It can be quite a challenge to decide on which dog treat to choose. There are shelves of training treats, dental chews, jerky, biscuits, freeze dried treats, and functional formulas but it's not just about the flavor.
A good treat is one that is suitable for your dog's size, type of food, level of exercise and purpose for giving it. A low calorie chew might be appropriate for training, or a longer lasting chew might be more suitable for enrichment. Dental treats are not just for the teeth and gums.
A handy rule of thumb is that treats and other food items in a dog's complete and balanced diet should make up no more than approximately 10% of their total calories. For dogs who need to manage their weight or have a medical condition, a different diet or nutrition plan might be necessary, and you should consult with your veterinarian about the options.
A good place to begin comparing treats is their ingredients. Make sure that ingredients are clearly listed and are names of proteins, especially if your dog has a known protein allergy.
Don't assume that all grain and all carbohydrate ingredients are bad. Many ingredients can be digested and utilized by dogs and the best one depends on the specific dog. Other factors to take into consideration are the overall nutritional profile, calorie content, ingredient tolerances, and ability to fit into the dog's diet.
Read the label for ingredients that may be harmful to dogs, especially the sweetener xylitol that can be very poisonous.
A small training treat can be just a few calories, but a larger chew can provide a lot. When training, the more frequently you reward, the more frequently you need to use small treats to control the amount.
Calorie density is an important aspect to consider with dogs that are overweight or prone to gaining weight. Dividing treats into small portions can also help you provide your dog with rewards when they behave well without going overboard.
Generally the treats used for training are small, chewable and tasty enough to hold your dog's attention. Enrichment chews are designed to be dog toys for mental stimulation and to meet dogs' natural knack for chewing. Everyday treats may just be a treat sometimes, but dental treats are made to be used for dental care.
If you can select food based on its purpose, it can be easier to portion it and to not use a calorie rich chew when a tiny training reward will do just fine.
Texture matters too. Puppy treats, older dog treats, and dog treats for dogs that have a difficult time eating solid foods are good options. Small, easily broken treats are particularly convenient during training.
Care must be taken in choosing ingredients for dogs who have allergies or sensitivities to food. Before switching to a different food, consult with your veterinarian if your dog has recurrent digestive symptoms, itching or any other possible symptoms of food intolerance.
Consider these four options for dog treats. These are all dog treat choices to consider.
Pupford's dog treat lineup consists of several types of treats that will be suitable for various scenarios, such as training treats and longer-lasting chews.
It offers single-protein versions like beef liver, chicken, salmon and rabbit in freeze-dried form. They are small enough and low in calories to be used for multiple training rewards.
The company also has chews like bully sticks, tendons, collagen and yak cheese. These are not to be used as small training treats, but are to be used as a part of your dog's total diet.
The beauty of having a diverse selection is that you can offer different treats at the same time, for instance, use smaller treats to reward often and longer-lasting chews to reward less often as enrichment.
Mini Naturals are small, soft treats that are usually used for training and are known as Zuke's Mini Naturals. They are small enough to be used easily when a dog requires several treats in one session.
Available in different flavors and protein options, owners can change the flavor of their dog's favorite food when the dog's appetite for one flavor wanes.
They are also soft, which means that dogs will often eat them up without taking too much time to chew on or stopping their training. This can be helpful for recall, loose-leash walking and basic obedience.
Dental treats are given for specific reasons, unlike regular training treats. Chewing 'Greenies' have been made to help oral health, and are among those that have been recognized for dental claims by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).
They vary in size, allowing owners to choose one that fits their dog's size. Dental chews should not be used as a substitute for normal dental care or vet visits, though.
If your dog is currently being treated for dental issues or has serious issues, consult your veterinarian for which brands are suitable.
Blue Buffalo Bits are bite-sized treats that can be used for training and as everyday rewards. They are easy to cut into smaller pieces, which might be useful if you are trying to control your calorie consumption.
They come in various flavours and formulas and owners can make comparisons based on their dogs' preferences and nutritional requirements.
The key is that, like any treat, you must ensure it fits into your dog's diet and not necessarily that one part of it or one characteristic makes it superior to all of its rival options.
The type of dog treat is dependent on the reasons for the dog getting it. When training often, identify small, attractive pieces of food that are attractive but not too big to handle.
