Adopting a puppy is an exhilarating journey, and with it comes great responsibility.
Nourishment is one of the most critical components when caring for your pup; they require a balanced diet to foster healthy growth and development.
Additionally, treats can be essential tools in training as well as rewarding good behavior!
It’s essential to take note of how many treats you’re giving your pup daily in order to prevent any health risks, such as obesity and overfeeding.
In this article, we’ll provide guidance on the appropriate amount of snacks for your puppy per day and offer some advice on selecting healthy goodies that will help maintain their well-being.
How many treats can I give my puppy per day?
The recommended amount of treats per day for a puppy varies based on size, age and activity level.
Recommended amounts of treats
Here are some general guidelines for the number of treats you can give your pup per day:
Dog Weight | Age | Treats Per Day |
1-5 kg | 2-6 months | 10-30 g |
6-12 months | 20-50 g | |
Adult | 10-20 g per 1 kg | |
6-10 kg | 2-6 months | 20-40 g |
6-12 months | 30-70 g | |
Adult | 10-15 g per 1 kg | |
11-25 kg | 2-6 months | 30-60 g |
6-12 months | 50-100 g | |
Adult | 5-10 g per 1 kg | |
26-44 kg | 2-6 months | 50-100 g |
6-12 months | 70-150 g | |
Adult | 3-8 g per 1 kg | |
45+ kg | 2-6 months | 70-150 g |
6-12 months | 100-200 g | |
Adult | 2-6 g per 1 kg |
Remember, these are only general guidelines and your pup may require more or less depending on their individual needs.
Healthy treat alternatives
In addition to considering the number of treats you give your pup, it’s equally important to research which types of snacks are best for their overall health.
Here are a few ideas for healthy alternatives:
• Fresh fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots or green beans
• Dried fruit such as bananas or mangoes
• Lean meats like chicken, turkey, or salmon
• Whole grain options like brown rice or quinoa
• Low-fat yogurt
• Unsalted nuts and seeds
Tips for reaping the benefits of treats
The key to making sure your pup is getting the most out of their treats is to ensure that they’re given in a timely and controlled manner.
Here are some tips for helping you maximize the effects of treats:
Use treats as positive reinforcement
Treats should be given as rewards for desired behaviors and accomplishments.
Using them to motivate your pup will increase the likelihood that they’ll continue trying, resulting in faster learning.
Additionally, providing words of encouragement alongside treats can help with creating a positive association between their actions and the snacks!
Break up their treats into small portions
It’s important to control the number of treats your pup receives.
Breaking up their snacks into bite-sized pieces will not only help you keep track of how much they’re eating but will also help them digest their food more easily.
This can also extend the amount of time it takes for them to finish their snack, providing a longer period of enjoyment!
Encourage healthy behaviors
Treats should be used to encourage healthy behaviors, such as coming when called or following commands.
This will help your pup understand the expectations and build their confidence in completing tasks correctly.
Additionally, physical activities like going for a walk or playing fetch are perfect opportunities to reward your pup with a delicious treat!
Monitor how many treats they’re consuming
It’s essential to monitor how many treats your pup is consuming daily.
Keeping track of their snacks will help you ensure they are maintaining a balanced diet and will prevent any potential health risks due to overfeeding.
This can be accomplished by counting the number of treats they get each day or estimating the amount based on size and weight.
Offer fresh food rewards
Instead of traditional treats, you can offer your pup fresh food rewards.
This will help to provide them with the essential nutrients that they need while also ensuring they are getting an enjoyable snack.
Some ideas include small pieces of lean meats or cheese, fruits and vegetables, or boiled eggs.
Conclusion
By following these guidelines and carefully considering the number of treats you’re giving your pup daily, you can prevent any health risks while also helping to ensure they are getting the most out of their snacks.
Additionally, offering fresh food rewards instead of traditional treats is an excellent way to provide them with essential nutrients while still rewarding good behavior!
With appropriate amounts and types of treats, you can make sure your pup is getting the best out of its snacks.
With a balanced diet and healthy approach to rewarding them, you’ll be able to foster an enjoyable relationship with your pup built on trust and understanding. Your pup will thank you!
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