Creature Companion - Interzoo Special September 2019 | Page 14

Pet Care
RESPONSIBLE
TREATING
By Priyanka Tanwar *
P
Pet owners
should search for
chews and treats
appropriate for the
size of their dogs.
Th e ideal chews
should be slightly
larger than the
pet’s mouth.
et parents employ treats and chews
to strengthen their bond with their
four legged friends. Treats are
not only used as a motivational tool for
obedience training but also as reward for
good behavior; encouragement for exercise;
and health supplements for oral health and
joint wellness. Regardless of these benefi ts,
many delicious chews and treats do not
supply essential nutrients for canine and
feline health. Overindulging your pets
with these appetising delights can result in
nutritional defi ciencies. Th us, it becomes
all the more essential to regulate the use of
these delectable snacks. nutritional feed and cause serious health
issues like stomach upsets and food
poisoning.
Treats and chews should ideally comprise
not more than 15 percent of the pet’s daily
nutritional requirements. Pet parents
should make it a point to refer to the
feeding chart provided on the packages of
pet snacks to avoid feeding excess amounts
of treats to their pet companions. Th is is
especially true for functional snacks such
as dental and joint health chews where
exceeding the recommended amount may
result in obesity and other health disorders.
Pet owners should strictly avoid feeding
table scraps and human snacks to their
pets as these can distort the animal’s daily Pet
owners
should
search
for
chews
and
treats
appropriate
for the size of their dogs. Th e
ideal
chews
should
be
slightly
larger than the pet’s mouth. Parental
supervision is necessary while treating
to avoid the rare circumstance of
choking. Additionally, pet treats should be
used alongside a nutritionally balanced diet
composed of essential minerals, vitamins,
fatty acids and proteins. Pets should be
provided plenty of fresh water throughout
the day (cold water in summer) to avoid
dehydration.
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A number of eff ectual strategies can be
employed by pet parents to ensure their pet’s
complete enjoyment of snacks. A specifi c
part of the pet’s dry food can be utilised
as treats during training, exercise and play
sessions. Larger treats can be eff ectively
broken down into small sections for more
number of rewards. Th is suggestion,
however, does not work with dental chews
and functional treats as it reduces their
effi ciency. Pet parents can consider taking
advantage of non-food based rewards such
as grooming sessions, toys and play periods
to reinforce appropriate behaviour in their
best friends. Lastly, owners should not
forget the importance of a regular exercise
pattern to ensure their pet’s overall health,
and physical and mental wellbeing.
* Editor