Best Natural Dog Treats for Puppies
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Bringing a new puppy home is one of life's great joys — but it also comes with a lot of questions, especially around food. What treats are safe? What should you avoid? And how do you reward good behaviour without upsetting a delicate developing digestive system?
The answer is simpler than you might think: natural, single-ingredient treats are almost always the safest and healthiest choice for puppies.
What Age Can Puppies Have Treats?
Most puppies can start having treats from around 8 weeks of age, once they've been weaned. However, the type of treat matters enormously at this stage. Soft, easily digestible treats are best for very young puppies, with tougher chews introduced gradually as their teeth and jaws develop.
What to Look for in Puppy Treats
- Single ingredient — no hidden additives, colours, or preservatives that could upset a sensitive stomach
- Appropriate size and texture — nothing too hard for developing teeth
- Easily digestible — puppies have sensitive guts that are still developing
- Low in fat — high-fat treats can cause digestive upset in young dogs
- No added salt or sugar — unnecessary and potentially harmful for puppies
What to Avoid
- Rawhide — not easily digestible and can cause blockages
- Hard bones — can damage developing teeth
- Treats with artificial additives — colours, flavourings, and preservatives are unnecessary and potentially harmful
- High-fat treats — can trigger pancreatitis in young dogs
- Very large chews — always size appropriately for your puppy's breed
Best Natural Treats for Puppies
1. Gourmet Chicken & Turmeric Sausages
Soft, flavoursome, and made from 80% chicken with a touch of turmeric — our Chicken & Turmeric Sausages are suitable from 8 weeks and are ideal as training treats. Break them into small pieces for bite-sized rewards that puppies go crazy for.
2. Sweet Potato Slices
100% sweet potato — naturally sweet, easily digestible, and completely grain-free. Our Sweet Potato Slices are a brilliant option for puppies with sensitive stomachs, and they're a great source of fibre to support healthy digestion.
3. Puffed Chicken Feet
Lighter and less dense than air-dried chicken feet, our Puffed Chicken Feet are a great introduction to natural chews for puppies. They're crunchy, satisfying, and naturally rich in glucosamine to support healthy joint development from an early age.
4. Hairy Rabbit Ears
Suitable from 12 weeks, our Hairy Rabbit Ears are a gentle, natural chew that satisfies the urge to gnaw — which is especially important during the teething phase. The fur also supports healthy gut development.
5. Mini Bully Muscle Sticks
High in protein (84%) and very low in fat (5%), our Mini Bully Muscle Sticks are suitable from 8 weeks and are one of the safest high-protein chews for puppies. The low fat content means they're gentle on developing digestive systems.
Tips for Treating Your Puppy
- Keep treats to 10% of daily calories — puppies need balanced nutrition from their main meals
- Always supervise — never leave a puppy alone with a chew
- Introduce new treats gradually — one at a time, so you can identify any sensitivities
- Size matters — always choose treats appropriate for your puppy's size and breed
- Fresh water always available — especially when giving chews
Using Treats for Puppy Training
Treats are one of the most powerful tools in puppy training. Small, soft, smelly treats work best — they're quick to eat (so training isn't interrupted) and highly motivating. Our Chicken & Turmeric Sausages broken into pea-sized pieces are perfect for this.
As your puppy grows and their attention span increases, you can introduce longer-lasting chews as a reward for calm behaviour or as a settling tool during crate training.
Browse our full range of natural puppy-friendly treats at Pawtastic Munchies — all single ingredient, all free from artificial additives, and all loved by puppies and their owners alike.
