Are You Giving Your Pet Too Many Treats?

Whether you’re using it as a form of reward, for training purposes or simply to show your pet a little extra love, treats play an important role in our furry friends lives.

And, as a pet parent you may be wondering:

“How often should I be giving my pet a treat? Am I giving them too many, too little? What are other pet owners doing?" 

In order to figure out how many treats a typical pet owners gives their best friend, we surveyed our Fursure Cardholders on their treat-giving habits. 

Let’s dig into the results and find out how your treat behaviors compare.

How Often Do Pet Parents Give Treats?

Our survey of treat behavior was simple, we conducted a brief study of our cardholders, asking them: “How often do you give your pets a treat?”

In short, we found out that our customers love to treat their pets pretty frequently. 58.3% of pet parents said they give their pets multiple treats per day. Another 23.1% answered that they give their pets a treat once a day, while 6.9% said every other day.

A smaller portion of pet parents opted for weekly (3.7%) or monthly (4.2%) treats instead, while 3.7% reported that their pets don't get any treats at all.

It’s pretty clear from the results that treat giving behavior by pet parents is truly unique to the owner.

What You Should Know About Treat-Giving

Now, that we know how average pet parent treat their pet, let’s expand of what you should know about treat-giving.

In all circumstances, overfeeding your pets can have a negative affect on their health. So, it’s important to pay attention to how many treats you are giving your pet per day - in short, keep count!

Additionally, not all treats are created equal. Many pet owners are unaware of ingredients that can be negative for your pet’s health that are found in commonly purchased treats. Always read the ingredients and be mindful of want you’re feeding your furry baby.

But, remember giving your pet treats is completely safe and even encouraged behavior. Treats are used for a variety of reasons such as rewarding for good behavior, in training exercises, while on walks and just as a way to show your pet a little extra love and affection.

Like everything in life, moderation is key, but don’t afraid to throw your pet a tasty bone every once in a while.

Healthy Treat Options To Consider

To wrap up, here are a few healthy ingredients that you should pay attention to when purchasing or making your own homemade treats. Aim to find treats using ingredients like fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains.

Here are some simple treat ideas:

• Carrots and apples: A great low-calorie snacks for dogs.
• Chicken or turkey: Cooked, lean meats like chicken or turkey are full of protein.
• Oats and whole wheat flour: Use this to make your own homemade dog biscuits packed with fiber and whole grains.
• Fish: Salmon, tuna or sardines are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids to keep your pet’s fur shiny and healthy.

When choosing a treat that’s best for your pet, you can always consult your veterinarian as to which is most effective for their age and health.

As you can see, the survey results showed that most pet parents reward their pets with treats from time to time. Moderation and healthy ingredients are the key components to ensuring that treat time is good for your pet and their lifelong health.