Treat Ideas

A tasty delicious treat has never failed to make a Pug happy. Judging by their small size, you’d be surprised by how much food Pugs can joyfully stuff away. So of course the best treat for your little guy would be something chewy and tasty. But you have to be careful of what and how much you give him. You don’t want to overfeed him or worse – give him something that will make him sick.

Don’t worry though, there are a lot of healthy and tasty options out there for you to pick from. Since these dogs are not that picky when it comes to food, finding something tasty shouldn’t be too hard. They will eat almost anything – even if it’s not even food. Which is exactly why you need to be careful when treating with something yummy. Just because your Pug likes it, doesn’t mean it’s good for him.

Related Page: How Much Should I Feed My Pug

The most debated question when it comes to healthy treats is whether homemade snacks are better than prepackaged store treats.

Store Bought Treats

You really have to do your own research here. The problem is not that the prepackaged store bought treats are bad or unhealthy – there are a lot of great options – but the fact that there is also a lot of junk you would never want to give to your dog if you only knew what’s in it. Always check the ingredients and do your own research.

Having said that, there are a lot of great treats you can get at your local pet store. Here are a few things to try:

• Raw hide
• Jerky
• Rib Bones
• Knuckles

Just make sure you don’t get anything that could be or turn into a potential choking hazard. The dog should always be supervised when given these treats. I also suggest that you take them away once they get small enough for him to swallow.

Human Food for Pugs

Yes, I know that giving human food to dogs isn’t recommended but that only applies to processed food or food that contains things that are harmful to dogs. Giving certain fruits, berries or vegies to your Pug is not harmful at all. In fact, they can be the perfect healthy treat for your Pug.

Here is a quick list of treats that my Pugs absolutely love:

• Berries – blueberries, raspberries and strawberries all make great treats! Just don’t add any sugar. They’re a great because of the antioxidants that your dog could benefit from.
• Apples – Great simple treat I often use during training. I just cut up an apple into small pieces and throw out the stems and seeds.
• Pears – Same as apples.
• Watermelon – Great treat during the summer. Cut off a slice and pick out all the seeds and you’ve got a tasty treat that will keep your Pug hydrated during those hot sunny days.
• Mango – My own dogs are not big fans of mangos. Not sure why, but I’ve heard from others say the opposite. Try it and see!
• Bananas – Same as mango.
• Cheese – If your Pug isn’t lactose intolerant, you can give him some cheese. Just keep it plain and simple.
• Eggs – You can scramble them or boil them, doesn’t matter. Most Pugs don’t have a preference of how they like their eggs cooked. They will eat them regardless.
• Peanut Butter – Peanut butter is rich in protein and tastes yummy. Simply get a spoon you don’t mind your Pug licking, get a scoop and let him lick it off.
• Celery – Celery is a great treat in itself due to its crunchy texture, but I like to combine it with some peanut butter. I just spread a little on a celery stick and let them go crazy with it.
• Carrots – Carrots are a great as treats or even added to meals both cooked or uncooked. They don’t have any fat and if given raw the crunchy texture can be good for your Pugs gums.

Additional Information

The most important thing to know about treats is that they can have a big impact on small dogs like Pugs. Since they’re not working dogs and don’t burn through as many calories, it’s easy to overfeed them. Whether you’re giving a treat to a puppy Pug or a fully grown one, it’s still going to have an impact effect on his diet/weight.

Related Page: 8 Activity/Exercise Ideas for a Pug

Please check with a veterinary before you make any changes to your Pugs diet.

If you have any suggestions for treats that I didn’t list, be sure to add them in the comments!

You can learn more about Pug training, care and health by reading this book about Pugs.