When we think of giving our dogs the very best, it is either healthy meals or some treat from time to time. There are always tasty street foods around us, and naturally, we end up wondering if our furry friend can enjoy some of those yummy bites too. While most street food is not safe for a dog, there are safe options that you could prepare for your pet to share in the fun. It’s so easy as you go out, enjoying the world of vibrant street food, and getting caught up in the mouthwatering aromas and the variety of flavors. Remember, there are safe street food options your dog can enjoy, and adding dog probiotics to their diet can significantly help maintain their health.
Some Safe Street Food Alternatives for Your Dog
Although street food is drenched in many elements that are terrible for dogs, such as spices, onions, and fried pieces, there are a few healthier options you could easily make at home or could adapt from street food favorites.
1. Grilled Chicken or Beef
Always include grilled meats as street food staples, and luck has it that they can be enjoyed by the canine crowd. Unseasoned, un-marinated grilled chicken or beef is full of protein and super digestible. Just be sure to avoid giving your fur babies marinades or seasonings, especially those with garlic, onions, or lots of salt, which are not good for your dog.
2. Sweet Potato Fries
Though store-bought fries may occasionally be made with oils too thick for your pup to digest, baked sweet potato fries will surely create a much healthier alternative. It is fiber-rich, and filled with vitamins and antioxidants, making it great to serve up as a treat without turning their tummy upside-down. Slice them up and bake them for an easy healthy snack.
Watch this video for a good recipe:
3. Peanut Butter Bites
Peanut butter is one favorite among canines, and small bites of peanut butter may closely resemble some street snack items. Just make sure to check that the peanut butter doesn’t contain xylitol, which is toxic for dogs. Add in some small slices of banana or apples for that extra nutritional boost.
Watch this video for a few ideas:
Dog Probiotics in a Healthy Diet
Though giving your dog a few treats can be fun, it needs to be balanced so that the digestive system continues to function properly. That is where dog probiotics may become instrumental. Probiotics are excellent, healthy bacteria that tend to support a dog’s gut health in terms of digestion as well as improving their immune system. Read this to learn more.
Adding probiotics into the daily activity of a pet can essentially promote its digestive health, especially if the pet indulges in some new or occasional food. For sure, probiotics balance gut bacteria. Therefore, it would be easier for dogs to digest those new-inspired street food treats.
The Role of Probiotics in a Dog’s Diet
While it is fun to share a treat or two with your dog, the excess can upset the balance of this delicate internal system. Probiotics are an excellent answer for this delicate problem. Probiotics are good bacteria that promote the healthy functioning of your dog’s gut, enhance digestion, and help boost his immune system. Feeding your dog with probiotics ensures him the continued good working condition of his digestive system regardless of indulging in treats beyond his regular diet.
Dogs, just like people do, have a delicate balance of bacteria within their gut; it is what feeds the diet into the system and maximizes the uptake of nutrients. Adding in foods, especially different treats from regular meals, may cause something to go wrong in this balance. Introducing probiotics could rebalance and maintain the natural bacterial flora, thus preventing problems such as diarrhea gas or bloating.
This, in turn, improves the nutrient intake because your dog will get the most out of its feed, even with treats. It is very useful for older dogs or those that are sensitive and have some type of digestive situation because probiotics will improve their overall health within the gut and make the digestive system more robust, and able to handle changes in diets.
Watch this video for some tips on how to choose the right probiotics for your dog:
Making Healthy Choices About Treats and Nutrition
Just because your dog gets a few street foods on a particular occasion does not necessarily mean that you are abandoning their health. Alternating the availability of street foods with supplementing the dogs’ diets with probiotics ensures that there is a balanced mix between fun and nutrition. Give moderation in the treats and always prioritize your dog’s specific needs regarding a diet.
Of course, a pet dog owner is required to have some kind of routine even when introducing new snacks. Thus, be reminded that whether grilled meats, baked sweet potatoes, or a small peanut butter treat, there is street food which your pet can also indulge in, with just a little creativity and caution.
