treats

Question
hi.. i am scared to buy any dog treats anymore because of all the recalls, so i have been dehydrating boneless chicken breast for my boxers.. do you think this is ok? & could i do this with beef heart? & not hurt them? .. we butcher our own beef & pork.. my older boxer is having kidney troubles now & i blame the food she was on & the treats i was giving her! Now shes eating RX food from vet but she misses her treats.. what do you think?

Answer
Hi Brenda,

You shouldn't blame yourself for your dog's illness. As dogs age, it's very common that they develop many of the same ailments people also develop with age.

Dehydrating boneless chicken breast is a wonderful treat for dogs, but if your dog has a kidney disorder it may not be the best choice. Many dogs with kidney disease require a low-protein diet.  So, you should talk over the chicken treats with your vet, before giving it to your dog.

You can bake your own dog treats:

http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/recipe_dogbiscuit.htm

http://www.bullwrinkle.com/Assets/Recipes/Recipes.htm

Another really good treat for dogs with kidney disease are fruits.  Apple wedges (No pits), pear, banana, baby carrots, blue berries, or mellon. Grapes and raisins shouldn't be given to dog, they can be toxic.

Most dogs really love fruits, they're a healthy and low fat treat! Just go easy with them, as they can cause loose stools if a dog eats too much of these good things. So work up to a "safe level" your dog tolerates.

Best of luck,

Patti