How to Choose the Right Dog Treats
As your loving and loyal companion, your dogs deserve occasional treats—a symbol of love and affection. They can also be used to supplement their health, particularly their dental and immune systems. Treats can also be used as a good motivation for dogs during training, as well as reinforce good behaviors. As you shower them with these little gifts, you strengthen your bond, as you both gain happiness from the gesture.
Unfortunately, many dog treats are high in sugars and fats. Too much can cause them to gain debilitating weight, especially since it’s easy to lose track of the number of treats you give throughout the day. Dealing with puppy dog eyes don’t help either, but you put them at higher risk for numerous health problems, not just weight gain.
To make sure that your furry companion receives gifts without the consequences of bad health, here are our guidelines on choosing the right dog treats for your pup.
How to Choose the Right Dog Treats
1 - Say No to Table Scraps
The mere sound of your cutlery scraping the table or food wrapper will immediately send tails wagging in your direction and those hopeful brown eyes begging for a taste of your meals. If you give in, however, you create a persistent monster that begs and begs, even with guests around! This behavior can be difficult to deal with in the long run and it can also place your dog’s health at risk.
Your table scraps tend to be high in sugar and fat, which can upset your dog’s digestion and ruins his appetite for more nutritious and balanced dog food, and essentially everything that can be good for him. It’s best to keep him out of the kitchen and dining area as you eat, mostly to avoid the temptation of always saying “yes."
2 - Say Yes to Supplementary Snacks
Treats can be good for the health of your dog, especially when it comes to their dental health. They’re also best for picky eaters, making these little gifts the perfect supplement for functional food. This ensures that they meet their nutritional needs with dog treats that are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that help them keep a soft coat, strong bones and joints, and premium digestive and immense systems.
Some dog owners also use treats as dietary supplements, which helps keep their furry companions healthy and safe from conditions. Calming chews, for instance, can help calm down an anxious dog, while other chews come with medications to improve digestion or joint support.
Looking for the right treat? We would love to help! All of our staff receive over 300 hours of professional education on pet nutrition, the pet industry and pet food manufacturers, and supplementary insight in areas like dog grooming and dog training. Reach out to us via our Facebook page, or call the store at 360-322-6592.
3 - Choose Treats that Help With Training
More often than not, treats are used to reinforce good behavior during training. Reward-based training is one of the best ways to correct misconduct, but remember to keep the best and high-value treats for the best behaviors, or as a rare treats for special occasions. These are often softer and smellier treats, chews, or hides.
Small and easy-to-eat ones are best for behavior repetition, as it provides room for more treats without too many calories. The chewy ones are best for keeping them distracted and well-behaved, so make sure to use treats accordingly!
Great Rewards Come In Small Treats
Just as you’d reward yourself with a slice of chocolate cake at the end of a long week, your furry friends also enjoy delicious snacks. While allowing them a bite of your nuggets every once in a while is okay, it’s best to stick to healthy dog treats. They can help supplement dog training, and keep their bodies strong and healthy. So long as you choose the right ones, your dog will stay healthy and active for the years to come.
If you’re on the hunt for pet supplies in Marysville, Washington, Earthwise Pet Supply & Grooming Marysville is the place to go! We specialize in natural pet treats and raw foods, which are perfect for keeping your dogs happy and healthy. Our staff are trained professionals, ensuring that you only get the best possible care and service. Allow us to take good care of your pets—order from us today!