For a lot of animal lovers, they see their beloved four-legged companion in the same way as parents see their offspring. Fur parents would love to spoil their pups with dog treats but with so many dog treat brands out in the market, how do you pick the right one? Not to worry, as we have gathered here a number of critical dos and don’ts to help you make the right choices.
Dog treat dos
1. Do always check the label
Similar to what you do when shopping for your own food, you also need to check the label of any type of pet care product that you purchase. The same is true whether you have purchased pet food or treats in a physical store or online.
By checking the ingredients on the label, you ensure that your canine only ingests safe treats. On the other hand, checking the label also prevents you from feeding your dog with unhealthy ingredients. If your dog is allergic to certain substances, a quick screen of the label lets you know if the brand contains substances that could potentially trigger an unwanted reaction.
Some ingredients to avoid include the following:
- Fillers such as wheat gluten and corn
- Byproducts of meat or grain meals
- Rendered fat
- Food chemicals and preservatives such as propylene glycol, ethoxyquin, BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), and BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
- Food dyes
2. Do follow the recommended feeding guide
Your dog’s age and health would dictate the amount of treats he/she gets. Pound for pound, dog treats contain more calories. This is why, to avoid unnecessary weight gain, treats are given in small quantities as compared to regular dog food.
In general, younger, more active dogs can handle more dog treats than their older counterparts. When in doubt, consult your dog’s veterinarian.
3. Do use treats to encourage good behavior
Treats can be used to train your dog, so use them to reward good behavior.
With the help of treats, you can help your pup grow into a well-mannered dog. Depending on how you train your dog, you can slowly reduce the amount of treats you give.
Little by little, your canine will get used to the decreasing amount of treats. At one point, your dog will continue to exhibit positive behavior without expecting to be given a treat.
Dog treat don’ts
4. Do not overfeed your dog with treats
The more treats your dog consumes, the fuller he/she will feel.
Quality dog food should remain as the main source of nutrition for your dog. A dog that has consumed a lot of treats will be less likely to eat regular dog food.
Some brands of dog treats may contain nutrients. However, this is still not enough to support your dog’s daily needs.
5. Don’t use human snacks in place of treats
There are certain human foods that are unhealthy or even downright dangerous when fed to your dog.
For instance, chocolate is a sweet treat for humans that can be deadly for your dog. Chocolate contains theobromine, an indigestible substance that is poisonous for canines. If you suspect that your dog has ingested chocolate, rush your dog to the nearest veterinarian or veterinary hospital.
Some brands have developed specially-formulated chocolate-flavored treats. These are designed to taste the same as real chocolate and can be safely given to dogs.
6. Do not give your dog any treats during regular mealtimes
Treats should only be used to encourage good behavior and not to replace dog food.
Don’t give your dog a treat whenever he/she is excited, chewing on shoes, peeing on the floor or exhibiting similar negative behavior. Giving your dog a treat whenever this occurs gives him/her the impression that the behavior is encouraged. Only give your dog a treat when he/she is calmly lying down on the floor or waiting patiently.
These are some of the essential dos and don’ts to giving your dog treats. Keep these in mind whenever you plan on giving your dog treats. By controlling the amount and frequency of treat-giving, you can keep your dog happy without risking his/her health. Check out The Petite Pets for more dog reviews and advice.
AUTHOR BIO
Farah Al-Khojai is the Managing Partner of Pet’s Delight. A passionate entrepreneur, Farah holds a Bsc in Government from the London School of Economics. She is always on the lookout for new opportunities to develop and grow the pet and equestrian retail and wholesale market in the UAE and beyond, and is proud to be at the helm of the first and the largest pet care provider in the market representing world-class brands including Orijen, Applaws, Hunter, Savic, Flamingo, Ruffwear and Rogz.
