Content
- What do veterinarians recommend?
- Dog treat in training
- What to avoid?
- Can I give bone to my dog?
- Homemade dog snacks
There are thousands of options for snacks and rewards in pet shops as well as in our refrigerators and kitchen cabinets. The problem arises when choosing!
Can my dog eat the same snack as me? What is the best snack I can give when rewarding in training? Is this food good for my dog? It is to answer all these questions that PeritoAnimal wrote this article to make it easier to choose the ideal snack for your partner.
Like us, our four-legged friends love snacks, but we need to be very careful in our choices because not all foods are indicated and even the best ones, when supplied in excess, can be harmful as they provide too many calories. Keep reading and find out what the best snacks for dogs!
What do veterinarians recommend?
First of all, you should be aware that not all foods that are healthy for humans are for dogs, some foods are even prohibited for them!
Did you know your dog is omnivorous? This means that, in addition to meat, he can eat cereals, fruits and vegetables!
THE obesity it is a real problem and quite common not only among humans but also in dogs. You must be careful when giving the treat to your dog not to overdo it. For example, if you choose to buy these snack packs at the pet store, take a look at the calories. If each cookie has about 15 calories and you give 3 at a time, that's 45 calories you're giving at once!
The most important thing when rewarding your puppy is moderation. It's quite common that you don't even realize you're giving too much! Therefore, above all, give small amounts, not only to avoid consequences of exaggeration such as obesity, but also to make your dog appreciate it more every time he receives a treat. That way he will understand that he has to make an effort to get the prize he so desired!
Dog treat in training
When you are training your dog, such as teaching the basic commands, or when teaching him to drop objects, the ideal is to have the snacks he likes the most. For him, there is nothing better than receiving that delicious reward that he loves so much! You will find that your training results will improve a lot if you use his favorite rewards.
It is important that they are varied, not only for the food to be balanced but also to keep the dog's interest. You can try to save the ones he likes the most for when he does right what they've been training for so long!
These snacks can be the ones that are sold in petshops (always check the ingredients and prefer organic and natural snacks) or natural foods that you buy at the market or at the grocery store (we suggest some really cool ideas to point out in the shopping list!).
What to avoid?
It is important to remember that there are foods that are prohibited for dogs, and that they should not be offered even as a reward, as they can be a treat for a dog that is bad for you.
Always keep in mind the list of foods to avoid:
- Coffee
- Chocolate
- milk and cheese
- Yeast
- Alcohol
- Onion
- Grape
- salt
- raw eggs
- Raw meat
- Dry fruits
Can I give bone to my dog?
This is a frequently asked question among dog tutors. Our advice is to avoid them as there is a high danger of your dog choking or of a digestive obstruction.
A good diet through a balanced diet is one of the crucial factors in preventing any disease! Always choose the healthiest treats and rewards within the ones your puppy prefers.
Homemade dog snacks
You don't always have to go to the petshop to buy the rewards for your dog. Most likely there are natural dog treats in your kitchen that he will love and that you didn't even know about!
If your dog likes snacks more crunchy, try these snacks:
- Carrots, apples, pears, green bean. These fruits and vegetables have a lot of fiber, are crunchy and have a lot of flavor - they make a very practical and inexpensive snack! Carrots are a very good food if your dog has bad breath.
- Peanut butter. It can be an excellent option if it is made at home with only peanuts and a little salt, or if you choose to buy it, check that it has only peanuts and salt. Recently some brands have added xylitol (an artificial sweetener) that is toxic to dogs.
If, on the other hand, your dog prefers softer foods, try these snacks:
- blackberries, strawberries, blueberries. These red berries will give your puppy a lot of antioxidants.
- Sweet potato dehydrated or cooked in cubes. Nowadays you can already find this reward in some petstores, but you can make it at home at a much more affordable price!
- Chicken or Peru cooked. Among the meat options these are the most recommended - always remember to cook without salt, onion, garlic or strong spices!
- bananas. They are a very economical and environmentally friendly option - cut and offer them in small pieces whenever you want to reward your dog.
Dogs generally like all kinds of food, especially if they are Accustomed since childhood. Try to get your puppy used to eating different types of fruits and vegetables (from those allowed) and you will see that, throughout his life, he will be able to use healthy and very nutritious foods as snacks for him!
Good training!
