How Many Treats Should I Give My Dog Per Day?
Raise your hand if you’ve ever fallen victim to puppy eyes and given your dog one too many treats. We’re assuming there’s more than a few hands in the air, and you’re not alone! Treats tend to be one of pet parents’ favorite ways to show affection and are a useful tool to reinforce good behavior. However, just as we humans shouldn’t overindulge, neither should our dogs.
So, you might be wondering how you can still treat your dog while helping them maintain a healthy weight. Below, we’re helping answer the question, “how many treats should I give my dog per day” while recommending some of our favorite treats for dogs.
The Role of Treats in a Dog’s Diet
Treats can play a variety of roles in your dog’s diet and overall routine. Some people create a ritual using treats, giving their pup a little snack at the same time every day. Others use treats for training purposes to help encourage good behaviors in their pup.
However you prefer to use treats, it’s important that they don’t take the place of a complete and balanced diet for your dog. Instead, treats can offer your pet additional nutrients, calories, and tastes, while also providing a fun way to connect with your furry family member.
If you’re using treats to train your puppy or dog, don’t go overboard as the extra calories could increase your dog’s overall weight. Remember to calcuate treats as part of their overall caloric intake. If you’re training a new puppy, or like to use treats regularly, you might try incorporating your dog’s regular kibble as a treat. This allows you to reinforce good behavior without going overboard on the extra calories.
Factors to Consider When Giving Your Dog Treats
If some treats are okay, but too many are unhealthy, what’s the ideal amount? Every animal has its own metabolism and energy needs, so it’s best to work with your vet to first identify how many calories your dog should be consuming each day and then curate a “treat plan.” Some factors that may impact your dog’s caloric needs include:
- Overall health
- Activity level
- Breed
- Age
- Dietary requirements
Don’t forget that treats should be factored into the total calorie consumption of your dog’s diet.
Treat Intake Guidelines
As a general rule of thumb, it’s suggested that treats makeup no more than 10% of a dog’s daily diet.
Remember, treats are fine in moderation, but they should never compile the majority of your dog’s diet, and should not take the place of a complete and balanced meal.
Wondering how you can track your pup’s treat consumption? Some owners find it helpful to track their dog’s calories at each meal as well as calories from treats they give throughout the day. This helps ensure that their pet doesn’t consume too many calories from treats. After a few days of tracking your dog’s diet (make sure each family member keeps track of the treats they are giving as well), you should have a strong idea of how many calories your dog is consuming each day.
Natural Treats For Dogs
When it comes to finding high quality treats for your beloved four-legged companion, we suggest looking for all natural treat options that taste good and do good.
There’s lots of treat options on the market, but finding natural treats can help you feel good about what you’re treating your dog to. So whether you’re looking to feed Skin & Coat Care treats, Beef Jerky, or a chew (like Beef Tendon )– you can feel confident that there are 100% natural treat options made with high-quality ingredients and no artificial preservatives available for your pup.
Natural, Healthy Treats are Good for Your Dog
Every pet parent wants to spoil their pup from time to time. Treats are a great way to show affection and facilitate positive reinforcement. Naturally though, there has to be a limit, and being informed about the role treats should play in a well-rounded diet for your pup is a great way for you to treat with confidence.
Looking to find a great treat for your dog? Check out where you can find our all natural treats here!
