Treats can be a lovely way to show your pet you care, or can be a great aid when during training.
However, there are important things to consider before offering your pet a little treat. Here are some guidelines to consider before you open up the treat jar.
1. What ingredients are used?
Just like you do with your pet’s everyday food, you may want to use treats which are good for your pet. These treats should have the combination of nutrients and vitamins your pet needs to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. You should see this wording on the label of a particular treat, and you can look at the ingredient list to determine how healthy it is. Treats that aren’t complete and balanced should not make up a significant portion of your pet’s diet. Often, the recommendation is that pet treats should account for no more than 10% of a pet’s total daily calorie intake, as these will dilute your pet’s daily nutrient intake. You should also be on the lookout for treats with high amounts of salt and sodium, as they may cause trouble for your pet.
2. Is the treat good for my pet?
While some treats claim to be good for your pet’s teeth by reducing tartar and preventing gingivitis, it can’t hurt to run it past your vet for recommendations on the best treats for your pet’s teeth. If your dog or cat is on a therapeutic food or follows a special diet, it’s important to make sure that their treats follow the same dietary guidelines as their dry or wet foods. Pets with allergies will also need their treats to be monitored in the same ways their food is, particularly those who have severe skin or gastrointestinal reactions to certain foods. Even a small amount of what your pet is allergic to can cause a reaction, so look for hypoallergenic treats.
3. Is the treat dangerous for my pet?
Treats with excessive levels of sodium or fat may be dangerous for your cat or dog. Check the ingredients on the packaging and steer clear from treats that aren’t vet recommended.
4. Is 'people' food okay?
A common mistake people make when treating their pets is to give them items that are fatty, spicy or unfamiliar to their digestive system. These rich foods can cause inflammation of the pancreas in addition to other serious conditions. You should also steer clear of garlic, onions and grapes when feeding your dog or cat, as they can be harmful and even deadly.
5. What’s the best way to give the treat?
Treats are very useful for modifying your pet’s behaviour, training them to learn something new, reinforcing good behaviour, or helping your pet overcome their fears. When using treats to modify behaviour and reward a job well done, be careful about the number of treats you’re giving your pet. Break large treats into small pieces and give them to your pet throughout a training session. This will keep them engaged in their task and prevent them from eating too much at one time. It’s also good to keep in mind that a reward for your animal doesn’t always have to be centred on food.
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