As the new year begins, many of us are prompted to rethink our eating habits. Why not do the same for your dog?

Conventional dog treats

We love our dogs, and it’s easy to spoil them. Treats help strengthen the special relationship we have with our dogs, and are helpful as training tools. Many conventional dog treats—biscuits, cookies, or chews—are loaded with fat, sugar, and calories. Not to mention dyes, preservatives, and artificial flavors. Just as with our own foods: if it looks like junk, it probably is. Are these treats harmful for the average dog? Not necessarily. Most humans can devour a bowl of Doritos or a double-fudge brownie now and then with no ill effects. But indulge too much or too often, and problems result.

Too much junk food can upset the stomach, as well as disrupt the normal balance of vitamins and nutrients in the diet. And it can make your dog fat. Most vets recommend that treats comprise no more than 10% of a dog’s average caloric intake. An average 40-pound adult dog needs just under 1000 calories per day. A small dog needs much less. At 35 calories, a single Pup-peroni treat might comprise one-tenth of a toy poodle’s total daily calorie allowance. And who ever stops at just one?

Conventional treats—even in moderation—can be a problem for a dog with food allergies, or one with certain medical disorders such as diabetes, pancreatitis, liver or kidney problems, and bladder stones.

To continue reading, please visit DogHealth.com