What is the general guideline for the maximum percentage of total daily caloric intake that treats should constitute?
Answer
10%
A significant pitfall in weight management occurs when owners fail to account for supplemental calories provided by treats, training rewards, or table scraps. To prevent these small additions from undermining a carefully constructed diet plan, a strict budgetary rule applies: treats and snacks should collectively comprise no more than 10% of the dog’s total planned daily caloric allowance. For example, if the target daily intake is set at 900 calories, treats should be strictly limited to a maximum of 90 calories derived from healthy, low-calorie alternatives like carrots or plain green beans, or measured pieces of their prescribed diet kibble.
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