Can to many dog treats hurt digestion

[Dale Davenport]

The Labradoodle i found in the woods has had many bouts with runny stools. When i first found her she was starving and i assumed that her digestion of food was hampered from lack of food. Her stool firmed up but she still has bouts of diarrhea. Her diet of treats consist of many dog biscuits, pig ears, cows ears, dried bones. The treats may make up to 30% of her calories. The bulk of the treats are dog biscuits that i use for rewards.

 

[Bobsk8]

If you take the pigs ears and cows ears out of the dog's diet, I bet the loose stools will go away.....

 

[Herschel]

If you take the pigs ears and cows ears out of the dog's diet, I bet the loose stools will go away.....

I definitely agree. I'm not so sure about the dried bones, either.

 

[sam]

ITA with the others. That stuff is just junk. You might want to get some little healthy treats for food rewards. I like Natural Balance roll, homemade liver or salmon treats, Charlie bears. There are lots of nice treats make by the company that makes Innova. I'd be very leary of the dried bones- they can splinter just as the pigs ears can. For chews you could stuff some kongs or get a Nylabone.
Could it also be from the change in food>?

 

[Mordy]

Feeding up to 30% of the daily calories as treats which contain little quality nutrition is quite a lot.

I agree on cutting out the ears and bones, maybe replacing them with real, fresh, raw bones and a bully stick now and then.

Treats don't have to be huge to be used as a reward, the size of your pinky fingernail is enough, and the smaller the treats, the more frequently you can reinforce good behavior.