How to choose ready-made treats for dogs: a review of the 10 best companies and important rules

In what cases is it allowed to treat your dog with treats?

You can give your pet a treat in the following cases:

• during training for the correct execution of commands;
• if it is necessary to distract the dog;
• when changing teeth, it helps to itch the gums;
• in the presence of tartar, to clean the teeth;
• to boost immunity – some delicacies contain vitamins and minerals;
• to give the animal medicine.

Note! You can give your baby treats when he performs some simple actions correctly, for example, going to the toilet in the right place.

How to give treats when teaching

When training a dog, treats must be given correctly to stimulate the animal. The first piece is given only so that the dog understands that the owner has something tasty. Treats are then given out only if the command is completed correctly. Before pronouncing a command, they show a piece, and give it back after it is executed.

It is recommended to take short breaks between giving out goodies, otherwise the animal will only work for food and will not follow commands on its own.

Important! You should not choose harmful products as a reward, so as not to harm the animal. Give natural food from the hand, placing it in the central part of the palm.

There are treats containing vitamins and nutrients

Why does a dog need treats and how to give them correctly?

Every owner knows well what his dog likes to eat most. But not all foods that a dog loves so much can be given regularly, so it is recommended to pamper your pet with such treats only on special occasions. Let's consider in what situations dogs are fed treats that are not included in the daily diet.

When can you give your dog treats:

1. When teaching and training for good behavior and obedience.
2. When you need to distract the dog from something. 3. When changing baby teeth, give hard treats that act as scratchers for the gums. 4. When tartar appears in dogs, to clean tooth enamel from plaque. 5. Some treats contain vitamins, mineral complexes and other microelements beneficial to the body. These tasty treats will help strengthen your immune system. Recommended for puppies and adult dogs. 6. Treats can also be used in situations where your dog needs to be given medication. 7. Young puppies can be periodically rewarded with treats for each new achievement - after the first visit to the toilet, following certain commands, etc. It is also not necessary to always use a treat as a reward. You can replace it with praise, stroking or playing together. There are no special tips for giving treats to animals in a situation where the owner simply wants to pamper his beloved pet. But if treats are used to train a dog, then some points need to be taken into account.

How to give treats correctly during training:

1. The first piece of the stored treat can be given before the start of training, showing the dog that you have an incentive prize for him.
This will be a good motivation for her. 2. Treats are given only as a reward for certain achievements. It is undesirable to pamper your dog with treats without a reason, as the dog will quickly lose interest in following the owner’s commands. 3. You need to offer the dog a treat before giving the command, and only reward the pet after it is completed. 4. Treats given out during training should not be large, otherwise the dog will quickly get full and will not want to continue training. But you should not use too small pieces when training, as they will become too weak a motivation for the animal and the dog simply will not want to carry out the given commands. 5. You should not reward your dog with a treat after completing each command. There must be breaks between the distribution of treats. For successes achieved during these intervals, you can praise or pet the dog, showing that you are pleased with its behavior. 6. As training treats, do not use high-calorie and unhealthy foods, as well as sweets, baked goods and food from your table. Choose exclusively high-quality and healthy products to reward your animal. You can give your dog a treat with an open hand, placing a piece in the middle of your palm. For adult dogs that control their behavior, you can use the raised hand technique, so that the dog carefully takes the treat from the owner's hands, rising on his hind legs.

Benefits and harms

Dog treats, like any food, can be beneficial or harmful to the animal. The positive aspects of such delicacies include:

• easier learning of commands;
• presence of vitamins and nutrients;
• assistance during the period of teeth change;
• cleaning from tartar.

There are special products that improve the digestive process and relieve inflammation in the oral cavity. All treats for dogs must be given out under strict control.

There are products that are not recommended to be given to dogs, so as not to harm the animals. These include:

• The intestines of ruminants - it can become a source of harmful microorganisms and cause various diseases.
• Rawhide and ears – These are often treated with dangerous chemicals that are harmful to any body.
• Products made in China do not undergo strict control, so they cannot be guaranteed to be safe.

On a note! It is also worth reading the ingredients carefully and not using products with a high content of salt, sugar and preservatives, or with unclear recipes.

Store-bought treats or homemade ones? What's better?

What you prefer to reward your pet is up to you.
With ready-made products there is less hassle, more convenience - just buy it in the store and that’s it! Homemade treats are safer and healthier for the dog, but will require a certain amount of time and effort from the owner. When choosing store-bought products as an incentive, be careful when purchasing, read all the text on the packaging (product composition, storage conditions, country of origin, expiration date, etc.). Do not buy goods at markets, they may be of poor quality.

The stores have a much wider selection. So, for puppies in the store you can choose delicious toys of a wide variety of shapes (boots, bones, balls, etc.). Pay attention to the color of the product: the lighter it is, the healthier the treat.

In addition to all kinds of crackers, biscuits, biscuits, snacks, sausages, dried tails, ears, etc., in pet stores you can also find tableted reward treats for training. These are vitamin and mineral complexes with natural additives. That is, these are synthetic drugs that contain some natural products. Keep this in mind and read the ingredients carefully.

