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Why are Dog Treats & Chews So Important?

Dog treats and chews fulfill many important functions in a dog's life:

• **Training and Rewarding:** This is perhaps the most obvious use. Treats are an effective form of positive reinforcement that helps your dog associate desired behaviors with something positive, speeding up learning everything from basic commands to more advanced tricks. Small, easily digestible pieces are ideal for this.
• **Dental Health and Oral Hygiene:** Many chews are specifically designed to promote dental health. By chewing on the right material, your dog can mechanically scrape away plaque and tartar, which contributes to healthier teeth and gums and reduces bad breath. Regular chewing also strengthens the jaw muscles.
• **Mental Stimulation and Boredom Reduction:** Long-lasting chews provide your dog with meaningful activity. This is especially important for preventing boredom, destructive chewing (on furniture or shoes!) and can also be calming for dogs with separation anxiety or those feeling stressed. Chewing releases endorphins, which contribute to your dog's well-being.
• **Enrichment and Well-being:** Getting a treat is a joy-maker! It's an easy way to show your dog love and appreciation, as well as to vary their daily routine. Some dog treats are also enriched with extra nutrients that contribute to, for example, skin and coat health or joint health.

Different Types of Dog Treats & Chews

The range of dog treats and chews is huge, and each type has its own advantages:

1. Training Treats & Reward Treats:

• **Small and Easy to Digest:** These are usually small, soft and very tasty, perfect for quick rewards during training sessions. They shouldn't distract the dog for too long.
• **Low calorie:** For dogs that gain weight easily or during intense training where many treats are given, low calorie alternatives are available.
• **Easy to Break:** Many workout treats can be easily broken into even smaller pieces to extend your workout without providing too many calories.

2. Chewing Bones for Dental Health:

• **Mechanical Cleaning:** These chews are specially designed with a texture that helps scrape away plaque and tartar from the teeth as the dog chews.
• **Dental Care Ingredients:** Some contain additives like zinc or eucalyptus oil that combat bacteria and bad breath.
• **Different Hardness Levels:** Available in different hardness levels to suit the dog's chewing strength and dental health.

3. Long Lasting Chews & Natural Chews:

• **Occupation:** Perfect for keeping your dog occupied for longer periods of time, such as when they are home alone or when you want them to calm down. Examples include dried animal products such as bull muscle, pig ears, or kangaroo feet.
• **Stress Reduction:** Prolonged chewing is a natural and calming activity for dogs.
• **Natural Alternatives:** Many natural chews are made from only one ingredient and are free of additives, which is great for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies.

4. Functional Treats:

• **Health Benefits:** These treats are enriched with specific substances to support different areas of health, such as glucosamine and chondroitin for joints, omega fatty acids for skin and coat, or probiotics for digestion.
• **Complement to Food:** Can be an excellent complement to your dog's regular dog food (such as dry food , wet food or veterinary dog food ) if it has specific needs.

5. Stuffed Chew Bones and Activation Toys:

• **Extra Challenge:** Bones that can be filled with wet food, peanut butter or specially formulated pastes provide an extra challenge and extend chewing time. These combine the joy of chewing with mental stimulation.

Choosing the Right Dog Treats & Chews for Your Dog

When choosing dog treats and chews, it is important to consider:

• **Dog's Age and Size:**
  • **Puppies:** Need smaller, softer, and easier to digest pieces. Puppy treats are often specifically formulated. Avoid hard chews that can damage their sensitive teeth.
  • **Adult Dogs:** Larger selection, but choose by chewing strength.
  • **Senior dogs:** Softer options if they have dental problems or sensitive gums. Easily digestible is often preferred.
• **Allergies and Sensitivity:** Read the ingredient list carefully. If your dog has a grain allergy, choose grain-free treats . For sensitive stomachs, there are treats with few ingredients or single protein sources.
• **Calorie Content:** Remember that treats and chews contain calories. These should be included in your dog's daily calorie intake to avoid obesity. A general rule of thumb is that treats should not make up more than 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake. If your dog is on a weight loss diet, choose low-calorie treats or use portions of your dog's regular food as a reward.
• **Chewing Habits and Safety:** If your dog is a "gulper", choose larger, harder chews that cannot be swallowed whole. Be careful with extremely hard bones that can cause tooth fractures or chips. Always supervise your dog when chewing.
• **Quality:** Choose products from trusted brands with high-quality raw materials and clear ingredient lists.

