Treats, for many dog owners, are the language of love. A little scoop of ice cream says “I love you”. A spoonful of peanut butter whispers, “You are my baby.
Dogs, on the other hand, beg us to give them what they want, even if – especially if, it seems – what they want is not good for them. They clap on the kitchen floor when you eat some bacon. They refuse to enter unless you offer that piece of cheese. And they lay their jaws on your leg, with a string of drool for good measure, until you share your burger.
But the truth is, spoiling a dog with treats can also spoil their diet. And if skinny dogs live an average of two years longer than chubby ones, isn’t cutting calories – and possibly helping your dog live longer – the most loving thing you can do?
The problem with treats
OK, OK, we’re not saying you can’t give a dog any treaty. But treats should be no more than 10% of your dog’s total calories each day. Not sure how many calories your dog should eat? Ask your veterinarian. They can calculate the number for you.
If those daily treat calories exceed the 10% range, the numbers on the vet’s scale will likely increase as well.
Too many treats can unbalance your dog’s diet nutritionally. He can also teach dogs to be shameless beggars. You might think it’s cute, but your guests might not.
Treats that are given too freely can lose their potency as training tools. And if your dog is on a limited-ingredient diet for food sensitivities, treats can defeat the whole point of the special diet. Even if your dog doesn’t have a food sensitivity, too many treats can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and in some cases, pancreatitis.
Stick to what’s for them
It’s really better if you don’t feed your pet table scraps. Some people choose to add human foods to their pet’s diet for more variety, freshness and flavor. It’s not necessary, but it’s not necessarily harmful as long as you choose wisely and your pet always eats adequate amounts of a complete and balanced diet.
Do yourself and your pet a favor and feed a healthy, balanced diet designed for pets and stick to it. If you want to give a treat, try a spoonful of canned food, a candy or cookie, or even a dental treat to help keep teeth clean.
Give your dog more time with you
Do you know what else your dog craves? Spend time with you. So instead of a treat, why not reward your dog with a walk or a game of tug of war?
Dogs also like to learn new tricks and commands. And they are usually as happy to receive praise or a belly massage as they are a treat.
Or check out agility or flyball, two sports that can help your dog lose weight. Check with your veterinarian first to make sure your dog doesn’t have any underlying health issues or is carrying too much weight for these activities.
Who knows, a little exercise with your dog might also do you good.
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