Natural Dog Food: Additive-Free Snacks, Why and How

Snacks can make up to 10% of your dog's intake and, depending on their quality, can either support or undermine their health.

Why switch to natural snacks?

Supermarkets are flooded with treats with endless ingredient lists: colorants, preservatives, artificial flavors. These additives provide no nutritional value and can trigger allergies, disrupt the microbiota, or contribute to obesity.

Additives to avoid

• BHA (E320) and BHT (E321): lipid preservatives whose toxicity is documented
• Azo dyes (E102, E110): allergenic, no nutritional benefit
• Xylitol: a very common sweetener in light products, extremely toxic to dogs
• Added sugar and glucose syrup: obesity, diabetes, dental cavities

The best natural ingredients

Identified animal proteins: chicken, beef, lamb, salmon. Minimum 70% identified meat. Vegetables and fruits without added sugar: sweet potato, carrot, blueberry. Omega-3 oils (salmon, flaxseed) for skin, coat, and joints.

Integration into the routine

Simple rule: if you don't recognize an ingredient on the list, it's probably an additive. The shorter the list, the better the snack. Maximum 10% of daily caloric intake.