Every pet parent loves to spoil their furry friends, and treats are a great way to do that. But when it comes to puppies, there are certain rules that need to be followed. Can puppies eat treats? The answer isn’t quite as straightforward as it may seem. It depends on the type of treat, the breed, and the pup’s size and age. In this blog post, we will discuss the safety of feeding treats to puppies, the types of treats that are suitable, and the importance of monitoring their intake. We’ll also cover the potential health and safety risks associated with giving treats to puppies. By the end of this post, you should have a better understanding of the best way to safely and responsibly incorporate treats into your puppy’s diet.
Are Dog Treats OK for Puppies?
There is legitimate concern about whether puppy treats are safe. The answer to the question of whether it is appropriate for you to give your puppy dog treats is YES.
The only caveat is that while puppies can consume dog treats, some of them can be difficult for their developing teeth to chew. Additionally, some adult dog treats are very large and may not easily fit your dog’s mouth.
Therefore, always make sure that the snacks you give your small dog friend are soft enough for the puppy before rewarding them. Additionally, they should be substantial enough to go in its mouth.
Best Adult Dog Treats You Can Give a Puppy
The dog treats in this guide are divided into three main categories: soft-baked dog treats, freeze-dried dog treats, and jerky dog treats. Lets dig in.
Just as the name suggests, soft-baked dog treats are soft. They are also relatively gentle on the puppy’s jaws and sweet for the dogs. These treats are safe for the puppies and won’t hurt them because they are soft.
These treats are flavor-filled, which makes them a great tool for behavioral training. Additionally, they are small and medium-soft, making them simple for the puppy to chew.
These treats are also full of flavor. Only slightly chewier, but still suitable for the pups’ developing jaws, is the only difference.
What Age Can I Give My Puppy Treats?
The first few weeks of a dog’s life is when his General Intestinal Tract is undergoing a lot of changes. The puppy has to adapt during weaning and, for a while, really needs a diet that provides the nutrients that he requires in each mouthful of food. Giving the puppy “treats” will provide more calories than the puppy needs but provide fewer vitamins. At somewhere between 9 and 10 weeks, you can be freer with treats, although they should always be just that, a treat that is not a regular occurrence.
When purchasing puppy treats from a store, it’s crucial to carefully read the label to check the ingredients. Check to see if any treats have a connection to your puppy’s reaction if your dog may have allergies to them.
Do not ignore the calories in the dog treat. Reduce the amount of treats you give your dog to prevent him from putting on weight. Usually, the calories in a treat are much higher than the advantages that regular food will provide. The amount of food we typically give our puppies depends on their weight. This is made to give the puppy the ideal number of calories. Add too many treats to that, and the amount of calories the puppy consumes each day will increase, resulting in weight gain.
You should provide a separate bowl for water and food for your puppy. The bowls should be clean. Placing treats in the food bowl is not a good idea because your dog will mistake it for just a particularly tasty type of food and not understand that it is a reward. As a result, there is no training benefit and you are merely substituting less nutrient-dense treats for wholesome food.
There is a rule that can help you determine if you are giving out too many treats. According to the 10% Rule, treats should never have a caloric value greater than 10% of the total diet. Therefore, the maximum calorific value of treats should not be higher than 40 calories if your dog’s recommended diet is 400 calories.
Never give your puppy human food as treats, especially junk food. Junk food will make puppies fat, just like it does to humans.
Treats can be a useful aid to training. It is appropriate to give a reward along with a compliment. In this manner, the dog will start to connect earning a treat with positive behavior. Hopefully, dogs will comprehend that when they behave well, they will receive a treat and praise. If you give treats at random intervals, the dog will become utterly confused because you’ve broken their mental connection. Make your puppy earn treats by doing something you want.
If a puppy is excited and jumping up at you, never give it a treat. If you do, you are simply re-enforcing that behavior. Although a dog jumping up at you as a puppy might be cute, it is much less likable when a dog is an adult.
Through pet stores, a variety of treats for puppies are available. These are okay; just make sure to read the label and look for any unwanted additives. Alternately, some natural products are just as beneficial for you and your puppy. This list of healthy items was provided by a veterinary hospital and is chock full of things you probably already have at home.
A small piece of apple is great for young dogs. Give just a small portion of the apple, excluding the pips and the core. They are full of nutrients and fiber.
Small chunks of carrot are full of vitamins and nutrients. If the puppy swallows them whole, make sure they are cut into small chunks, just like with apples.
This can be raw or cooked. Your puppy will enjoy eating cooked vegetables just as much as we do. Broccoli has known health effects. Just remember, do not season them.
Lots of vitamin C but also sugars. These are wonderful treats, but because they contain sugar, limit your intake. Dogs will love them.
Most dogs adore receiving a few peas as a treat. They are very practical training aids that you can carry in your pockets when you go out with your dog, and they can be either fresh or frozen.
These organic foods make nutritious dog treats that supplement their diet with vitamins and other nutrients. They are all foods that you may already have in your home, making them very practical.
In the same way that the aforementioned fruits are items you may already have in your home that are beneficial to dogs, there are some potential threats you should adamantly avoid.
Grapes and raisins must never be given to a dog. Although they like to play with them, throw them around, and eat them, they can lead to renal failure.
These are mildly toxic to pets. If a dog consumes these, some breeds will suffer more than others, and symptoms might not appear for a few days. Best not to risk it and avoid these as snacks/treats.
Xylitol is a sweetener used in a variety of products. Often found in low-calorie peanut butter and toothpaste. Because it is extremely toxic, you should never give your dog or puppy any dog treats that contain it. Since some people stuff Kongs with peanut butter, there is a significant risk. Make sure it is not sugar-free.
I’ve already stated that dogs should never be given chocolate. It’s also important to note that you shouldn’t leave it lying around where a dog could find it and take it.
FAQ
At what age can I give my puppy treats?
It’s crucial to wait until your puppy is about 6 months old before giving him dental treats.
Can you give an 8 week old puppy treats?
You can use treats as food or as a training tool for your puppy as soon as they reach the age of six weeks. Only sweet treats or special foods that are not a part of a dog’s regular diet are considered treats. Therefore, these treats keep them engaged and motivate them to work harder.
What treats can a puppy eat?
- Peanut butter popsicles. This cool treat should help if your dog is feeling a little overheated during the warm months.
- Apples. According to the AKC, apples can provide calcium, fiber, and vitamin C.
- Blueberries. …
- Carrots. …
- Sweet potato jerky. …
- Commercial treats. …
- Be sure not to over-treat.
What treats not to give puppies?
Chocolates, grapes, and nuts are a few of the foods you must never feed your dog. Additionally, stay away from anything that might contain chives, garlic, or onions. During the holidays, when they might have easy access to food spreads, be especially cautious.