What’s the secret ingredient to a happy, well-behaved puppy? Many experts agree: the right treats play a huge role! Those tiny bundles of fluff demand special attention, especially when it comes to what you feed them. You want to reward good behavior, but the sheer number of puppy treats on the shelf can feel overwhelming. Should you pick soft chews or crunchy biscuits? What about ingredients—are they safe for growing tummies?
Choosing the wrong treat can lead to upset stomachs or simply not motivate your new companion during training. It is a common struggle for new puppy parents to navigate labels and determine what truly benefits their growing dog. You need treats that work as training tools, not just snacks.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what makes a puppy treat effective, healthy, and irresistible to your furry friend. By the end, you will feel confident picking the perfect rewards for every training session and milestone.
Top Dog Treats For A Puppy Recommendations
- Highly Palatable with natural pork liver base
- 500 treats per bag!
- Only 1.5 calories per treat
- Clean ingredients with no corn, soy or artificial flavors
- Made with natural bacon
- REAL CHICKEN FIRST: Baby BLUE Training Treats are made with delicious real chicken as the first ingredient, plus DHA for cognitive development, making them the ideal reward for your puppy’s best behavior
- MEATY TRAINING TREATS: For puppies that love a meaty treat, Baby BLUE training dog treats are tender, bite-sized morsels that make them perfect for training
- WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: These dog treats contain NO chicken (or poultry) by-product meals and are free of corn, wheat and soy; Plus, they’re free of artificial preservatives and colors
- HEALTHY DOG TREATS: Blue Buffalo natural dog treats feature the healthy, wholesome ingredients you’ll love feeding as much as they’ll love eating
- Contains One (1) 4-oz bag of Blue Buffalo Baby BLUE Training Treats Natural Puppy Soft Dog Treats, Savory Chicken
- REAL CHICKEN FIRST: BLUE Bits dog training treats are made with delicious real chicken as the first ingredient making them an ideal reward for your best friend’s best behavior
- SOFT TRAINING TREATS: For dogs that love a soft treat, BLUE Bits are tender, bite-sized morsels that are the perfect size for training; plus, with DHA to help support cognitive development, they’re an ideal puppy treat
- WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: These dog treats don’t contain any chicken (or poultry) by-product meals and are free from corn, wheat, and soy; plus, they’re free from artificial preservatives like Propylene Glycol and colors like Red Dye 40
- HEALTHY DOG TREATS: Blue Buffalo natural dog treats feature the healthy, wholesome ingredients you’ll love feeding as much as they’ll love eating
- Contains: One (1) 19-oz bag of BLUE Bits Natural Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats, Chicken Recipe
- GRAIN-FREE PUPPY TREATS: These bite-sized, soft puppy training treats are the perfect reward during training sessions or any time you want to thank your dog for good behavior. Puppy bites contain 6 calories per individual treat!
- SUPPORTS BRAIN DEVELOPMENT: Soft dog treats are crafted with salmon, a healthy source of DHA to promote healthy brain development.
- HEALTHY INGREDIENTS: These treats for dogs are made with minimal ingredients focused on quality proteins: made with lamb and salmon, with added vitamins specifically for puppies.
- NO CORN, WHEAT, OR SOY: Treats for dogs do not contain wheat, wheat gluten, corn, soy, or artificial colors.
- MADE IN USA: Our dog treats are quality-assured, made in USA, and crafted from the finest globally-sourced ingredients. Treats are tender, healthy, and bite-sized for small, medium, and large dogs of all lifestages, and activity levels.
- CONTAINS: One 36-oz. canister of Milk-Bone Flavor Snacks Mini’s dog biscuits for dogs of all sizes
- 3 FLAVORS YOUR DOG WILL LOVE: Give ‘em dog biscuits with the tail-wagging tastes of beef, chicken and bacon flavors with other natural flavors
- WHOLESOME DOG TREATS WITH 15% PROTEIN: Five calories per treat and contains 12 vitamins and minerals, like iron, zinc and vitamin B12
- CALCIUM & PHOSPHORUS: To help support healthy teeth and bones
- CRUNCHY TEXTURE: Helps freshen breath and reduce tartar build-up, perfect for sloppy doggie kisses
- MADE IN THE USA - We proudly craft all Healthy Edibles dog chew treats in the United States
- VARIETY PACK - 3 long-lasting chew treats
- SPECIALLY MADE FOR PUPPIES - Healthy dog treats are highly digestible for growing pups
- MADE WITH ALL-NATURAL INGREDIENTS - These edible puppy bones are made with no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors
- GREAT FOR PUPPY TRAINING - Long-lasting dog chews encourage positive chewing habits
- FREEZE-DRIED RAW BEEF LIVER DOG TREAT: Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Dog Treats pack more protein than industry standard into every bite to deliver the peak vitality your dog deserves. Our natural freeze-dried raw dog treats are made from responsibly sourced, premium butcher cut beef liver.
- BETTER PROTEIN = BETTER BENEFITS: The best freeze dried dog treats on the market use premium butcher cut raw protein to unlock the benefits of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals in raw muscle and organs, because pets deserve the energetic playtimes, healthy skin, shiny coats, strong teeth, and essential gut health that a high-protein diet delivers.
- PROUDLY AMERICAN CRAFTED: All our dog treats and food are responsibly sourced and humanely harvested to ensure the quality of our proteins. We go above industry standards to preserve flavor and ensure the highest quality of protein and nutrients in every Vital Essentials product.
