The age-old ‘new year, new me’ tradition leaves a lot of us reflecting on how we can improve our health, our attitudes towards diet and exercise, and our overall wellbeing – but what about our pets?
Like us humans, what we put into our pets’ bodies impacts their overall health and – as the people feeding them – it’s important to make sure we aren’t overfeeding them and impacting their wellbeing.
With hundreds of thousands of new puppies and kittens welcomed into homes last year, plenty of families will have been showering them with tasty treats as a sign of love, reward and endearment. But, while there are some benefits, some treats can also be dangerous to our pets.
To help new pet owners, Dr Karen Heskin, Head of Pets at pet care specialist Pets at Home, has shared her advice on treating and rewarding puppies and kittens in a safe and healthy way.
New pet owners can access expert advice, as well as tailored and exclusive offers, by joining Pets at Home’s free VIP Puppy & Kitten club.
Can I give my pet treats?
Dr Karen Heskin said: “Yes, it’s fine to give your pet treats as a reward, and they are helpful when it comes to training, but it’s important that total volume of treats is limited, and they are given in moderation.
What are the best treats to give?
Dr Karen Heskin said: “There are a number of different treats available, but those that are specially formulated for puppies and kittens are ideal because they are designed for young stomachs and teeth.
“For puppies this could include meaty treats, soft dog chews and vegetable-based treats. It’s worth noting that meaty treats may not only be high in protein, but they often have a lot of fat too, so it’s best use them sparingly.
“Soft dog chews may help ease the pain of teething and will help keep your puppy occupied. However, if you find they chew through them quite quickly, a more durable option would be to insert treats inside a Kong toy, for example.
“Kittens often enjoy biscuit treats based on fish, meat or catnip. Specially formulated kitten or cat milk is not an essential part of their diet so this can be used sparingly as a treat too.”
How can I reward my puppy or kitten without giving them treats?
Dr Karen Heskin said: “For both puppies and kittens, treats can be a good way of rewarding your pet, especially during training sessions or when reinforcing good behaviours.
“A good way to keep tabs on your pet’s daily calorie intake and minimise overfeeding is to count treats as part of their daily food allowance, not as extras. That way some of their daily food is used for ‘treats’, rather than given at a mealtime. This is particularly easy if you feed them dried kibble.
“The recommended amount of kibble to feed depends on bodyweight, age, and, for some diets, breed as well. Details can be found on the packaging, and we’d suggest weighing out your pet’s daily allowance and remove some of that to use as treats.”
“Don’t forget that food isn’t the only way for you to reward puppies and kittens. Interacting with them, for example by stroking your pet, playing together, or taking puppies for a walk, are all great alternatives and will help build the bond between yourself and your pet.”
And what should I avoid?
Dr Karen Heskin said: “Ideally, it’s best to avoid giving pets human food, either as a treat or a major part of their diet, especially food from your own plate. One reason is because feeding from our plates can create begging habits that are difficult to break.
“It’s also very important to remember that for both dogs and cats there is a whole list of human food which can be very dangerous to them. This includes chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, and salty or processed meats such as bacon, as well as bones that can splinter into sharp pieces. Rib and chicken bones are common culprits and can damage or block the intestines.
“Avoid standard milk too as it contains lactose which cats can’t digest. It’s best to stick to specially formulated kitten or cat milk if you want to give it as a treat – this can be bought in store and online. Cats also lack the ability to digest fruit or vegetables and must be fed a meat-based diet.
“Some human foods can also be high in calories – for example, a medium sized dog eating a small 28g cube of cheese is the equivalent to an adult human eating one and a half burgers.”
Is there anything else I need to know?
Dr Karen Heskin said: “Puppies and kittens generally have boundless amounts of energy and it can be tempting to use treats to keep them distracted or entertained. However, giving treats when your pet is excited or giddy means they’ll start associating the ‘zoomies’ with getting a reward!
“Welcoming a new puppy and kitten is incredibly exciting but there is a lot to learn too. It’s important that you know there is help and support out there, and many other pet owners are in exactly the same boat. I’d encourage new owners to join the Pets at Home free VIP Puppy & Kitten club where there’s plenty of advice to guide them along the way – not only with treats and diet, but many other aspects of new pet ownership too.”
