Young dogs, just like all children, have very delicate stomachs and thus require careful selection of their diet. This rule applies not only to their daily food but also to the treats that your puppy will receive from us.
Do you know what treats your puppy can eat, what age is appropriate to introduce the first snacks, and finally, how many treats a young dog can receive to keep its diet healthy and balanced? You will find answers to these and other questions about treats in puppy nutrition in the article below.
At what age can a puppy start receiving treats?
Healthy treats can be introduced into a puppy’s diet as early as 6-8 weeks of age. It is important that they consist of high-quality meat, contain no excess fat, and are soft enough for the little one to chew easily. The first treats should be small, literally a one-bite size, and the frequency of giving them should be low. Over time, once we are sure that the treats do not cause any digestive problems for the puppy, their amount can be slightly increased.
A good idea is to start with just one type of treat from a selected type of meat, e.g. rabbit or duck, which will allow you to realistically assess how the puppy reacts to a new ingredient in their diet. If you choose a mix of meats, you won’t know what caused any potential problems after consuming the new product.
How many treats should a puppy receive?
To keep a dog’s diet properly balanced, treats and other food additives should not exceed 5-10% of the daily caloric intake. While puppy food is properly supplemented and balanced exactly for the needs of a growing dog, we cannot say the same for treats. Even those with the best composition should be an addition to the diet, not its dominant component. Otherwise, we risk nutritional deficiencies, which are especially undesirable in growing animals.
Fortunately, nothing prevents you from carefully dividing your puppy’s daily portion of treats into small pieces, thereby increasing their quantity. Remember that for most puppies, the optimal size of a treat is roughly the size of half of your little finger’s nail. If you also choose treats made from lean meat, you can have plenty of them available for your puppy every day.
What snacks are suitable for a puppy?
Puppy treats should be characterized by a simple and clean composition, free from artificial additives, colorings, flavors, antioxidants, etc. Ideally, they should consist of pure meat or offal, along with dried fruits, vegetables, and possibly herbs.
Freeze-dried or baked treats are a great choice for puppies because they have a delicate texture, high palatability, and very healthy composition. Interestingly, many dogs are also very willing to eat freeze-dried vegetables and fruits, such as pumpkin or apple, which are valuable – rich in fiber and vitamins – additions to their daily diet.
Meats that are easily digestible and rarely cause allergic reactions in puppies include rabbit, lamb, duck, game, goat, and horse. It’s definitely worth reaching for these first. You can also check the composition of your dog’s basic food and choose treats made from the meats present in it. After all, you already have the assurance that your dog knows them and tolerates them well.
For older puppies, it’s worth introducing dried fish snacks: sprats, sardines, herring, or bullheads. They are rich in easily digestible protein and valuable fatty acids, which are essential components in the diet of a growing body.
How to use treats in puppy training?
A tasty treat is not only something that can bring joy to your dog but also a strong motivator and an important reward in training a young dog. So use your puppy’s favorite treats to reward them for desired behaviors, such as going to the bathroom on the grass, coming when called, giving up something off the ground, etc. Small treats are also great fillers for scent toys and dog puzzles, which effectively occupy the puppy’s mind, calm them down, and develop their ability to calmly solve complex problems.
Another example of using treats in puppy training is to use them to build positive associations with new or intimidating people, places, and situations for the puppy. You will be surprised how much a few treats given to a puppy by the veterinarian, your guests, or you can change the situation when the little one feels insecure.
Which treats to avoid for puppies?
In a puppy’s diet, avoid primarily highly processed products containing unnecessary and harmful additives – flavor enhancers, preservatives, sugars, etc. It’s best if the treats also do not contain vegetable glycerin – some dogs may react to it with stomach problems.
If you want to take care of your dog’s health, look for treats without grains and legumes, as well as those where the producer describes the composition in a clear and understandable way. Terms like “meat and animal derivatives” should raise a red flag for you, as they usually indicate the use of low-quality products and waste from animal production. Look for compositions that specify the amount and type of specific meats and offal – when you see them, you can be sure that the producer has nothing to hide.
Treats are not everything – remember about chews too!
When thinking about snacks for your puppy, remember that they are not only one-bite treats, but also chews, which are something that can occupy the puppy for several minutes to several hours. These can be naturally dried ears (beef, deer, hare – depending on the strength and size of the puppy), dried skins (e.g. lamb, beef, goat), or high-quality functional chews such as pressed bones cemented with natural collagen.
Just remember that chews also need to fit within the 10% limit of additions to the dog’s diet. Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to count every calorie and weigh every treat and chew. Just keep common sense and moderation in mind, and your puppy will surely grow into a healthy, happy, and strong dog.
For more tips on raising your puppy and products that will support your good relationship, visit the PetSmile pet store for demanding customers.
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