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Vet-Approved
This article has been rigorously reviewed and validated by Dr. Annina Müller, med. vet., an accomplished veterinarian who earned her veterinary degree at the University of Bern, specializing in Small Animal Surgery. Her expertise ensures that the advice provided is both current and accurate in the field of veterinary medicine.
Dog treats are excellent for rewarding dogs when they follow commands correctly. Treats help boost the bond between you and your pup, and offer a way to add variety to your dog's diet. However, choose healthy treats and use them moderately. Vets recommend treats not exceed 10% of daily caloric intake.
In this article, we'll explore the main reasons dogs love treats and provide tips for finding nutritious options your dog will enjoy.
4 Main Reasons Why Dogs Like Treats So Much
Let's get straight into the four main reasons why most dogs love dog treats.
1. Smell And Taste
One of the main reasons dogs love treats is because they're more enticing in terms of smell and flavor than regular kibble or wet food.
It's hard to deny that most dog treats smell much stronger than regular dog food, and assuming the ingredients in the treats are high quality, they should taste better as well.
A big part of this is that dog treats don't have to be nutritionally balanced like complete dog food, which means they can offer different flavors and textures.
Luckily for us, it doesn't take long to figure out if dogs love a treat or not. Offer them a treat, and you'll know in a matter of seconds if they like it or not.
2. Variety
Another main reason why most dogs love treats is because they're so different from their normal dog food, not only in flavor but also in texture, scent, and size.
You'll struggle to find a dog that will turn down their favorite treat; even dogs that aren't very food-motivated will struggle to resist their favorite treat when it's offered to them.
The taste and smell obviously influence this, but also because it's something different to their daily routine, which can become very repetitive if you allow it.
If you haven't found a treat that your dog can't resist yet, we recommend trying many different flavors and types of treats. It's also worth checking the ingredient list to ensure the treats are high-quality.
Our single ingredient sweet potato dog treats are great to test out with your pup if you're struggling to find options.
3. Reward Driven
Most dogs have a pretty high drive to please their owners unless you're talking about the notoriously stubborn Spitz-type breeds.
Popular dogs like the German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever, for example, love to please their owners, and one way of doing this is by performing a command or task, which is shortly followed by a treat.
This is why treats are a great way to train your dog, and it's also why many dogs love treats, as they become quickly associated with the reward system for training.
4. Chewing
Dog chew treats can be very beneficial for dogs because they can keep your pup busy for hours and provide lots of mental stimulation at the same time.
Popular dog chew treats include Himalayan Yak Cheese and dental chew treats.
Higher maintenance dogs can benefit greatly from having a chew treat as it distracts them for long periods of time without the owner having to do anything.
How To Find A Treat That Your Dog Loves
Some dogs can be pickier than others when it comes to accepting treats, so here are a few tips for finding a dog treat that your pup will enjoy.
Experiment With Different Treats
If your dog spits out a treat or refuses to eat it, keep the type of treat in mind, as it's clear that it doesn’t like the flavor. This is a whole different story if your dog is hiding the treats after spitting them out, though.
This isn't very common, as most dogs still instinctually eat just about anything they can, but some dogs in the modern age can become very picky as they know that food is always available.
From there, experiment with different flavors and types of treats. There's a lot of variety out there, so experiment with as many treats as possible until you find one that your pup enjoys.
Our single ingredient sweet potato treats are a great starting point as they don’t contain any harmful ingredients or chemicals and are 100% natural.
Use Positive Reinforcement
If your pup isn't confident about eating any treats, make sure you give them plenty of positive reinforcement when offering the treats.
Ideally, give your pup a simple command like sit, and then offer the treat once complete with lots of verbal praise.
This will help build their confidence and strengthen the trust between you and them over time.
Can't You Use Human Food Instead?
Some human foods like cooked chicken or certain fruits like watermelon are great for dog treats. However, there are many that should be avoided completely as they pose a real threat to your dog's health.
For example, chocolate is toxic to dogs and can be fatal in rare cases.
Another example is xylitol, a common sweetener found in many foods, from baked goods to certain types of peanut butter. It is highly toxic to dogs and can lead to death.
It's much easier to stick to dog treats as you know that these are safe for consumption; they'll also last a lot longer than other human foods.