Zoostar.se – Your First Choice for Dog Treats & Chews

At Zoostar.se we are passionate about offering products that contribute to your dog's health and happiness. Our range of dog treats and chews is carefully selected to meet all needs - from the smallest puppies (for which you will also find milk replacer and puppy porridge ) to the oldest seniors ( food for older dogs can be supplemented with softer treats).

We offer a wide range of flavors, textures and features to help you find the perfect treat for your dog. Explore our full range of dog food and treats , including dry dog food , wet dog food and veterinary dog food . Give your dog the joy and stimulation it deserves with dog treats and chews from Zoostar.se!

Frequently Asked Questions about Dog Treats & Chews

Here we answer some of the most frequent questions we receive regarding dog treats and chews.

Why are dog treats and chews important for my dog?

Dog treats and chews are more than just a delicious reward; they play an important role in your dog's life, from training and dental health to mental stimulation and well-being. Understanding why these are important will help you choose the right products and use them effectively. Here are the main reasons why dog treats and chews are important: 1. Rewards and Training: - Positive reinforcement: Treats are an indispensable tool in positive reinforcement training. When a dog performs a desired action and is immediately rewarded with something it loves (treats), the behavior is reinforced and the dog is more likely to repeat it. - Learning: From basic commands like "sit" and "stay" to more advanced obedience and trick training, treats are a powerful incentive that speeds up the learning process. - Relationship: Rewarding your dog strengthens the bond between you and builds a positive association with you. 2. Dental Health and Oral Hygiene: - Mechanical Cleaning: Many chews are designed to mechanically scrape away plaque and tartar as your dog chews. This friction helps clean the teeth and massage the gums. - Reduces bad breath: By reducing the buildup of plaque and tartar, chews can contribute to healthier breath. - Strengthens jaw muscles: Regular chewing helps strengthen the jaw muscles. - Prevents dental problems: Preventive chewing can reduce the risk of serious dental problems such as tooth loss and gingivitis, which can lead to expensive veterinary visits. 3. Mental Stimulation and Reduces Boredom: - Occupation: Chews, especially long-lasting ones, provide your dog with meaningful activity. They can be an excellent distraction for dogs who get bored easily or who have separation anxiety. - Reduces destructive chewing: By offering appropriate chewing options, you can distract your dog from chewing on furniture, shoes, or other unwanted objects. - Reduces stress and anxiety: Chewing is a natural and calming activity for dogs. It releases endorphins and can help a dog cope with stress, anxiety, or overstimulation. 4. Nutritional Supplements and Supplements: - Some treats are formulated with extra vitamins, minerals, or functional ingredients like glucosamine for joints, omega-3 for skin and coat, or probiotics for digestion. - They can be used to provide an extra energy boost during or after exercise. 5. Enrichment and Well-Being: - A small piece of treat can add luxury to everyday life and create joy. It's a simple gesture to show your dog love and appreciation. - Variety: Different flavors and textures of treats and chews enrich your dog's experience and keep their interest alive. Choosing the right type of dog treats and chews, tailored to your dog's age, size, chewing habits and any allergies, is important. They should always be given in moderation and be part of a balanced diet, not a replacement for a full meal.

How do I choose the right dog treats and chews for my dog?

