Healthy treats for dogs
5 light and natural snacks to reward your pet
WHY GIVE YOUR DOG TREATS?
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
If you share your life with a furry friend, you probably already know how important training is for their physical and mental health. A well-trained dog is not only a calmer, more confident and balanced dog, but training your pet will also keep them safe from many dangers and diseases. When training your dog, positive reinforcement is the only strategy that is effective, healthy and safe. It consists of rewarding your pet's good behaviour with a positive stimulus, so that they associate that pleasant sensation with the behaviour they have performed and, in this way, learn and repeat it.
The most practical way to practise positive training with your dog is to use dog treats or snacks. However, many of these treats found in supermarkets or even pet shops are ultra-processed products with a long list of dubious ingredients, such as sugars and preservatives. These commercial dog snacks are not beneficial to the health of our furry friends, so their consumption should be very occasional. So what are the healthy treats you can offer your dog?
Table of contents
1. 5 natural snacks to give your dog
2. How many treats a day can I give my dog?
5 natural snacks to give your dog
For positive reinforcement to be really effective for your dog, the reward you give them must be really interesting. Bear in mind that training consists of modifying behaviours that are sometimes very well established in the dog's routine or establishing rules and learning processes that are completely new to them so the positive stimulus you offer will have to be sufficiently intense. In the case of treats, it is best to opt for natural but tasty snacks, because if they are too bland, no matter how healthy they are, our dog will not want them and training will not progress.
Here are five ideas for healthy dog treats that your furry friend will love, provide nutrients and look after their health as they contain no harmful ingredients. Most of them can be found in specialised pet shops, both physical and online, while others are easy to prepare yourself at home.
• Natural dehydrated food
These healthy treats are completely natural and usually come in different proteins such as turkey, salmon, lamb, beef, etc. Depending on the brand, they come in strips or slices. As they are natural, they are very easy to digest and are great for your pet.
• Cowhide sticks for dogs
If you've ever wondered whether those thin, crunchy sticks sold as dog snacks are healthy, the answer is yes! In most cases, these sticks are made only from cowhide, making them 100% natural. They also contain very few calories and are high in nutrients, making them a great snack alternative for practising positive reinforcement with your dog. And that's not all: their crunchy texture and stick format help your furry friend fight tartar, protecting their dental health.
• Ox ears for dogs
Ox ears are a natural dog snack that you can find in many pet shops. The best thing about these treats is that they contain no artificial ingredients and provide a very high protein content for your dog's body. They are also low in fat, so they are perfect for weight control and combating obesity.
• Vegetable snacks for dogs
If you prefer to prepare your dog's treats at home using natural ingredients, a very simple idea is to chop up vegetables to create delicious and refreshing treats for your pet. You can use carrots, apples (without seeds), pear or pumpkin. Before giving your furry friend a new food, make sure it's safe for them, as many human foods are toxic to dogs.
• Yoghurt snacks for dogs
Although some dogs have trouble digesting lactose, lactose-free dairy is a good source of protein, healthy fats and minerals. Here's a simple recipe for yoghurt treats for your dog. You'll need some unsalted, unsweetened peanut butter, lactose-free plain yoghurt or kefir, a ripe banana and a splash of water or a vegetable drink.
How many treats a day can I give my dog?
The amount of treats a dog should be given during the day can vary depending on their weight, health, age and, of course, the quality of the snack. Commercial and processed dog treats should not be a recurring alternative in your pet's diet, as they contain ingredients that are detrimental to their health. We recommend replacing them with natural treats or saving them for very specific occasions.
If the snacks you give your dog are natural, you can give them a larger amount per day, but be careful not to overdo it. If you offer too many treats, you could increase your dog's calorie intake and encourage obesity. Excessive amounts of treats used as rewards can also decrease the effectiveness of positive reinforcement. For positive training to be successful, your dog must be rewarded with interesting and appetising stimuli; if they come to loathe the treat you give them, it won't work.
It’s a good idea to alternate the type of treat, both with different flavours and textures and by combining snacks with other rewards such as petting, encouraging words or toys. To find out the exact number of treats you can give your pet, check the manufacturer's instructions or consult your vet to plan your dog's diet, including treats in the calorie count — and enjoy these tasty, healthy rewards!