For new puppy owners, and in particular those first-time puppy owners, learning how to read the labels on dog foods, treats and chew toys is an important part of the learning experience.
Healthy dog and puppy food, treats and chew bones for puppies provide the energy, nutrients, vitamins and even the trace minerals puppies need for optimal growth. They also help to build their immune systems and to give puppies the energy they need to get through the day.
To get started with reading the labels and determining the healthiest chew bones for puppies, there are several essential factors to consider.
Look at the Ingredients List
The ingredients list is found on the back of most packaging, and it lists the ingredients in order by weight, with the first item on the list present in the food in the greatest amount by weight.
The first few ingredients are critical and should include real food items and not terms like by-products or meal. Good options including chicken, pigskin, and vegetables.
There may also be vitamins and minerals in the chew bones for puppies, and this is ideal. They may go by easy to recognize names such as Vitamin E, but they may also be listed by their ingredient names such as d-Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5). These are at the end of the list of ingredients as they are included in small amounts to meet the requirements for growing puppies and dogs.
Check for Rawhide
While rawhide is still a very popular option in pet stores and in grocery departments, vets and animal nutritionists, as well as smart owners, avoid this ingredient in any puppy or dog chews.
Rawhide can cause digestive upsets and blockages and has been linked to choking incidents in dogs. While some dog can tolerate rawhide, it is still a product that takes a lot of time to fully digest, potentially causing risks for any dog.
