Dog Treats

Just like us humans, treats in moderation aren’t always a bad thing. However, it’s best to choose a natural dog treat with natural ingredients if possible. Whether you’re feeding your dog chews, bites or dog biscuits take a look at the packaging – does the list of ingredients contains lots of words you recognise? If not, these treats might be best saved for extra special occasions…or not at all. Below we’ll talk about the best dog treats for your dog.

Special occasions may include dog training. If you want to keep your dog’s attention and motivate them to obey your commands, dog training treats should be small and extra delicious. You could of course use tiny pieces of cooked meat or dog food but that’s not always convenient. Just remember, the smellier the better! And a good rule of thumb for the amount of dog training treats you offer, is around 10% of your dog’s daily calories.

Who can say no to those puppy dog eyes?! It can be so tempting to overfeed your puppy with treats, so try not to start any bad habits early on. Keep puppy training treats for training and tricks only, and when you simply can’t resist. Some puppy treats can even be beneficial to your puppy’s health and development - so choose those when possible. You can usually start to give your puppy healthy dog treats at around two months old. But be careful – your puppy’s digestive system is fairly sensitive.

Most natural dog chew treats are safe for dogs, and provide lots of health benefits. Dog chews can act as a plaque and tartar remover – keeping teeth clean and gums healthy. Chew treats can also help relieve boredom and protect your furniture from being nibbled on. Remember, digestible chew treats for dogs are not always recommend for daily consumption so always read feeding instructions carefully.

Dog dental chews are popular with dog owners who struggle to clean their pet’s teeth with a brush and dog toothpaste. They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and flavours. There are also dental sticks available for dogs with sensitive stomachs and specific health conditions. Dental sticks work by scraping the surface of the teeth, gum line and inside of the mouth. If you’re giving your dog a dental stick for the first time, it’s best to supervise them and always provide fresh water.

Healthy dog treats don’t mean boring treats which your dog will turn his nose up at! Healthy usually means natural ingredients or treats made from vegetables. They are the treats which don’t contain lots of sugary or artificially sweetened ingredients, or which are high starch and salt. Look for low calorie and low-fat options when choosing healthy dog treats. And keep in mind, quite often it’s the praise, the connection, and the fact they are being offered a treat by their owner which dogs love most.