Dogs provide us with endless companionship and love. Some dogs even provide a valuable service to their humans. Because of this it’s only natural to want to reward our pups with endless treats. This small gesture means the world to a good boy or girl. But giving too many treats isn’t a good idea. And this brings up the topic of this blog post: how many treats per day can you give a dog?
Like most things, it depends! For starters, what kind of treats are you dishing out? How often do you treat your pup? And also, what breed and size is your pupper? These factors, among others, will impact how many treats are ok to give your dog. In this post we’ll help uncover answers. So keep reading to learn more!
Is There An EXACT Number Of Treats I Can Give?
Many experts say that when deciding how many treats per day for a dog, remember that treats should only take up 10% of a dog’s daily caloric intake. Typically, this figure is based on fully grown dogs that need to avoid obesity. Pups may need extra motivation while they’re in training, but you still want to have standards. Your best bet? Purchase training treats that are already small in size to avoid over consumption. Or break pieces into smaller size bites.
Look at the product packaging to determine what that 10% figure means for your dog. There, you should find a recommended portion size and can better gauge how many treats per day is ok.
Since every dog is different, be sure to talk things over with your vet. They can help determine what works best for your furry friend.
Treats For Big Dogs Vs. Small Dogs
Each breed of dog has different needs. What a Great Dane can eat is likely a lot different than what a Pomeranian can handle. Larger dogs can eat more treats because their caloric intake is higher. Smaller treats make more sense for smaller breeds. Age may come into play as well. Factors like these affect things.
In some circumstances, households may have numerous dogs. When there are a variety of breeds and sizes, deciding on how many treats per day for a dog can become a headache. Your average four-legged friend won’t understand why their housemate gets more than them. This can lead to jealousy issues and possible food aggression. This is where discipline and strategy on the owner’s behalf can play a critical role.
Deciding on how many treats per day for a dog might be tricky with many canines under one roof. Not to mention, each dog probably has their own flavor preferences. If you’re looking for a variety of treats, we recommend our Carolina Prime Pet treat bundles! Not only will you save money when you buy in bulk, but you’ll have a wonderful variety of treats on hand. Our Meat Lovers Sampler has 4 different flavors, in different sizes and shapes.
What’s A Good Treat & What’s A Bad Treat?
Ideally the dog treats you feed your pup will include natural ingredients. Ones that may benefit your dog’s health. They should also be portioned into sizes appropriate for your dog.
Often owners give their dogs “human treats” as a reward. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, if you’re extra careful and research which fruits or veggies are safe for dogs. But without due diligence “human foods” can have fatal consequences. In general it’s best to stick to dog treats made specifically for dogs.
Carolina Prime Pet treats are made with only premium quality ingredients responsibly sourced right here in the USA. Owners won’t find unnecessary fillers and additives in our products. In fact, some of our products only contain a few ingredients. Our Sweet Potato Bones only contain one ingredient – sweet potatoes!
Avoid Giving Too Many Treats
Too much of anything can become a bad thing, even treats for doggos. As much as we love and want to reward them, or just fill their bellies, treats remain a treat, not an expectation.
Too many treats may lead to food obsession, begging, and obesity. It’s important to stick to portion control as obesity in dogs can negatively impact a dog’s health. Dishing out too many treats to a dog can also negate their training. They may come to expect treats and lose the connection that good behavior leads to a treat.
So try not to give in to those puppy dog eyes too often!
In summary, portion control with treats is key when determining how many treats per day for a dog. It’s essential to not over-indulge them or substitute food with excessive treats. For wholesome treats made with quality ingredients, consider Carolina Prime Pet treats!
