What Size Dog Treats Are Right For My Dog?

Dog Treats come in all shapes and size flavors and brands so how do you know which one is right for your dog? There is no right or wrong answer for this. The right answer is whichever is best for your dog in order to make them feel special but not overfeed them. That is the key. Many people with great intentions overfeed their dog because they use treats that are too big or just plain and simple feed too many. Even the smallest treat could be the right size for your dog depending on what the treat is being used for.

Training Treats
Training treats should be as small as possible. Your dog literally only needs to taste the treat on their tongue to feel like they have been rewarded. Whether that means cutting an all beef hot dog into a hundred pieces or using the kibble from the dinner for training instead is up to you. Just make sure you plan ahead and don’t feed the equivalent of double the dinner just so you can train your dog.

You did your business on your walk treat
We didn’t used to have these treats but at some point when I was working 40+ hours a week outside of the house serving breakfast and dinner was packing on the lbs for Davinia and Indiana so we cut breakfast down to a morning snack before I left the house and it has stuck even though I work from home now. It might actually be better for us this way because now they get a snack in the morning and when I remember I haven’t eaten breakfast and it is now lunchtime they can have some of my lunch (egg, cooked broccoli, or other vegetable, a bite of fruit or even a small treat from their treat basket).

The I just got home from work treat
We don’t have these anymore since I work from home but many dogs do. One again this treat should be what works for your dog. For us too many meat based treats = Indiana with an upset tummy so we limit those to once every other day or so. But each dog is different so a piece of leftover grilled chicken from your lunch today or dinner last night would be great before you go for a walk. The protein would give your dog some energy without filling them up and needing a nap. It doesn’t have to be a giant dog treat or cookie a little bit to show you know they need a snack is all that you need to offer.

Before bed dog treats
This is the treat that should be given with a word of caution. Do not give a treat right as you are laying down to sleep for the night. The treat will sit in their mouth causing gingivitis, tartar build up and potential cavities. Offer a treat at least a half hour before getting into bed and make sure there is water available to wash it down. If this wasn’t a dental treat once the half hour is up brush your dog’s teeth! A few minutes each night will potentially save you hundreds of dollars down the road.

Very few dogs need those HUGE Candy Cane size treats you see around the holidays as a one time serving. Many people with big dogs think their dogs need huge treats and that is probably why 53% of dogs in this country are overweight. Dog should only be getting 10% of their total calories from treats.

A dog treat is anything offered to your dog that is not accounted for in their daily meals. No matter how healthy or good for their teeth or “necessary” they make you feel that giant treat is you need to be careful. You need to figure out what works for your dog and how to keep them full and happy without packing on the pounds.

1. Break up a single treat into bite sized pieces for your dog it helps the treat last longer and makes your dog think they are getting a lot of treats when in reality it was one single treat.
2. Instead of a high calorie treat offer cooked broccoli or green beans.
3. Reserve big treats for a special day like Saturday or Sunday not every single day of the week.
4. If your dog gets extra treats that day because it was dental treat day or you had friends or family over reduce the size of your dog’s dinner portion.
5. Make your dog work for a treat. Freeze peanut butter inside a marrow bone or put it in a puzzle game that they have to figure out or use them to reinforce positive behaviors.