Show Your Dog Some Love With Our 8 Favorite Valentine’s Day Dog Treats (2024)

FAQs

What dog treats do dogs love the most? ›

Treats made from real meat, such as chicken, beef, or turkey, are often highly appealing to dogs. They provide a savory flavor and a satisfying texture. Examples include jerky treats, meaty sticks, and dehydrated meat treats.

Simple treats such as baby carrots, seedless apple slices, rice cakes, air-popped popcorn, and bits of hardboiled eggs are delightful, tasty, and inexpensive. Dogs with a sweet tooth can be charmed with watermelon and berries.

For starters, they like the taste and smell of treats. It's something different than the norm. Most treats involve “savory” ingredients that dogs like– protein-rich stuff that has a scent dogs pick up on instantly. From beef to chicken and lamb to fish, treats for dogs essentially taste good to them.

Dog treats should only be used as rewards for good behavior and make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories. So, for example, if you have a small dog that needs 400 calories a day, and the treats you give them are 20 calories each, then they can have two of them per day.

They won't harm your dog, but they don't provide much benefit either. Cheerios are made from mostly whole-grain oats, which provide no essential component of your pet's diet. As a result, mass-produced Cheerio treats function only as filler—they're just empty calories when dogs need a high-energy diet.

' The good news is that regular peanut butter is safe to give your dog as a treat. Just make sure to avoid peanut butter with Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in lower or sugar-free products. Xylitol is the only ingredient in peanut butter that's bad for dogs.

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.

It's a place they might not always be able to scratch so when someone they trust really goes to town on a good belly rub, they're usually quite happy about it. "A good belly rubbing session can release endorphins and oxytocin in dog and owner alike, strengthening the special bond between them," says Dr. Simon.

While some might say that the dog's response just mirrors the human's excitement, studies show that dogs understand when we praise them. Scientists in Hungary did MRI scans on dogs and then played their owners praising them or using neutral terms, and the dogs could tell the difference.

Why do dogs love humans? ›

Like humans, the hormone oxytocin, or “the love chemical,” is released in dogs' brains during positive social interactions with their pet parents, like snuggling and playing, explains Amanda Modes, DVM, a behavior veterinarian for Behavior Vets.

In most cases, yes, dogs can eat cheese. When given in moderation, it can make a great high reward training treat (particularly when there's lots of distractions). Most dogs adore the taste of it too! It's important to remember that some cheeses have added ingredients, which need to be avoided.

There's no rule about how often you can dole them out, as long as you limit treats to 10% of their daily calories. Some owners choose to give one large biscuit each day. Others give a handful of kibble (perhaps 20 or 30 pieces) over the course of the day, one or two pieces at a time. Giving no treats is fine, too.

It is generally safe if your dog consumes the occasional cat treat, but it is best to stick to treats made specifically for dogs. Before giving your dog cat treats, it is important to consider both their dietary requirements and safety as cat treats are designed to cater for the nutritional needs of cats.

Labrador Retrievers, in particular, are notorious for their insatiable hunger. Among the most popular breeds in the U.S. for their outgoing, energetic personalities, their obsession with treats makes them easy to train, although their friendliness is often a means of seeking food.

Pay attention to your dog's behavior and notice what types of treats they respond to. Many trainers recommend cooked, dried, or dehydrated meats, as most dogs like these. Cheese can also be appealing to dogs. String cheese is great because it's individually wrapped, easy to break into small pieces, and inexpensive.

Top selling treats often include ingredients such as real chicken breast, seafood, liver, peanut butter, or sweet potatoes. The best treats to use as dog training treats are those that your dog goes crazy for but can also be broken into bite sized pieces.

Dogs may not have the most sophisticated taste buds, but they appreciate top-quality meals and snacks just the same. Many fruits and vegetables such as pumpkins, apples, peaches, carrots, green beans, and sweet potatoes are delicious and nutritious treats—and dogs love their natural flavors!