Doggy Munchies: What Are The Best Dog Treats?

By Author: Danny Ang
Total Articles: 78
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Sure you put the crunchy kibble in the bowl every morning and every now and then your dog gums gets a treat of the gourmet, wet dog food, but what about treats? What are the best treats for the only member of the family that actually will work to deserve them most of the time? Unless the vet specifically says no to treats because your dog has gone from canine to porcine, then a treat can be a special reward for a job well done, or just a way to share a few extra special moments with the pup you love.

As always remember safety first: never feed your dog chocolate, grapes, nuts, (especially macadamia). Table scraps are not the best idea for Rover unless your meal is all natural and healthy to begin with. I once worked with a man whose little Chihuahua actually loved to eat frozen peas- we checked with the vet and he said as long as it did not upset his little tummy, they were fine for him. Make treats a special thing by only providing them every now and then, and never use them as a reward for behaviors that are mandatory anyway. ( Never give treats for toileting in the proper place, for instance or for not biting ...
... the neighbor's kid- he needs to learn those things to function within the family.) Treats for learning tricks however is another thing altogether. Tricks are not a normal part of a dog's behavior and some of them will stubbornly refuse to learn any at all, it is a matter of individual drive and determination on dog and owner alike.

Dogs get bored with the same old food over and over, just as we would, so they do need some variety in their diets. Treats should be healthy as well as good tasting, and part of the overall meal plan set up by the vet. Treats come in many types, and it is important to realize that your dog does not need a treat with every single meal- they should be occasional (hence the name, "treat") To be safe, make sure whichever type of treat you give to your dog is the right size for him. It might seem amusing to see a pocket pet sized dog carrying a T-Rex sized bone, but it is frustrating for him and might be dangerous. Do not put your dog in danger for your own amusement!

Soft treats come in many shapes and sizes, so again, make sure you are giving the right size for your dog. If your giving these as rewards for training, then use the smaller size or break larger ones into several pieces. The jerky style treats are also good for training because the dog will go crazy for them, but make sure you are using those made especially for dogs rather than jerky marketed for humans.

Dental chews, which are usually made to look like bones are not made from animal bones at all, but rather from corn starch or something similar. The dog gets the satisfaction of lying down for a good long chew, and you can breathe a bit easier that they will not splinter or shatter like real bones. The extended time it takes to chew through them may make them good for the dog's teeth, but be aware that they can pose a choking hazard if your dog tends to gulp and swallow things. Kiwi, the Wonder Pug takes hers and magically transforms them into a long, slimy, ropelike thing and then wants to lovingly share it with me. I love that dog, but no thanks on the slimed up rope thing, okay?
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