Milly Gaines
If your pet is on a special diet, it can be challenging to find treats that are safe for them to eat. For dogs, it is important to stick to the diet recommended by your veterinarian, and treats should not exceed 10% of their daily caloric intake. Some options for dogs on a prescription diet include plain rice cakes, raw fruits and vegetables (except onions and garlic), and their regular dry kibble. For cats on a CKD Hills Science Diet, one option is to bake small balls of canned cat food on a cookie sheet until crunchy.
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What You'll Learn
Homemade treats should not exceed 10% of daily intake
If your dog is on a special diet, it is important to feed them only the food that has been recommended by a veterinarian and avoid other foods, treats, and table scraps unless approved. Treats should not exceed 10% of your dog's total daily intake. This is because, unlike regular dog food, treats are usually made with one goal in mind: to taste and smell great.
If your dog is on a prescription diet, you can purchase prescription treats that are compatible with some prescription diets. You can also give your dog their dry kibble as treats. Measure out the daily amount of food and put a portion of the food where you normally store your treats and use it throughout the day.
If you want to make your own treats, you can use raw fruit or vegetables (except onions and garlic). You can also use plain rice cakes, or your dog's favourite biscuit, but only give them three per day. You can also use canned or frozen green beans.
- Place bite-sized pieces of canned dog food on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake at 350° F for 30 minutes.
- Cool completely before serving to your dog.
- Store in the refrigerator for one week.
You can also try this:
- Roll small balls of canned wet food and place them on a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet.
- Place in the freezer until solid.
- This makes for an excellent summer treat!
Remember, the mental stimulation of receiving something is as rewarding as the treat itself, so your dog won’t feel like they are missing out.
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Raw fruit or vegetables are great treats (except onions and garlic)
If your dog is on a prescription diet, it's important to feed them only the food that has been recommended by a veterinarian and avoid other foods, treats, and table scraps unless approved by the vet. However, if your vet approves, raw fruits and vegetables are great treats to give your dog, except for onions and garlic. Onions contain thiosulfate, which can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia, while garlic also belongs to the onion family and is toxic to dogs.
- Apples: An excellent source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber. Remove the seeds and core first.
- Bananas: Contain healthy amino acids and potassium, which can improve a dog's heart health and blood pressure. However, they have extremely high sugar content, so they should be limited to avoid hyperactivity.
- Carrots: High in fiber and beta-carotene, which produces vitamin A. Crunching on raw carrots is also great for your dog's teeth.
- Celery: Contains vitamins A, B, and C, as well as nutrients that promote a healthy heart and possibly fight cancer. Celery is also known to freshen doggy breath.
- Green beans: Full of important vitamins and minerals, fiber, and low in calories. They can be fed to dogs chopped, steamed, raw, or canned, as long as they are plain.
- Peas: Rich in protein, vitamins A, B1, B6, C, and K, minerals, and dietary fiber. They can be fed frozen or steamed.
- Watermelon: Full of vitamins A, B-6, and C, as well as potassium. Remove the rind and seeds first to avoid intestinal blockage.
When preparing fruits and vegetables for your dog, it's important to avoid adding any seasonings, oil, or butter. While butter is not toxic, it has a high-fat content and doesn't offer any health benefits. Also, make sure to cut the treats into bite-sized pieces that are easy for your dog to chew and swallow.
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Avoid treats, table scraps, and other foods unless approved by your vet
It is very important to feed your dog only the specific diet that has been recommended by your veterinarian and avoid other foods, treats, and table scraps unless approved by them. This is because your vet has recommended this diet because they feel it is in the best interest of your dog's health.
Table scraps can be harmful to dogs as the human digestive system is different from a dog's. Human food is often too rich and fatty for a dog to properly digest, which can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and even severe conditions like pancreatitis. Many human foods also contain an unhealthy amount of sodium, artificial sweeteners, and calories for dogs. For example, just one ounce of cheddar cheese for a 20-pound dog is the caloric equivalent of one and a half hamburgers for a person.
