What makes you love your dog? Is it because of the way he loves you in return and the eagerness that you feel when he attempts to please? This love can be more emphasized through dog training as it creates the firm bond between you and your pal. Perhaps you believe in rewarding your dog for his love with healthy treats.
One well-recognized method of dog training is through the use of dog treats. But dog treats are not used just for positive reinforcement during dog training alone. Most dog owners have used them as snack alternatives. This not only makes your dog think you are wonderful but may also aid in maintaining your pet’s health if you choose wisely.
Dog chews are a good example of a good choice as a healthy treat because they can help remove tartar from a dog’s teeth.
Are dog treats making your dog fat?
Like with other pet stuff, there are considerations that you should first evaluate before feeding your pet dog treats. Health components and calorie content are on the list.
One of the growing concerns about dog health nowadays is obesity. Almost half of American dogs are overweight. Just as with their human owners, obesity in dogs may lead to a variety of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.
Overindulgence is thought of as one of the contributing reasons for obesity. This may be due to the human factor. Most owners tend to give dog treats on an unregulated basis. For most, it doesn’t matter how many calories a single biscuit may contain.
Control dog calorie intake
To resolve this issue, you need to cut back on the daily calorie intake of your pet until he reduces to an acceptable weight. Controlling the number of dog treats throughout the day is important. You may also choose to lessen his meals gradually until he reaches a normal weight. In line with this, it is ideal to stick with dog treats with low calories.
If your dog is overweight you should consult a vet. The vet will advise you how to implement a regular exercise regimen in addition to advising on diet. Dogs are like us they need a balanced diet and regular exercise to stay fit and well. One of the advantages of owning a dog is that you will be encouraged to get exercise when you walk him.
It is bad news to give your dog commercially produced human foods. Some of these contain elements that are not suited for your dog’s health. Commercial foods are also often rich with fats and calories and low in nutrients and vitamins. Moreover, this practice is really not healthy for your dog’s manners if you do it at your mealtimes. This only encourages begging. Give him his dog treats in his own place instead.
Foods that are poisonous to dogs
Some of the foods that you might enjoy that you should definitely not give your dog are listed below. It is important to make sure your children know that these foods shouldn’t be given to your dog as one of the biggest dangers is from chocolate.
Never feed these to your dog:
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Grapes and raisins
- Nuts especially Macadamia nuts
- Onions and Garlic
- Milk and other dairy products
- Salty snacks like chips and pretzels
- Artificial sweeteners like Xylitol
- Raw meat and bones
- Bones that splinter easily like chicken bones
Tips on healthy treats for rewarding your dog
It is always best to buy naturally produced dog treats. These save you from unnecessary additives that may be bad for your dog’s health. Fat and sugar-rich dog treats are a complete no-no. Look for dog treats that have a high concentration of fibers and protein.
Dog treats that are primarily made from fishes are good sources of natural health components. They are low in calories and fats.
There are dog treats that are specially made to optimize your dog’s health. Working in the same principle as that of the vitamin supplements. These are aids to maintain your dog’s health and may even relieve symptoms of certain diseases.
Using treats when training a dog
Perhaps you are rewarding your dog with healthy treats as part of training your dog. This is good practice. You want to reward good behaviour when he obeys your commands and does as you want. If you are training him using positive reinforcement like this then cut back on his meal portions. This will prevent him getting too many calories and allow you to balance his diet with dog treats. Avoid giving dog treats before any major meals. Dog treats should not make up the majority of his diet.
Rewarding your dog with healthy treats is an important bonding experience for you both. In choosing the ideal treats and when to give them, it is OK to rely on your best judgment. You know your pet best but make sure you are not hurting him with kindness. In case of doubt, you should consult a veterinarian.
