Best Dog Treats for Pitbull Puppies
Pit bulls love to chew on things. If a pit bull doesn’t have proper chew toys, they will chew on shoes, remote controls, books, toys, furniture, and anything they can find. In addition, many pit bulls find something to chew on when they are bored.
Stress and anxiety can also make a pit bull want to chew on things they aren’t supposed to. Some pit bulls, especially smaller breeds, will make a chew toy out of anything to ease the pain caused by their growing teeth.
Additionally, the older pit bulls chew on things to keep their jaws and teeth in good condition. Pit bulls love to chew. They are known for chewing fast and aggressively. A pit bull will chew on just about anything it can get its paws on.
If you have a pit bull, you shouldn’t let them chew on your things. Instead, offer your pitbull goodies that are delicious, nutritious, digestible, and safe.
What Are the Benefits Of Pit Bull Dog Goodies?
Treats do more than make your pit bulls happy. They are a great training tool. Many pet owners and professional trainers use training treats as positive reinforcement. Most pit bull owners know that pit bulls seem to be hungry all the time.
A few treats a day will keep your pit bulls feeling satisfied. Treats are essential for young dogs who are teething. Instead of chewing on your shoes and other personal items, chewing treats will soothe their aching gums.
Also, treats have nutrients that are essential for their dental health. As a puppy owner, you should have a treat bag. If you have to leave your pit alone for a few hours, training treats will keep them occupied.
If you leave a bone treat for your pit, they will focus on the treat and won’t get bored and destructive. Finally, treats can give your pit additional nourishment. Your pit will need Omega 3 & 6 acids and vitamins, and treats are an excellent source of both. For example, an excellent source of omega 3 is beef liver. Beef liver is also beneficial to your pups’ liver, no pun intended.
As much as you want to incorporate treats in your dog’s training session, you must also ensure that your dog diet is filled with nutrients. Doing this will make your puppy grow stronger and develop strong bones, and it will protect them from health issues that plague other dogs on poor or low diets.
When feeding treats, it is best to do so based on your dog’s feeding and training schedule. For example, give your pit a treat between meals to curb their hunger. Also, only give your puppy treats during training sessions.
If you start giving your dog bones at random times for no reason, you will start a cycle that will be difficult to break.
Low-Value Treats vs. High-Value Treats
Dog bones have two categories: low-value and high-value. Low-value treats are typically small and easy to chew and swallow. These treats aren’t going to keep your pit busy for very long, but they are great for training. Low-value treats come in kibble form or soft baked goods.
On the other hand, your dog can enjoy high-value treats for a long time. They are in the form of tasty rawhide bones or chewy jerky. Bully sticks are examples of high-value treats that contain ingredients that offer several health benefits for your dogs.
Bully sticks are considered high-value treats because, unlike other dog bones and chew toys, bully sticks are made with a single ingredient—beef muscle—and easily digestible, which makes them easy chews for your chewer.
Bully sticks are also durable, so you don’t have to worry about your chewer getting injured from splinters. The fact that they are long-lasting also makes bully sticks good products to clean your dog’s teeth. These sticks come in better shapes and sizes, which means any breed of dogs can enjoy them.
Another high-value treat you should include in your dog diet is yak chews. Yak chews are natural chews with no preservatives or colors that will harm your pets. Yak chews are made from yak and cow milk with a cheese-like flavor.
As a dog owner, you might be worried about the odor that pup treats give off, but with yak chews, you do not have to worry as these chews are odor-free. These sticks are also free of dyes and will not stain your floor.
Other reasons why yak chews are highly valuable chew sticks for your puppy are:
- They are high in protein;
- They are low in salt and fat content;
- They are durable and will help maintain your dog’s teeth.
Giving your dogs bones is one way to keep them busy when you leave the house. However, if you use these treats for training, you can expect a bigger response. If you plan to use dog bones for training, you can use the low-value treats for minor accomplishments and high-value treats for major ones. It is best to keep one of each type on hand.
What Makes a Treat Perfect For Pitbulls?
There is more to choosing a treat for your pitbull than simply grabbing the first bag you see on the supermarket or pet store shelf. You should use the same caution you use when buying dog food. It will take some time and research, but it will be worth it.
Choosing the right treats for your pup can prevent stomach issues and food allergies. Generally, you should get pitbull treats that are safe, durable, and nutritious. Also, please stay away from products that contain propylene glycol as they are harmful to your dogs.
Tips on qualities to look for when choosing the right dog treats:
Chewy
Dog treats are great to keep your pit from getting bored and destroying things with their teeth; therefore, you should choose bones that will take time for your pit to chew. Jerky and rawhide bones are great options because these treats won’t disappear after a few bites.
