Dog Treats.. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Dogs love treats and we love the feel good vibes we get from seeing our fur kids enjoy them. They are also great for behavioural training but there are pros and cons that you might want to consider before handing out that next reward.
#1. CHOOSING A TREAT..
All treats are not created equal and so here are some important things to look for when choosing your next one:
* Where are they made?
Food regulations and safety standards are shabby at best in many overseas and Chinese manufacturing plants. Even in Canada and the U.S pet foods are not as regulated as they should be. So how can you keep your pet safe? Reading the label is the best place to start! Skip any that are manufactured overseas.. these are more often the case with cheaper or generic brands. As tempting as it is to take advantage of treats found at dollar stores, while you might be saving money not often are you getting a quality product. Not only are these comprised of cheap fillers, but in quite a few cases pets have gotten sick and even died from unregulated ingredients found in these treats. Glycerin or protein by-products (derived from Jatropha seeds) were found to be a potential large cause of toxicity in Chinese manufactured pet foods.
While buying strictly U.S and Canadian made products can't guarantee 100% safety, chances are much better that you will be getting a quality reward for your pet.
*What's in them?
Just like you would with your dog's food, you want to make sure you are reading the label of their treats. You might be thinking that since they only have them once in a while, the ingredients are not a big worry.. but if you give treats even a few times a week it can have a considerable effect on their diet. You choose good dog food so why ruin it with unhealthy snacks?
When choosing treats less is always more! The fewer the ingredients the better and top ones to avoid are artificial colours and flavours, meat meal and by-products and artificial preservatives. Its best to avoid grains, corn and soy when possible as well but even limiting them helps. Items to look for are whole meats, organic and when possible human grade ingredients. You also want meat to be the first item in the list as they are ordered by weight from greatest to least amounts. Freeze-dried treats are a great choice as they are just bits of dried meat. Biscuit and cookie type treats are generally comprised of some kind of carbohydrate and soft treats are often made with a chemical humectant to keep them moist and chewy. Both are probably better to avoid but there are some exceptions and its just about being smart and reading your labels! Homemade treats can also be a great choice, and I've put links down at the bottom of the post for some great recipes!
*What are the best and worst choices?
Go for..
Freeze dried raw treats like Purebites or Orijen
Meat treats like Nothing Added or Crumps Naturals
Quality treats like Zuke's
Boiled or baked (unseasoned) meats
Raw, quality meats (don't mix raw feeding if you have your dog on a kibble diet.. do your research first)
Raw beef bones from the butcher (Check out this guide to bones here)
A spoonful of Coconut oil (when its solid is easiest.. but you can also pour it into little molds and keep them in the fridge)
Stay away from..
ANYTHING MADE IN CHINA (read the bag carefully as it can be buried in the small print and if it doesn't say consider steering clear completely! It is not required by law in Canada that pet foods list where they are manufactured)
Pig's ears (they are often a source of salmonella)
Rawhide (made with a highly chemical-laden process of bleaching, gluing and flavour enhancers etc; they are not a meat product but rather a leather by-product)
Waggin' Train Treats (was found to make a number of dogs sick and in some cases resulted in fatal kidney disease)
Beggin' Strips, Pupperoni, Snausages etc.
Poultry bones (they splinter and break easily which can be swallowed and cause internal issues)
Deer antlers for aggressive chewers as they can result in broken teeth due to their rigidity
#2. WHEN/HOW TO FEED..
Treats as implied by the name are meant to just supplement your dog's diet. The best time to feed treats is between meals but not directly before or after. You don't want to discourage your dog from eating at their regular times. You want to make your dog work and use them as a reward for good behaviour. Something as simple as a sit or stay command is sufficient and further solidifies your top position with your dog. If you give treats often and for no reason it can come to be an expectation. Do not reward an excited or over-stimulated animal.. give treats only when the dog is calm and submissive.
If you have multiple dogs, be careful as treats can cause competition and even result in a fight. This is why a command is a great way to have your dog work for the treat and also instills a sense of order to discourage rivalry. Be sure to feed directly by hand to each dog individually and never toss treats on the floor to see who can get it first. Ensure they are taken gently and never reward snapping by giving them the treat. Instead wait until they are calm again and push the food further back between your fingers to feed it bit by bit until they learn. Reinforce learned behaviour with affection.
Overall, treats can be a great asset in motivating good behaviour but its crucial to do your homework. Give sparingly, read those labels and when in doubt consider whether you'd feel good eating it yourself.
HOMEMADE DOG TREAT RECIPES!
