Every summer, locals find fresh produce and homemade goods for themselves at the Sycamore Farmers Market at 300 W. Elm St., and shoppers can even find fresh, healthy choices for their pets.

Susan Weitzel, sales manager for Ledfoots Pet Bakery, knows firsthand the inconvenience of unhealthy pet food.

After her dog, Daisy, started showing signs of food allergies in 2006, Weitzel vowed to choose healthier food for her pet and began baking her own dog treats. Since 2009, Weitzel has been selling her homemade treats, along with other all-natural pet products, online and at local farmers markets.

“Dog food companies are putting ingredients in their food that dogs shouldn’t have ever, like preservatives and byproducts,” Weitzel said. “These ingredients tend to give dogs reactions, which are not good for them, especially when it comes to their food.”

Weitzel said to spread her message, she goes to local farmer’s markets — Spring Hill Mall’s on Fridays, Huntley’s on Saturdays and Sycamore’s on Sundays. Along with her homemade treats, Weitzel also sells all-natural alternatives to pet essentials, like all-natural toys, flea collars, shampoos and even dog smoothie blends.

Weitzel’s husband, Thomas Weitzel also participates in the business and knows how bad store-bought treats can be.

“I help roll out the dough, cut them and put them in the oven,” he said. “A lot of dog treats seen on the market are not made in the USA, but in places like China, where they have a lot lower of standards for their ingredients.”

Susan said to avoid using these types of ingredients, she bakes treats using ingredients one would find in human food, like all-natural muffins for dogs, with ingredients like fresh vegetables and fruits.