Examples that some ME dogs can eat for snacks:
IMPORTANT: Do not give your ME dog anything unless discussed with your veterinarian. You need to be aware each dog is different so possible allergies, consistency of what you are giving, etc weighs into anything given by mouth.
From Dr Kathy: “I second the suggestion to “be careful” with Lickity Split treats or cheese in a can. Sometimes it is not the ITEM that causes regurg, but rather, the fact that the brain senses that it’s food and encourages the esophagus to manufacture excess mucus. For the newbies and those who suddenly cannot figure out why their dog has a few “bloops” (regurgitation) without apparent reason…. I KNOW that training puppies is challenging, and with megaesophagus even more so (and even more critical to do so!). I personally do not believe in giving a dog with megaesophagus ANYTHING by mouth unless she’s in a Bailey Chair or otherwise in a vertical sit (begging) position. There ARE some dogs that can handle a taste here and there, but it still is not a good idea, period. IF you do so, especially for the “drop it” or “leave it” training, please keep in mind that even just a lick of a flavor on your finger is going to generate a release of body fluids – saliva, maybe some gastric juices, etc. Bailey used to put himself in his chair and start drooling slightly as I approached the refrigerator to get one of his meal servings out to warm it! So, a lick of something, especially more than a taste of something you’ve rubbed on your finger, or even the latter, is going to get things “flowing” a bit. For a dog running around outside, this may not be a good idea. However, if you insist on doing food reward training, you have to weigh the benefits and risks, and exercise extreme caution. My recommendation is to take the dog and put it in a vertical position as soon as you praise and reward with that sniff and lick of your finger. I’d never actually let my dog lick more than an essence of something on my finger out of the chair, but if you do, at least five minutes of vertical for two or three licks of water or other liquid should do it. More and you’re looking at the full 15.”
It may be that the peanut butter is just a flavor, and not something to be swallowed. Maybe that works for Pixie. If so, and you are careful, I’m glad that Pixie can enjoy something like that. But some dogs don’t even handle their own secretions well – foam, saliva, and worst of all, acid reflux from the stomach. So please, be careful with “treats” such as a flavor, and be even more careful recommending them. Things such as ideas “morph” over time, and these nontraditional “secrets” become reported as the norm, and then we have newbies thinking they can try them (denial abounds often) and before long, we have dogs with aspiration pneumonia and no one “knows” how it happened.
My trainer gave me a jar of PB2 it is powdered peanut butter 85% less fat calories than peanut butter. The powder is very soft and light just like Slippery Elm powder. 45 calories 1.5 g fat and that is for 2 Tlb. You can reconstitute it or just sprinkle it on stuff. I use it in my protein shakes. My question is would this be something you could use as a treat. Lucy loved peanut butter and of course those days are over.
Weight Watchers best friend-LOL! Their website is:Â https://pb2foods.com/
One of my clients just brought this neat treat to my attention. Though it would be a good option for training megae dogs. Likety Stix:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lickety+stik&hvadid=77927951096117&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_1mrwe5lfvq_e
Knox Blox – can see that chapter for recipes and how to make
Frosty Paws – buy in grocery store freezer section or homemade (see one recipe below)
I also make homemade Frosty Paws with plain yogurt, some water, peanut butter and a touch of honey in the blender. It’s VERY inexpensive. And the dogs go CRAZY for it every night. Yogurt is good for the digestive system, too!! My dogs won’t eat the recipe made with bananas.
Baked, then frozen oatmeal:
Baked oatmeal” that uses half steel cut and half regular (not instant) old fashioned rolled oats. (I make this for my kids.) The baking makes the whole thing easier to make, you can do a large batch in advance and you end up with a 9×13″ pan of cooked oatmeal that you can cut into serving sizes and freeze. When ready to use it, microwave it with some liquid for 30 seconds then throw it into the blender with the rest of your dinner recipe. This may help you more conveniently include high quality oatmeal in the diet.
Here is the “human” recipe (less sugar and spices):
– Â Oven= 350 degrees, spray 9×13″ pan with Pam.
– Â 2C Steel Cut Oats PLUS 2C Old Fashioned Oats.
– Â 3/4C melted Butter or Smart Balance, 4 beaten eggs, 1C milk, 1T baking powder. (I have deleted the 1tsp salt and 1C brown sugar in the human recipe.)
– Â Mix together and bake until top feels firm to the touch, but not too dry. Maybe 29 minutes. It should be soft but not mushy or runny.
– Â Cool entire pan on a rack, divide into serving size pieces and use immediately or freeze in airtight bags.