Is it good to give dogs snacks?

There are currently a wide variety of dog snacks on the market. Dog treats, as they are also known, come in many types, such as sticks, biscuits, wet snacks, pressed skin, fresh meat snacks, and many more. Giving your dog a treat won't make your pet love you more or less or be happier or happier. However, it will greatly help your dog obey you and learn the behavior patterns you want to teach him.

In this article, we want to tell you about the main purpose of dog treats—whether they're dental treats or natural dog treats. We'll also answer the different types of dog treats, how often they should be given to your pet, and some tips on how to train your dog. Keep reading this article to learn more about dog treats!

What are dog snacks for?

Dog snacks, dog treats, or dog treats are foods designed primarily to reward your pet for their behavior , but also to strengthen the bond you have with them and provide mental stimulation. You should know that, although dogs today have food readily available, their instinct is based on searching for food and selecting what they can eat. Dog snacks take advantage of the dog's instinct and can achieve the following results:

• Reward your pet's behavior and train it.
• Strengthen the bond with your dog.
• Mental training.
• To strengthen your health.

Dog treats are excellent for training our pet—or training a dog. They can be used both indoors and outdoors, and, as we explained in the introduction, they come in many different types. Another function of dog treats is to serve as mental stimulation . You can, for example, hide several treats in different places around the house for your pet to find, reinforcing its tracking instinct. You should know that treats can also be used to boost your pet's health , especially when they are experiencing a nutritional deficiency—although this is not the most common practice.

Types of dog snacks

When you think of snacks, you often think of dog treats and associate them with something negative. Dog snacks don't have to be bad, but it's important to choose the right product for your pet . In any case, it's best to buy natural dog treats when buying dog treats. These are free of chemicals and additives that can be harmful to your dog's health. Dental snacks for dogs, for example, are recommended for preventing the appearance of tartar and reducing its presence on teeth, as well as for avoiding bad breath. When we talk about the main types of dog snacks, we find the following:

• Dehydrated snacks : These snacks are recommended for all ages and breeds. They ensure that the dog's teeth are working while eating them. They should be avoided in older dogs with weakened teeth.
• Wet snacks : These are soft snacks, recommended for dogs with worn and sensitive teeth, such as beef or chicken sausage. Avoid foods that contain excessive additives and always opt for the most natural ones.
• Skin bones for dogs : These are one of the most common and desired snacks for dogs. These are usually made from pressed beef and pork skin.
• Dental snacks for dogs : Dental snacks for dogs are intended to prevent the buildup of tartar, improve overall dental health, and prevent bad breath. They are usually in the form of sticks for dogs.
• Dog biscuits : This is another type of dog treat, although they're biscuit-shaped. They come in all kinds, including chocolate biscuits, animal-shaped biscuits, bone-shaped biscuits, and bone-shaped biscuits.
• Natural dog snacks : These are one of the most recommended snacks. Natural dog snacks are made with natural foods, such as chicken wings, chewy cod rings, skin bites, salmon chips, deer antlers for dogs, etc.

How often to give dog treats

As long as they are natural dog snacks—like the dog snacks we sell at __NT__4 __—or snacks that are highly nutritious and healthy, the amount of snacks that can be given to a puppy is up to 15% of the daily calories . The rest of the ration should be a complete and balanced meal so that the little one receives the macronutrients it needs to develop properly. In the case of dental snacks for dogs, this can be given once a day. More than one can be harmful to their health and cause stomach problems. Dog snacks in the form of sticks and small biscuits are widely used to reward pets in different situations where it is necessary to reinforce their behavior. In the case of adult or senior animals , it is advisable that dog treats do not exceed 10% of the pet's daily calories .

How to train my dog ​​with snacks

To answer the question of how to train a dog with treats, it's important to keep in mind some of the following tips:

• Treats should never be used as a substitute for your dog's daily diet. They are used to positively reinforce your dog's behavior. In other words, to provide specific training.
• Snacks should be of good quality, the more natural the better.
• The amount of snacks should be reduced once the dog has learned the behavior or exercise.
• It's advisable to have several types of treats of varying value. When the behavior is difficult to learn, work with the highest-value treat and the one that's tastiest for the dog.
• Complement the snacks with other positive reinforcement, such as caresses and tone of voice.