Choosing the Right Doggy Treats

Our canine friends are wonderful friends and companions. Dogs show remarkable loyalty and unwavering friendship, and offer us unconditional love, even at the worst of times. Fido doesn’t ask for much in return for these precious gifts. A comfy bed, food and water, proper exercise, and regular veterinary care will see to his most basic needs. Of course, many of us like to pamper our furry pals a bit with treats and toys. As we all know, snacks are one of Fido’s favorite things! But what treat is best for your pooch? An Oconomowoc, WI vet discusses choosing doggy treats in this article.

As a general rule of thumb, no more than ten percent of Fido’s daily caloric intake should come from treats. Just one fatty snack, like a piece of cheese or bacon, can take up a quarter of Fido’s daily caloric needs!

Choose high-quality treats for your furry pal. When shopping for your pup, read ingredient labels, and choose ones made of things you can actually identify.

Treats can be great training aids. If you’re working with Fido, use smaller treats, such as bits of kibble, to avoid overfeeding him.

Keeping Fido’s mouth healthy is very important! If your pup won’t stand for having his teeth brushed, use dental treats to help keep those choppers clean.

If your canine buddy needs to lose weight, you’ll want to be careful not to overindulge him with fatty snacks. Try giving your pooch a string bean or carrot instead of that cheeseburger he’s hoping for.

Do you enjoy cooking? Consider making Fido some homemade treats. Use healthy, dog-safe ingredients, like peanut butter and low-sodium broth, and customize them with fun extras like cheese or bacon bits.

Never give your canine pal chocolate; grapes, raisins, or currants; avocados; onions, garlic, or chives; macadamia nuts; alcohol; caffeine; or junk food. Bones are also dangerous to Fido, as they can snap off and choke him or seriously damage his digestive system. You’ll also want to avoid giving your pooch anything with Xylitol in it. Certain jerky treats have been linked to illnesses in dogs. We recommend avoiding treats from overseas, as many of the treats in question were made in China.

Do you have questions about Fido’s treats? Contact us, your Oconomowoc, WI vet clinic, today!