Treating Your Pet: The Healthy Way


 
  become treat smart

We know the look: the longing, wide-eyed stare; the perked ears; the swishing tail; the eager posture—your pet is begging for a treat. How can you resist? 

Treating your pet is certainly okay in our book, as long as it’s done in a smart way. Pet treats become problematic when they sneak too many calories into your pet’s diet. For example: 

  • To a medium-sized dog, an average-sized biscuit is equivalent to a person eating a whole hamburger. 
  • Every ounce of cheese given to your cat compares to two and a half hamburgers. 
  • For a 40-pound dog, a large pig ear equates to about 12 cans of sugary soda.  

Ideally, treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your pet’s daily calories. Follow these methods to treat your pet without expanding their waistline:

Size matters when it comes to treats. Skip the supersized biscuits. Choose small, bite-sized treats, or break larger cookies into smaller pieces. Your pet will still enjoy the delight, no matter the size.  

Swap biscuits for produce. Instead of a daily calorie-laden treat, opt for a crunchy carrot, a slice of cucumber or a bite of an apple. Your pet may not be thrilled about everything you offer, but you may be amazed by what they enjoy. Remember to avoid certain foods that could be toxic, such as grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions and garlic. 

Whip up a batch of healthy goodies. There are plenty of pet-friendly recipes floating around on the internet. From frozen yogurt and watermelon pops to salmon cat treats, concocting homemade delights for your companion cuts down on unhealthy food additives and preservatives that are often lurking in packaged goodies. 

Change your definition of “treat.” When treats wiggle their way into the daily routine, they become normalized and habitual. Reserve high-calorie treats for special occasions to spare your pet the extra pounds. Instead, indulge your pet with an extra-long snuggle, an afternoon at the dog park or a trip to your local pet store—your pet may even be happy with pieces of their regular kibble as a reward. 

You can change your pet’s relationship with food and treats without sacrificing the cherished bonding time. Help your companion stay trim by making healthy treat choices while encouraging a more interactive treat experience. 

 

Browse our selection of healthy, low-calorie treat options at Shop myVCA >>