Most graduates of puppy schools will know that treats can be a powerful tool when you want to reward and reinforce good behaviour in a dog, but can you have too much of a good thing? Can treats be bad for your dog or cat?
It’s easy to think that a small snack here and there doesn’t matter — after all, it’s just a treat, right? Not quite. That little piece of cheese or slice of ham you slip your pet could actually be the calorie equivalent of a human eating several doughnuts in terms of calories. Which means those “innocent” treats can add up quickly.
Let’s look at the hidden calorie impact of pet treats, how to keep snack time healthy and why some human foods should stay off your pet’s menu.
How pet treats stack up against human snacks
It’s an easy mistake to regularly offer your dog or cat popular pet treats, thinking they’re good for your pet, but many are shockingly high in calories and can cause them to stack on the weight if used inappropriately.
A human and pet snack comparison
- Dog
- Cat
this many donuts^
Rawhide Bone
Dried Meat
Cheddar Cheese
Dried Pig Ear
Ham
Sausage
* Over and above the normal daily energy intake for a 20 kg dog. ^ Equivalent number of 200 kcal donuts for a person on a 2,000 kcal diet.
this many donuts^
Cream Cheese
Yogurt
Milk
Canned Tuna
Liver
Ham Rind
* Over and above the normal daily energy intake for a 4 kg cat.^ Equivalent number of 200 kcal donuts for a person on a 2,000 kcal diet.
According to this Royal Canin treat comparison chart, a rawhide bone contains a whopping 699 calories and is equivalent to seven doughnuts for humans. And remember, pets are so much smaller than us, which is why the human to pet treat comparison is so surprising. A piece of cheese for a 70kg human is just a small percent of their daily intake. But for a 6kg cat? A piece of cheese is a crazy amount of calories. A bowl containing 100ml of milk (a favourite with cats) is 58 calories; that’s the equivalent to a human eating three doughnuts. When was the last time you ate three doughnuts in one sitting? It’s a lot.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with any of these treats individually, but they shouldn’t be used too frequently. Consider them ‘sometimes’ foods, rather than ‘always’ foods. Moderation is the key when it comes to rewarding your dog or cat, or when you want to encourage good behaviour.
How human food can impact your pet’s health
Not all human food is suitable for your dog or cat, no matter how tempting those big eyes might be at the dinner table. It’s best to avoid many leftovers, such as the fatty parts of meat, processed meats such as bacon or sausages, lots of cheese, or chocolate in all forms. Some fatty foods can create or aggravate conditions such as pancreatitis, or other digestive issues.
Feeding your pet too many snacks or fatty leftovers can be a serious issue, leading to major health issues such as obesity, digestive issues and long-term health conditions.
Obesity can be hard to notice in your pet, as weight gain is often slow and gradual, making it difficult to spot. A 2020 national survey by the Pet Food Industry Association Australia revealed that 41 per cent of dogs and 32 per cent of cats in Australia are either overweight or obese – and most owners don’t even realise it until they visit the vet. Talk to your vet about the healthy weight range for your pet and weigh them every few months to ensure that their weight doesn’t creep up on you.
Like humans, dogs and cats need a balanced diet that is high in protein and fibre, and low in salt, sugar and fat. Feed them with a vet-approved pet food, or if you make their meals yourself, ensure they include a good mix of lean meats and vegetables.
Supermarket treats can be tempting to throw into your trolley on the weekly shop, but many are packed with fillers, artificial ingredients and excess fat or sugar. While some are fine in moderation, always check labels and look for natural, low-calorie options.
Smarter treat choices
You don’t need to remove all treats from your pet’s diet; it’s all about looking for vet-approved treats. Try some of these suggestions:
- Carrots
- Lean meats
- Apple slices
- Steamed chicken meat
- Pet-friendly peanut butter biscuits
- High-protein quality treats from your vet clinic
How to be responsible with pet treats
While treats can be useful when managing behaviour, there’s no need to use large portions – often a teaspoon size is enough.
You also don’t have to give treats continuously; sometimes one small treat will reinforce good behaviour and there’s no need to continue to offer your dog or cat a reward. It might be hard, but it is okay to say no to your pet! You can also reward them in other ways, such as a pat, extra attention or a hug.
