Ben Donati

“We tend to say about 10% of their diet should come from treats, or up to 10% really,”

Ben Donati · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-10

Donati cautioned owners against letting their dogs overindulge in treats.

“Overall, I think it's great,”

Ben Donati · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-10

Donati gave the Girl Scouts' canine cookie experiment an enthusiastic reception.

“It's just getting the behavior that you reward,”

Ben Donati · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-10

Donati noted that treats can have behavioral consequences if used to inadvertently reinforce unwanted behaviors.

“So, probably a light bulb went off in someone's mind that, why not sell to the four-legged member of the family,”

Ben Donati · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-10

Donati said the treats make sense as Americans increasingly consider their pets part of the family.

“There is an emotional component to it. There's a psychological component to it,”

Ben Donati · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-10

Donati discussed the increasingly human-like relationships Americans have with their pets.

“Probably shouldn't eat a whole box of Girl Scout Cookies,”

Ben Donati · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-10

Donati warned against overindulging in treats, noting they are not a substitute for a complete diet.

“Probably shouldn't eat a whole box of Patch Pals.”

Ben Donati · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-10

Donati warned that dogs probably shouldn't eat a whole box of Patch Pals.

“add a lot of fun for the girls who are selling them and the families who are buying them.”

Ben Donati · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-10

Donati said the treats should add fun for the girls selling them and the families buying them.

“We anthropomorphize our pets. We take pictures of them where they look like they're smiling.”

Ben Donati · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-10

Donati explained how people anthropomorphize their pets, including taking pictures of them.