Should I give my dog treats?
You don't have to give your dog treats, but we do recommend it. Treats help reinforce the special bond between you and your dog, and are a good way to reinforce positive behavior. Treats are also a definite help during training.
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How do I know which dog treat to choose?
When selecting a treat for your dog, consider your intended use, how often you'll treat, your dog's age and overall health, any allergies, and your dog's preferences. You should also consider your dog's size and chewing habits so you can choose a treat that best fits his mouth, teeth, and chewing capabilities. For assistance in selecting a treat, read Choosing the perfect dog treat.
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How often can I treat?
Treats are better for your dog than table scraps and are fine to be given at any time though giving them as positive reinforcement is best. However, they should not affect meals, and should constitute no more than 10% of your dog's diet. This is especially important for overweight dogs. Regular treating, rather than regular feeding of table scraps, can also help you avoid table scrap-related problems - such as begging, malnutrition, weight gain, digestive problems, and picky eating.
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Which treats work best for training?
If you plan to use treats to help in training your dog, choose a small dog treat. Whether it's crunchy, meaty, or sweet is completely up to you and your dog. Just be sure that your dog can quickly consume the treat. Otherwise, he may become distracted from training tasks.
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Must I give low-calorie treats if I plan to treat often?
Smaller, lower-calorie treats are generally a good choice if you plan to treat your dog often. Lower-calorie treats will help your dog stay slim and healthy. If, however, your dog is active, you may not be restricted to giving lower-calorie treats, and may enjoy a greater flexibility in choosing the perfect treat.
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Are certain treats more appropriate than others for dogs at different age levels?
While your dog's individual tastes play a major role in which types of treats he will eat, his age and relevant medical conditions may also affect his preferences. For example, puppies often prefer smaller treats, and seniors with sensitive teeth often prefer soft treats. Dogs with food sensitivities/allergies can benefit from hypoallergenic treats.
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Do treats promote dental health?
Some treats - especially crunchy treats - promote dental health. Biscuits are extremely popular due to their portability, crunch, and the fact that they help keep teeth clean by scraping off debris. Specially designed dental treats also provide dental benefits by freshening breath and reducing plaque buildup and tartar formation.
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My dog is on a weight-loss plan. What kinds of treats should I give?
If your dog is on a diet, or if you simply prefer giving all-natural treats, you can still give him delicious treats. Low-fat, naturally nutritious, all-vegetable or grain-based healthy treats and bones provide essential dental benefits while offering all the flavor and appeal of other types of treats which may not be conducive to weight loss. Many meat treats are also low in fat.
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My dog loves meat treats, and I want to keep his teeth clean and healthy. Do you offer any meat treats that promote dental health?
Most people think of meat treats as soft, chewy morsels. However, today's meat treats are available in both chewy and crunchy varieties. Chewy varieties offer your dog a soft, tender treat with irresistible meat flavor. Hard and crunchy meat treats pack a satisfying crunch, as well as help remove debris that may collect on teeth. All-natural pork treats, made of dried pork hide, provide a longer-lasting meaty chew treat which is also conducive to good dental health.
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Do you offer natural treats that are high in protein?
Yes, Drs. Foster & Smith offers protein-rich natural treats full of the natural flavors dogs love. These natural treats make great chews for dogs of all ages and chewing habits. Chicken Fillets, a perennial favorite, are available in delicious natural or barbeque and teriyaki flavors.
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Are your rawhide treats healthy?
Drs. Foster & Smith have gone to great lengths to ensure that our rawhide treats are the absolute best for your dog. They're made from premium beef hide from corn-fed American cattle, and produced under the strictest quality standards.
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Do you recommend specific rawhide treats for specific dogs?
We've specially selected all our rawhide treats, and believe them all to be beneficial and entertaining. However, we recommend that you consider your dog's preferences and chewing habits when choosing a rawhide treat. If your dog loves to gnaw on rawhide until it is soft and pliable, consider our high-quality shaped rawhide treats (bones, twists, rings, sticks, and so on). They're tightly wrapped/knotted to provide the most rawhide for your money. "Power chewer" dogs can benefit from super-strong, long-lasting pressed rawhide treats - the most durable of our rawhide treats.
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Should I supervise my dog while he's chewing a rawhide treat?
We recommend supervising your dog while he's chewing a rawhide treat and taking away smaller pieces or larger softened pieces he has chewed off to minimize the extremely rare risks of choking and intestinal blockage.
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Do your treat chews (rawhide, etc.) stain light-colored surfaces?
Staining is primarily associated with longer-lasting chewable treats (hickory-smoked rawhide bones, for example), rather than those which are quickly consumed. Many of our chewable treats are non-staining, so your carpet and rugs will be unaffected by your dog's chewing sessions. However, we suggest reading about your selected treat on our website or checking packaging to be sure. If you're unsure whether a chew treat will stain your carpet/rugs, you may wish to confine your dog to an acceptable area when you give him a chew treat.
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