Are You Over-Treating Your Dog?

Okay, we get it. Those puppy dog eyes are basically emotional blackmail.
You grab a treat… then another… and suddenly your dog’s had five before lunch and is looking at you like you still owe them more.
But here’s the hard truth, legend: too many treats = too many problems.

Let’s chat about the sneaky habit of over-treating and how to find the sweet spot between love and health.

What Counts as a “Treat”?

Spoiler: It’s not just the obvious stuff. Treats include:

  • Training rewards
  • Chews
  • Table scraps (we see you slipping chicken under the table 👀)
  • Dental treats
  • High-value snacks
  • Even toppers and extra portions "just because"

They all add up. And if you’re not balancing them with the rest of your dog’s diet, it can throw things way outta whack.

Signs You Might Be Over-Treating

Not sure if you’ve crossed the line? Look out for these clues:

  • Your dog’s put on a little extra floof
  • They’re ignoring their meals but still begging for snacks
  • Their energy has dipped
  • Tummy troubles or inconsistent poos
  • They’ve learned to manipulate you with a single side-eye

The 10% Rule (Yep, It’s a Thing)

Vets recommend that treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake.

So if your dog needs 500 calories a day (just an example!), treats should be no more than 50 of those. That includes training treats, chews, and “just one more won’t hurt” snacks.

🙃 We’re not saying don’t treat, we’re saying treat smarter.

Quality Over Quantity

Instead of giving your pup more treats, give them better ones. Choose treats that are:

✔️ Nutrient-dense
✔️ High-protein
✔️ Single-ingredient
✔️ Sized appropriately
✔️ Functional (aka good for teeth, joints, digestion, etc.)

🐾 Good news: Every single treat from Whiskey & Woof ticks those boxes. Zero fillers, zero fluff, just Aussie goodness.

Make Treats Work With You, Not Against You

Use treats with purpose:

  • For training (break into smaller pieces)
  • For mental enrichment (hide them or use puzzle feeders)
  • To reinforce calm behaviour, not begging
  • As a topper to encourage picky eaters, not as a full meal replacement

And hey, not every good behaviour needs a snack. Praise, play, and belly rubs go a long way too!

How to Break the Over-Treating Habit

If you’re nodding along awkwardly... it’s okay. We’ve all been there. Here’s how to rein it in:

  1. Measure portions: Keep track of what goes in those pupper bellies.

  2. Break up treats: Smaller pieces = same value, less calories.

  3. Balance it out: If they’ve had more treats than usual, slightly reduce dinner portions.

  4. Make a treat schedule: Especially helpful with training dogs or multi-dog households.

  5. Keep healthy chews on hand: They last longer and offer extra benefits (like clean teeth or gut support).

Final Woof

Treats should enhance your dog’s life, not overload it. A few well-chosen chews or training bites go further than a bag of junky fillers.

So next time your dog gives you “the look,” just remember:
You're not being mean. You're being a responsible snack boss.

Your pup will still love you… even if you only give them one sardine instead of six. 😅

Snack smart. Love hard. Keep tails waggin’.
– Whiskey & Woof
(Woof says he's definitely not overtreated... but he's lying.)

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