Dogs and treats are a true love match. But have you ever wondered why your dog loves its treats often more than their dinner? Your pet looks at its dog treat in a whole different way than its kibble. This goes beyond the frantic tail wagging whenever the treat box comes out. We’re looking at why your furry friend loves their treats, along with some of the surprising benefits.
Dogs tend to associate treats with some of their best times. You know things like walks, reaching training goals, and the expected reward every time you walk through the door. Yep, dogs can associate their treats with you coming home after a long day of being away.
Did you know treats can also give your dog comfort when you’re off on vacation? Yup, dogs are much happier eating treats when being looked after by a pet lover in the comfort of their own home. Here’s a look at a few other reasons your furry best friend loves their dog treats.
Many furry family members are given the same dog food day in, day out. There isn’t anything necessarily wrong with that. Your dog’s food is likely packed with vital nutrients, providing a whole host of health benefits.
But when a treat rolls around that’s in an exciting new flavor, giving off an irresistible scent they’re not used to, and with a whole new texture to explore, that’s the stuff of your dog’s dreams.
As a pet parent, you’ve probably made use of a dog treat or ten during your dog’s training period. Whether it was in the early days when they were getting the basics of sit and stay or more recently with Instagram-worthy dog tricks, treats play a central role throughout your pup’s training.
So, what does this mean for our furry friends? Why does giving pets treats during training make them hold treats in such high regard?
Even though dog training certainly has your pup’s brain ticking, it’s seriously rewarding for dogs. They love to please, and the treat given at that peak moment of achievement will only become more associated with all of those positive feelings.
So, why do dogs like treats, aside from those delectable, meaty notes and textures that are chewy enough to make even the strongest of canines go wild? Well, your pup likely associates treats with some of their best times in life.
Whether it’s when you arrive home from work, during walkies, or amidst a high-energy training session, dog owners reward their pups with treats throughout. And the more this happens, the more likely your doggo will be to get excited over a treat the moment they catch a whiff. So, next time you give a dog a treat, think about the memory they might associate with it.
Ever noticed that dog treats are stronger in smell than your pup’s kibble? Well, they’re supposed to. Just imagine how that smells to dogs, whose sense of smell is between 10,000 and 100,000 stronger than ours. In a nutshell, simply irresistible.
It’s no wonder some dogs prefer dog treats over dinner. They’re packed with the good stuff dogs love, like beef, lamb, and fish. So, while the scent is sure to get your dog’s snout twitching for more, pet parents can rest assured they’re also bursting with nutritional benefits and great for their pet’s health.
Dog treats aren’t just tasty and fun to chew. Pups who have dog treat dispensers and treat-dispensing puzzle toys at home enjoy getting their brains ticking, working for the treats they love.
Yup, feeding your dog doesn’t have to be boring for your doggo. You can browse through the various treat toys on the market, you’re not going to find a shortage of fun options. You can also invest in a lick mat. This is perfect for pet parents handing out natural dog treats for their pooches to snack on, like dog-friendly peanut butter.
While your furry friend is definitely all about the taste and scent that dog treats offer, dogs love something gristly to chomp away at.
Whether it’s a chew, jerky, pig’s ear, or cartilage, dogs love a tasty treat that taps into their natural instinct to chew. Yup, your canine pal could be gnawing on a dog treat for hours on end and having a whale of a time. It feels great on their gums, curbs plaque and tartar build-up, and improves their dental health all around. So don’t hold back on the dog treats.
