Unlike other breeds Bulldogs are renowned for having a sensitive stomach and often suffer from various allergies, so you do have to be quite selective when choosing treats. Whether you are using treats whilst training your bulldog or just simply looking for a healthier alternative to feed your dog, we have compiled a list of the best treats for your furry friend.
Remember bulldogs tend to be lazy dogs so it is important to not feed your dog too many treats to avoid unnecessary weight gain or diabetes.
How To Know If A Treat Is Healthy
If you plan to buy pre-packaged dog treats it is important to check the ingredients list, try to avoid treats which have a high amount of sugar, artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives and other chemicals. It is also recommended to avoid treats with lower-quality ingredients like meat by-products. Instead look for these ingredients whole meats, grains, fruits, and vegetables.
It is also known that a lot of bulldogs have allergies to wheat, soy, and corn. So it may be that you need to look at the grain free products that most pet shops carry.
If you are unsure it is good to follow the same common-sense rules you’d use when shopping for your family. Look at the ingredients list. If the ingredients include things you don’t recognise or can’t pronounce, it might not be the best treat for your dog. However remember some things you may see as a great weekend treat for you and your family like chocolate is actually incredibly toxic for dogs and can cause serious health problems.
Why You Should Make The Switch To Healthier Treats
Although dog treats are a sign of affection we need to be really careful with the amount of treats we feed our dogs as the number of dogs that suffer from diabetes has massively grown over the last few years. Seek your vets advice on how many treats your furry friend is permitted to eat each day depending on their weight and activity levels.
Unfortunately bulldogs are likely to suffer from sensitive stomach and allergies so it is important to try and avoid treats with wheat, soy, and corn. You may find the treats you already use or were thinking of buying are full of these products. Many people who have made the switch to healthier treats for their bulldog have experienced less bloating, and had fewer instances of vomiting and diarrhoea.
Often bulldogs lack vitamins and minerals in their day to day diet which can impact your bulldog in many ways especially their skin. Luckily their are many treats on the market that are packed full of vitamins and antioxidants which improve the quality of your dogs skin and coat keeping them silky and smooth all year long.
So What Treats Are Healthy
Fruits
Like people fruits play an important role in your bulldogs diet, ensuring they are getting the needed nutrients. Here is a few fruits that are safe for your dog and that they will love;
Apples once they have been deseeded and cored
Blueberries
Mango once peeled and the pit/stone is removed
Oranges once peeled and deseeded
Bananas but not too much as these are quite high in sugars
Nectarines once pit/stone is removed
Watermelon once seeds and rind is removed
Pears once seeds/core/pit is removed
Peach once stone/pit is removed
Pineapple once skin is removed
Strawberries but not to many as these are quite high in sugars
Fruits make an amazing treat for in between meals and they also are high in water content so they will keep your bulldog hydrated which is a bonus. Be cautious as most fruits have more sugar than vegetables so they’re best given as an occasional treat. Make sure they are plain and cut into bite-sized pieces to avoid choking.
Vegetables
A great treat for your bulldog is vegetables but remember any veg you give to your dog should be raw or boiled/steamed with no oils, butter or flavourings. Always cut it into bite-sized pieces to avoid choking and feed in moderation, especially if your dog isn't used to eating fresh veg. Here are some examples of healthy vegetables your dog will love as treats;
Broccoli in small amounts steamed or raw
Brussels sprouts
Carrots raw, steamed or boiled
Celery
Green Beans raw, steamed or boiled
Peas, avoid tinned peas and go for for sugar snap peas, garden peas and mange tout
Sweet Potatoes boiled or steamed but not raw
Potatoes boiled or steamed but not raw
Sweetcorn remove from the corn and give to your dog cooked with nothing added
Yoghurt
Yogurt is high in calcium and protein making it a great treat for your bulldog, It can also act as a probiotic, which can be good for the digestive system. If you are going to feed your dog yogurt, it should be plain and free of any added sweeteners, both natural and artificial.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter can be a great stimulating treat for your bulldog, add to a lick mat or kong toy for added entertainment. When selecting a peanut butter for your dog you must select one which does not contain xylitol as this is toxic for dogs. Peanut butter is great source of vitamin B and E as well as other healthy fats. It is important to give your dog peanut butter in moderation as it can be quite high in fat.
Eggs
Eggs are one of the most versatile treats which you can provide your bulldog. The advantage is that you can cook them up in several different ways. Eggs are high in Omega 3 fatty acids and they contain needed vitamins in a natural form. So next time you are making breakfast on a Sunday make an extra serving of your eggs (no oils or butter please) and share your breakfast with your furry friend.
Cheese
Cheese can be a great treat for your bulldog and you can feed them a few varieties of cheese including cheddar, mozzarella and cottage cheese. Because cheese is as fattening as it is tasty, moderation is key. Also make sure your dog isn't lactose intolerant before you start giving cheese as treats.
Popcorn
Plain, air-popped popcorn makes a nice occasional treat for your dog. But, kernels can get stuck in dogs' teeth and pose a choking hazard, so it is probably a good idea to keep whole or only partially popped kernels away from curious dogs.
Wagg Training Treats
Wagg training treats make the perfect treat to use for training when you first bring your bulldog home, they are soft and chewy and contain lamb and rice for sensitive tummys. You can give these treats from 8 weeks old and they are perfect to include as positive reenforcement when training and potty training your bulldog. These treats are oven baked, contain no artificial colours or flavourings and have no added sugars.
Bounce and Bella Treats
These treats are made from 80% meat, potatoes and gravy. Made with quality fresh poultry including chicken, duck and turkey, they are gluten free for a happy, healthy dog. The treats are small, approx 800 in a 500g bag, handy for a longer training session without worry of overfeeding pup. They are recommended from 16 weeks old or when pup has adult teeth, as they are crunchy. These treats are free from additives, preservatives, flavourings, sugars and gluten making them the perfect treats for bulldogs.
Pooch & Mutt Treats
Pooch and Mutt have a focus on canine health foods, and the products have been developed with top UK nutritionists. These treats contain parsley and charcoal which are great for dogs with sensitive stomachs or poor digestion. The treats are Natural, Ethical, Wheat free, low calorie. An added benefit with these treats is that they contain chicory which is a natural prebiotic.
Pedigree Rodeo Dog Treat
A well loved brand for food and treats, the range of treats have been developed along side vets and nutritionists, this dog treat contains omega 3, vitamins and minerals, to help build strong bones and teeth and brain development. This treat contains no added artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. These are not specifically a training treat but more a tasty treat that should be given 1-2 times per week depending on the size of your bulldog. With bulldogs being on the lazier side it is important to find treats low in fat content and these amazing treats only have 2 percent fat.
Whimzees Natural Dog Treat
Whimzees Natural Dog Treats are made with all-natural ingredients, the vegetable based texture will help remove plaque and tartar as your dog chew keeping her teeth looking lovely. These are not suitable for puppies under 9 months, and do come in different size chews so choose the right size for your bulldog. These amazing treats are vegetarian, gluten free and are made from 100% natural ingredients.
Dog Food
Another great tip if you are training your bulldog and are feeding complete dry food is to put aside a few of the biscuits each meal and use as treats for training throughout the day, this is especially useful if your bulldog is lazier and needs to be watching the calories!
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