We want the best for our furry best friends, and helping to ensure their overall well-being includes maintaining a balanced diet. While treats are an excellent way to reward and bond with our dogs, it’s important to understand their impact on overall nutritional intake.
Let’s explore treats in a dog’s diet and take a look at the best kind of healthy snacking for your four-legged friend. By understanding the role of treats and making informed choices about what treats you give your pup, you can strike the perfect balance between indulgence and maintaining your dog’s nutritional health.
What To Consider When Choosing Treats for Your Dog
Treats can play an important role in your dog’s overall diet, but you want to be sure you’re giving them the right kind of treats. Feeding your pup unhealthy treats can lead to weight gain and health issues. To ensure that your dog’s treats are both healthy and enjoyable, consider the following factors:
1. Treats: Ingredient Quality
When it comes to choosing treats, ingredient quality is essential. You want to avoid treats that contain fillers, artificial colors, and additives that offer little or no nutritional value. Additionally, steer clear of treats that contain artificial sweeteners, chemical preservatives, and unhealthy fats (like propylene glycol), which can be harmful to your dog’s health.1
It’s important to look for treats with a short ingredient list that feature high-quality, whole-food ingredients that you recognize.2
Dogs love meat, and it’s considered a “high-value treat” for exactly this reason. Look for treats made with high-quality meats, like salmon and chicken breast, and organs, like beef liver.3
By selecting treats with quality (and limited) ingredients, you can help ensure that your dog is getting the necessary nutrients they need for optimal health and well-being.
2. Treats: Calorie Content
Keep an eye on the calorie count of treats to avoid overfeeding your dog and contributing to weight gain. You might also want to consider:
Brand of Treat: All dog treats are not created equal. Some brands may use more calorie-dense ingredients or fillers, which can significantly impact the calorie count of the treat.
Size of Treat: The size of a treat can also affect its calorie content. A larger treat will likely have more calories than a smaller one.
Ingredients of Treat: Treats made with high-fat ingredients, like peanut butter or cheese, will likely always have a higher calorie count than treats made with leaner whole proteins, like chicken or salmon.
Treats should make up only about 10 percent of your pet’s diet, and the rest should come from nutritionally complete pet food. If you’re ever in doubt about the proper amount of daily treats to give your dog, it’s best to reach out to your vet for guidance.4
What Are The Potential Benefits of Treats for Dogs?
1. Treats can help boost your dog’s mood and mental well-being.
Treats can have a positive impact on a dog’s mood and mental well-being. When dogs receive treats as a reward, they feel a sense of achievement, which boosts their confidence and self-esteem. This can lead to a happier and more content dog.5
Additionally, using treats with puzzles or games can provide mental stimulation and help combat boredom. When dogs are kept engaged for an extended period, the distraction can reduce anxiety and stress. They also get a dopamine hit when they “win” the game.6
2. Treats can help reward good behavior and reinforce training.
Treats are an essential tool in dog training, as they can be used to help reinforce good behavior and reward your furry friend for their efforts. Compared to other incentives, like toys or affection, food is often the most exciting for dogs, making it a highly effective reward during training sessions.
By using treats, you can teach your dog new tricks and behaviors and encourage them to repeat these actions. However, it’s important to be mindful of how and when you offer treats to avoid reinforcing bad behavior.7
To use treats effectively, offer them immediately after your dog displays the behavior you want to reinforce. For example, if you’re training your dog to sit, give them a treat as soon as they sit on command. This creates a cause-and-effect relationship between the behavior and the reward, making it more likely that your dog will repeat the action in the future.8
When choosing treats, opt for small, bite-sized pieces that your dog can eat quickly.
3. Treats can help enhance the bond between owner and dog.
Giving treats can be a way for owners to show affection and strengthen the bond with their dog. Sometimes it’s nice to give your dog something you know they’ll enjoy just because they’re great.
For example, when you come home after a long day, and your dog greets you with a wagging tail, offering them a treat can show them how much you appreciate their love and companionship. Dogs appreciate the gesture, and they are likely to display their affection to you, which can help strengthen your bond.9
What Are The Risks Of Giving Too Many Treats To My Dog?
Overfeeding your dog with too many treats can lead to weight management issues. Any excessive weight gain may put excess strain on their joints, increase the risk of other health issues, and even shorten their lifespan.10
To help support your dog’s health and wellness, it’s important to choose healthy high-quality snacks and keep an eye on the frequency of treats you give to your dog. Treats should only be used in moderation as rewards for good behavior or as training tools.11
What Are Some Tips For Healthy Snacks For My Dog?
Here are some tips to help you choose healthy snacks for your furry friend:
- Look for a short list of whole-food, natural ingredients.
- Skip the by-products, fillers, and non-nutritive additives.
- Skip the artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
- Seek out high-quality snacks prepared in small batches to preserve freshness.
- Explore nutrient-preserving processing methods – such as freeze-drying.
- Always consult with your veterinarian for the most effective treats for your specific dog.12
By following these tips as part of a well-balanced diet, you can help keep your dog happy and healthy for years to come.
How Many Treats Should I Give My Dog In A Day?
The number of treats should never exceed 5-10 percent of your dog’s daily calories. Keep in mind that when it comes to how many treats to give, you’ll need to factor in your dog’s size, energy level, and dietary needs. The very best way to do this is to talk to your vet. They’ll be able to give you clear guidelines for your pup.13
Final Thoughts
Prioritizing healthy snacking for dogs is an important aspect of responsible pet ownership. By understanding the impact of treats on a dog’s nutrition, you can make informed choices that contribute to their overall well-being.
Remember, treats should only be used as rewards for good behavior and should never replace a balanced diet.
Sources
1.https://unionlakeveterinaryhospital.com/blog/ingredients-to-avoid-in-dog-food-treats-and-bones
2.https://www.petmd.com/dog/centers/nutrition/evr_dg_healthy_dog_treats
3.https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/how-to-choose-the-best-dog-treats
4.https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/how-many-treats-can-dog-have/
5.https://www.petplan.co.uk/pet-information/blog/how-to-make-your-dog-happy/#:~:text=Let’s%20be%20honest%20%E2%80%93%20our%20dogs,towards%20their%20daily%20food%20intake.
6.https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/ways-to-keep-dog-mentally-stimulated
7-8.https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/positive-reinforcement-training
9.https://phoenixvetcenter.com/blog/201320-5-ways-to-show-your-pets-how-much-you-appreciate-them
10.https://www.petmd.com/blogs/nutritionnuggets/jcoates/2012/feb/nutrition_differences_for_small_toy_large_breeds-12459
11.https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/how-many-treats-can-dog-have/
12.https://www.rover.com/blog/best-natural-dog-treats/
13.https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/how-many-treats-can-dog-have/