Healthy
Everything you feed your pit should be healthy. Pitbulls are known for having high sensitivity to additives and other substances; therefore, you should check the ingredients on the label. You want a nutritious pit treat and avoid treats containing ingredients you wouldn’t want in their pit food.
Also, ensure that bones contain omega 3 acids and vitamins that will aid your pup’s development. You should also include pumpkin in your dog’s diet as they contain essential micronutrients that your pup needs.
Tasty
If the pit treats you choose aren’t delicious, your pit won’t eat them. The more smelly a pit treat is, the more flavor it will have. If your pit gets addicted to the treats, it will make training easier.
Size
If you are using dog treats for training, it is best to go with smaller ones. Larger treats will distract your pit, and training will be more difficult. On the other hand, if you need treats to keep your dog busy and less destructive, larger treats are best.
Calories
When purchasing dog treats, check the label or nutrient profile for the calories per treat. You don’t want to buy products high in calories because it can result in obesity.
Convenience
You want to buy treats that aren’t too greasy or crumbly. In addition, you want treats that will hold their shape while in your pocket. For example, if you take treats while walking your pit or training outdoors, you don’t want to be left with crumbs.
Top Two Pit Bull Dog Treats
Below are our picks for the two best pitbull dog treats on the market today. Both of these treats offer everything that your pit wants and needs. There are plenty of options to choose from, but these two are the best.
Mini-Rewards Treats By Natural Balance Company. Great for Training a PitBull.
If you are looking for training treats, these are great. They are moist meaty treats and come in duck, chicken, and lamb flavors. In addition, these treats contain potatoes and brown rice, which will give your pitbull the carbs they need to stay healthy and active.
They are also a good source of protein and fat, which is essential for muscle growth. These treats contain 28 percent moisture, but they still hold their shape. You can feel good giving your pit these treats because each piece has only five calories.
They are also free of artificial flavors, preservatives, colors, soy, and wheat. Additionally, these make a great option if your pitbull has any food or skin allergies. This treat is great for dogs of all breeds and ages.
These treats smell like molasses, which will make your pitbull stop in its tracks. With a shake of the bag, your pit will come running.
Pros:
- Highly nutritious
- Moist and chewy
- Small pieces which are great for young puppies
- Very affordable
- Great for training your puppy
- Made in America
Cons:
- They come in very small packs for your pup
- You cannot hide medication inside because the pieces will crumble if you try.
These are great training treats, delicious and healthy, and each piece contains just three calories. They are made with wholefood berries, savory herbs, and high protein beef. There are several flavors available, which will allow you to switch things up once in a while to keep your puppy from getting bored. In addition, this dog chew will attend to your dog’s chewing needs.
Pros:
- Great rewards for training
- Soft texture for easy chewing
- Contains no soy, wheat, or corn
- Very nutritious
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- They only come in six-ounce bags
Ingredients:
As mentioned above, it is essential to read the ingredients on the package. Below are the ingredients in each of Zuke’s Mini Naturals flavors.
Chicken:
- Chicken
- Ground barley
- Malted barley
- Ground rice
- Tapioca
- Vegetable glycerin
- Cherries
- Gelatin
- Natural flavor
- Salt
- Sunflower oil
- Phosphoric acid
- Sorbic acid
- Vitamin E supplement
- Citric acid
- Zinc proteinate
- Rosemary extract
Duck:
- Duck
- Ground barley
- Malted barley
- Ground rice
- Tapioca
- Vegetable glycerin
- Cherries
- Natural flavor
- Salt
- Sunflower oil
- Turmeric
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E supplement
- Citric acid
- Rosemary extract
Peanut Butter and Oats:
- Peanut butter
- Ground oats
- Ground barley
- Malted barley
- Ground rice
- Sorbic acid
- Salt
- Tapioca
- Cherries
- Gelatin
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E supplement
- Citric acid
- Rosemary extract
Pork:
- Pork
- Ground rice
- Ground barley
- Malted barley
- Gelatin
- Tapioca
- Cherries
- Vegetable glycerin
- Natural flavor
- Sunflower oil
- Salt
- Sorbic acid
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E supplement
- Zinc
- Citric acid
- Rosemary extract
Rabbit:
- Rabbit
- Ground rice
- Ground barley
- Malted barley
- Gelatin
- Tapioca
- Natural flavors
- Salt
- Sunflower oil
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E supplement
- Turmeric
- Citric acid
- Rosemary extract
Salmon:
- Salmon
- Ground rice
- Ground barley
- Malted barley
- Cherries
- Tapioca
- Natural flavor
- Sunflower oil
- Salt
- Turmeric
- Sorbic acid
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E supplement
- Citric acid
- Rosemary extract
Be Cautious When Buying Rawhide and Jerky Treats
You should be concerned about choking when giving your dog rawhide and jerky treats. Pitbulls have large jaws and teeth, but choking is still a risk. If you give your pooch a whole stick, stay nearby to see how they do.
