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International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day

February 15 2023

The Pupparazzi are pretty excited about an upcoming doggy holiday. February 23rd is Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day! If there’s one thing Fido is grateful for—aside from kibble, bed, toys, belly rubs, and car rides—it’s definitely the dog biscuit. A Champaign, IL vet offers some insight on dog biscuits below.

Biscuit History

Fido has been our friend and companion for thousands of years. Some estimates indicate that he’s been standing faithfully by our side for as much as 30,000 years. If that’s correct, it’s probably safe to say that we’ve been sharing snacks and treats with our canine buddies for about 29,999 years, 11 months, and 29 days. The biscuit first appears in records back in the Roman Empire, when pups were given bread scraps. In the 1800’s, a Cincinnati man made a doggy version of trail bread. Though his original tent was to provide extra fuel for hunting dogs, his dog biscuit, which was patented as a “Dog Cake”, quickly took off.

Choosing Safe Options

Picking your canine pal’s snacks isn’t exactly rocket science, but there are things to keep in mind. First and foremost, be sure to only offer things that are the right size for your furry friend. Fido could choke or hurt his teeth on something made for larger or smaller dogs! You’ll also want to pay attention to the ingredients. Ideally, your pup’s snacks should contain healthy ingredients, like meat, fish, or poultry, without the skin, bones, or fat. Other good options include things like egg, whole-wheat flour, wheat germ oil, pureed pumpkin, and sodium-free broth. Don’t offer your pooch anything with garlic, onions, scallions, or chives; pitted fruit; avocado; alcohol; chocolate; or high-fructose corn syrup. Ask your vet for more information.

Recalls

It’s not a bad idea to keep an eye on recall alerts. While these are fairly rare, sometimes bad batches do get out. You can monitor these on the FDA site here or the AMVA site here.

Timing

The biggest mistake people make when it comes to giving their dogs treats? Overdoing it. Fido’s snacks should only comprise about 5 to 10 percent of his daily caloric intake. You aren’t doing your canine companion any favors by overfeeding him!

As your local Champaign, IL animal clinic, we are happy to answer any questions you may have about your furry buddy’s diet or care. Call us anytime!

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