Dog Treats: Part of the Plan, or Just Bribery?

Treats occupy a strange place in dog ownership. They are used for training, bonding, comfort, and, let us be honest, because refusing a dog that is staring at you with complete conviction is genuinely difficult.

Treats are not a problem. The problem is when they become a significant portion of the diet without being accounted for, or when they are nutritionally empty in a way that undermines the quality food you are already buying.

Treats as a Percentage of the Diet

A commonly cited guideline: treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake. This is a reasonable starting point. A 15-kilogram dog might need around 700 to 800 calories a day. 10% of that is 70 to 80 calories from treats.

A single large commercial treat can easily contain 50 to 100 calories. Two large treats and you are at or above the threshold, before counting meals. Most owners have no idea how many treat calories their dog is consuming in a day.

What Makes a Treat Worth Giving

Not all treats are equivalent. Some are essentially sugar, artificial flavouring, and filler in a dog-shaped package. Others are made from single ingredients with genuine nutritional value.

Criteria worth applying:

• Can you read the ingredient list and know what is in it?
• Is there a named protein in the top three ingredients?
• Are there artificial colours or flavours? (Neither serves the dog. Both serve the shelf.)
• Does the size match the calorie count?

Treats That Work for Training

Training treats need to be small, high-value, and fast to eat. Your dog should be motivated by them without eating a full meal worth of calories in a 15-minute session. Small, soft, single-ingredient treats work well. Beef Bites and Crunchy are both designed with this in mind: small enough to use frequently, substantial enough to actually motivate.

The Honest Position

Treats are part of the relationship. They are not going anywhere. Making them count nutritionally, sizing them appropriately, and using them intentionally is all that is needed. You do not have to choose between a motivated dog and a healthy one.