Rosewood Natural Eats Beef Tender Strip Dog Treats, 12 x 80g Pouches

Product Information

Calming treats can be an important tool in our toolbox when it comes to helping our anxious pooches. Food is undeniably powerful and certain ingredients have the potential to affect both mood and anxiety and to encourage rest and relaxation. As well as providing calming treats, an owner of an anxious dog may consider using a calming diet, modifying their dog's environment and using training programmes. Very anxious dogs may benefit from prescription medicine and/or the input of a professional behaviourist.” You can read AAFCO’s lengthy definition of what “natural” means here, but basically, it’s pet food derived “solely from plant, animal, or mined sources.” It is either completely unprocessed or processed in natural ways, such as “physical processing, heat processing, rendering, purification, extraction, hydrolysis, enzymolysis, or fermentation.” Ultimately, Devereaux says, “treats that are described as natural are not necessarily a healthier option.” That’s because even though such treats may be labeled as natural, there are still a lot of variables to consider.

In this article, we’ll look at natural dog treats, including what they are, whether they’re healthy, and which are the best natural dog treats for your pup’s diet. What Are Natural Dog Treats?L-tryptophan. Found in food such as lean turkey, L-tryptophan helps the release of serotonin, a brain chemical which can elevate the mood of dogs to reduce anxiety as well as helping with sleep. Hemp. The hemp plant is renowned for its naturally occurring compounds called cannabinoids, which can have calming and anxiety-reducing effects on dogs by interacting with serotonin receptors in the brain. Hemp that’s safe for our pooches is THC free - meaning it’s free from tetrahydrocannabinol; the compound that causes intoxication. This means THC free hemp won’t have psychoactive effects on your dog, and is safe for them to consume. Sleepiness/lethargy. As calming treats can have sedative effects, some dogs may be more affected and become sleepier than others. Finding it easy to go to sleep is a desired outcome - but if your pooch is acting overly drowsy or confused, it could mean the treats don’t suit them, or they’ve eaten too many.

Lavender. The musky scent of purple lavender flowers are known to induce a sleepy sensation, and so are often used in aromatherapy. Commercial dog treats have to pass certain standards to be sold in the UK, so in general they are safe for dogs to eat. That said, there are different standards of dog treats - and your pooch may have specific dietary requirements that mean you should pay special attention to the ingredients. Another reason natural dog treats might not be the healthiest option for your pet? “Natural” doesn’t necessarily mean the treat contains healthy ingredients. Again, as AAFCO maintains, “There is no requirement or statement that natural feeds or ingredients are safer than those produced by a chemically synthetic process.” It’s usually fine to feed your dog calming treats every day - but always be aware of how many calming doggy treats you distribute to your jumpy pooch on the daily. Not only can it encourage unhealthy eating habits if you treat your dog without limits, the natural ingredients in calming dog treats can cause side effects if a pooch has too high an intake.

What’s more, as calming treats are considered ‘nutritional supplements’ rather than medication, there’s the chance that pet food manufacturers can make unsubstantiated claims. There are a lot of great options for natural dog treats on this list, but before you introduce anything new into your dog’s diet—including natural dog treats—make sure to talk with your veterinarian. Your vet can assess your dog, his health history, and his individual nutritional needs to give you deeper insights on the best diet for your dog, including which treats are the best. Further Reading