You also need to be careful with products made from ground bones. They can cause irritation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract.

Types of treats and treats for dogs

There are a variety of pet treats on sale. There are several main groups of similar products:

• for encouragement during training;
• for the prevention of various diseases;
• specialized products for allergy sufferers;
• grain-free treats for those with sensitive digestion.

It is recommended to choose what is most suitable for the animal.

For training, motivation and encouragement

Similar products can be found in any stores.

Note! Small pieces, maybe dried, are suitable for training and training.

The most popular types of training treats for rewards:

• snacks;
• crackers;
• special cookies;
• drops;
• jerky;
• hard cheese;
• chicken, cut into small pieces.

For oral and dental care

Dental care treats contain special substances that will relieve your dog of discomfort, odor and inflammation. The most famous types of treats:

• chewing bones;
• raw vegetables and fruits;
• gelatin seeds;
• large articular bones;
• dry biscuits;
• bread croutons.

Therapeutic supplements

In specialized stores and pharmacies you can find treats that contain various vitamins and minerals. Such products do not contain harmful substances and are dietary, so they are used during treatment and for the prevention of diseases.

Review of companies producing dog treats

Pet stores sell a huge range of pet snacks in various shapes and flavors. The rating of the 10 best companies producing dog treats will help you find your way around.

"Village delicacies"

A popular Russian company whose production facilities are located in China. The products are inexpensive, made from selected meat and offal without food additives by drying at low temperatures.

It is worth noting the large number of positive reviews from dog owners. Pets are delighted with these delicacies.

The assortment is varied:

• dried poultry breasts, rabbit fillets, lamb fillets;
• toothpicks;
• sausages, meatballs;
• giblets;
• calcium bones and much more.

There is also a line of treats specifically for puppies and mini breeds.

"Titbit"

The Russian one has proven itself well in the market and attracts with affordable prices. According to the manufacturer, the treats do not contain preservatives, carcinogens or prohibited substances.

Most reviews are positive, but there are also negative ones. The latter is due to the fact that some products contain sharp and tubular bones, which can be harmful to the health of the dog.

Released by Titbit:

• dried offal;
• drops;
• chewable slices and snacks;
• sausages;
• bones;
• cookies and more etc.

"Pedigree"

World famous brand of the American company Mars. All products are made taking into account the individual needs of the breed.

Pedigree has a very wide range of treats, including:

• sticks;
• bones;
• cookie.

"Delipet"

Domestic company. Claims that their products exceed GOST standards. All ingredients are purchased from trusted suppliers. The treats contain only natural farm meat and plant ingredients, without preservatives or dyes.

Delipet produces the following treats:

• calcium bones;
• chicken and duck snacks;
• sandwiches;
• "Eskimo" etc.

Prices for goods vary from 100 to 200 rubles.

"Green QZin"

appeared 7 years ago on the basis of a Canadian-Chinese enterprise.

The company's specialty is the production of rare varieties of meat and seafood: goose, rabbit, lamb, squid, shrimp, salmon.

All snacks consist of 100% meat ingredients - no added herbal additives. The products are simply cut into pieces and dried.

The delicacies are expensive: a 750 g package will cost 1,000 – 1,500 rubles. But the high quality justifies the price.

"Royal Canin"

World famous French company. Optimal in terms of price-quality ratio.

Products for the domestic market are manufactured in the Russian branch under the control of the head office.

The range of treats for dogs at Royal Canina is represented only by snacks for training and for dogs with increased activity. A 50 g package costs about 60 rubles.

"Orijen"

One of the best pet food companies. Located in Canada. The products belong to the holistic class - all plant and animal products are grown in environmentally friendly conditions.

Orijen produces only freeze-dried treats. The price for a 50 g package starts from 400 rubles.

"Mnyams"

Products are manufactured in Europe and comply with international IFS and BRC standards.

According to the composition, snacks from Mnyans are enriched with vitamins and essential elements, but contain preservatives and antioxidants.

According to owners' reviews, even the pickiest dogs like the treats.

The assortment is presented:

• dental sticks and brushes;
• cold cuts;
• sausages;
• biscuits, etc.

"Pro Plan"

Pro Plan is a Purina brand. A well-established company that has been supplying products to the domestic market for decades.

Treats you can buy:

• snacks to support oral health;
• training treats;
• biscuits.

Types of treats for dogs of different breeds

Representatives of each breed have their own sizes, so they produce different treats for them.

Large size treats suitable for large breed dogs

For large and medium breeds

For large dogs, choose large-sized treats. Such products provide more energy and contain many useful substances.

For small breeds

Small dogs (Chihuahuas, Toy Terriers) need small treats. In addition, small breeds often have weak teeth and stomachs, so all products are manufactured taking these features into account.

Note! For such animals, you can use homemade healthy products, cut into small pieces. It’s better to avoid large and hard treats.

For puppies

You can find many interesting and useful products for kids. Treats for puppies contain all the beneficial vitamins and minerals necessary for the normal development of the animal. You should carefully read the information on the packaging of puppy treats before purchasing the product.

