Sunday, February 12, 2012

What are you going to give your furry four-legged Valentine?  There’s no harm in giving a few extra treats on this special holiday, but remember there are some “treats” that should NEVER be given to your dog, like chocolate.



GOOD Treats
Peanut butter A pet and pet parent favor, peanut butter is a good treat for your dog this Valentine’s Day. Peanut butter is great, high in protein and nutrients. It’s best to give your pet the least processed peanut butter, preferably organic, because oils and sugars used in highly processed peanut butter is not healthy for your dog. Just keep in mind, like pet parents, pets can be allergic to peanuts. If you have concerns about an allergic reaction, contact your veterinarian.
Apple An apple a day keeps the doctor away (for the pet parent), but apples are a great Valentine’s Day treat too. Dogs love the crunchy, healthy snack. Apples are high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber, making it a super healthy and delicious treat. When giving your dog apples, remember to take off the skin because it’s full of plant chemicals and never give your dog the core or seeds because the seeds contain cyanide, which is harmful.
Sweet Potato Sweet potato for your Valentine’s Day sweetie! Sweet potatoes are simple, healthy treats that are easy to get at the supermarket. They have lots of fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and beta-carotene. Even better, you can slice and dehydrate these for a great chewy (super healthy) treat for your beloved furry Valentine.

BAD Treats
Chocolate You should never, ever give your dog chocolate. It’s a great Valentine’s Day treat for pet parents only. Chocolate is toxic for pets and can make your dog extremely sick. If your Valentine’s Day pooch has gotten his paws on some of your Valentine’s Day chocolate, make sure to contact your veterinarian immediately.
Candy Other candies are usually not as toxic as chocolate, but they are still a bad treat. It’s high in sugar and other processed chemicals, which can be bad for pets and make them ill.
Bones  Common with holiday meals, it’s not a good idea to give your dog a meat bone.  Your furry Valentine might devour the bone, but meat bones can splinter and puncture your pet’s stomach. Chicken and other poultry bones are especially dangerous because they are brittle and easily splinter.

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