We all love spoiling our dogs. That expectant look, the wagging tail, the pure joy when they receive a treat - it's one of the best parts of being a dog parent. But with so many options on the shelves, how do you know which treats are actually good for your furry friend?
The truth is, not all treats are created equal. Some are packed with fillers and artificial ingredients, while others offer genuine nutritional benefits.
Today, we're diving into everything you need to know about treating your dog right - because they deserve nothing but the best.
Understanding Treat Types
Dog treats generally fall into several categories, each serving a different purpose. Training treats should be small, soft, and highly palatable - your dog needs to eat them quickly and stay focused on you. Look for treats around the size of your little fingernail; anything larger slows down training sessions. Dental chews serve a functional purpose, designed to scrape plaque from teeth as your dog gnaws. These should be appropriately sized for your dog's jaw and take at least five minutes to consume. Long-lasting chews like natural bones, antlers, or dried tendons satisfy your dog's instinctual need to chew whilst keeping them occupied. These are brilliant for mental stimulation and can help reduce anxiety.
Finally, reward treats are the special ones - larger, more indulgent options saved for particularly good behaviour or special occasions. The key is understanding that different treats serve different purposes. Using a large biscuit for training is inefficient, just as using a tiny training treat as a long-lasting chew makes no sense. Building a varied treat collection ensures you're always prepared for every situation.
Reading Ingredient Labels
The ingredient list tells you everything you need to know about treat quality. Ingredients are listed by weight, so the first few items make up the majority of the treat. Look for named protein sources - 'chicken' or 'beef' rather than vague terms like 'meat derivatives' or 'animal by-products'. These generic terms often indicate lower-quality ingredients from unknown sources.
Avoid treats with artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives. Your dog doesn't care what colour their treat is, and artificial additives can cause digestive upset or allergic reactions in sensitive dogs. Watch out for excessive fillers like wheat, corn, and soy. While not inherently harmful, these ingredients offer little nutritional value and are often used to bulk out cheaper products. Sugar and salt should be minimal or absent. Dogs don't need added sweeteners, and excessive sodium isn't good for their hearts.
The best treats have short, recognisable ingredient lists. If you can't pronounce half the ingredients, that's usually a red flag. Premium treats cost more because quality ingredients cost more - it really is that simple.
Portion Control and Treat Budgeting
Here's something many dog parents overlook: treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake. It's remarkably easy to exceed this, especially with larger treats or during intensive training periods. A medium-sized dog eating 800 calories per day should only have about 80 calories in treats. That might only be two or three larger biscuits, or around fifteen small training treats.
Consider creating a daily 'treat budget'. Portion out the day's treats each morning, and once they're gone, they're gone. This prevents overfeeding and helps you track exactly what your dog is consuming. For training sessions, you can also use a portion of your dog's regular kibble as treats - many dogs are perfectly happy working for their dinner.
Wrapping It Up
Treating your dog should be a joy, not a source of worry. By choosing quality ingredients, understanding different treat types, and keeping portions sensible, you're setting your pup up for a long, healthy, happy life. At Duke & Milo, we've carefully curated our treat selection to include only products we'd give our own dogs - no fillers, no nasties, just wholesome goodness. Browse our treat collection today and discover why discerning dog parents trust us for their pups' rewards. Because good dogs deserve great treats.