Dog Treats and Bones

We all love a treat, don’t we? And surely we’ve all heard the phrase ‘give the dog a bone'. But are bones and treats good for our precious pooches? It can be a tricky balance between wanting to treat our pets and knowing what is safe and healthy to give them. Giving our beloved dog a treat or bone can be a great way to bond, as well as other important uses. However, there are some things to consider when choosing a treat or bone, so read on for more information.

When should I feed treats and bones?

Dog treats and dog bones can be given at any time you like if you fancy giving your pooch a little reward! There are also some specific times when treats can play a really important role in looking after your dog.

• Training – positively rewarding good behaviours and tricks is a fabulous way to train your dog, as well as a great bonding experience.
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• Enrichment – using snuffle mats, treat balls, puzzle feeders and other enrichment tools is a great way to provide mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom and frustrating behaviours.
• A food source – if your dog guzzles down their food, using a proportion of their daily allowance as treats throughout the day can slow down the meals and help them feel satisfied for more of the day.
• Bringing joy-giving treats can just be a lovely thing to do for your pet!

What types of treats are there?

There are a huge variety of types, brands, textures and flavours of dog treats. It may take some trial and error to find which your canine friend prefers. The type of treat best suited for your dog may depend on a variety of factors, including their size or breed, age, weight, and any health concerns. 

Here are some of the options:

• Crunchy
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• Soft 
• Freeze-dried or dehydrated
• Dental treats and dental chews
• Long-lasting chews
• Animal products such as pigs’ ears and rawhide
• Special diet treats

Check out our guide to dog treats here for more information about which type of treat to buy. 

What types of bone can I give?

Dogs love to gnaw on a bone, but some bones can be harmful to dogs, so make sure to read our handy guide on dog bones here. Feeding cooked bones to dogs is not recommended – they can splinter into sharp pieces and cause damage to their mouth, throat, and digestive tract. Raw bones are safer, but can still break into pieces and cause problems. Artificial bones or chews are therefore a popular option, as they can still provide taste, pleasure and stimulation for your pup without the risk of real bones. Gnawing on a bone or chewing results in exercise for their jaws and teeth, as well as keeping them occupied and happy. 

Can treats be bad for my dog?

You can certainly have too much of a good thing. Treats in moderation can be excellent, but they should not make up a large proportion of your dog’s calories as they are not nutritionally balanced. Obesity is a common problem amongst pet dogs, so care must be taken not to over-feed with treats and bones.