Treats for dogs must be tasty and useful.
All dog owners love their four-legged pets and always treat them to treats whenever the opportunity arises. However, it is up to us to keep our dogs healthy, so it is important to know whether all treats are beneficial and when and how often to give them.
Why do we need treats?
Dog breeders distinguish between three types of treats according to their purpose:
Treats as an incentive. Treats as an incentive to encourage good behaviour. When training or preparing for a show, owners can do without treats as they help the dog to learn commands more easily.
Treats with vitamins and minerals. They contain all the trace elements your dog needs to strengthen the whole body.
Treats for small and young dogs that like to chew on everything. These include ‘sugar’ dice and a variety of treats that can be chewed and gnawed on for a long time. This will keep the puppy occupied and free from distractions other items.
What are the different types of treats?
Crunchy and sturdy: dice in different shapes and sizes; balls and rings made of chicken; biscuits – sticks, crackers that satisfy the dog’s need to chew on something.
Soft, chewy. These include duck and chicken breasts, rabbit fillets, sandwiches and many others. Such delicacies are ideal for older dogs that have problems with their teeth.
Dried and cured: calf and pig ears, offal (liver, lungs), poultry, seafood. Such treats are very convenient to take with you on training or on the go. These treats are also very tasty and aromatic, and dogs love them.
The same crunchy bones and biscuits are good for cleaning teeth and fixing gums. They remove plaque and tartar and eliminate bad breath.
Delicious and nutritious dietary treats. They are more suitable for healing than for feeding. Consult your vet about their use.
Dogs should not be given animal bones and hooves, as also rawhide delicacies. First of all, they are difficult to digest and can cause stomach pains and other ailments. Secondly, they are bad for dogs’ teeth. And thirdly, raw and cooked bird bones are dangerous as they can cause choking.
How dangerous is the food on our table?
Everyone will probably agree that it is hard to resist the sight of your pet making the hosts at dinner. And they do not resist. After all, it’s so tempting to share a sausage, a sandwich or a pastry with your dog. And so a monster grows up, constantly eating the owners’ food. But the biggest problem is our food (spicy, fatty, sweet), which is not suitable for the dog’s stomach and can cause digestive problems.
Therefore, if you want your dog to be healthy, it is better to give him fruit and vegetables. Many four-legged pets are happy to eat apples, carrots and pumpkins. Just never give grapes, raisins or onions, as they can poison your dog!
How often can you give your dog treats?
Of course you want to treat your dog often, but therein lies the danger – treats can make your dog gain a lot of weight. Therefore, try to keep treats to no more than 10% of your dog’s diet. It is also important that your pet gets a healthy and balanced diet.
Treats are not only available in pet shops but can also be made yourself. Here’s a homemade recipe that your pet won’t be able to resist:
200 – 250 beef mince;
2 teaspoons of crumbled cheese;
1 finely grated carrot;
1/2 cup breadcrumbs;
1 tablespoon tomato sauce.
Preheat oven to 350C. Add all ingredients and mix well. Make small mince pies in the mixture and place on a baking tray and bake for 15-20 minutes. Then cool and store in the freezer.
Treat your pet to tasty and useful treats. Your dog will always be a healthy, happy and loyal friend!