Section 5 of 5 · about 1 min read
Choosing and using treats without tipping the balance.
This course is general information, not a diet plan. Home-made and raw diets must be complete and balanced, so plan them with your vet or a veterinary nutritionist. If you think your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your vet straight away.
Lesson 1
Treats are brilliant for training and bonding, but they add up. A widely used guideline is that treats and extras should make up no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily calories. If you’re doing a lot of training, reduce meal portions slightly to make room, or use part of the daily food allowance as rewards.
Lesson 2
Small, low-calorie treats are best for training: think pea-sized pieces, not whole biscuits. Plain cooked chicken, small cubes of cheese for special occasions, chopped carrot, cucumber or blueberries all work well for many dogs. Choose treats suited to your dog’s size and chewing style to avoid choking, and supervise chews.
Lesson 3
Simple home-made treats can be fun to make, using dog-safe ingredients like plain oats, plain pumpkin, banana or xylitol-free peanut butter. Avoid sugar, salt, chocolate, raisins and the onion family. Store them like any home baking and remember they still count towards daily calories. If your dog is on a special diet, check with your vet first.
Lesson 4
Food can be fun as well as nourishing. Serve part of a meal in a snuffle mat, a puzzle feeder or scattered across the lawn. Freeze some of your dog’s usual wet food in a lickable toy. These ideas slow fast eaters, ease boredom and give the mind a workout, all without adding a single extra calorie.
10% guideline
Question 1 of 4
Score 70% or more to pass this section.
Question 1 of 8
