How Many Treats Should You Give Your Dog or Cat?

Treats are a great way to strengthen the bond with our pets and reward them. But how many treats can we really give without harming their health? Let’s see together how to define the ideal amount of treats to maintain a healthy nutritional balance.

Understanding the Role of Treats in Your Pet's Diet

Treats play a unique and valuable role in our pets’ diets, whether it’s to reinforce positive behavior, occupy their attention, or even provide additional nutrients. There are several reasons to offer treats, each with its own specific benefits: training treats, used frequently to reward good behavior, thus promoting rapid and positive learning. Chew treats, on the other hand, satisfy their natural need to chew, contributing to their oral health and helping them relax. Finally, some treats can also play a role as a nutritional supplement, providing omega-3, protein or fiber beneficial for their general well-being.

However, it is essential to remember that while treats are a pleasure, they are not a substitute for a complete and balanced diet. Too many treats could unbalance their diet and lead to excess weight or other health problems.

Our eco-friendly treats made in Canada are carefully formulated to provide maximum nutritional benefits while being balanced and versatile. Rich in high-quality proteins and essential nutrients, they can complement your pet's diet, provide beneficial chewing activity or be used during training.

Factors to Consider

Determining the ideal amount of treats for your pet depends on several factors specific to each dog or cat, including their size, activity level, and basic diet. Here are the main things to consider to avoid overindulging while still allowing them to enjoy these little treats:

1. Size and weight of the animal
   The amount of treats should be adapted to your pet's size. As a general rule, smaller animals, such as cats and small dogs, require fewer calories, so smaller portions compared to larger dogs. Distributing treats in proportion to size helps limit the risk of excess weight while still providing an appropriate reward.

2. Activity level
   An athletic dog or a cat that loves to explore and play needs more energy on a daily basis. Conversely, sedentary animals, who spend more time indoors, risk gaining weight if their treat intake is too high. Adjusting the amount of treats according to the activity level helps keep them fit and healthy.

3. Basic power supply type
   If your pet is already eating a calorie-dense or nutrient-enriched food, it’s important to reduce treat portions to avoid a calorie overload. Low-fat, high-protein treats can be an alternative for pets with specific dietary needs, such as those prone to obesity. Choosing a healthy kibble could also be an alternative to treats.

See our cat kibble

See our dog kibble

The 10% Rule for a Balanced Diet

The 10% rule means that if your pet needs 270g of kibble per day, 10% of this intake can be substituted with treats. To help illustrate this calculation, let's look at an example with our kibble and treats:

Practical calculation

You can do the math based on the number of grams or calories in your pet's daily ration. Take our Atlantic formula for example, which provides 500 calories per 135g cup.

• Daily ration : 2 cups = 270g = 1000 calories
• 10% of the ration : 27g or 100 calories

To illustrate this quantity, our wild capelin weigh on average 5g per unit which could represent approximately 5 fish per day. Depending on how you want to offer the treats to your companion, you can crumble them or break them into smaller pieces to support a learning period or to give them during the day.

The Right Times to Give Your Pet Treats

Knowing when and how to give your pet treats is essential for their well-being and health. The best times to reward your dog or cat include training sessions, after a walk, or during playtime, as these occasions reinforce positive behaviors and create a strong bond between you and your companion.

It is also important not to offer treats just before meals . This could disrupt your pet's appetite and reduce their desire for their food bowl.

TIP: If you want to reward your pet without affecting their regular calorie intake, you can also opt for good quality, appetizing kibble . In this case, you can simply reduce the rations offered in their bowl during meals to keep some for training or periods of mental stimulation such as interactive toys for example.

Treats play an important role in your pet’s nutrition and well-being. By following the 10% rule, choosing appropriate times to reward your companion, and opting for nutritious treats, you can provide healthy pleasures that strengthen your bond while supporting their health. Make every treat a fun and beneficial moment for your pet!