What is it about pet treats that can make even the most unruly pet obey us in exchange for a small portion of something that tastes so good they can barely contain themselves? It is an ingredient found in some of the most popular dog and cat treats. It is addictive, causes weight gain and could ultimately shorten your pet’s lifespan and is commonly referred to as sugar.

kibble crack

Just like humans, dogs and cats can develop a sweet tooth and crave sugary snacks, which are essentially junk pet food. The sugar in some pet treats can create almost addictive cravings that have earned them the name “kibble.” Read the ingredient label on your pet’s favorite treats. If any of the following are listed as one of the first five ingredients on the label, your pet’s treats are doing more harm than good:

1. corn syrup
2. Sugar
3. Fructose
4. saccharose
5. Dextrose
6. maltodextrin

Sugar-laden treats are a major culprit in the pet obesity epidemic and can lead to excessive weight gain over time. An overweight pet can suffer from arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure, any of which can shorten her life and take a toll on your wallet due to more frequent visits to the vet.

calories count too

In addition to the high sugar content, another concern with pet treats is the number of calories per serving. Often undisclosed on the packaging, most of us don’t know how many calories we’re adding to our pets’ diet by giving them treats. According to Marion Nestlé, author of Feed your pet correctlyIf the candy package does not include calories, you should assume 3-4 calories per gram, (ie a 3 gram per serving treat would have between 9 and 12 calories per serving). Treats should not account for more than 10% of your pet’s daily caloric requirements to maintain their ideal weight. Some rawhide and larger chews Greenies Dental Chews may contain 100 calories or more, which can far exceed the recommended 10% rule of thumb, depending on your dog’s size and calorie requirements.

A new marketing trick

Treats are big business for the pet industry and the newest marketing gimmick is treats that promote healthy benefits like healthier hips and joints. There is no government oversight or scientific basis for these claims. When Consumer Lab tested joint health supplements for dogs and cats, it found that a popular treat, Dogswell Happy Hips Chicken Breast with Glucosamine and Chondroitin, contained only 6% of the claimed glucosamine and only 15.9% of the claimed chondroitin; amounts too insignificant to provide any benefit claimed.

Healthy Options

With 88% of dog owners and 68% of cat owners giving treats to their pets according to the American Pet Products Association, we’re not suggesting that pet owners eliminate this beloved ritual. We suggest the following eight tips to ensure your act of love promotes a healthy pet:

1. Read the ingredient label: Pet treats with sugar, corn syrup, fructose, sucrose, or dextrose in the first five ingredients should be avoided. A very common filler in pet food, maltodextrin, is another name to look for on the label. It has a high level of glucose, so it should be avoided if it is a main ingredient.
2. Opt for natural sweeteners: Choose treats with applesauce, molasses, or honey as a sweetening ingredient if you want to treat your pet to a sweet treat.
3. Try Veggie Chews for Dogs: Opt for all-natural, plant-based dog chews made from sweet potatoes instead of animal-based rawhide chews. Some raw hides are high in calories and can be treated with chemicals and bleach.
4. Consider homemade or naturally moistened cat treats: Try giving your cat a small piece of cut up chicken or fish as a treat. If you prefer to buy packaged treats, look for those moistened with vegetable glycerin instead of a chemical moisturizer like propylene glycol.
5. Try dog ​​treats with fresh fruits and vegetables: Opt for low-calorie vegetables or fruits as treats for your dog instead of packaged treats. Baby carrots, sliced ​​apples, and green beans are all good choices.
6. Don’t trust candy with health claims: Discuss supplement options with your veterinarian for your pet’s ailments rather than relying on treats that claim to provide adequate nutrients to support a healthy heart or joints.
7. Use VOHC approved dental chews: Establish a routine for practicing good dental hygiene on your pet and use Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)-approved treats to clean your pet’s teeth.
8. Learn to read and understand pet food labels: Marion Nestle’s book Feed your pet correctly Published in 2010, it is an excellent resource for pet owners who want to better understand pet food ingredients and nutrition, while also learning how to distinguish healthy pet foods with nutritious ingredients from non-nutritious pet foods. healthy.

There are many great options available for pet treats and we’ve listed a few of our favorites below. They’re low in sugar or calories, all-natural, and usually easy to find in supermarkets and big-box stores if you don’t have a pet boutique or pet supply store nearby.

Recommended treats for dogs:

1. Stella & Chewy’s Carnivore Crunch or Carnivore Kisses
2. Charlie Bear Dog Treats from Charlie Bear Dog Products
3. Jerky Naturals and other dog treats from Zukes
4. Liv-a-Littles Protein Treats for Dogs from Halopets
5. Newman’s Own Premium Dog Treats from Newman’s Own Organics
6. Cloud Star’s Original Buddy Biscuits or Muttos
7. Sam’s Yams Veggie Rawhide Sweet Potato Dog Chews by Front Porch Pets

Recommended treats for cats:

• Zukes Natural Purrz
• Liv-a-Littles Protein Treats for Cats from Halopets
• Wellness Pure Delights for Cats from WellPet LLC

Top Treats to Avoid The Pet Obesity Prevention Association Sugary treats for dogs:

• Beneful Snackin’ Slice: Fourth Ingredient Sugar
• Canine CarryOuts Chew-lotta: Dextrose First Ingredient
• Canine Carryouts Dog Treats: Corn Syrup Second Ingredient
• Cesar Softies Dog Treats: Sugar Third Ingredient
• Exclusively Dog Vanilla Flavor Sandwich Creme Dog Cookies: Sugars the first two ingredients
• Milk Bone Chewy Chicken Thighs – Third Sugar Ingredient
• Milk Bone Essentials Plus Oral Care: Third Ingredient Sugar
• Pedigree Jumbone: third ingredient of sugar
• Pedigree Jumbone Mini Snack Food for Small Dogs: Sugars 2 of 3 First Ingredients
• Pedigree Marrobone: Sugar third ingredient
• Lean Beef Pup-Peroni Recipe: Third Sugar Ingredient
• Purina Busy Chewnola: second maltodextrin ingredient
• Science Diet Simple Essentials Treats Training Adult Treats with Real Beef: Sugar third ingredient
• Snacks SnawSomes! Beef and chicken flavour: Sugars 3 of the first 4 ingredients
• Three Dog Bakery Lick ‘n Crunch: Third Dextrose Ingredient

Sugary cat treats:

• Petrodex Dental Treats for Cats: Dextrose Second Ingredient
• Meow Mix Moist Cat Treats: Corn Syrup, 4th Ingredient
• Pit’r Pat Fresh Breath Mint Flavored Cat Treats: Maltodextrin First Ingredient