FAQ: Treats for dogs

Start with one small piece a day and watch the stool and general wellbeing for a few days. Introduce only one new product at a time so you know what caused a reaction if one appears.

Common causes are too large an amount, a fatty chew, a new product introduced too quickly or intolerance of a specific ingredient. If diarrhoea lasts more than a day, keeps coming back or contains blood, see a vet.

Choose low-calorie, lean treats and break them into small pieces. You can also use part of the daily food ration as rewards, and it is worth drawing up a weight-loss plan together with a vet.

Many manufacturers state calories or energy value on the pack, usually per 100 grams or per piece. If the value is per 100 grams, it can be converted using the weight of one treat.

Treats are often calorie-dense and owners rarely count them, so they add up to a sizeable amount of extra calories each day. For a small dog even a few large biscuits can make up a significant share of its daily needs.

Some natural chews, such as pig ears or fattier pieces of skin, contain quite a lot of calories even if they seem like just an activity. Others, such as antlers or wood, are gnawed but hardly eaten.

After spaying or neutering, a dog's energy needs often drop, so it gains weight more easily. A special type of treat is not required, but give fewer, choose leaner ones and keep an eye on weight.

Small dogs do well with small, soft or easy-to-chew bites and chews that match the size of their mouth. Since their calorie needs are low, even a modest amount of treats can be too much for them.

Large dogs need big, thick chews they cannot swallow in one go. Chews that are too small are a choking hazard for strong dogs, so always choose the size by the dog's weight or breed.

The weight determines the chew's size and hardness so the dog does not swallow it and can chew it safely, and so the daily amount matches its calorie needs. That is why it is worth sticking to the manufacturer's weight range.

A large chew is often too hard and too high in calories for a small dog, and once tired of chewing it may try to swallow what is left. It is better to choose the size made for small dogs.

Choose treats suited to the dog's size, do not give them while the dog is running or very excited, and supervise it while chewing. Small leftover ends of chews are best taken away and thrown out.

Long-lasting chews are safest when you can watch the dog, because it may bite off a piece that is too big. For a dog left alone, a sturdy toy designed for that purpose with a filling is safer.

Take a chew away once it is small enough for the dog to swallow whole, or when it has softened a lot and starts breaking into large pieces. Also throw out chews with sharp edges.

Chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, xylitol, macadamia nuts, alcohol and cooked bones are dangerous for dogs. If your dog has eaten any of these, contact a vet straight away.

Xylitol – a sweetener found in some chewing gums, sweets and peanut butters – can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and liver damage in dogs. If you suspect your dog has eaten some, contact a vet urgently.

A small piece of hard, not too salty cheese is fine for many dogs as an occasional treat. Cheese is fatty and high in calories, so keep amounts small, and it can cause diarrhoea in lactose-intolerant dogs.

Natural peanut butter without sugar, salt and especially without xylitol is generally fine for dogs in small amounts, for example to fill a toy. Always read the ingredients, because xylitol is very dangerous for dogs.

Many dogs do well with carrots, cucumber, apples without seeds, blueberries or pumpkin in small pieces. Do not give grapes, raisins, onions or garlic, and introduce new foods gradually.

Sausages, ham and other processed meats are salty, fatty and often seasoned, for example with garlic or onion. They are better replaced with meat treats made for dogs or plain cooked lean meat without seasoning.