Important Considerations When Feeding Dog Treats

Feeding your dog treats is something all doting pet parents love doing. After all, we get just as much joy watching them enjoy their treats as they do eating them. So we don’t oppose giving dogs treats—it’s like people snacking, as long as you practice moderation. Here are a few key considerations for feeding your dog treats, for your reference!

1. Control the total amount of snacks

We all know dogs shouldn’t have too many treats, as overindulgence will inevitably affect their regular meals. So when offering treats, we usually limit it to one or two jerky strips, a few vegetable sticks, a couple cheese slices—a little of this, a bit of that. Then Mom gives two, Dad gives two, Grandpa gives two, Grandma gives two… The result is that by the end of the day, your dog has consumed a pile of assorted non-meal dog treats. This is especially important in households with multiple people. It’s best to establish a unified approach regarding dog treats. For example, set aside the daily portion of dog treats in a separate small bowl, and have everyone take from that bowl. This helps control the total amount of dog treats your dog consumes daily, preventing it from affecting their regular meals.

2. Don’t substitute snacks for meals

If you think your dog is full from all the treats and doesn’t need a proper meal, you’re mistaken. Eating serves not only to satisfy hunger but, more importantly, to provide essential nutrients. Dog food is a carefully balanced blend of numerous ingredients, with specific nutrients added. Dog treats, regardless of type, typically contain only a limited range of nutrients. Keep this principle in mind: dog treats cannot replace a proper meal. The best main meal for your dog is dog food.

3. Avoid developing the habit of feeding snacks daily

Dogs are stubborn creatures. Once something becomes routine, they expect it as a right. If you give treats daily, they lose their reward value. This undermines their effectiveness when needed for training or praise.

4. Offering a wide variety of snacks.

Different treats offer distinct benefits. Hard treats help remove plaque, chewy treats keep dogs entertained, frozen treats soothe teething discomfort, and meat-based treats satisfy their appetite. Offering a variety of treats maintains novelty while providing more diverse nutrition for your dog.