Hi Jeanne,
Great question.
When selecting a treat for your dog, I think the most important thing is not really the treat itself and its ingredients, but how many calories it contains, and the quantity fed. Treats should be considered as something special and fed in moderation. Often, I find that pet owners over-feed treats to express affection to their dog. They are often unaware of how many extra calories they are feeding. Unfortunately, this leads to too many calories being consumed and ultimately, obesity. Generally, we recommend that no more than 10% of the daily calorie intake should be from treats or “human” foods. The calorie content of a commercially prepared treat should be readily available on the package. Many people do not account for all sources of calories they feed their pets. Feeding lower calorie treats allow you the satisfaction of rewarding your pet without worrying about weight gain. If you need help determining your dog’s daily energy requirements (the number of calories they need each day), your vet can calculate this for you.
I hope this gives you some insight.
Dr. Kim Hester
