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• Always measure how much food you give based on your veterinarian's instructions. A "bowl-full" can mean different things to different family members.
• Establish mealtimes for your pet. If food is available all day, your pet may eat out of boredom.
• Don't feed your pet table scraps. They are high in fat and calories and can upset the nutritional balance your pet needs.
• Limit food rewards. As much as they love treats, pets also respond well to walks, play time, and just spending time with you.
• Chocolate is dangerous for pets! Even small amounts of theobromine, an ingredient in chocolate, can cause vomiting and restlessness in pets. Larger doses can be fatal. While most pet owners expect a dog to develop an upset stomach after eating a large amount of chocolate, few realize its toxic potential. Click here to learn more about the negative effects of feeding chocolate to your pets.
  

"Treating" Your Pet Right

Pet owners have always liked to show their animal family a little extra love with the occasional treat, but modern treats have gone way beyond slipping Rover a little turkey under the kitchen table. These days pet owners can visit pet bakeries, buy frozen dog desserts at the grocery store, or make homemade treats from a pet treat cookbook. With all these options, how do you know the right thing to feed your pet? The good side of treats

There's nothing wrong with feeding your pet the occasional treat. Small amounts of tasty food can be great motivators if you're trying to train your pet, or rewards to positively reinforce good behavior. These kinds of rewards can increase the bond between pets and owners, and some treats can even help your pet stay healthy. Best of all, it can be a lot of fun watching your pet savor a treat she really loves.

Treats can cause problems if they aren't given carefully.

Count those calories
One of the most dangerous problems overindulgence in treats can cause is obesity. It's a growing problem for pets - nearly half of all the pets in the United States are overweight. Obesity can contribute to a wide range of health problems, from arthritis to diabetes and heart disease. So be aware that some snacks are packed with calories, and stick with low-cal treats or avoid treats altogether if your pet is overweight. (For more information, see Fat Cats and Pudgy Pooches and Heavy Isn't Healthy for People or Pets).

Stay away from scraps
Much as your cat or pup loves to lurk under the table during dinner, hoping for a few spilled crumbs, you should resist the urge to let her sample your table scraps. Leftover scraps from human food tend to be high in calories and fat but low in vitamins and other nutrients, and they can easily upset your pet's stomach. Not to mention that your pooch could get used to the tastier food form the human table, and become picky, refusing his usual diet. Also, a pet that gets all the table food she wants is a lot like a five-year-old that fills up on ice cream before dinner. All the empty calories of table snacks can sate her hunger before she gets to her own, nutritionally balanced food, and she can miss out on some of the nutrients she needs to stay healthy. Besides, if you feed your pet from your plate even a few times, you'll most likely end up with a pet that begs constantly at the table, even when you have guests visiting. For the sake of your pet's health and your own sanity, make it a house policy to never share table scraps. It might be best to leave your pet in a different room while you eat, so that no one in the family will be tempted.

Tips for treats:
So how do you choose the right thing when you want to treat your pet?

• First off, buy treats made specifically for your kind of pet. Most pet stores now offer treats formulated for all kinds of animals from kittens to cockatiels to ferrets. If your pet eats at scheduled meal times, don't let her fill up on treats before meals.
• Try giving your pet treats that benefit her health. Pet stores now offer dental treats that clean teeth; cat treats that prevent hairballs; treats with added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants; and more.
• If you're longing to let your dog sample a little human food but don't want to expand her waistline, you can try giving her a few fresh vegetables. Dogs often love veggies like carrots, broccoli, and green beans, which are low in
  calories and high in vitamins and healthy fiber. You'll have to use some care, however, some produce that people love can be harmful to dogs. Onions can cause anemia, for example, and grapes and raisins can be toxic.
• Don't feed your dog any new or unusual veggies without consulting with your veterinarian.
• Fresh veggies can also make good snacks for pocket pets like gerbils, hamsters, and guinea pigs.
• In general, don't let treats make up more than 10 percent of your pet's diet.
  As for the gourmet yummies that are now available, use your best judgment when deciding what to give your pet.

If you have any questions about how many and what kinds of treats are right for your pet, consult your veterinarian. Below are some related articles that you may find useful:

Herbal Supplements and Nutraceuticals
Raw Food Diets
Beware Fido’s Bottomless Pit
Water—It’s Essential
Prevent Poisoning
More about "Treating" Your Pet Right
Chocolate is dangerous for pets

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