.
Ethoxyquin (E324) – this one’s a preservative you want to give a wide berth.
Potassium Sorbate (E202) – another preservative, and no, it won’t make your dog run faster.
TBHQ (E319) – the snack villain that’s best left out.
Sodium metabisulphite (E223) – preservative alert again.
Propylene glycol (E1520) – fancy name for antifreeze, but don’t panic, just avoid.
Sodium chloride – aka salt, in large doses it’s no good.
Artificial food dyes – the more colourful, the dodgier.
Fructose, artificial sweeteners, white sugar, corn syrup – sweet isn’t always better.
Corn bran, modified corn starch, corn gluten – more corn than a circus.
Wheat gluten, soybean meal, cereal by-products – filler stuff your dog doesn’t need.
Meat derivatives and by-products – vague and mysterious, skip it if you can.
Vegetable derivatives and by-products – also pretty vague and usually filler.
Brewers rice and hulls – the bits nobody else wants.
So, next time you’re picking out a treat, have a quick read of the label and keep it simple and natural. Your dog will thank you — probably with slobbery kisses.
