All dogs deserve a treat from time to time. When chosen carefully and given in moderation, a treat for your dog can be a good thing. Some treats are designed to improve canine dental health, whilst others can be the best type of reward whilst training or simply to encourage good behavior. Giving your dog a treat is like giving a little gift; you’ll feel good about giving your dog a reward and, in turn, they will feel good about pleasing you, their human. This can go a very long way when it comes to strengthening the bond between yourself and your pet. However, giving the wrong treats or giving too many can have negative consequences for your dog. We’ve put together some top tips to help you make the right choices for their health and happiness.
#1. Avoid High-Sugar Treats:
Most of the treats that dogs love are high in fats and/or sugars. Giving too many of these treats can be a regular hidden cause of canine weight gain since it can be all too easy to lose track of how many you are handing out over the course of a day or week. Nearly half of all pets in the U.S. are currently overweight, putting them at additional risk of a number of serious health problems such as stroke or heart problems. If your dog is already overweight and needs to lose some extra pounds, be careful about the treats that you choose. Go for low-calorie, natural options or save treats only for very special occasions.
#2. Be Careful with Table Scraps:
It can be difficult to resist a pair of dark brown eyes looking longingly up at you when you are eating your own food but bear in mind that passing your dog leftovers as a treat isn’t always the best choice for his health. In addition, giving your dog food from your own plate teaches him that begging for food gets him what he wants, no matter who is visiting. Table scraps also tend to be high in fat and sugar and can ruin your dog’s appetite for the healthy and balanced food that he should be eating. Instead, try to coincide your dog’s mealtimes with your own.
#3. Make Wise Choices:
When choosing treats for your dog, it’s important to always opt for something that is specially formulated for dogs since there’s no risk of these causing tummy upset or other issues. It’s also a good idea to choose treats that are natural and have additional nutrients, such as these natural dog chews. You can also treat your dog with fresh vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, and green beans, but bear in mind that not all ‘human’ foods are safe for dogs and you should never feed him chocolate, onions, grapes, or raisins. Lastly, be aware of and keep track of the calories in the treats that you give your dog so that you can ensure you don’t cause him to overindulge.
If you found these tips helpful, please let us know!
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