Show appreciation for your dog the right way

We all love spoiling our pets, and one of our favorite ways to do so is with their favorite treats. While treating our pets is a wonderful display of affection, are we doing more damage than we realize? How much is too much? Are some treats better and healthier than others?

Through a March 2021 survey conducted by OnePoll of 2,000 pet parents across the US, we learned that 6 in 10 people admitted to feeding extra table scraps and treats to their pets during the pandemic. In the same survey, 7 in 10 pet parents report that they try to eat dinner at the same time their dog does every night, which we can only assume contributes to the extra table scraps being fed. Treats are not developed as complete and balanced meals like typical dog or cat food is, meaning each treat morsel does not contain all the essential nutrients that a pet food contains. For this reason, we should only be offering treats occasionally; if there are days where you’re overindulging your pet with more treats than usual or than what’s recommended, we always suggest adjusting the amount of food your pet consumes that day as well to avoid overfeeding.

With pet parents home now more than ever due to the pandemic, there are so many more opportunities to spoil pets with extra treats and table scraps, and it’s difficult to resist the temptation to overindulge them. However, one of the best ways we can show our love and appreciation to our pets for the love and comfort they bring is by making sure we’re feeding them nutritionally balanced diets. Look for quality ingredients in your pet’s food and treats, like animal protein as the first ingredient. ACANA® High-Protein Biscuits are made with only 5 simple ingredients, plus natural preservatives and flavors, including liver and sweet potato, for a nutritious and delicious option to reward your pet.

Aside from the occasional treat, there are also a number of different ways to show your pet just how much you appreciate them. Going for a long walk, a trip to the local dog park or even extra dedicated snuggle time at home are great, non-food motivators that will let your pet know how much they mean to you.