Woof Meow Pet Tip for January 19, 2026 at Star 977 with Don Hanson – Pet Obesity & Treats

Woof Meow Pet Tip for January 19, 2026 at Star 977 with Don Hanson – Pet Obesity & Treats

< Updated 2026-01-20 >

< The link to this page – https://forcefreepets.com/wfmwtip-obesity-healthytreats/ >

MIKE DOW: – Welcome to Woof Meow with Don Hanson here on Star 977. When it comes to pets, how to best care for them, how to train them, and how to make that bond with your pet even stronger, do what so many people in Maine do: they go to Don Hanson at Green Acres Kennel Shop, 1653 Union Street in Bangor, and online at greenacreskennel.com, and at the ForceFreePets website at  forcefreepets.com

DON: – In my last pet tip, I discussed pet obesity and its serious health implications for our pets. While the food we feed them plays a major in obesity, so do the many treats we give them. To help your pet stay at a healthy weight, you must not only choose their food wisely but also the other treats you give them to eat. One may give their dog treats for training, to help clean their teeth, to keep them busy, or “just because.” A healthy training treat can range from 2 to hundreds of calories, depending on how you use them. Chews like bully sticks can range from 40 to 150 calories, dental treats from 16 to 173 calories, and “just because” treats can go even higher. After the break, I’ll list my recommendations for what to look for in any treat.

MIKE DOW: – For 31 years, Don has been owner and operator of Green Acres Kennel Shop, 1653 Union Street in Bangor, offering pet supplies, boarding, daycare, and grooming. Learn more at. greenacreskennel.com. Don also offers education for pets and their people at forcefreepets.com.

DON: – Quality treats will be high in animal protein or meat and low in fat, and ideally have no carbohydrates. An ounce of carbohydrates or fat has twice as many calories as an ounce of meat. If the package does not clearly indicate the number of calories, throw it away. For training treats, I use nothing larger than a green pea, for 4-pound Yorkies to 200-pound mastiffs. Ideally, treats will be easy to divide into small pieces. Treats or your dog’s food should not contain byproducts, sugar, propylene glycol, artificial colors, or preservatives. Ideally, no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories should come from sources other than their food, and that includes a few fries from your lunch, or a piece of a donut when you have coffee. For more information, read my article Selecting Healthy Treats for Your Dog on the ForceFreePets blog or in the January Downeast Dog News.

MIKE DOW: – Animal lovers listen for Woof Meow with Don Hanson each Monday at 4:20, and at various times during the week only on Star 977

I maintain two blogs, where I write about a variety of topics related to dogs and cats, or with a “Woof and Meow” theme. See what I did there? You can explore either by clicking on the links below. I also often share links to articles written by others that I believe my subscribers will find of interest. If you like what you see, please subscribe. You can unsubscribe at any time. If you think friends and family members would like what I’m writing about, share the link. – Don

 

Don Hanson lives in Bangor, Maine, where he is the co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop (greenacreskennel.com) and the founder and owner of ForceFreePets.com, an online educational resource for people with dogs and cats. He is a Professional Canine Behavior Consultant (PCBC-A) accredited by the Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB) and a Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner (BFRAP). Don is a member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG), serving on the Board of Directors and the Steering Committee, and chairs the Advocacy Task Force and the Shock-Free Coalition. He writes and edits the blogs for both Green Acres Kennel Shop and ForceFreePets.

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