FAQ: Treats for dogs

An occasional cat treat will usually not harm a dog, but cat treats are made for cats' nutritional needs and are often fattier and higher in calories. For regular treats it is better to use ones made for dogs.

Dry, non-crumbly treats in an airtight container that do not spoil in the heat are good for a trip. If the dog gets car sick, give less food and fewer treats before and during the journey, and ask a vet about motion sickness.

Bringing in animal-origin products is governed by each country's rules, especially when travelling outside the European Union. Check the destination country's requirements before travelling; similar treats can often be bought locally.

In the heat, soft treats spoil faster, fats can turn rancid and moisture builds up inside the pack, causing mould. For longer periods keep treats somewhere cool and, when travelling, in a cool bag.

Keep treats in airtight containers in a dry, cool place, off the floor and away from the cooker. Large amounts are worth splitting into smaller portions so only one is opened frequently.

The holiday table is often dangerous for dogs: fatty dishes, bones, chocolate, raisins, onions and alcohol can cause serious problems. For holidays it is better to have a treat made for dogs and ask guests not to feed the dog.

These are calendars whose windows contain dog treats instead of sweets. Opening one window a day gives the dog a small treat, which is worth counting in its daily calories.

A dog's birthday cake can be made from dog-safe ingredients such as wet food, lean meat, pumpkin or plain yoghurt. Do not add sugar, chocolate, raisins or xylitol, and size the portion to the dog.

The most common mistakes are too many treats a day, the wrong chew size, not supervising the dog while it chews, giving food from the table and rewarding unwanted behaviour such as begging or barking.

A handy approach is to count out the day's treat allowance into a separate jar each morning for everyone to take from. When the jar is empty, no more treats are given that day.

Preservatives protect treats from mould and rancid fats, especially soft products that contain moisture. Some manufacturers use natural antioxidants such as tocopherols, and dry dried treats often need no preservatives at all.

‘Natural’ usually means the product contains no artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives, but it is best to check the exact meaning in the ingredient list. Being natural does not by itself mean a treat suits every dog.

Glycerine helps soft treats retain moisture and flexibility so they do not dry out. In permitted amounts it is considered safe, but if you prefer a simpler ingredient list, choose dried treats.

Treats made for dogs usually contain little salt, but some, especially those shaped like processed meat products, have more. Lots of salty snacks are not good, and the dog should always have access to fresh water.

The stated percentage shows what share of the product is meat or animal-derived ingredients. Note whether it refers to fresh meat, which contains a lot of water, or dried meat, as this changes the real meat content of the finished treat.

Hypoallergenic treats are usually made from less allergenic or hydrolysed proteins. They are no guarantee the dog will not react, so for an allergic dog treats are best agreed with a vet.

The origin of ingredients can indicate which production and control requirements apply. Dog treats made or sold in the European Union must meet feed safety requirements, and information about the manufacturer can be found on the pack.

First decide what the treat is for – training, chewing or teeth – and choose by the dog's size, age and sensitivity to ingredients. Then compare the ingredients, calorie content and price per kilogram.

A larger pack is often cheaper per kilogram, but it only pays off if you use the treats before they dry out or expire. When trying new treats for the first time, a smaller pack is worth buying.

Chews sold per piece vary a lot in size and weight, so check how much one piece weighs and how long it keeps the dog busy. Where the weight is stated, the price per kilogram lets you compare different packs.