Rawhide has little to no nutritional value and is the second layer of animal skin. Rawhide sells very cheaply due to its lack of economic value. However, people love to get them for their dogs as a chew toy.
They last long, making them all the more appealing for dog lovers looking to get toys for their dogs. However, rawhides will not last forever, and at some point, your dogs will end up breaking off some parts of the chew toy. If you aren’t paying attention, it could lead to some serious intestinal blockage or choking for your pooch. Keeping your dog safe is a priority and thats why its important to look for the Best Dry Dog Food for Cushings Disease to keep your pitbull safe from Cushings Disease.
If your pup starts choking, take the treat away and rip it into pieces. When you see how much your pooch can handle, you can rip off the right size every time you give your dog a treat. For example, if you give your dog rawhide bones, take it away when the flavor runs out.
These treats become a choking hazard when they are too small or start to shred. In 2014, the FDA announced that jerky treats made over 5,000 dogs sick. There was no solid proof of this, but you should always read the ingredients.
It is best to purchase treats that were made in the USA and avoid treats made in China. Note that recreational dog bones are not edible; they are only meant to be chewed by dogs. Some tips advise that you must ensure that these bones are adequately handled and stored.
How To Give Your Dog Treats
You don’t want to give your pooch a lot of training treats because the calories will add up. You should have a set number of treats that you will give your dog each day and reduce the amount of food that you put out at mealtime.
You don’t want your dog treats to go beyond 10 percent of their food intake each day. Feeding your pup many treats each day can result in obesity, and you wouldn’t want your puppy to add unnecessary weight. Also, try to give them meals in bite size.
You don’t want to give your dog a treat for no reason. You need to let your dog earn it. With this, it is best to keep your dog’s bones in sight. You want your dog to know they are there and understand that they won’t always get one when they want.
One way you should give treats is as a reward for good behavior. Avoid giving them treat bones when they are hyper; it will only reinforce negative behaviors. Don’t replace dog bones with table scraps; they are loaded with grease, spices, colors, herbs, salt, and other ingredients that can do a number on your pitbull’s stomach.
Please do not give your dogs junk food or snacks, or at least, do not feed them a lot of snacks. Feeding your dogs cookies and biscuits may be harmful to them—chocolate is a no-no. Peanut butter and corn are good for your puppy, but puppy owners ought not to give their pets peanut butter that contains xylitol, a substance that can be fatal to animals. Also, it would help if you gave peanut butter and corn to your puppy in moderation and alongside a healthy diet.
Biscuits and cookies can also be harmful picks for your puppy because they contain sugary substances that can harm your puppy. If you want to feed your puppy biscuits, then you should get dog biscuits instead of biscuits eaten by people.
Finally, give your dog treats or bones between meals and not during.
They Are Treats, Not a Necessity
Many people give their Pitbulls treat bones to spoil them. It is a mistake. Your dog can go a day without treat bones if necessary, and you should understand this. Don’t give your dog treats or bones as a way to buy their love.
You don’t want the treats to go from being a prize to being a form of affection. When this happens, the dog treats will no longer be a training tool, which is their most important purpose. With this, don’t give your dog treats too often.
If you hand out treats less frequently, your pitbull will be more likely to follow and respond to commands. Conversely, if your dog is getting treats for no reason, they will no longer be an effective training tool.
Final Thoughts
Dog treats can be great for you and your pitbull. For example, you can give your dog a rawhide bone or a jerky treat before you leave the house, and you won’t need to worry about your slippers, throw pillows, and other belongings ending up as chew toys.
Bully sticks are also high-quality treats that you should consider giving your dogs during training sessions or as dog chews. In addition, bully sticks and elk antlers are hygienic and durable, and they aren’t chemically treated, nor do they contain preservatives that may be harmful to your pets.
Training treats are also an effective training tool. When your pitbull does something right, the treat will be a positive reinforcement. When your dog sees they get a treat for being good, they will want to be good all the time.
Dog bones are also great for your pitbull’s oral health. When they chew on the treats, it will help remove plaque and tartar and protect their teeth from decay or tooth loss. When buying dog treats, you should consider the two types listed above.
If you can’t find them or want something different, just read the ingredients first. You should only choose brands that are loaded with nutrients and made in the USA.