The popularity of pet bakeries is on the rise nationally and seems to prove that even in challenging economic times, people love to spoil their animal friends. For each owner, the reasons for pampering their pets are different – some owners are looking for the healthy alternative most freshly-made treats offer and others simply enjoy the beautifully handcrafted goodies displayed at most bakeries. There are owners who frequently spoil their pets with treats from gourmet shops and other owners who visit the specialized stores only for exceptional occasions, like celebrating Kitty’s first birthday.

Many swear by the health benefits derived from the fresh, home-made goodies offered at most boutique bakeries. Those who own pets with health issues like kidney disease, find the options offered at gourmet pet bakeries to be a good foundation for long, healthy lives for their dog, cat, horse, bunny or bird. Most establishments pride themselves in producing treats that are natural and organic and contain no preservatives or byproducts. A lot of the specialty treats are hand cut and home baked, fresh in each bakery. Because most goodies are made with fresh meat, wholesome grains, fruits, vegetables and herbs, they are loaded with vitamins.

Do not let the beautifully crafted baked goods or handsome gift baskets housed in darling little shops fool you, most specialty pet bakeries put a generous amount of time and research into creating the most exceptional and tasty product. Some have held taste tests to find which goodies make the cut. When your test subject actually spits out the sample in question, it is clear that may not be a product worth pursuing. Some bakeries not only go the extra mile to provide fresh ingredients without byproducts, preservatives and excess fat, they also do research and work with advice provided by veterinarians to find ingredients that give a purpose to pets.

For example, many gourmet pet eateries use cranberries in their recipes to offer antioxidants that are good for cleaning an animal’s urinary tract. There are treats specially formulated to massage a pet’s gums, clean their teeth and promote fresher breath and better oral hygiene. The extensive research and testing done by many pet bakeries help design pastries and goodies that are as delicious as they are healthy.

As the popularity of pet bakeries expands across the nation, many owners are happy to indulge their animal friend in a unique and healthy manner. Since most pets are like members of the family, owners spoil them as they would their own child and the idea of providing a tasty treat most often spreads joy to the pet as well as the owner. The days of hard, dry pet food are fading as the popularity and nutritious benefits gourmet pet treats expands. While products are made for pets, people are not precluded from enjoying them too. This may not be a bad thing whether it is intentional or accidental given the wholesome ingredients in most gourmet goodies. With the refined recipes offered at most pet bakeries, many pets are eating better than their owners.

By David Greenwood