Treats & extras · Dogs & Cats
How many treats can my dog or cat have a day?
By PetLife · 2 min read · Updated
In this guide
The short answer
There is no single treat count for every dog or cat. AAHA's 2021 guidelines put treats and other extras at no more than 10% of total daily energy, with at least 90% from complete and balanced food. In an illustrative 500 kcal daily plan, the extras allowance is at most 50 kcal. If each treat is 5 kcal, that is up to 10 only when there are no other extras. The allowance is part of the daily total.
Read the source →Dogs and cats. General education for routine feeding; individual restrictions and veterinary diet plans take priority. Informational, not veterinary advice.
The little extras share one allowance
Write down all the extras your pet receives in a day, not just the treats from a packet. Include table food, toppers, edible chews, and food used to give medication. Look for their energy values on the label or ask the manufacturer.
A 10% ceiling is not a target to fill. Some pets have individual restrictions, including prescribed diets. Your veterinary team's plan takes priority.
Work back from the treat label
Once you know the allowance left after other extras, divide it by the energy per treat. Round down to whole treats. If the label does not give a value you can use, ask the manufacturer rather than guessing from the treat's size.
This is an energy calculation, not a safe-food list. A small amount of an unsuitable food does not become suitable because it fits inside the allowance.
Does the same guideline cover cats?
Yes. The cited AAHA guideline covers dogs and cats. A cat's own daily target and diet restrictions still determine its allowance; the example below is not a cat feeding recommendation.
Keeping a simple note of the day's extras makes it easier to discuss the full diet at a vet visit.
Put it into practice
An example day, with the extras included
- Total daily plan: 500 kcal
- Maximum extras: 500 × 10% = 50 kcal
- Other extras already given: 20 kcal
- Remaining: 30 kcal ÷ 5 kcal/treat = up to 6 treats
Example values only. Extras replace part of the daily allowance; they are not added on top of it. Use your pet's own plan and the actual label.
One thing to do today
Make a one-day list of every extra and its label value. Put the treats, toppers, and chews on the same list.
Sources & scope
- Feeding Plans for Healthy, Appropriate Weight Cats and Dogs
American Animal Hospital Association · 2021 Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines · 2021
Source checked
Dogs and cats. General education for routine feeding; individual restrictions and veterinary diet plans take priority. Informational, not veterinary advice. This is an educational article from PetLife, not an individual care plan or a veterinary review.
Bring the routine into PetLife
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