We all love rewarding our doggos with a special treat from time to time. It is important that we reward them with treats that are not only delicious but healthy and meet their dietary requirements. Dog treats should not be a single source of food, but instead given in moderation as a treat or reward. Treats are generally higher in calories and lower in nutritional value, meaning they should only make up 10% of daily calorie intake. There are a huge range of dog treats available, and it can be hard to know which treats are healthy based on labelling and packaging claims.
Things to consider when buying treats
Place of manufacture: we highly recommend choosing treats made in Australia and to avoid treats from China. Treats made in China can often be labelled with PRC (People's Republic of China) which can be used to mislead customers
Ingredients: look for treats that are made with high quality ingredients. Natural treats contain real protein such as chicken, fish or beef, and other nutritious ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, superfoods, vitamins and minerals
Additives: you should try to avoid treats that contain artificial colours and flavourings where possible, especially if feeding your dog natural food is a priority
Calories: it is important to check how many calories per treat and always include these calories in your dog’s total daily energy intake to avoid weight problems.
Fillers: high quality treats should be meat based and have real protein as their first ingredient as opposed to cheaper treats that often have cheap fillers as their first ingredient e.g. wheat
Dietary requirements: if your dog has a medical condition, it is important that the treats meet their special dietary requirements. We recommend speaking to your vet before trying any new treats.
Brand: it is always best to choose a brand that is reputable and if possible, Australian Made such as Balanced Life, SavourLife or WAG to ensure quality.
Portion control: everything in moderation! Give your dog small pieces, often. Offer a small amount to start with to see if the treat agrees with them, especially if they have a sensitive tummy
Size and life stage: always keep your dog’s size and life stage in mind and make sure you choose treats suitable for their size, and puppy friendly treats if they are still growing
There are so many different types of dog treats to choose from! It can take some trial and error to find healthy treats that tick all the boxes and if you’re using them for training purposes, you want to reward your dog with something they really love! Many pet owners prefer to choose natural products for their pet, and nowadays there are many amazing natural, whole food based and minimally processed treats available. We have made a list of our favourite natural treats below!
