Does your pooch immediately perk up when you go near the cupboard where his snacks are stored? Does Fido suddenly ramp his cuteness levels up to 20 when he spots a burger on your plate? Man’s Best Friend is super cute, and he’s definitely very, very good at getting us to offer snacks. Treats are healthy, and can be quite beneficial. However, there are a few things to keep in mind here. A Carolina Forest, SC vet goes over some of them below.
Choose Wisely
Fido will probably be delighted if you came home with a huge variety of treats for him to sample. However, you’ll want to stick with healthier options. Get into the habit of reading labels, and choose products that list whole, healthy ingredients. It’s also not a bad idea to keep an eye on pet food recalls. You can follow them at the AMVA site here or the FDA site here. Or, set up email alerts.
Be Cautious With People Foods
Your canine friend will probably be quite interested in your cheeseburger. And your pizza. And your sandwich. And, well, pretty much anything else you may eat. Be very careful about sharing your food with Fido. Many people foods are toxic to dogs. Some of the things to avoid are garlic and onions, chocolate, grapes and raisins, and avocado. Meat on the bone is also unsafe, as is raw dough. Ask your vet for specific advice.
Make Fido Work
Treats are a great training aid. Before handing over that snack, have your cute pet perform a trick or obey a command. This is a great way to reinforce training. (Plus, Fido will look adorably proud of himself.)
Keep It To A Dull Roar
We know, we know. It’s hard to resist that sad, soulful stare. However, you aren’t doing Fido any favors by over-indulging him. In fact, it’s probably safe to say that treats play a big role (literally) in the doggy obesity epidemic. More than half of our canine pals are on the chubby side! Limit treats to no more than 5 or 10 percent of your furry friend’s daily calorie count. (Note: you do have some room for leeway here if you’ve only recently adopted your four-legged friend, as treats are so good for bonding.)
As your Carolina Forest, SC pet clinic, we’re dedicated to offering great care! Call us anytime!
