>
It can be hard to resist those puppy eyes looking up at you when you’re slicing up a piece of chicken or cheese.
But one expert says sneaking bits of meat to your pup may be doing more harm than good.
Georgia Woods-Lee, a canine nutritionist from the University of Liverpool, says vegetables are actually the best snack for your dog.
She says this is because dogs value their loved one’s treat more than the taste of it, so it’s best to prioritize nutritional value over taste.
“Food is more fuel than anything,” she said at the 2023 British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) Congress.
Georgia Woods-Lee, a canine nutritionist from the University of Liverpool, says vegetables are actually the best snack for your dog (stock image)
“Dogs don’t spend much time tasting their food. It is normally swallowed very, very quickly.”
Ms Woods-Lee spoke about tackling pet obesity at the BSAVA conference in Manchester last week The Telegraph.
A 2021 Royal Veterinary College study found that one in 14 dogs in the UK – 7.1 per cent – is obese.
Research has shown that overweight dogs have shorter lifespans, reduced quality of life and higher rates of a number of significant health problems, including arthritis, respiratory problems, heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer.
Ms Woods-Lee therefore said that the best treats on the market actually come from the vegetable section of the supermarket, rather than the pet food section.
The veterinary nurse said, ‘Zucchini are my favorite because they are very, very high in water and very, very low in calories.
“They are accepted by most dogs and can literally eat them until they come out of their ears. There are no adverse effects to eating courgettes.’
She adds that other “green, watery veggies” should also work, such as watermelon, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumber, ice cubes, and Brussels sprouts.
Carrots are a big no-no, though, as they contain about four times the calories of zucchini.
“A little piece of carrot is fine, but owners want volume, they want to give their pets loads of snacks, so I’d go with the green veggies,” Ms. Woods-Lee said.
Dogs value getting a treat from their loved one more than the taste of it, so it’s best to prioritize nutritional value over taste (stock image)
She also recommended avoiding feeding dogs directly from your plate or the refrigerator, as this can cause them to beg when you try to cook or eat a meal.
Meanwhile, a study from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna found that puppies don’t like their owner any more if they give them lots of treats.
This is because they cannot remember incidents of generosity and thus have no idea of a gift-giving reputation.
So despite the many “luxury” dog treats available in pet stores, experts say that what our pets value most is love and attention.
But on the other hand, giving your dog a small snack is an effective way to reward him during training and encourage him to repeat good behavior.
Another way to tackle obesity in dogs is through exercise feeding puzzles, so that instead of eating the contents of their bowl all at once, dogs have to eat more slowly.
Experts also say playing classical music softly, which has been found to make dogs less stressed, can help prevent them from overeating.
Humans have bred dogs specifically to be as cute as possible, so it can be all too easy to give in and give them a tasty treat.
But Ms. Woods-Lee says overfeeding through treats and during meals is a major contributor to canine obesity.
She recommends weighing kibble with a scale rather than by eye or cup to ensure accuracy.
Ms Woods-Lee said: ‘I can understand from an owner’s point of view why they get their pet’s diet plan wrong as there is now a huge range available in shops and often not much guidance.
“Of course we want the owner to buy the best quality food he can afford and ideally not chop and mix.”
Changing a dog’s food regularly can cause vomiting and diarrhea as their digestive system needs time to adjust to new ingredients.
It can also lead them to reject new foods and make it more difficult to introduce different types in the future when they need them for health reasons.
“If owners want wet food or dry food then that’s absolutely fine, I don’t have a particular preference,” she added.
“Dried foods are of course much more cost-effective, so may be a better recommendation in this day and age when money is so important.”
A November study also found that wet dog food adds nearly seven times more carbon dioxide per year than dry kibble.