Stopping all treats – We all likely realize that treats can represent a substantial source of calories if they’re given out too generously. Things get even more complicated when you realize that there is no requirement that the manufacturers of treats put the calorie count on the packaging, so you’re left in the dark when figuring out how many treats is too many treats. But if your dog has been used to getting food rewards for performing good deeds and you stop or seriously curtail his daily treat intake, you’re likely going to have a frustrated pup, especially since you’re likely already cutting back on the amount of food you’re feeding.
Consider replacing most treats with healthy foods, such as frozen broccoli florets or baby carrots. Rawhides can have a startling amount of calories, so you’ll want to cut back on or stop those altogether, but consider replacing them with something like a Kong that’s been loaded with some of his daily allotment of kibble (soak for a few minutes in a small amount of low-sodium chicken broth or water to increase volume) and then frozen. These treats are tasty and provide a welcome diversion for a substantial period of time.
