Many dog owners love to show off their dogs by offering treats for sale at dog shows and at dog conferences. These treats, which may be dog food, dog treats, or something entirely different, can range from the traditional dog biscuit to gourmet treats that come in all shapes and sizes and made with real or artificial ingredients. Regardless of the style of treat you choose, there are a number of important elements to keep in mind when choosing which dog treats to offer your dog and which ones to avoid. Most dog treats are used as food additives, but some dog treats are used only as a way to lure your dog into eating his treats, such as those that have “lured” words on them. Here are some tips for making sure your dog gets the dog treats he loves:
Avoid human food treats. The best food treats for dogs are those made with human food ingredients such as chicken, beef, fish, or cheese. Human food is easier to digest and provides a higher nutritional value. Human food treats are also generally more expensive than dog treats, so human food jerky treats may be more expensive than some other human food treats. Be sure to check labels and do your research about the ingredients of human foods vs. human foods, in order to find dog treats that contain the ingredients your dog needs.
Go natural. While human food treats can be tasty and nutritious, they are often loaded with calories and can be hard for dogs to process. This can lead to weight gain for dogs that have a tendency to overeat. In addition, excessive calories in a dog’s diet can contribute to the formation of canine diabetes.
Ask your veterinarian. If you have any questions about dog treats or about the quality of the dog treats you purchase, your veterinarian can answer your questions and help guide you toward treats that will meet your dog’s nutritional needs. Keep in mind that many veterinarians do not offer dog treats because they focus on healthy, happy dogs that are enrolled in dog wellness programs. Ask your vet if your vet offers a dog wellness program.
Look for low-calorie treats. A great tip for choosing dog treats is to buy a few that your dog might like but won’t overindulge in calories. There are treats that are very high in calories, but there are also treats that are lower in calories but provide different benefits, such as a muscle-building treat and a healthful treat. A good example of a lower-calorie treat is a slice of cucumber or a wedge of pineapple. Both of these treats pack a flavorful punch but are low in calories.
Think twice about chewy treats. As tempting as chewy treats might be, dogs should never have too much of them. Too much of anything can be bad for the body and/or the wallet. You can always split a chewy treat between two or three meals but you should limit the number of servings to one per meal.
Know your dog’s size. Dog treats come in all shapes and sizes. If you are buying treats for a large pup, think long and hard about how much each treat will contain. Larger dogs may have less tolerance for calories, so it is important to choose a smaller treat and try to make sure your pup doesn’t eat an entire treat in one sitting. Dog snacks should only have a few calories, so even if you choose a tiny treat for your pup, you will still be better off.
Choose dog treats that match your pup’s size. When you are choosing dog treats for larger dogs, you will need to think about how much each treat will have. If you choose a snack that is too small for your pup, he could wind up overeating and that can lead to weight problems. Instead, choose a bigger snack with more calories. If you buy dog bones, make sure they are large and chunkier. This will help him to feel full, but will also curb his appetite.