Responsible rewarding for dogs and cats
Rewarding plays an important role in training and raising dogs and cats. A tasty snack can reinforce desired behavior, increase focus during training, and strengthen the bond between humans and animals. Additionally, snacks provide mental stimulation: chewing, licking, or puzzling keeps animals occupied and prevents boredom. Nevertheless, it is essential to use snacks wisely so that they support health rather than burden it.
Snacks are always a supplement and never replace a complete, balanced diet. As a rule of thumb, ensure snacks make up no more than 10 percent of daily energy requirements. This keeps the majority of calories coming from main meals and prevents obesity – a problem that is increasingly common in both dogs and cats and can lead to joint issues, heart problems, or diabetes.
Snacks are always a supplement and never replace a complete, balanced diet. As a rule of thumb, ensure snacks make up no more than 10 percent of daily energy requirements. This keeps the majority of calories coming from main meals and prevents obesity – a problem that is increasingly common in both dogs and cats and can lead to joint issues, heart problems, or diabetes.
Types of reward snacks
There are various types of snacks, each with its own function:- Small training snacks that are eaten quickly, ideal for repeated rewarding.
- Soft snacks, handy as a quick reward during a walk or training.
- Freeze-dried or air-dried snacks: strong in scent and taste, perfect as a special reward.
- Dried snacks and chews: natural and pure, suitable as a snack or long-lasting occupation.
What makes a snack healthy?
Dogs and cats are natural carnivores. Therefore, healthy reward snacks preferably consist largely of meat. When choosing, pay attention to the following points:- No artificial fragrances, colors, or flavors.
- Gluten-free and grain-free composition.
- Preferably based on a single animal species (mono-protein). This is especially beneficial for animals with a food intolerance or sensitive digestion.
- High meat content (often 80 to 99 percent) and low in carbohydrates.
Natural, highly digestible snacks fit better with the natural diet and are less likely to disrupt daily nutritional intake.
NEW: Grain-free Tendr'Cat treats full of meat and fish
For cats, our new air-dried soft Tendr'cat meat snacks with more than 80 percent meat or fish are a perfect choice. They are grain- and gluten-free, without synthetic additives, and available in the flavors beef, duck, chicken, pollock & trout, and poultry & salmon. The small size (approximately 1.5–2 cm) and the soft texture make them ideal for portioning and using as a treat or reward for all ages, from kitten to senior.Meat-rich meat bars and meat chunks for dogs
For dogs, our meat bars with approximately 99 percent pure meat (in the variants horse, turkey, venison, goose, or lamb) and a small percentage of salmon oil are tasty and sensible rewards. These hypoallergenic, grain- and gluten-free meat strips are easy to break into smaller pieces. Our crunchy meat chunks, with almost 100 percent meat or a combination of meat and fish (such as lamb, beef & venison, or chicken & salmon) and a touch of herbs, are also ideal as a reward or training snack. They are highly digestible, support dental health through chewing, and are well-suited for dogs with a sensitive stomach.Attention to age, weight, and health
Not every animal benefits from the same snack. Tailor the choice to the life stage and any sensitivities:- For young animals, light, easily digestible snacks are most suitable.
- Older dogs and cats often benefit from soft, tooth-friendly options because chewing can become more difficult.
- In cases of food intolerances or a sensitive stomach, hypoallergenic snacks with as few additives as possible are wise.
- For cats, an extra point: give small portions and avoid products like milk or cookies, as they are more quickly sensitive to extra calories.
Signals to look out for
Pay attention to subtle signs that snacks are not sitting well or that too much is being given:- Diminished waistline or less desire for exercise (possible obesity).
- Bad breath, tartar, or difficulty chewing (dental problems).
- Vomiting, diarrhea, or irregular stool (gastrointestinal complaints).
Summary
- Limit snacks to a maximum of 10 percent of daily energy requirements.
- Adapt the snack to the animal's age, weight, and health.
- Preferably choose natural, meat-rich options without unnecessary additives.
- Portioning: break or cut larger snacks into smaller pieces for better control over the quantity.
- Give cats small portions and avoid dairy products or cookies.
- Always remember: snacks remain a supplement, not a replacement for a complete diet.
For more information, email: info@bfpetfood.nl or use the contact page.
