With Christmas just around the corner, you’ve probably already been overwhelmed by the colourful array of doggy treats hoping to part us fur parents with our cash.
As cute and vibrant as these festive offerings might seem, what many people don’t know is that some of them can be down right dangerous to the health of our pooches and are created using chemical processes that you wouldn’t dream of feeding to your dog if you were aware what they actually went through to become these seasonal gifts.
Let’s take a brief look at some of the hidden truths behind festive dog treats.
Rawhide
Many of the more savvy dog owners have been giving rawhide a wide berth after several reports of over enthusiastic chewers choking on the tough chew.
While naturally died hides and skins are actually beneficial for canine health and offer a long lasting chew that can alleviate boredom and relieve stress, many of the pristine white hides you find in dog stockings around Christmas time have been bleached using chemicals to achieve their appearance.
First, they are soaked in a toxic substance called sodium sulphide to remove any remaining hair and fat before being washed in hydrogen peroxide to remove any odor and reveal the whiteish colour.
Next, they are cut into pretty shapes to attract the attention of dog owners who are unaware of the chemical process that got them to this stage.
Another thing to be aware of is once chewed, the rawhide becomes very slippery and difficult to grasp from the throat of a choking dog and have been proven to cause intestinal blockages once swallowed.
Not so nice now, eh?
See this video about how rawhide is made
Colourful chew sticks
Red green and gold, these pretty treats look ideal for any lucky pup sat under the Christmas tree.
But before you pop a pack or two in your trolley, its well worth looking at the back of the package for an ingredients list.
Can’t make head nor tail or the list? This isn’t surprising as yet again these chews are filled with chemicals and glues that bind the base ingredients together as well as a series of sometimes harmful carcinogenic food dyes or colourants added to give them their attractive hue.
Simply taking them out of the bag and giving them a feel will reveal an unpleasant waxy sensation, so no wonder that many dogs pay no interest in these chemical laden ‘treats’.
Chinese imports
Some festive treats that market themselves as ‘meaty’ and ‘tasty’ can come from unreputable sources and avoided at all costs.
Many retailers are still stocking Chinese imports that contain harmful sulphides, chemicals and colourants that can cause significant health problems, so if you cant understand any of the ingredients listed or note that the product was manufactured in China, then find something else!
Go natural!
Natural treats are by far the best festive gift that you can get for any dog, so please don’t be taken in by pretty packaging and clever marketing this Christmas.
Free from nasty chemicals, preservatives and sugars, why not order a doggy selection box filled with tail wagging goodies that wont just keep your wet nosed pals entertained, but will also help promote shiny coats, good dental health and stress relieve without the need for harmful processes and toxic chemicals.
Available for all breeds, sizes and dietary requirements, these boxes are something that are sure to have your beloved best friend drooling with delight!
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Christmas Stocking for dogs -
Christmas stocking for dogs -
Christmas Stocking – Mixed dogs ice cool
Do you know we also sell gift cards? Printed or digital, for that hard to buy for pooch, or a last minute gift
