Pillars of Health: Single-Ingredient Dog Treats

Wellness is a holistic concept that takes into account the many factors that contribute to overall health. These factors include physical, mental, emotional, spiritual health and more. When talking about our dogs, one of the easiest factors to manage regarding their health is the physical aspect of wellness. 

So what does that look like? It lies within their nutrition (diet), how much exercise they’re getting and the quality of their sleep.

Today, we’re going to take a look at an often under scrutinized area of the dietary aspect of your dog’s wellness: treats. Everything you put in your dog’s body matters. That’s why Bow Wow Labs is here to support your dog’s health and wellness, and provide solutions that meet these concerns. 

Just like with food, dog treats don’t equate to being the same in regards to ingredient profile, quality of ingredients, amount of nutrients, and more. Taking time to understand what goes into their treats is essential when picking snacks that are good enough for your beloved pup.

What is a single-ingredient dog treat?

Single-ingredient means there is only one ingredient in them. They tend to be healthier and are made from better quality ingredients that support a dog’s natural way of eating (think muscle meat, fish, fish skins, organs, etc).

Even more, when a treat comes from a protein-rich source, they are of particularly high value to your pup and can be used as a high-quality treat or as a “big ticket” reward for training purposes

• Examples: when a puppy is learning how to go potty; or learning a course in agility; or when reinforcing on redirection when distractions are around (other dogs, other people, etc.) 

Additional benefits of a single-ingredient dog treat:

• Great option for dogs doing a food elimination diet for potential allergies
• For picky eaters—one ingredient means less to be picky about
• Helps dogs with sensitive stomachs. Single-ingredient treats can help by reducing the amount of ingredients, potentially causing indigestion and upset stomachs

What are limited-ingredient dog treats?

A limited-ingredient treat is usually made with higher quality, but fewer, ingredients. The treat maker cannot rely on fillers, artificial flavorings, and food colorants to make this treat more desirable – as they are limited to the number of ingredients to include in the recipe.

Benefits of limited-ingredient treats:

• Great for an “everyday” kind of treat 
• Example: when you are leaving for work, out on a walk, or a before bedtime snack
• Easy for the pet parent to read the ingredients and understand, rather than a long list of potentially confusing ones
• A tasty alternative for dogs needing limited-ingredient options due to known sensitivities
• Provide a more cost-affordable option for regular treating activities

For the reasons stated above, Bow Wow Labs is a big advocate for single-ingredient and limited-ingredient treats, specifically in our 6” and 12” Braided Esophagus Chews.

What are Bow Wow Labs’ Esophagus Chews

Our Braided Esophagus Chews are made with only 100% free-range, grass-fed beef esophagus with no added hormones or antibiotics. They are high in protein, grain-free and low in fat.

These great treats are:

• A healthy and simple treat option
• Becoming increasingly popular among educated and informed pet parents
• Made with only ONE ingredient which means dogs with sensitivities can benefit
• Easier to digest (due to the fewer amount of ingredients in them)

Aside from our Esophagus Chews dog treats, Bow Wow Labs offers a wide variety of single-ingredient treats:

• Beef Lung: COMING SOON!
• Pork Lung
• Crunch Puffs

Every dog has needs unique to their current level of health. It’s important to understand these needs and nourish them in a way that fits their body best. Being confident in knowing what is going into the recipe that makes the treats you feed is important for you to make an informed decision.

Give them a treat* worth barking about – in more ways than one! Be Well with BWL.

*Treats should never make up more than 10% of your dog’s total daily caloric intake.

The points of view expressed above are those of our clinical pet nutritionist and supported by science, her education and experience. However, we recognize there may be different points of view or opinions on some aspect or even the premise of this article. Our goal at Bow Wow Labs is to provide the best, clearest, and most helpful information possible to help keep your dog happy, healthy and safe.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical or veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon or perceived as specific medical or veterinary advice.