When it comes to food, dogs aren’t all that different from humans. They appreciate a good snack too. By providing your dog with different smells, flavors, and textures, you’re likely enhancing their palette, not to mention their quality of life! Afterall, eating the same thing day in and day out can get old. But when it comes to snacks, moderation is key. Whether you’ve got a Great Dane or Bichon Frisé, it’s important to know their limits. Today, we’re going to focus on the smaller end of the spectrum, specifically how many treats per day should a small dog have?
Keep reading to learn how many treats are recommended, what to look for in your dog’s diet, and more!
What to Consider When Giving Treats to a Small Dog?
There are some good guidelines to follow when giving your small dog treats. These guidelines generally determine the amount of treats to give your furry friend. Basically, you’ll want to consider the following things:
#1 – The Ingredients
Before deciding how many treats per day for a small dog, ask yourself if you should be giving your dog those treats in the first place. There are certain things you should never give your dog. The ingredients to look out for in treats that could make them sick include onions, raisins, chocolate, and xylitol (an artificial sweetener). And how many treats a dog can handle depends on their weight.
#2 – Your Pup’s Weight
Treats are often high-carb, high-calorie, high-sugar, or high-fat. As such, they’re potentially risk factors for obesity when consumed in large amounts. If you realize your pet is overweight (and many if not most are), then it’s best to keep treats at a minimum.
Giving them additional calories each day will only add to their weight and make the situation worse. It’s advisable to give your four-legged friend low-fat, high-protein alternatives as they have fewer calories.
Depending on the size of your dog, Carolina Prime Pet recommends ½ treat for extra small dogs weighing 5 lbs and 1 treat for small dogs weighing 5 to 15 lbs.
#3 – Treats Should Not Replace the Main Diet
Treats should only be used as a supplement to your pup’s main meal. If you give them too many low-nutrition treats they could end up full before they get all of their nutrients. Worst case scenario, they could even become sick from malnourishment. Generally, you can sidestep most of these sorts of problems by a) only using treats as a supplement, and b) only feeding your dog nutritious dog treats.
Wondering if your dog can eat salmon? Find the answer here!
How Many Treats Per Day for a Small Dog Are Enough?
So, we just covered that the bulk of calories for your four-legged friend should come from their regular diet. But puppies and small dogs also require more nutrients because they are growing. To keep up with the calorie requirement, you may be able to give them more treats than adult dogs. (Nutritious treats in particular.) Consult your vet to get the exact calorie requirement and the number of healthy treats per day that’s best for your growing dog.
Another thing to keep in mind is heavy exercise. During exercise and training sessions, you’ll naturally want to reward your dog with a treat, which is great. Rewards reinforce behavior in your dog, and help them grasp various tricks quicker. But a heavily active dog will need more nutrition than a sedentary dog, as they use and require much more energy. Now, up to this point, we’ve been speaking very generally, and relying heavily on veterinarians for precise advice.
But did you know there’s a widely accepted rule about how many treats your dog should eat per day? According to the American Kennel Club, the rule of thumb is that the treats should make up 10% of a dog’s diet or less – and never more. So each day, consider how many calories your small dog needs total. Then, calculate 10% of that total. That’s the max number of calories your dog should get from treats each day. This applies to small dogs and every other shape and size.
Will Too Many Treats Per Day Make My Dog Sick?
So that helps us know how many treats per day for a small dog are too much. Anything above that 10% mark is likely too much and is enough to harm your dog.
If the treat-to-food ratio is off, your dog is likely consuming more calories than it should. Too much of a caloric intake in dogs can expose them to several health issues as they age, including:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Arthritis
- Joint diseases
But what can you do if your dog loves eating numerous treats, and you love giving them? Well, if your small canine friend loves chomping down tons of treats, consider breaking larger treats into smaller ones. They won’t even notice!
Alternatively, you could opt for treats low in calories. Carolina Prime Pet has some of the best topper-trainers treats like Cheeze and Sweet Potato Tiny Bites that you can use to train your dog while keeping their calorie intake in check.
What Are the Healthiest Treats for a Small Dog?
Not all treats you see in the market are good for your pup. So check out the ingredients before buying treats for your canine friend. Healthy dog treats should be free from preservatives, fillers, and artificial flavors. These are usually chemicals that are harmful to your dog’s health.
Similarly, be on the lookout for common allergens in dog treats. The most common allergens include; dairy, lamb, beef, chicken, soy, and wheat gluten.
Last but not least, the best treats for your little doggo should be made from natural, healthy ingredients. At Carolina Prime Pet, you can get nutritious treats made from 100% natural ingredients.
Show Love to Your Pup With the Right Amount of Healthy Treats
As a good pet parent, it’s good to know how many treats per day your small dog should have. This helps you feed your pet right and show them love in a healthy, responsible way. Because while there are many ways to show love to your canine friend, nothing beats good health. And what better way to do it than by giving them delicious, nutritious treats?
At Carolina Prime Pets we make some of the tastiest, healthiest treats your small dog can enjoy. Every bag is packed with wholesome and natural treats made in the USA, with ingredients sourced in the USA. Feel free to check out our treat bindles for the best deals and get in touch if you have any questions. Get Carolina Prime Pet treats today for a happy and healthier pup!
Want to learn more about dog care? Read “What To Give A Dog For Constipation”