For most owners, dog treats are a tried and tested way to teach their darling something or to pamper them. The selection is large, but not all the treats on offer are good for the dog’s health. Some products contain many calories that may make an animal fat when given excessively and are not suitable as dog food. You should only give such snacks in small quantities. There are also healthy alternatives that you can use for regular training with your dog.

Dog treats can essentially be divided into four categories: chewable bones, dried meat, chewy snacks and dog biscuits. Most chewable bones are bovine bones. These are very good for dental care and really give your four-legged friend something to work on. Since dogs’ natural instinct is to chew, they are more than happy to gnaw on bone. The only disadvantage of this dog treat is a slightly unpleasant smell. Another natural snack is dry meat: it is very hard and maintains the teeth. Dry meat is usually packed in a handy way and you can take it with you everywhere. However, some dogs don’t like it. Chewy snacks are not natural products; the composition varies – and they often contain preservatives. Chewy snacks also provide dental care. Dog biscuits are good for training your pet, because they are very handy. However, the biscuits available on the market for dogs are usually high in calories and can make your four-legged friend overweight in the long run. Therefore, don’t use dog biscuits as the only treats during training and take them into account as part of the entire food ration for your dog.

If you want to treat your dog to snacks, you should take a few things into account. Certain ingredients do not belong in a dog snack, so it is best not to buy snacks containing the following ingredients: sugar, flavourings or preservatives. Of course it’s not bad if your dog gets an occasional treat that is very calorific and not so healthy – just for its good taste. So if your dog likes to eat a certain type that is not optimal in terms of its ingredients, you can give it to him every now and then. The best thing to do is to get your pet used to healthy snacks that can be regularly used as a reward right from the start. In the Maxi Zoo online shop you will find a large selection of high-quality dog snacks from renowned manufacturers such as 8in1, Pedigree and many more.