Pet Snacking

Every pet owner loves to give their dog treats as much as the dog loves receiving them, but too many treats can lead to obesity, which is the number one nutritional disease affecting our pets. Knowing how often to let your pet snack is valuable for his or her health. 

Giving your dog treats is a great way to give love and reinforce good behavior, but here's a helpful secret: most people don't realize that animals cannot understand the concept of volume. A small treat offers the same amount of satisfaction to your dog as a large one, so don't feel like your cheating your pet out of a treat if you give him or her a smaller portion. 

Remember also that if dogs are full they won't perform for treats because they aren't hungry anymore. All the more reason to give your pet smaller treats, because the smaller the treat, the longer the interest, and the better your pet's performance. 

So feel free to give your dog treats as a sign of your love, but don't overdo it. A healthy pet is also a happy one. 

Article by Dr. Jeff Werber, DVM