Human food can also contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, almonds, onions, garlic, and xylitol are all dangerous for dogs to eat. Bones can also be hazardous as they can be too small, sharp, and brittle for dogs to safely chew on, causing intestinal perforations and blockages.
If you want to give your dog treats, it is best to stick to single-ingredient treats, such as unsalted eggs, natural, salt-free peanut butter, or a bite of fruit or unsalted vegetables. You can also give your dog their dry kibble as treats. Measure out the daily amount of food and put a portion of the food where you normally store your treats. Most dogs don’t care what you’re giving them, as long as they’re getting something! You can also make your own treats with their canned dog food. For example, you can roll small balls of canned wet food and place them on a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Place in the freezer until solid.
Remember, it is important to oversee your dog's meals and calories. Dogs aren't good at regulating the amount of food they eat and can easily overeat, leading to weight gain and health problems such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease.
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Bake canned dog food in the oven to make treats
If your dog is on a prescription diet, it is important to feed them only the food that has been recommended by their veterinarian. You can, however, get creative and make treats from their canned dog food.
First, you will need to decide on the shape of your treats. You can either pipe small circular buttons onto a baking sheet or press the batter into the sheet and bake it as one large cookie, which can be broken into smaller pieces once baked. Alternatively, you can roll small balls of canned food and place them on a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet.
Next, you will need to decide on the texture. For soft treats, bake for 25 minutes or until brown around the edges. For crunchy treats, bake for a little longer. Bake at 350° F for 30 minutes for a completely crunchy texture. If you are making smaller treats, 15 minutes on each side should be enough. For a fully crunchy biscuit that will last longer, turn the oven down to 200° F and bake for 4 hours.
You can also make treats by freezing canned food. Simply dollop some treat-sized bits of canned food onto parchment paper or into ice cube trays and put them in the freezer.
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Bully sticks are a popular dog treat but monitor intake
If your dog has been prescribed a special diet, it is important to feed them only the food that has been recommended and avoid other foods, treats, and table scraps unless approved by your veterinarian. You can, however, still give them treats in moderation. For instance, raw fruit or vegetables are great (except onions and garlic). You can also give them plain rice cakes or their favourite biscuit, but no more than three per day.
Bully sticks are a popular dog treat, but it is important to monitor your dog's intake. Bully sticks are made from beef or steer penis, which has been stretched and twisted before being dried. They are highly digestible and do not splinter, which means they are safer than some other chews. Bully sticks are also a good source of protein and can support healthy teeth and gums. They can provide hours of chew time, stimulating the release of endorphins and promoting good mental health.
However, bully sticks are extremely high in calories. A small, 6-inch bully stick is approximately 90 calories, which is a lot for a treat. They should only be given as part of a balanced diet, and not as a daily treat. On the days your dog gets a bully stick, reduce their food intake to compensate.
There are also risks associated with bacterial contamination, which can cause stomach upsets, vomiting, and diarrhoea. This can be avoided by buying bully sticks from reputable companies that manufacture dog treats in hygienic conditions. The more processed the bully stick, the safer it is from contamination.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are prescription treats available that are compatible with certain prescription diets. It is best to consult your veterinarian for recommendations and approval before feeding your dog any treats.
There are several ways to make treats from canned dog food. You can bake, freeze, or microwave bite-sized pieces. Consult your veterinarian to ensure any homemade treats do not exceed 10% of your dog's total daily intake and that they are cut into sizes that are easy for your dog to chew and swallow.
Yes, raw fruits and vegetables (except onions and garlic) are a great natural treat option. Plain rice cakes are another natural option that is enjoyed by many dogs.
It is recommended to not exceed 2-3 treats per day. It is important to monitor your dog's intake of treats to ensure they do not gain weight, which could exacerbate any health issues.
Yes, there are over-the-counter treats available that are compatible with certain Science Diets. For example, if your dog is on Hill's Prescription Diet for CKD, you can purchase Hill's Prescription Diet Hypo Treats from various retailers.
