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
- FREEZE DRIED RAW BEEF LIVER DOG TREATS – BITE SIZED FOR TRAINING, 2.1 OZ BAG: High protein dog treats made with beef liver. Perfect as high value dog training treats, puppy training treats, and everyday rewards
- IRRESISTIBLE AROMA AND FLAVOR DOGS LOVE: Freeze dried raw dog treats preserve the natural scent, and taste dogs crave, helping keep dogs engaged and making every reward more exciting
- SINGLE INGREDIENT DOG TREATS: Made with 100% beef liver and no fillers, preservatives, artificial flavors or colors – delivering clean, meat-first nutrition in every bite
- USA MADE WITH U.S. AND GLOBALLY SOURCED INGREDIENTS: Made with high-quality animal protein from trusted suppliers. Freeze dried dog treats you can trust from a brand committed to minimally processed raw nutrition
- SHELF STABLE AND EASY TO STORE: Freeze-dried dog treats are easy to take on the go, store in your pantry, and use anytime without refrigeration—perfect for at home or on the move
- Puppy Treats Made in the USA - We proudly craft all Healthy Edibles dog chew treats in the United States
- Supports Growing Puppies - All natural dog treats are highly digestible, and Turkey & Apple is specially formulated with DHA to help support puppies' brain & eye development
- Edible Dog Chews Made With All-Natural Ingredients - These healthy dog treats are made with no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors
- Great for Puppy Training - These long-lasting dog chews can be rewarding training treats to encourage positive chewing habits
- For X-Small Puppies - These petite sized puppy chew treats are intended for young dogs up to 15 pounds
- 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
- 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
- Milk-Bone Soft & Chewy Mini's Dog Treats: Contains one (1) 18 oz canister of soft dog treats and dog snacks for rewarding, training, and everyday treating
- Training treats for dogs: Mini size and soft, chewy texture make these small dog training treats ideal for frequent rewards during training sessions and positive reinforcement
- Made with real chicken: Tender chicken flavored dog treats feature real chicken breast for a savory taste dogs love and a high-value reward during repeat training sessions
- Wholesome & tasty: Fortified with vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, plus 18% protein to add more goodness to treat time
- Soft & easy to chew: Mini dog treats feature a satisfyingly tender texture dogs love; feed as a snack or treat as part of a healthy diet*
- CONTAINS: One 24-oz. box of Milk-Bone Flavor Snacks small dog biscuits for dogs of all sizes
- 5 FLAVORS YOUR DOG WILL LOVE: Give ‘em dog biscuits with the tail-wagging tastes of beef, chicken, turkey, bacon and sausage with other natural flavors
- WHOLESOME DOG TREATS WITH 15% PROTEIN: Also contains 12 vitamins and minerals, like iron, zinc & 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
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.