If you own a dog, then you are bound to have purchased many different types of dog treats to reward him or her. Although dog treats are very popular and many boxes are bought every week, do you actually know what you are feeding your beloved pooch? You can get a wide range of different dog treats and some brands and types are far healthier than others. You will find treats in popular flavors like peanut butter, beef, cheese and chicken. What treats you buy will be entirely up to your dog's taste, health and your budget.

Due to recent pet food recalls, some of which ended up killing thousands of dogs, pet owners are becoming more aware and cautious about what they are feeding to their dogs. Dog treats are ideal to reward good behavior and as a snack between meals, so it is likely that you will be giving them to your dog quite often. Knowing what goes into the dog treats is essential, so that you know exactly what you are giving to your dog.

It's vital that the treats that you pick contain natural ingredients, and not fillers, hydrogenated oils, excess sugars, preservatives and chemicals. You should try to avoid treats that have the words byproduct on the ingredients label, as this is simply parts of an animal which are seen to be unfit for human consumption. It is simple common sense that if something is not fit for you to eat, then it is likely to be unhealthy for your dog as well. Look for treats which are high in whole foods that are vitamin rich.

You should also establish a preferred texture as this will help your dog's digestive system and teeth. Harder treats are good for your dog as they have to use their jaws and teeth to bite down on them. For older dogs, treats that are soft will be easier for them to eat.

If your dog suffers from some sort of allergy or health problem then you will need to check the ingredients carefully. You will want to ensure that all of the ingredients are safe for your dog to eat, and if in doubt, the pet store or even your vet will be able to advise you.

Some breeds of dogs are prone to become diabetic, especially later in life. Breeds like the Chow Chow can have problems metabolizing sugars, whether the sugar is an additive or it is a natural sugar from fruit or dairy. It's important to know your dog's breed and it's characteristics as far as possible health problems, so you can more easily avoid problems later on.

Organic treats are perfect for all dogs whether they have allergies or health problems or not and when you buy organic treats, you know that you are buying treats with the best ingredients. You can be assured that all of the ingredients in the treats will be made from fresh proteins and produce which is natural and very healthy. So next time you go to buy treats, stop to read the labels and try to find the healthier options.