| What better way to show you care, than giving your pet a delicious treat? Pet owners love showing affection by giving treats and there are thousands of varieties to choose from. With all of these options, how do you choose a nutritious treat and why is it important?
In general, owners tend to give too many treats. This introduces many extra calories into a pet's diet and tre
ats are a major culprit in the obe
sity crisis facing pets today. Although many people don't see overweight or obese pets as a problem, health risks of obesity are real. Obesity contributes to a wide range of health problems, from arthritis to diabetes, and it has been well documented that obese pets live shorter lives.
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In addition, treats are not complete and balanced like pet food and should not be used as the primary source of calories - in fact, treats should make up no more than 10% of your pet's daily calories. If pets fill up on treats before their scheduled mealtime, they are more likely to skip their meal. Pet food is the source of proper balanced nutrition they need, so it is important to plan your treating accordingly. Missing meals can lead to dietary deficiencies and imbalances that can lead to degeneration and disease.
It is important to give your pet treats at the right time - never for begging or whining, but as a positive reward for training or after exercise.
Very similar to choosing a high quality pet food, when choosing treats, avoid those that are filled with sugars (e.g. corn syrup, molasses, fructose, etc.), salt, artificial colorings, flavorings or preservatives. Many commercial treats are designed in color and appearance to appeal to pet owners, but most often these treats are poorly nutritious and do nothing to satisfy hunger. Some artificial ingredients may contribute to adverse reactions or be potentially harmful. Certain table scraps should also be avoided as pet treats. Don't give the leftover hunks of fat or sweet morsels you know your pet will love. These scraps are usually high in calories and low in other nutrients. In addition, these rich tidbits may cause digestive problems such as bad breath, gas, loose stools and occasional vomiting. If your pet develops a taste for these scraps, they may become finicky and even stop eating their own food.
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