Did Someone Say "Treats"?
Calorie content in common pet treats
From time to time, we all give our pets treats. Whether it's to reward them for good work, or simply to say "I love you," giving our pets snacks is part of pet ownership.
But how many treats are too many? If your pet is fighting the battle of the bulge, too many treats can be the difference between success and failure.
Treat should comprise no more than 10% of your pet's caloric intake*; so, if your pet should be eating 100 Calories (kcal) per day, only 10 Calories should come from treats.
Note: see the Appendixbelow for common pet food calorie counts
Daily Calorie needs for Average Indoor Pets
| Cats | |
| 10 lbs | 180-200 calories/kcal* |
| Dogs | |
| 10 lbs | 200-275 calories/kcal |
| 20 lbs | 325-400 calories/kcal |
| 50 lbs | 700-900 calories/kcal |
The following is a list of common pet treats and their calorie counts:
| Treat | kcal/treat |
| Milk-Bone, Medium | 40 |
| Beggin' Strips (Purina) | 30 |
| Pedigree DentaStix, Medium | 188 |
| Greenies, Regular Size | 95 |
| Snausages | 25 |
| Peanut Butter, 1 tbsp | 85 |
| Chicken Breast, 2oz | 67 |
| Sirloin Steak, 2oz | 115 |
| Zukes Z-Filets, Beef | 60 |
| Blue Buffalo Chicken Sausages | 34 |
Alternative Treats
Human Fruits and Vegetables can make a nice alternative to traditional treats. Note that specific treats may not be appropriate for all pets. Please discuss with your veterinarian if your vet has specific health concerns.
| Treat | kcal |
| Baby Carrots, 1/2 cup | 27 |
| Boiled Green Beans, 1/2 cups | 22 |
| Raw Apple, With Skin, 1/4 cup | 14-16 |
| Watermelon, 1/2 cup | 23 |
| Honeydew Melon Balls, 1/4 cup | 16 |
| Strawberry, 1 medium | 4 |
| Banana, 1/8 cup | 25 |
| Air Popped Popcorn (no salt/butter), 1/2 cup | 16 |
APPENDIX
Common Dog Foods and Their Calorie Counts
Common Dry Pet Foods and their Calories
| Food | kcal/cup |
| Kirkland "Super Premium Adult", Lamb & Rice | 373 |
| Blue Buffalo, Lamb/Rice, "Life Protection Formula" | 379 |
| Pro Plan Select Turkey & Barley Formula | 436 |
| Taste of the Wild "Pacific Stream" | 360 |
| Orijen Adult Dog Formula | 478 |
| Wellness Complete Health Adult, Chicken/Oatmeal | 407 |
Common Wet Pet Foods and their Calories
| Food | kcal |
| Kirkland "Super Premium Adult", Lamb & Rice | 749/cup |
| Blue Buffalo "Homestyle," Lamb/Vegetables | 515/can |
| Pro Plan Select Turkey & Sweet Potato Formula | 440/can |
| Taste of the Wild "Pacific Stream" | 379/can |
| Orijen Adult Dog Formula - freeze dried medallions | 75/medallion |
| Wellness Complete Health Adult, Chicken/Oatmeal | 472/can |
