Dog treats: dos and don'ts

Your dog isn’t just your best furry friend, their also a valuable member of the family and they deserve a reward every now and then. And why not? They deserve a healthy doggy snack every now and then as a treat for good behaviour or otherwise. Dog treats are meant to be something your pups look forward to and not an overindulgence they become used to. That’s why there’s the strict 10% rule because treats shouldn’t be a daily diet element. Whether you are using homemade snacks or relying on a natural dog treats producer for commercially sourced products, there are some Dos and Don’ts when feeding dog treats to your dog.

Things to keep in mind when giving your dog treats

Dog treats are there to help you in a number of ways when it comes to your dog’s development or integration into your household. While they are great for training, they are also just a good means of positive reinforcement every now and then. However, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to treating your dog. That includes things like how often, how much and the quality of the product. Keep reading and we’ll start by breaking down the “Dos for doggy treats” first.

1. Use high-quality treat products

You need to closely scrutinize the ingredients of every food item you introduce into your dog’s diet. This is especially the case with snacks and treats because they are often packed with unhealthy ingredients. Take the time to analyse the ingredients label to identify any elements that may not be ideal for your dog.

2. Treat in moderation

You should also make a habit of sticking to daily recommendation amounts and recommendations. Whooch ensures to give pup parents full information about dosage instructions when it comes to our high-quality hemp-infused doggy treats, so you should expect that from producers that have basic ingredients too. You should aim to give treats in moderation because the calories count, and you wouldn’t want your pup to put on any unnecessary weight. The metrics for moderation depend on a number of things including your dog’s age, breed, weight, and health. Young active dogs may be able to enjoy more treat times than older companions and it is important that you are aware of that.

Things to avoid when giving your dog treats

1. Don’t overfeed your dogs

The issue with treats is that we often can’t help ourselves and end up giving our dog more than we should which can lead to various health concerns. The most important thing about treats is practising extreme discipline and not overdoing it. Your dog will get more than enough of their daily requirements from their set meal plans and the treats will simply throw that out. If you have them out too often, this will complicate your dog’s reliance on primary nutrition from set mealtimes.

2. Don’t give them human snacks

Some natural human foods, like certain fruits and vegetables, are safe to consume but you should refrain from giving your pet the snacks that you eat as their treat. We know it may be difficult based on how they stare at your plates when it’s dinner time but the food that we eat is too processed and full of seasoning that is potentially harmful.

 

3. Don’t give snacks during mealtimes

You can mess up your dog’s daily calorie intake if you confuse mealtimes with treat times. Try to refrain from giving your dog a treat when they are hungry and waiting for their full meals. Not only will this spoil their appetite, but it may also affect their daily intake of the nutrients they need. You should only dedicate 10% of their daily calorie intake to snacks and ensure that you give them outside of mealtimes so that they still eat when it is time to.

Healthy treat habits start with you

Avoid handing treats out randomly and use them as a reward every now and then. This helps to reinforce positive behaviours too. Treats should be included in your dog's total calorie count for the day, but they cannot exceed 10% because then we enter into dangerous territory. You can also account with your vet to ensure that you are giving the right number of calories daily. The one thing we want you to remember from this quick read is that moderation and consistency are most important when it comes to treats and your dog’s general meal plan. If your dog isn’t eating their meals when it’s time, then try to avoid giving treats in between.