How Much Do You Know About Dog Treats?

Experienced dog owners know: feeding your dog should follow the principle of “dog food as the mainstay, dog treats as a supplement.” Never get this backwards: dog treats are primarily for daily enjoyment or occasionally to spice up your dog’s meals. Never use them as the main diet or feed them in large quantities daily!
Additionally, dog treats serve another crucial purpose: as rewards during training. Don’t underestimate this—a small treat, especially jerky-style dog treats, can be a powerful tool for training.

1. Sausage-Type Dog Treats

Similar to the sausages we eat, these contain small amounts of meat and starch. They smell delicious, are inexpensive, and are convenient to feed.
When purchasing, choose sausage-type dog treats from reputable brands. Since you can’t see the ingredients inside these cheap sausages, it’s difficult to gauge their quality.
Reminder: Avoid giving excessive amounts of sausage-based treats, especially those intended for human consumption. These products are often cured with high salt content, which can severely harm dogs if ingested in large quantities. Additionally, avoid stockpiling treats—purchase only enough for one or two weeks.

2. Dental Treats

Dental treats are usually synthetic and quite hard. Some are flavored with meat to stimulate chewing, while others contain mint to freshen breath.
This category offers a wide variety of shapes, including some very cute designs that owners enjoy buying. When selecting, choose based on your dog’s mouth size. Never buy treats that are too small, as dogs may accidentally swallow them whole.
Originally designed for oral hygiene, these treats serve as a substitute for brushing—a task most pets dislike. Chewing on items like dental bones or deodorizing biscuits effectively cleans the mouth.
Today, dental bones come in many varieties, with milk bones and green tea dental bones being popular choices. Corn biscuits and small chew pieces are favored by dogs for their appealing flavors. Another type is imported deodorizing biscuits with exquisite packaging. Visually appealing and comparable to human cookie tins, these come in elegant silver eco-friendly containers filled with whole-wheat deodorizing biscuits that also help remove tartar.
Other dog treats satisfying canine cravings include snacks primarily made from chicken or fish, such as chicken fish rolls, chicken cod sandwiches, and chicken breast. There are also vegetable-based snack sticks, marketed as providing puppies with plant-based nutrients and enhancing digestive motility.

3. Jerky-Style Dog Treats

Jerky treats come in diverse shapes and varieties, ranking among dogs’ favorite snacks. Chicken jerky dominates the market, followed by beef and duck options. Typically dried, these treats vary significantly based on moisture content.
Low-moisture jerky treats have longer shelf lives and a harder texture, ideal for young, strong dogs with robust teeth. Higher-moisture jerky treats are softer and more aromatic but spoil quickly, so avoid buying large quantities at once. Additionally, opt for reputable brands or treats your dog has previously enjoyed to prevent illness from hygiene issues.
Since jerky treats are high in calories, they can easily lead to obesity. Therefore, never give your dog excessive amounts at once. Additionally, ensure your dog gets ample exercise to reduce fat accumulation.
Meat jerky treats serve dual purposes: as rewards during training and as chews that clean teeth. After all, dogs shouldn’t eat only one type of food their entire lives. Offering varied treats satisfies their palate and enriches their daily routine. However, daily distribution isn’t necessary—treats should primarily function as occasional rewards.

4. Chewable Dog Treats

Chewable dog treats are typically made from pigskin or cowhide, specifically designed for dogs to chew on and pass the time.
When selecting chew toys, choose the size based on your dog’s size. Toys that are too large may lose the dog’s interest, while toys that are too small can be swallowed whole. Chew toys are relatively easy to make, and the raw materials are readily available and inexpensive. Therefore, interested owners can try making these treats themselves.
Chew toys are ubiquitous in a dog’s daily life, with their most immediate benefit being the prevention of chewing and tearing of household items or owner’s belongings. They are especially indispensable during a puppy’s teething phase (typically 4-6 months old) or for particularly playful, energetic dogs that seem to want to test their teeth on everything.
Additionally, chew toys provide maximum exercise for a dog’s jaw muscles. Compared to jerky treats, chew toys are better suited for comprehensive grinding of a dog’s teeth. Among an adult dog’s 42 teeth, food particles easily get trapped in the gaps between molars. Over time, this leads to tartar, plaque, and dental plaque buildup. Failure to clean or remove these deposits promptly significantly increases the risk of future dental diseases like tartar buildup.

5. Dairy Dog Treats

Cheese-based treats can aid in regulating a dog’s digestive system, though not all dogs enjoy this flavor. Options include cheese slices, cheese sticks, and various other dairy-based treats.
If your dog has sensitivity to milk, it’s best to avoid dairy treats to prevent adverse reactions like diarrhea or vomiting.