A treat that will make your dog grin from ear to ear…
Looking for a tasty but healthy treat for your dog? Why not consider ears?
It goes without saying that ears are usually a waste product of our meat industry, meaning they are relatively cheap to get hold of, but also very tasty and with a lot of added benefits for your dog! Win win!
You can find ready dried ears in many pets shops and online, from rabbit ears to lambs ears or venison ears, meaning that there’s usually something to suit all tastes (or allergies!)
So what are the benefits?
The fur covering the likes of rabbit ears is actually classed as a source of fibre, and as we all know, fibre in the diet aids good digestive health…
1) As fur is undigestible, it basically brushes its way through the digestive tract and helps to clear away food residue which can build up over time. This build up of food residue can cause a sluggish digestive system, which can over time cause discomfort.
2) Cleaning the digestive tract aids your pooch’s body in absorbing most of the nutrients being ingested through the cell wall of the digestive tract. Clean digestive system = more nutrients absorbed.
3) The ‘brushing’ action of the fur also acts as a natural protection against worms by brushing away worms and eggs in the digestive system. To achieve optimum protection, it’s advised to feed regularly (we recommend one ear a week) PLUS it helps negate the need for harsh worming tablets if you combine natural wormers such as these with a worm count test once a year.
4) The fur also aids in cleaning teeth too as it rubs a little of the surface plaque off the gums and between the teeth (without you needing to arm yourself with a toothbrush).
5) Fibre/fur is great for bulking up poo. To naturally express the anal glands (yuk but true), poo needs to be firm enough to press against the anal glands as it passes through.
If you already have a dehydrator, feeding ears can be even cheaper! Pop into your local raw shop and see if they have any ears! You can often get aprox 20 rabbit ears or 15 lambs ears for about £2! Then just pop them in the dehydrator for 24 hours at 70 degrees. Store them in air right jars in a cool place out of direct sunlight.
source: dragonflyproducts.co.uk