Giving Your Dog Treats

Does your canine buddy get super excited when he knows he is about to get a yummy snack? Fido is always cute, but he’s extra adorable when he’s angling for a treat. Giving your pooch cookies—or biscuits, as they are sometimes called—isn’t rocket science. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. A local Burlington, ON vet outlines some of them below.

Suitable People Snacks

Man’s Best Friend isn’t shy about letting on when he wants to sample what you’re having. (Begging is bad manners, but we’ll get to that later.) Be careful what you share with your pup. Not everything we eat is safe for dogs! Plain, cooked meat, fish, or poultry, without the skin, bones, or fat, is usually a safe bet. You do want to limit organ meat, though. Fatty meats, like sausage and bacon, should also be offered sparingly. (Sorry, Fido. It’s for your own good, buddy.) Your furry friend can also have certain fruits and veggies, such as sweet potato slices, carrot sticks, and green beans. Ask your vet for more information,

Store-Bought Treats

Store-bought treats are fine, and Fido would probably be more than happy to sample, well, all of them. Try to choose healthy, high-quality options. Check the label: meat, fish, or poultry should be listed first and most often.

Begging

We know, it’s hard to resist Fido’s adorable furry face … especially when he’s deliberately looking super sad. However, don’t let your pooch’s soulful stare manipulate you into giving him too many goodies. Those theatrics are very likely a main cause of doggy obesity, which can lead to some very serious health issues. If you just can’t resist that sad look, give your canine pal something small and healthy, instead of that sausage he’s hoping for.

Unsafe Foods

It’s important to know what foods are dangerous to pets. Some unsafe foods include garlic, onions, scallions, and chives; grapes, currants, and raisins; meat on the bone; raw dough or yeast; chocolate; caffeine; avocado; fruits with pits or seeds; and anything that contains xylitol. Ask your vet for more information.

Tricks For Treats

Fido gets adorably proud of himself when he’s done something good, and gotten praised for it. Have your pup do a few tricks for his treats!

Please contact us, your Burlington, ON animal clinic, for all your dog’s veterinary care needs. We’re here for you!