What Are the Best Treats for Puppies?

What are the best treats for puppies to use during training?

The best training treats are small, quick to eat, and rewarding enough to hold a puppy’s attention. VCA Animal Hospitals recommends treats that break into small pieces, small kibble, or low-calorie treats. The right reward depends on what the individual puppy finds motivating.

Size matters more than a long chewing session during practice. The American Kennel Club says a pea-sized piece is enough even for a large dog; smaller puppies can use smaller pieces. Soft treats are easier and faster to eat than crunchy treats, so training can continue without a long pause for chewing.

Match the reward to the setting. AKC notes that kibble can work in a low-distraction place, while a more enticing treat can help when distractions increase. This gives owners a practical order: start with kibble or a mild reward in a quiet setting, then choose a more motivating option when the puppy needs more help focusing.

Use part of the puppy’s regular food allowance when possible. VCA says kibble is complete and balanced, and using it as a reward can help avoid nutrient deficiencies on treat-heavy training days. Its calories still count, so training food should be included in the daily total.

How old should a puppy be before getting treats?

Hill’s Pet Nutrition says appropriately formulated treats can generally be introduced at around 8 weeks of age. A puppy’s individual needs can differ, so discuss timing and treat choice with a veterinarian, especially for a very young puppy or one with a sensitive stomach.

For young puppies, Hill’s recommends small, soft, low-calorie treats that are easy to chew because developing teeth and gums can be sensitive. Choose a piece the puppy can eat without struggling, and supervise chewing. For advice on the wider care needs of a young puppy, see How Do I Care for a 7 Week Old Puppy?

Age is only one part of the choice. A treat also needs to fit the puppy’s size and chewing ability. A piece that is too large or awkwardly shaped can create a choking risk; the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) advises choosing treat size and shape with that risk in mind.

Should puppy treats be soft or crunchy?

Soft treats are usually the better choice for young puppies and training, while crunchy biscuits can suit occasional rewards. Hill’s favors soft treats for young puppies, and AKC says soft treats are easier and faster to eat during training. Crunchy treats take longer to chew and can interrupt a sequence of rewards.

Chews serve a different purpose from training pieces. They give a puppy something to chew, but hardness and supervision matter. WSAVA advises supervising dogs with chews and avoiding bones, excessively hard chews such as antlers and hooves, and chews with sharp edges.

There is no single texture for every moment. A small soft piece works for quick repetition; a suitable chew is a separate, supervised activity. Choose based on the puppy’s age, size, and ability to chew, rather than assuming that a longer-lasting or harder item is automatically better.

How many treats can I give my puppy each day?

Keep treats to no more than 10% of the puppy’s daily calories, and provide the remaining calories through complete, balanced food. WSAVA states that treats should make up less than 10% of a dog’s daily calorie intake, and Hill’s uses the same upper limit for puppies. Treats should add to the diet, not replace it.

The calorie allowance is a ceiling, not a target. Count training rewards, snacks, and edible chews together. If one kind of treat uses more of the allowance, reduce the amount available for the others. Reserve part of the daily kibble for training to keep rewards within the overall food plan.

Do not apply adult reference figures directly to a puppy. WSAVA says its calorie estimates are for average healthy adult dogs, so a puppy’s needs call for individualized guidance from the veterinary team. VCA’s example also shows the arithmetic: for a dog needing 550 kcal daily, 55 kcal can come from treats and 495 kcal from complete, balanced food.

Ingredient checks matter as much as portion size. WSAVA lists chocolate, macadamia nuts, onions and related alliums, grapes and raisins, xylitol, alcohol, raw yeast dough, and caffeinated drinks among toxic food ingredients. VCA also warns against chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, alcohol, and xylitol. VCA lists plain apples, carrots, green beans, blueberries, and cooked unseasoned meats as foods dogs may enjoy; keep portions small and include them in the calorie count.