In a recent post referencing the 2020 Banfield report <link>, I shared the experience of adjusting the diet for our Morkie. The discovery of the number of Kcals in his treats led me to seek resources that help animal health pros counsel pet owners on the impact of calories from treats. Treats are frequently mentioned in articles that give nutritional guidance, but limited comparative resources are readily available.
Anna Burke references the 10 percent rule used by veterinarians everywhere, while readily admitting she was unclear about “10 percent of what?” With this backdrop, we share these resources to help animal health pros start a different discussion about the role of treats and pet obesity risk management.
Source: How many treats can your dog really have? AKC. Link.
Source: Calorie charts of everyday foods & dog treats, K9WeightChallenge.com, Link. All treats fed to your dog must be included in your dog’s daily calorie allowance. Unaccounted treats will soon lead to dog weight gain.
<BQ> . . . Be “treat-wise”! . . . know the calorie content of all the tidbits and treats fed to successfully manage a dog’s weight.
Source: Calorie chart, Banfield bhere. Link.
Source: Balancing pet food and treats, PetMD. Link.
Most treats are not balanced for the nutritional requirements your pet needs to stay healthy.” – Ashley Gallagher, DVM