DIY dog treats

You can prepare a tasty reward for your pet yourself. The main thing is that your dog likes it. Consider her taste preferences.

Cheese

To encourage, the cheese is cut into small pieces, approximately 1x1cm. Not all animals like this treat, but some simply adore it. It is important to consider that this is a fairly high-calorie product; in some dogs it causes allergic reactions and indigestion. Using cheese as a bonus, take plenty of water to class as it makes you thirstier.

Chicken fillet and offal

Almost all pets like this reward, and it is also low in calories and good for health. Chicken or offal (stomachs, heart, etc.) must be boiled and cut into pieces. The only problem that can arise is that such a reward will quickly crumble in a bag; it is better to use containers made of hard materials (tin can, plastic container).

Sausage

Store-bought sausages and sausages intended for people are very popular with dogs and are great for motivating them during training. But we should not forget that the usefulness of such products for a pet’s health is very small. They are more harmful, since they contain various chemical additives, dyes, and flavors. To minimize the risk to your pet's health, you can prepare homemade sausages. To do this, grind the chicken fillet, add chopped vegetables that are healthy for dogs (pumpkin, carrots) to the minced meat, and form the mixture into small sausages, wrapping them in cling film. Boil these sausages in boiling water and you will have an excellent and healthy delicacy. And the remaining broth can be used to prepare porridge.

Crackers

Many dogs love to crunch on crackers. It's not difficult to prepare them. Simply cut the rye bread into pieces and dry it in the oven. You can sprinkle the crackers a little with vegetable oil.

Dried fruits and vegetables

It’s easy to prepare such a treat; you just need to cut vegetables or fruits that are healthy for your dog into pieces and dry them. For example, pumpkin, carrots, apples, and apricots are perfect. For dogs, such treats will seem like sweets.

Dried meat and offal

Before drying meat products, they must be boiled. It is better to use beef products, but you can also use pork ears. The products must be cut into strips and dried in the oven.

Meat biscuits

This delicacy is made from minced meat, eggs and flour. There is no need to add salt to the mixture. Make cookies from the minced meat and place in the oven for 15 minutes.

Criteria for choosing dog treats

Choosing treats is a serious matter; your pet’s health depends on the right approach.

There are several features and requirements that must be taken into account:

• First of all, you should focus on the pet’s preferences - choose what will bring joy to the animal and is the most desirable.
• It is recommended to choose healthy foods; avoid fatty, fried, smoked and sweet foods.
• Be sure to read the composition of the product.
• You should not choose inexpensive dog treats; as a rule, they are of low quality. It’s better to take less, but more expensive and better in composition.
• It is necessary to consult a specialist if the animal has any allergies or other diseases before giving it the product.

Important! Don't forget that goodies have an expiration date.

Easy recipes: how to prepare a snack at home?

Homemade treats are the safest for dogs. The owner chooses the products himself, so he can be sure of the quality of homemade treats and the absence of harmful ingredients.

To pamper your dog, you can prepare delicious treats at home using the following recipes.

Meat biscuits

100 g of any minced meat or offal is mixed with an egg. Add flour to make a dough with a creamy consistency. Roll into balls or cut out figures from the sheet. Bake in the oven for half an hour at 180°C.

Dried meat

They take any type of meat or offal. The product is pre-kept in the freezer for 3 days. Then cut into strips or pieces. You can use both raw and boiled meat. The chopped treat is placed in the oven and dried. The first 20 - 30 minutes are baked at 180°C, then the temperature is reduced to 70 - 100°C.

Pumpkin crackers

The vegetable is cut into small cubes. Throw into boiling water for 10 minutes. Take out and dry in the oven or microwave.

Curd snacks

100 g of cottage cheese are mixed with softened butter and yolk. Make balls, sprinkle them with crushed oatmeal, and bake for half an hour.

Crackers

Black or whole grain bread is cut into cubes. Dry in the oven so that the cracker is hard on top and soft inside. You can season the dish with olive oil.

Rating of the best treats for dogs

To make it easier to choose what is best for your dog, you can read various ratings on the Internet. The following products are popular:

• PEDIGREE "Markies";
• Country Delicacies "Bunny Ears";
• Titbit “Meat muesli”;
• Happy Dog line products;
• Bosch Biscuit “Lamb and Rice”.

Each treat for dogs has its own characteristics. You should carefully study the label before purchasing so as not to purchase harmful products. Treats help with training; in addition, you can simply pamper your pet with them from time to time. It is recommended to change the treats every month so that your pet does not get used to it.

What kind of treats are there?

Ready-made products can be chosen according to the dog’s teeth: for older “seniors” - soft, for mature dogs - tougher. Manufacturers often produce one type of bones or sausages in different sizes - portions for small, medium, large individuals. Treats come in different types:

• Meat, leather, offal, dried at low temperatures.
• Combined products, pressed together under pressure on special equipment from meat, cereals, vegetables.
• Baking without salt, sugar with the addition of meat ingredients
• Ropes, loops - push-pull toys with dried meat by-products attached to the rope.