The Best Treats for Puppies: What to Choose (and What to Avoid)
Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but it also comes with a lot of questions — especially around food and treats.
Treats play a huge role in training and bonding, but choosing the wrong ones can lead to digestive upset, poor habits, or even long-term health issues. So let’s break down exactly what your puppy actually needs.
Why Treats Matter for Puppies
Puppies are constantly learning. From toilet training to basic commands, rewards are one of the most effective ways to shape behaviour.
The right treats help:
Reinforce positive behaviour quickly
Keep your puppy engaged
Build trust and connection
But with puppies, quality matters far more than quantity.
What Makes a Good Puppy Treat?
Puppies have sensitive stomachs and developing teeth, so treats should be:
Simple – minimal ingredients, easy to digest
Natural – no artificial additives or preservatives
Soft or easy to break – perfect for training
Small – so you can reward often without overfeeding
Treats don’t need to be complicated — in fact, simpler is usually better.
Best Types of Treats for Puppies
1. Soft Training Treats
These are your go-to for daily training. They should be small, soft, and easy to chew.
Examples of gentle, puppy-friendly options include treats like ostrich bones, duck and orange bones, salmon buttons, or softer jerky-style treats such as kangaroo jerky. These are easy to break up and ideal for repetitive rewards.
2. Natural, Single-Protein Treats
Keeping proteins simple can help avoid digestive issues and makes it easier to identify sensitivities.
Options like ostrich, duck, salmon, or kangaroo are not only nutritious but are often well tolerated — even by more sensitive puppies.
3. Light Crunch Treats
Small, natural biscuits can add variety, but they should still be easy enough for a puppy to manage without putting strain on their teeth.
4. Gentle Chews for Teething
Puppies love to chew, especially when teething. Softer natural chews can help soothe sore gums — just make sure they’re age-appropriate and supervised.
Treats to Avoid
Not all dog treats are suitable for puppies.
Avoid:
Artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives
Very hard chews (these can damage puppy teeth)
Rawhide
High-fat or overly rich treats
Anything with a long, unclear ingredient list
A good rule: if it looks overly processed, it probably is.
How Many Treats Should You Give?
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your puppy’s daily food intake.
For training, use tiny pieces — your puppy won’t notice the size, only the reward. This keeps them motivated without overloading their system.
Choosing Treats Made for Real Life
When you’re training a puppy, you need treats that are:
Easy to carry
Not messy
Quick to break up
Consistent in quality
This is why many owners lean towards soft, natural treats made with minimal ingredients — they’re practical, effective, and much gentler on young stomachs.
Final Thoughts
What you feed your puppy now sets the foundation for their future health.
Stick to simple, natural treats, keep portions small, and focus on quality. Whether you’re using soft training treats like salmon buttons or breaking up small pieces of kangaroo jerky, the goal is the same — consistent, healthy rewards that support your puppy as they grow.
Your puppy doesn’t need fancy — just the right start.