Giving your dog a well-deserved treat can be as satisfying for you as it is for him. Treats help build the bond between you; the perfect way to show how much you care. However, too many treats can unbalance a diet.
Treats can also play an important role in training. By rewarding dogs with a treat when they obey a command, they learn to associate good behaviour with something nice - called 'Positive Reinforcement'. You'll find that treats with a strong, tasty smell are especially effective.
Always select treats that are appropriate for your dog’s size. Avoid treats with larger piece sizes that might cause choking. How many it’s safe to feed, and how frequently, depends on the type of treat you choose. If a dog is on a vet-recommended diet and treats are forbidden, you can use a portion of their daily food as treats and for training. As a general rule limit treats, biscuits and chews to no more than 15% of your dog’s daily food intake, or just 10% if you feed smaller, meat-based rewards. Some functional treats, such as dental products, are a specific size in order to be effective and may supply up to a third of a small dog’s calorie needs. However these treats are then supplemented with essential vitamins and minerals to help keep the diet in balance.
Remember that feeding too many, or the wrong type of treats, can unbalance your dog's diet and lead to weight problems. Monitor your dog’s body condition score and cut out or cut down on treats if your dog is becoming overweight.
Every dog deserves a well-earned treat from time to time, but remember when you do feed treats or biscuits reduce his/her main meal by an equivalent calorific amount to avoid overfeeding. Packaging feeding guides will help you calculate more accurately how many and how often to give: consult your vet/vet nurse if you are not sure how many treats you should feed.
Types of treats
Rewards - smaller, meat-based treats designed to provide positive reinforcement during training or to reward good behaviour. Limit these to 10% of your dog's daily intake.
Treats - there are a huge variety of fun, tasty treats available in a wide range of flavours. Low-fat options are best. You can feed regularly, but don't exceed 15% of your dog's daily requirement.
Biscuits - feed as a snack or as a mixer to add crunch to canned food. Biscuits help clean your dog's teeth and can comprise up to 15% of your dog's total diet.
Chews - available in a variety of sizes for different breeds, chews can support dental health, are often vitamin-fortified and help keep your dog occupied.
Health treats - functional treats designed to promote healthy body systems, with additional ingredients such as vitamins and minerals, or Omega 6 fatty acids for the skin and coat.
What not to feed
Whilst feeding table scraps and titbits is generally not advisable, it's often difficult to say no! If you do decide to give in from time to time, be aware there are some foods you need to stay clear of. Never feed raw meat, and reduce the risk of food poisoning by thoroughly cooking any fresh meat (without adding salt) to kill bacteria. Watch out for small pieces of bone, especially brittle chicken and fish bones, as they can damage teeth and cause obstructions in the gut. The same applies to larger bones; although traditionally fed to dogs, they are also associated with obstructions to the gut and feeding them is not recommended. Meat and table scraps should never account for more than 10% of your dog's total diet, otherwise you risk upsetting the value of a balanced pet food. Finally, never feed your dog human chocolate, onions or grapes/raisins as these can be highly toxic to dogs.