October 14th may officially be
National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, but our pet's nutrition is important every day of the year. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 59.5% of cats and 55.8% of dogs are classified as overweight or obese. Obesity in pets can lead to a host of health problems including, diabetes, heart, and mobility issues. We all love our pets and want to spoil them with yummy food and treats, but sometimes those treats can pack on pounds quickly. One of those treats is a Kong. Almost every dog owner has a Kong for their furry canine friend. Your pet's KONG can be stuffed with all kinds of yummy treats with the most popular being peanut butter. Although most dogs LOVE peanut butter and it is safe for them, it is very high in calories and fat. Kong makes their own stuffing in an array of flavors; however, these too are loaded with calories and fat. Does this mean it’s time to throw out your Kong? Absolutely not! Here is a list of low calorie, healthy snacks to put in your Kong:
- Apples
- Applesauce
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Cottage Cheese
- Cucumber
- Granola
- Green Beans
- Low Sodium Broth
- Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt
- Oatmeal
- Pumpkin
- Rice
- Sweet Potato
- Tunafish (packed in water)
Feeling creative? You can mix things together and create your very own recipes!
- Parfait – yogurt, blueberries, apples, and granola
- Apple Oatmeal – oatmeal, applesauce, apples
- Chicken Soup – chicken broth, carrots, green beans, rice
There are so many yummy yet healthy things you can put in your dog’s Kong. For more ideas on healthy snacks or tips on how to keep your dog at a healthy weight, stop into Hearty Pet, or consult your trusted veterinarian.