- MADE WITHOUT: Dog treat additives, fillers, dyes, flavorings, artificial preservatives, grains, or rendered by-products. Vital Essentials also offers the widest variety of single-protein raw dog food and treats on the market—great for picky eaters and dogs with allergies!
- RAW DOG TREATS FREEZE DRIED FOR PEAK FRESHNESS: Our protein is frozen within 45-minutes of harvesting to lock in peak nutrients, flavor, and freshness. A slow-freeze-dry ensures minimal processing, while preserving the vital nutrients that our pets deserve, the way nature intended.
- CONTAINS: One 40-oz. canister of Milk-Bone MaroSnacks small dog treats with real bone marrow
- CRUNCHY OUTSIDE, MEATY INSIDE: A dog biscuit with a satisfying combo of texture and mouthwatering flavor
- ONLY 10 CALORIES EACH: Ideal dog training treats that can also be used as an everyday snack
- MADE WITH CALCIUM: Helps maintain strong teeth and bones
- BAKED WITH LOVE: Produced in Buffalo, New York, USA
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Puppy Treats
Bringing a new puppy home is exciting! Training is a big part of that excitement. Good treats make training much easier and more fun. This guide helps you choose the best treats for your growing dog.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for puppy treats, look for a few important things. These features help ensure the treats are safe and helpful for your pup.
- Size Matters: Puppy treats should be small. Your puppy has a tiny mouth. Small treats prevent choking. They also allow for more frequent rewarding during training sessions.
- Softness: Look for soft, chewy treats. Puppies are still growing their adult teeth. Hard treats can hurt their gums. Soft treats are easier for them to chew right away.
- Nutritional Balance: The treat should support growth. Check the label for added vitamins and minerals important for puppies, like calcium.
- Training Specificity: Some treats are designed for quick rewards. These are often called “training treats.” They are usually low-calorie so you can give many without overfeeding.
Important Ingredients and Materials
What goes into the treat truly matters for your puppy’s health. Think of treats as small parts of their overall diet.
The Good Stuff (What to Seek Out)
High-quality protein is essential. Look for real meat listed as the first ingredient, like chicken, turkey, or salmon. Whole grains or sweet potatoes offer healthy energy. Natural ingredients are always better than artificial ones.
Ingredients to Avoid
Steer clear of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. These offer no nutritional benefit. High amounts of corn, wheat, or soy can sometimes cause tummy upset in sensitive puppies. Always check for added sugars; puppies do not need them.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The way a treat is made significantly impacts its value to your puppy.
Quality Boosters
Treats that use simple, recognizable ingredients are high quality. Treats that are baked or gently dehydrated retain more nutrients. Limited ingredient diets (LID) are great if your puppy has known allergies.
Quality Reducers
If the ingredient list is very long and full of chemical-sounding names, the quality is likely lower. Treats that crumble into dust easily might contain too many fillers. Over-processed treats lose valuable nutrients during manufacturing.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the treats affects which type you buy. Think about when and where you will give them.
Training Sessions
For quick obedience training (sit, stay), you need high-value, small, soft treats. These are easy to pop into your mouth and dispense quickly. You want the puppy to focus on the command, not spend five minutes chewing.
Bonding and Chewing
For longer chewing sessions or just bonding time, you might choose a slightly larger, slower-to-eat chew. However, always supervise your puppy with any chew toy or treat.
Portability
If you take your puppy everywhere, look for treats that do not melt or leave greasy residue on your pockets. Pouches or resealable bags keep the treats fresh on the go.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Puppy Treats
Q: How many treats can I give my puppy each day?
A: Treats should only make up 10% of your puppy’s total daily calories. Always check the feeding guidelines on the bag, but generally, give them sparingly, especially during training.
Q: When should I start giving my puppy treats?
A: You can start introducing very small, soft training treats as soon as you bring your puppy home, usually around 8 weeks old, once they settle in.
Q: Are human food scraps okay as treats?
A: Some human foods, like small pieces of plain cooked chicken or carrot, are fine occasionally. However, many human foods are dangerous (like grapes or chocolate). Stick to dog-specific treats for consistency.
Q: What is the difference between puppy treats and adult dog treats?
A: Puppy treats are softer and specially formulated with the higher calcium and protein ratios needed for rapid growth. Adult treats lack these specific puppy nutrients.
Q: Should I worry about calories in puppy treats?
A: Yes. Puppies grow fast and need careful calorie counting. Choose low-calorie training treats so you can reward often without causing weight gain.
Q: How long do soft puppy treats last once opened?
A: Most soft treats last about 4 to 6 weeks after opening, provided you seal the bag tightly and store them in a cool, dry place. Refrigeration can sometimes extend this time.
Q: Can too many treats cause stomach upset?
A: Yes, introducing new treats too quickly or giving too many can definitely cause soft stools or diarrhea. Introduce one type of treat at a time.
Q: What are “high-value” treats?
A: High-value treats are the absolute best things your puppy loves, like small bits of cheese or real meat. Use these for hard-to-learn commands or when training around big distractions.
Q: Are freeze-dried treats better than baked treats?
A: Both can be excellent! Freeze-dried treats often retain more nutrients because they use less heat. Baked treats are often easier to break into very small pieces for training.
Q: Do I need to worry about choking hazards?
A: Absolutely. Always choose treats sized appropriately for your puppy’s current age and mouth size. Never leave a puppy unattended while they are eating a chew or treat.