What exactly makes a puppy treat a puppy treat?

Peggy, I can completely relate to your confusion because in addition to learning about all these exciting new products, I also get to figure out where to fit them into an ever-crowded dog treat aisle in my family’s store. Let me preface my answer by acknowledging that the definition for "puppy treat" is wide open. For instance, an owner can use the dog’s daily kibble to entice their pet. In addition, giving your pooch either a puppy treat or regular treat serves the same function and neither will harm your dog in any manner. It is the act of rewarding a dog for the desired behavior that ultimately constitutes what is a treat.

A treat is anything beyond the animal’s daily allowance of food. The discrepancies between a puppy treat and a regular treat or biscuit usually can be pared down to a few differences. The puppy biscuit generally has higher levels of fat and protein which are more suitable for a growing dog. Moreover, they are commonly manufactured to be smaller in size, and gentler on a younger, less developed set of teeth. Puppy treats are also usually smaller due the frequency of use when trying to train a young puppy desired behavior. As most new puppy owners know, it’s easy to blow through a bag of treats while potty train a new pup. The smaller sized treat also allows for quick consumption so the puppy stays on task.

Through my years in the pet industry, I have stood by a few trusted puppy treats that are great for training. Zukes Mini Naturals are fantastic because they are a “one chomp” size and come in three flavors that dogs drool over: peanut butter, chicken and salmon. Made in Colorado with your pet’s health in mind, Zukes treats also contain no by-products or fillers.

If you are searching for a slightly larger biscuit treat, you can stay in the same family and reward your pooch with any of Zukes’ Mini Bakes. My dog loves the Peanut Butter & Blueberries Mini Bakes. She also loves that she is the official taste tester for all of the products we carry. These treats are slightly larger than the Mini Naturals and are fortified with blueberries, which are not only tasty but also one of the planet’s best anti-oxidants. Next time you feel overwhelmed in the biscuit aisle, search out one of these options and I know you will have a happy dog on your hands.

-Matt

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