How to Choose the Right Treats for Your Dog

Choosing the right treats for your dog can feel surprisingly complicated. Walk into any pet shop and you’ll find shelves full of options – different flavours, shapes, sizes, and promises.

But the truth is, the best dog treats are usually the simplest ones.

Here’s how to cut through the noise and choose treats that actually work for your dog.

Start with what your dog needs

The right treat depends on your dog, not just what looks good on the shelf.

Think about:

• Their age (puppy, adult or senior)
• Their size and breed
• Any sensitivities or allergies
• How you plan to use the treats (training, rewarding, or just because)

A young, energetic dog being trained will need something very different to an older dog who just enjoys a chew.

Choose natural dog treats where possible

One of the easiest ways to improve your dog’s diet is to switch to natural dog treats.

Look for:

• Simple ingredient lists
• Real meat as the main ingredient
• No unnecessary fillers or additives

Dogs don’t need long ingredient lists. In most cases, the fewer ingredients, the better.

Think about how you’ll use them

Different situations call for different types of treats.

For training: You’ll want small, high-value treats that your dog is excited to work for. These should be easy to break into pieces and quick to eat, so you can reward your dog without interrupting the flow.

For everyday rewards: Slightly larger treats can work well here, especially for reinforcing good behaviour at home.

For chewing: Longer-lasting chews are useful for keeping your dog occupied and satisfied.

Watch portion sizes

Treats should only make up a small part of your dog’s daily diet.

A good rule of thumb is:
Treats should be no more than 10% of your dog’s daily food intake.

It’s easy to overdo it, especially when those eyes are looking at you. Choosing high-quality treats means you can give less, but get more value.

Pay attention to how your dog responds

Your dog will tell you what works.

Look out for:

• Excitement and engagement
• Good digestion
• Consistent energy levels

If something doesn’t agree with them, it’s worth switching to a simpler option, like single ingredient treats.

Keep it simple

At the end of the day, the best dog treats are:

• Natural
• Easy to digest
• Suitable for the job you’re using them for

If you stick to those principles, you won’t go far wrong.

Dewkes Dog Treats

Dewkes dog snacks and treats are all natural, with minimal ingredients and no artificial nasties. Take a look at the Dewkes dog treat range >