Choosing the right dog treats and chews is crucial to ensuring they are safe, healthy and effective for your dog’s needs. With so many options on the market, it can feel overwhelming, but by considering a few key factors, you can make informed decisions. Here’s a guide to choosing the right dog treats and chews: 1. Consider Your Dog’s Age: - Puppies: Choose softer treats and chews that are easy to chew and won’t damage your puppy’s growing teeth. Puppy-specific treats are often smaller and easier to share. Avoid hard chew bones that can damage their mouths. See our puppy section for puppy food and puppy treats. - Adult dogs: Have a wider range of options, but consider their chewing strength. - Senior dogs: Choose softer treats if they have dental problems or sensitive gums. Easily digestible varieties can also be beneficial. 2. Size and Breed: - Small dogs: Need smaller treats and chews that are easy to handle and swallow. Large chews can be a choking hazard or too difficult to eat. - Large dogs: Can handle larger and harder chews. For them, it is important that the chews are large enough that they do not swallow them whole. 3. Purpose of the Treat/Chew: - Reward/Training: Choose small, tasty and easily digestible treats that can be given quickly during training sessions. Many so-called "training treats" are excellent for this purpose. - Long-term entertainment/Reduce boredom: Choose harder chews or filled chew sticks that last a long time and provide mental stimulation. - Dental health: Specific dental chews are formulated to mechanically clean teeth and often contain ingredients that counteract plaque and tartar. Look for approved dental chews. - Functional needs: Some treats are enriched with e.g. joint supplements (glucosamine/chondroitin), probiotics for the stomach, or omega-3 for skin and coat. 4. Ingredients and Allergies: - Read the ingredient list carefully: Make sure the first ingredient is a high-quality protein source (meat or fish). Avoid treats with unnecessary fillers, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. - Grain-free: If your dog has a grain allergy or sensitive stomach, choose grain-free options. See our range of grain-free dog foods. - Known allergens: Avoid treats that contain ingredients your dog is allergic to (e.g. chicken, beef, wheat). Hypoallergenic options are available. 5. Chewing Habits and Safety: - "Gnaw or Swallow?": If your dog tends to swallow chews whole, choose larger, harder-to-chew treats or products that cannot be swallowed whole. - Hard bones: Be careful with very hard bones (such as some marrow bones or natural bones) as they can damage teeth or cause splinters that can get stuck. Some dogs are too aggressive chewers for these. - Quality: Choose products from trusted brands that have good quality control and are safe for animals. 6. Calorie content: - Remember that treats and chews contain calories. These should be counted towards your dog's daily calorie intake, especially if your dog is on a diet or tends to gain weight. Choose low-calorie treats if you exercise a lot. By considering these factors, you can make informed choices that will both delight your dog and contribute to its long-term health. If in doubt, always consult your veterinarian or a pet nutrition specialist.

How much dog treats can I give my dog per day?

The amount of dog treats and chews you can give your dog per day depends on several factors, including your dog's size, age, activity level, weight status, and the calorie content of the specific treat. A general guideline that veterinarians and nutrition experts often recommend is that treats and chews should not make up more than 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake. Why the 10% rule is important: - Balanced diet: The majority of your dog's nutritional needs should come from a complete and balanced whole food diet (dry or wet food). Treats are often not nutritionally complete and can upset the balance if given in excessive amounts. - Preventing obesity: Treats contain calories. If you give too many treats beyond the recommended amount of dog food, your dog is at high risk of gaining weight, which can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes, joint problems, and heart disease. Here's how to calculate it (simplified version): 1. Determine your dog's daily calorie intake from dog food: Follow the recommendations on your dog food packaging (dry or wet food) based on your dog's weight, age, and activity level. This will give you an estimate of how many calories your dog needs per day. 2. Calculate 10% of the total intake: For example, if your dog needs 800 calories per day, treats should make up a maximum of 80 calories (0.10 * 800). 3. Check the calorie content of the treats: Unfortunately, not all treats are labeled with calorie content, but many high-quality brands do. Use this information to calculate how many pieces correspond to your allowed amount. Example: If a piece of candy contains 5 calories, and your dog is allowed to eat a maximum of 80 calories from treats, you can give up to 16 pieces (80 / 5 = 16). Key considerations: - Less is more: If you use treats for training, choose small, low-calorie treats and break them into even smaller pieces if possible. Your dog cares more about the frequency of the reward than the size of each bite. - Activity: A very active dog can potentially consume a little more treats than a sedentary one, but the 10% rule of thumb is still a good starting point. - Weight control: If your dog is overweight or needs to lose weight, you should be extra strict with the amount of treats. Choose low-calorie treats or use portions of your dog's regular food as rewards. - Puppies: Puppies may need frequent rewards during training, but make sure the treats are puppy-friendly (easy to digest) and that the overall intake is still balanced for their growth. - Natural chews: Some natural chews, such as pig ears or bull muscle, can be quite high in calories. If your dog gets such a bite, be sure to reduce the amount of regular food accordingly to avoid overweight. - Water intake: Always remember to provide fresh water, whether your dog eats treats or not. - Consult a veterinarian: If you are unsure about your dog's specific calorie and nutritional needs, or if your dog has health concerns, always consult your veterinarian. They can give you tailored advice for your dog's diet and how treats can fit into it. By being aware of calorie intake and using treats in moderation, you can continue to reward and delight your dog without compromising their health.