What kind of treats can I give to my dog?
Go to any pet store or supermarket, and you'll find dozens and dozens of “doggy treats”, ranging from biscuits and bones to “doggy chocolate” drops. Now, of course, as humans we love to treat ourselves to nice-tasting foods that aren't for meal times. We also love to show each other affection by bringing food – a box of chocolates for a friend having a hard time, candy bars and ice cream to treat kids, and so on. That's why the manufacturers of doggy treats have hit on to a goldmine, as they know that when people view their dogs as family members, they instinctively want to show them love and affection in this way as well. But actually, “spoiling” your furry friend with lots of food treats can very easily do more harm to his health than good, however grateful he is to you for providing extra food.
If you're feeding your dog a good quality “complete” dog food, then what you have to remember is that he's already receiving the right amount of nutrients that his body needs for nutritional purposes. If the food is from a reputable manufacturer, then it's probably going to be of good quality, and has been formulated with great precision to ensure that it includes everything that your dog needs in his diet. Now, imagine that in addition to this “complete” diet you're feeding him, you're also giving him treats in the form of food. The last sausage from the dinner table, chips that you're munching as he lays beside you on the couch, some dog biscuits throughout the day, a few scraps of meat that you've trimmed off before cooking... this all mounts up, particularly if you're not the only person in the house. It's likely that every other family member is doing the same thing! This really should be discouraged. Remember that a “complete” food is called “complete” for a very good reason. Simply put, the dog will be perfectly well fed, healthy, and happy through eating nothing else but the correct amount of “complete” food. If he's then consuming lots of scraps, leftovers, and other treats in between meals, all the nutrients in those are surplus to requirements. And when those treats contain a lot of fat, it means bad news. The dog is very likely to gain weight, and obesity in dogs can have serious consequences. They can also develop allergies from it, or digestive problems.
If you really do want to offer your dog treats, then limit the number you give. And cut out those table scraps and other fatty snacks, for a start! Don't feed your dog food that was really intended for humans. Find a good, healthy snack at your pet store, and only offer it to him in small quantities – break biscuits into smaller pieces, for example, so that you're reducing the amount of “extra” food he receives on top of his regular diet. If you include doggy treats in the daily routine, then take it into account as part of the dog's diet – you could reduce the amount of food he receives at meal times in order to allow for the extra fats and other nutrients he's getting from the snacks. However, the “complete” dog food should always, always make up the main part of what your dog eats in a day. Snacks should be small, healthy, and not constant. And believe it or not, your dog will enjoy licking and chasing an ice cube around the floor just as much as he likes wolfing down the leftovers from your dinner – and it'll be much better for him in the long run!
Return to Dog Food Reviews Guide Home Page
Text copyright 2009 Dogfoodreviewsguide.com and may not be reproduced without consent. This is not the official web page of any of the products listed on this site, this is a review page created by an individual. This site is not written by a vet, and if you have special questions or questions about your dog's health, you should ask your veterinarian.