Have you wondered why there are sooo many  pumpkins popping up everywhere? maybe because halloween is around the corner…NOT!.. it’s because pumpkins are a dogs favorite and healthy treat!

Easy there… that’s not it…. keep reading to find my top 5 budget friendly and natural healthy food dor dogs. Mylo and Chico favs *wink-wink*

 1. 100% Organic Peanut Butter. 

Don’t freak out… although peanut butter is high in calories, the “friendly fats” in it are actually good for a healthy cardiovascular system. Mylo and Chico will do anything for a spoon of it, and I mean anything!

tip: For a healthy happy dog, put a spoon of organic peanut butter in your dog’s kong. Put it in the freezer for 1 hr before letting him have it. Your pooch will spend hours practicing tongue contorsion..haha!

 keep an eye on: how much peanut butter you use as this makes them thirsty.

2. Carrots

Mylo and Chico’s best friends since day one. Mr. carrot  is packed with beta-carotene which assists with everything from preventing heart disease to healthy eyesight. A good trick with carrots is to use them as a treat by dipping in peanut butter. To avoid the messy part simple put them in the freezer for 30min or so and voila!. This can also help to keep their tummies’  busy before dinner time.

3. Herring Oil

Yes, I know, the first thing that may come to your head is the smell. Not my favorite either but the benefits of fish oil as a supplement in your pet’s diet can be surprisingly far-reaching. I’ve been using herring oil for Mylo & Chico for sometime now. They get about 1 tea spoon mixed in their meals twice a week. If I give it to them too often I see some vomiting and diarrhea so we play it safe.  Fish oil for dogs also supports the health of the skin, coat, joint, kidneys, heart, and immune system.  Average market price: $9.03 for 500ml.  It will last me about 6 months for my two pup-stars.

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4. Pumpkin

Canned natural pumpkin (read carefully- unsweetened – not pie filling), pumpkin seeds, and cooked fresh pumpkin to help your dog or cat with digestive health. For those runny days or days when the train won’t come out of the tunnel, add a tablespoon to their meal.

5. Berries

The berries family is known to be an antioxidant divas. Whether fresh or frozen, berries are good for dogs for the same reason they’re good for humans: free-radical fighting antioxidants. Studies show that berries can also help with arthritis and joint problems such as hip dysplasia, skin allergies, eye problems such as cataracts, to mention some. My boys have them as a treat (dipped in peanut butter) never as a replacement for their meal.

~ Does you dog eat any of these budget friendly natural food for dogs? Do you have any other  home made treat  to give your pooch as a snack?