Lady and the Tramp ate spaghetti, Scooby ate his snacks, and Cujo was partial to eating his owner.
From chewy bones to doggy biscuits, in real life, there are lots of options on the market to keep our dogs happy.
However, experts now say that our four legged friends don’t actually care about what treat they’re getting – they chow down so fast, that they can’t even taste it.
Because of this, it’s actually a wiser choice to feed your pets healthy and nutritious treats like vegetables, instead of more fattier and high calorie options.
Georgia Woods-Lee, a canine nutrition expert at the University of Liverpool, told an audience at BSAVA Congress 2023 that the ideal treat for a dog is actually a courgette.
The popular vegetable is full of water, low in calories, liked by dogs and won’t cause any health issues.
‘There is a rule of thumb that treats should make up about 10 per cent of daily intake, but it is very individual,’ she said.
‘Courgettes are a favourite of mine because they are very, very high in water and very, very low in calories.
‘They are accepted by most dogs and they can literally eat them until they come out of their ears. There are no detrimental effects to eating courgettes.’
Georgia also noted that the act of giving and receiving the treat is ‘far more important than what the treat actually is.’
Meanwhile, when it comes to your dog’s diet, it is important to be aware of proper nutrition.
According to the RSPCA, a dog needs a well-balanced diet to keep them happy and healthy.
More importantly, the diet must be suitable to for their age, lifestyle and various health needs.
‘Human food isn’t ideal, as most of our meals won’t provide dogs with the nutrition they need,’ the RSPCA website states.
‘Some human foods, such as chocolate and onions, can even be poisonous to dogs.’
Other toxic foods for dogs include macadamia nuts, avocado, grapes and raisins.
When it comes to treats, The Kennel Club advises that it is best to feed dogs snacks that are nutritious and low calorie.
Other vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, green beans and pumpkin are great, and peanut butter is a fantastic source of protein.
For humans, an apple a day keeps the doctor away and for dogs, the advice is similar.
‘They’re full of fibre and nutrients and may even help to freshen your dog’s breath,’ The Kennel Club notes.
‘Apples are higher in sugar, so should be fed in moderation. Always give apple slices, because a whole apple could be a choking hazard.’
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