Will my dog’s diet be balanced with treats?
Unlike commercially prepared dog foods, many dog treats are not complete and balanced – meaning they do not contain all essential nutrients that your dog needs. It is okay for a treat to be incomplete, but it means that the proportion of these unbalanced items should be kept low. The general rule is that 90% of your dog’s daily calorie intake should come from their complete and balanced food, and the remaining 10% of calories can come from treats and snacks.
Is there a limit on how many calories my dog should get from treats each day?
Remember that any treat fed will provide your dog with additional calories. As mentioned, treats should be limited to 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. Calories from treats can add up quickly if your dog has a low calorie requirement and/or if high-calorie treats are chosen. For example, one large milk bone contains about 85 calories per biscuit! Aside from unbalancing the diet, too many treats can interfere with your dog's appetite for regular food.
Additionally, too many treats can contribute to dogs becoming overweight and obese; both conditions are now afflicting family dogs at epidemic rates. You may have heard “calories in should equal calories out” as a guideline for maintaining healthy body weight. While exercise plays a small role in maintaining optimal body condition, nutritional science tells us that “calories in” is by far the most important part of the equation. Do not be fooled by treats that are labeled “light” or “lower calorie”. These treats are not significantly lower in calories than other treats and they add extra calories to a dog's daily intake.
Can my dog have treats if they have a medical condition?
If your dog has a medical condition and/or is on a special food, it is important to check with your veterinary care team before feeding your dog treats. Certain treats may be unsafe based on your dog’s medical condition. For example, if your dog has chronic pancreatitis and is on a special low-fat diet, then it is important to avoid high-fat treats. If your dog has food allergies it is critical to select treats that do not contain the suspected allergen.
Additionally, some veterinary diets may not work properly if additional food items and treats are fed (e.g., veterinary prescription urinary foods). In these cases, your veterinarian may recommend a prescription treat that has been designed to go with the prescription food.
How can I choose a good treat for my dog?
Here are some key considerations when selecting a treat for your pet:
- Choose low calorie treats. For commercial (store bought) treats, check the package label. If you are using human foods as treats, you can check the USDA Food Database website which houses the calorie content and nutrient profile of all human foods: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/.
- Stay below the 10%. Check with your veterinary care team if you are unsure about your dog’s daily calorie requirement. Once you know this, take 10% of these calories and create a treat budget. Remember to then only feed 90% of calories from their food.
- Introduce new things slowly and one at a time, especially if your dog is prone to tummy upset. If you are testing out a new treat, only give a small piece to try at first.
- Be wary of freeze-dried or dehydrated raw treats. These treats pose a risk for bacterial contamination, which can be harmful to the dog eating the raw treat, but also to other pets and humans in the environment, since this bacteria can be spread in saliva and feces.
- Consider giving high value/high calorie treats less frequently. Treats your dog really likes or that are important (e.g., chews for dental hygiene) can be saved for specific circumstances.
- Give approved treats but get creative. If your dog is on a special diet, stick to treats that your veterinarian deems safe to be used with their food. If you need more options, you can ask your veterinary care team if there is a canned option that pairs with the food you are feeding and you could bake the canned food into small treats.
- Try using a portion of your dog’s regular food as treats. Some dogs who are very food motivated won’t know the difference between a treat and their regular food.
What other ways can I provide enrichment for my dog?
Treats are a great way to provide enrichment for your dog and to bond with them. Consider these ideas to further increase that bond and provide even more mental stimulation.
- Use a snuffle mat for dry treats/kibble or fill a food/treat dispensing ball.
- Put moist food or treats into a Kong® or other hollow toy and freeze it, or use a lick mat for wet or sticky treats.
- Use a food puzzle or other interactive toy, so your cat must work for the reward.
- Ask your dog to perform a few tricks or behaviors before you give them the treat. This can be a great opportunity to teach them new things, or to reinforce existing behaviors.
