Why do dogs like treats? 8 reasons pups go crazy for snacks

Dogs and treats: a match made in doggy heaven! But exactly why do dogs like treats so much, sometimes much more than their dinner biscuits?

Well it’s no secret to pet parents and pooch lovers alike that a treat a day keeps tails wagging. But what is it about the meaty morsels that are just so appealing to pups? 

Take a look below as we explore just that, along with the benefits of dog treats for our furry friends (and their humans!).

Why do dogs like treats so much?

Dog treats are associated with your pup’s best times - bonding with you on walkies, achieving their best at dog training, or the reward they receive the moment you get home from work. For our furry friends, treats equal good times with their humans. So really, it’s not all about the taste - it’s the memories they’re attached to.

This might be a surprise, but one of your pup’s best memories might not have actually happened yet, and it could be while you’re on vacation - we know. 

Yup, dogs are much happier (when eating treats) when being looked after by a pet lover in the comfort of their own home. So, take a look below to find out how to find loving dog sitters to keep your pup company during your next vacation (they might even love their new sitter as much as that treat in your hand!).

Dog treats and positive reinforcement

As a pet parent, the likelihood is you’ve made use of a dog treat (or ten!) during your dog’s training period. Whether it was the early days when they were getting to grips with the basics of sit and stay, or more recently with Crufts-worthy dog tricks, dog treats play a central role throughout your pup’s training.

So, what does this mean for our furry friends? Why does giving pets treats during training (which is hard work for dogs) make them hold treats in such high regard?

Well even though dog training will certainly have your pup’s brain ticking (and in need of a nap on the way home), it’s seriously rewarding for dogs. They love to please, and the treat given at that peak moment of achievement will only become more associated with all of those positive, mushy feelings.

They’re different to dinner

Many furry family members are given the same dog food day in, day out. And there isn’t anything necessarily wrong with that - your dog’s food is likely packed with vital nutrients, providing a whole host health benefits. 

But when a treat rolls around that’s in an exciting new flavor, giving off an irresistible scent they’re not used to, and a whole new texture to explore? That’s the stuff of your dog’s dreams.

Dog treats = good times

And why do dogs like treats, aside from those delectable, meaty notes and textures that are chewy enough to make even the strongest of canines go wild? Well your pup likely associates treats with some of their best times in life. 

Whether it’s when you arrive home from work, during walkies, or amidst a high-energy training session, dog owners reward their pups with treats throughout. 

And the more this happens, the more likely your doggo will be to get excited over a treat - the moment they catch a whiff. So, next time you give a dog a treat, think about the memory they might associate with it.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

As the old saying goes, absence sure does make the (canine) heart grow fonder, especially when it comes to dog treats. Yup, the amount of treats and how often your pup is allowed to have them will likely affect how excited they get over even the smallest nibble.

And that begs the question - why do dogs like treats more than food? Well they don’t necessarily - it’s likely down to the fact that dinner food is always there, whereas treats are mysterious and exciting - only revealed when something good is happening.

Pure instinct

As a fellow dog lover, you’ll know that our furry companions descend from ancestors whose food source was scarce. And while food is plenty for your pup these days, it’s hard-wired in them to scavenge for any morsels of food they can, even if they’re well fed and totally full.

Scent is everything

Ever noticed that dog treats are stronger in smell than your pup’s kibble? Well they’re supposed to - and imagine how that smells to dogs (whose sense of smell is between 10,000 and 100,000 stronger than ours) - simply irresistible.

It’s no wonder some dogs prefer dog treats over dinner - they’re packed with the good stuff dogs love - beef, lamb, fish - you name it. So, while the scent is sure to get your dog’s snout twitching for more, pet parents can rest assured they’re also bursting with nutritional benefits and great for their pet’s health.

They’re fun to eat

While our furry friends are definitely all about the moreish taste and head-jerking scent that dog treats offer, the textures are top notch too - dogs love something gristly to chomp away at.

Whether it’s a chew, jerky, pig’s ear or cartilage, dogs love a tasty treat that taps into their natural instinct to chew. Yup, your canine pal could be gnawing on a dog treat for hours on end and having a whale of a time. It feels great on their gums, curbs the plaque and tartar build-up and improves their dental health all round.

They’re mentally stimulating

Dog treats aren’t just tasty and fun to chew, by the way. Pups who have dog treat dispensers and treat-dispensing puzzle toys at home enjoy getting their brains ticking, working for the treats they so love.

Yup, feeding your dog doesn’t have to be boring for your doggo. Explore the treat toys on the market, or invest in a lick mat if it’s natural dog treats you’d prefer your pooch to snack on, like dog-friendly peanut butter.

Benefits of dog treats

• Training is simpler. Without dog treats, training would be near impossible - the more your pooch associates treats they love with the good behavior you want, the more readily they’ll behave!
• Oral health and hygiene. Dog chews are fab for reducing plaque and tartar, plus they’re super fun for your pooch, keeping them entertained for hours!
• Bonding. Rewarding your dog with a treat will strengthen your bond as your pooch will associate you with the thing they love the most: snacks.
• They’re nutritious. Canine snacks come in all shapes, sizes and nutritional profiles, with some low-calorie treats, others plant-based, and many great for your dog’s immune system and digestive health. 
• They’re great for persuasion. A nutritious addition to your dog’s diet, yes. But if you’ve ever needed to lure your pooch out of a room quickly, you’ll know the power in a single dog treat!
• They make your pup happy. And last but not by any means least, our furry friends sure are happier with treats in their life, so keep them to hand whenever quality time with your pooch is due.

Got a dog with diabetes?

Luckily, there are heaps of diabetic dog treats on the market, so your furry friend doesn’t have to miss out on the joy of canine snacking.