To Treat or not to Treat: Dos and Don’ts of feeding your dog treats!

Like all things, treats are always better with moderation. Curious when you should treat (or not to treat)? Here are a few recommendations!

Whether it’s potty training or teaching your dog how to sit, treats are wonderful tools for training your pet. However, like all things, treats are always better with moderation. Curious when you should treat (or not to treat)? Here are a few recommendations! 

Don’t overfeed your dog treats. 

Many vets advise that treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your dog’s diet––but what does 10% look like? A good way of measuring is through your pet’s calorie intake. So if your dog consumes 100 calories in a day, their treats should be less than the amount of 10 calories. 

Do read the ingredients on the back 

Just like when we browse our snack collection, there are some treat options that contain more sugar and fats than others. If your dog shows signs of scratching, swelling or an upset stomach, they could also be allergic to an ingredient in their treats. 

Don’t hold the treat up high 

When offering your dog a treat, it’s tempting to hold it high to entice your dog to stand or jump (and show off to your friends!) However, this actually encourages potentially bad behavior in your dogs like jumping or pouncing when greeting people. Instead of waving a treat above them, experts recommend offering a treat closer to a dog’s face with a flat, open palm. 

Do break a treat into smaller pieces

Rewarding a dog with frequent smaller treats is more effective in training than handing them one large treat! Breaking a treat into smaller pieces can also be a smart way to manage your pet’s calorie intake. 

Don’t give your dog treats during mealtimes 

Treats are useful tools in training your pet, but they can never replace their actual food. If treats are given often, these treats may also lose their “reward value” and will no longer be effective in teaching your dog new things! 

Have questions about what treats to feed your pet? The team at Pet Express will be more than happy to guide you through their wide selection!

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