Dogs are very special to us. They accompany us in the best of times and worst of times with a wagging tail and a spring in their step. While I am not lucky enough to have a dog at the moment, I have been thrilled to be around Green Diva Meg’s dog, Gracie, for some time now. Every Tuesday, Gracie sits by the door as I walk in and waits for me to give her a treat. I’m sure many of you readers have dogs that have similar rituals when you come home.

I’m writing this post  because I got to thinking: we spend so much time being conscious consumers. We look at food labels, we buy locally, human, organic and fair-trade food. So why do we feed our dogs with packaged, processed foods that we so knowingly avoid for ourselves?

For this reason, I have researched the health benefits of baking your dog homemade dog treats instead of buying them from a store. You love homemade desserts, right? Why shouldn’t your dog. Anyways, here are some reasons why baking your canine friend homemade cookies is a pretty great idea.

1. Homemade Dog Treats are Safer

Have you ever looked at the ingredients list on the back of a bog of dog cookies? It’s pretty appalling to see so man ingredients you have never actually heard of. By purchasing homemade dog treats (or making your own), dog owners have more control and options about what to feed their pets and what is actually going into their dog’s snacks. Homemade treats can and should be prepared chemical free. Chemicals and preservatives found in commercialized dog treats can actually harm dogs according to research. Some studies suggest that the chemicals found in many commercial treats, snacks and food products, impede good behavior, due to the way the chemicals interact with a dog’s delicate brain. In some studies, researchers have also found that chemicals contained in commercialized dog snacks can even cause aggressive behavior. Some of these chemicals and preservatives are not approved for human consumption, so what makes them any better for dogs?

Some chemicals to watch out for  are BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin, Sodium Metabisulfite and TBHQ. For a complete list, check out this article called “Killing Me Softly: The Truth Behind Pet Treat Labels.” Many of these chemical ingredients are known carcinogens and can also cause liver and kidney problems, loss of consciousness, brain damage, and life-threatening asthma. These chemicals are also used to manufacture rubber and petroleum products, including embalming fluid. Yuck!

2. Homemade Dog Treats are Healthier

A lot of different dog treats are full of saturated fats.  Homemade treats are made with ingredients that contain less fat than store-bought snacks. Giving your dog fat-free or reduced-fat snacks will not only help your dog have a healthier heart, but will also help decrease the chances of him becoming obese later in his life.  Many homemade snacks can also be made with ingredients that help keep your dog’s teeth and gums clean. Homemade treats can also include ingredients that enhance your dog’s shiny coat. Healthy dog treats also mean fewer clean-up due to messes and an overall healthier digestive tract.

3. Homemade Dog Treats are Cheaper

4. Homemade Dog Treats are Tastier

These treats are so healthy, you can chow down on them with your pet. Honestly, the fact that they are made from common ingredients around your kitchen makes them all the more accessible. Anything homemade tastes better in general. Which would you prefer? A homemade batch of cookies or some hard and processed store bought cookies?  

5. Green Diva Gracie Says, “WOOF”!

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Dog with treat image via Shutterstock
Hugging dog image via Shutterstock
Cooking dog image via Shutterstock
Dog Bone image via Shutterstock