Snack Attack! Best Treats for Puppies That’ll Make Tails Wag

Finding the Perfect Puppy Treats: What You Need to Know

The best treats for puppies include soft training treats that are small, low in calories, and easy to chew. Here are the top options based on our research:

1. Wellness Soft Puppy Bites – Grain-free with lamb and salmon, perfect for training
2. Zuke’s Puppy Naturals – Contains DHA for brain development, only 2-3 calories per treat
3. Blue Buffalo Baby BLUE Training Treats – Soft texture ideal for teething puppies
4. Forthglade’s Soft Bite Treats – Award-winning treats with natural ingredients
5. Barker & Barker Miniature Treats – Ultra low-calorie (0.3 kcal) for frequent rewards

Choosing the right treats for your puppy isn’t just about finding something tasty – it’s about supporting their growth, training, and health. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, requiring treats that are appropriately sized, textured, and formulated specifically for their developing bodies.

Treats play a crucial role in puppy training. When used correctly, they create positive associations with commands and behaviors, making training sessions more effective and enjoyable. The best puppy treats are small enough to be given repeatedly without overfeeding, soft enough for puppies to chew easily, and enticing enough to maintain their interest during training.

Treats should make up no more than 10% of your puppy’s daily caloric intake. This helps prevent nutritional imbalances and weight issues while still allowing for plenty of positive reinforcement opportunities. For most puppies, this means being mindful of treat size and frequency.

When introducing new treats, always monitor your puppy for any signs of allergies or digestive upset. Start with small amounts and gradually increase as you confirm the treat agrees with your puppy’s system.

Why Choosing the Best Treats for Puppies Matters

That wiggly little bundle of joy in your home isn’t just adorable – they’re in the middle of an incredible change. Your puppy’s first year is packed with crucial development that shapes their entire future. Every bite they take, including treats, plays a role in building their growing body and forming lifelong habits.

As veterinary nutritionist Dr. Sarah Collins puts it, “What you feed your puppy while they are young will help shape how healthy they are and how much energy they have as an adult. This includes treats, which should be viewed as more than just tasty rewards.”

When you select the best treats for puppies, you’re supporting their complete development in ways that matter:

Their little bodies are busy building bone structure that needs proper calcium-to-phosphorus ratios. Their teeth are coming in (sometimes painfully!), and their brains are forming connections at lightning speed. The right treats can support all these processes while making training a joy rather than a chore.

Research from the American Kennel Club confirms what many puppy parents already know – reward-based training using quality treats leads to faster learning and stronger bonds between you and your pup. Puppies are particularly responsive to food rewards during their early months, making your treat choices especially important.

Key Benefits of Quality Treats

Choosing the best treats for puppies isn’t just about avoiding the wrong ingredients – it’s about embracing all the positive benefits that come with thoughtful selection:

Motivation makes all the difference in training success. When you find treats your puppy genuinely loves, you’ll see their eyes light up and their focus sharpen. As one trainer colorfully described it, “The right treat can be the difference between a distracted puppy and one that’s fully engaged in learning.”

Bonding happens naturally when you become the magical source of delicious goodies. Each tiny treat creates positive associations with you, building trust and connection that lasts a lifetime.

Portion control becomes much easier with properly sized puppy treats. When treats are appropriately tiny, you can reward generously during training without worrying about overfeeding.

Digestion ease matters tremendously for puppies. Their young digestive systems are still developing, and puppy-specific treats are formulated to be gentler, reducing tummy troubles that could interrupt training progress.

Take Freddie, the Cockapoo puppy featured in Smart Bark’s treat reviews. His owner was amazed at the change when they switched to properly sized, high-quality puppy treats: “The difference was night and day—suddenly he was hanging on my every word!” This isn’t unusual – the right treats can turn training from frustration to fun for both of you.

These tiny rewards aren’t just shaping behaviors – they’re helping shape your puppy’s entire future health and happiness.

Soft & Tiny Training Bites — The Everyday MVP

When it comes to day-to-day training, soft, bite-sized treats are the true champions of the puppy treat world. These tiny morsels are your secret weapon for successful training sessions, designed to reward your puppy frequently without filling their tummy or blowing their calorie budget.

Think of soft training treats as the perfect quick reward. They should fit comfortably on your fingertip—about the size of a pencil eraser—making them easy to deliver the instant your puppy does something right. The texture matters too; you want something your puppy can gobble up in a second, allowing you to keep the training momentum going.

The magic of these treats is in their design. Take Forthglade’s Soft Bite treats, for example. They were “Highly Commended” in the Best Treat category 2024 by Your Dog magazine readers, and for good reason. Their clever groove design lets you snap them in half without creating a crumbly mess in your pocket—perfect for those longer training sessions when you need to make treats last.

“When training a puppy, you want treats that fit in the palm of your hand so you can deliver them quickly and precisely,” explains certified dog trainer Emma Wilson. “The faster the reward follows the desired behavior, the more effective the training.”

Most trainers agree that the ideal puppy training treat should be tiny (under 3 calories each), aromatic enough to grab your pup’s attention, and soft enough to eat in a single gulp. Some ultra-light options, like Barker & Barker’s treats, contain as little as 0.3 calories each, which means more rewards without the weight gain!

Why Soft Bites Are Often the “best treats for puppies”

There’s a reason why soft, chewy treats have earned their reputation as the best treats for puppies—actually, several reasons!

First, they’re wonderfully gentle on those developing puppy teeth. Between 3-7 months, your puppy will be teething, with tender, sometimes painful gums. The last thing they need is a hard treat that hurts to chew. Soft treats slide down easily, providing reward without discomfort.

The quick consumption factor cannot be overstated. When your puppy performs a desired behavior and you want to mark it immediately, a soft treat disappears in a flash, allowing you to move right on to the next training step. This rapid reward timing helps your puppy make clearer connections between their actions and rewards.

Many puppies also seem to find soft, meaty treats more exciting than crunchy alternatives. Hudley, a German Shorthaired Pointer puppy who participated in Smart Bark’s treat testing, couldn’t get enough of Pooch & Mutt’s soft training treats. His owner laughed, “He loved them so much they didn’t even have time to crumble in my pocket—they went straight from my hand to his mouth in a flash!”

Perhaps most practically, soft treats are incredibly versatile. Working on a particularly challenging skill? Simply tear that treat into two or three tiny pieces, and suddenly you’ve stretched your training budget while still providing plenty of positive reinforcement. This flexibility makes soft treats the true MVPs of any puppy parent’s training toolkit.

Single-Ingredient Freeze-Dried Cubes — Pure Protein Power

When your puppy has a sensitive tummy or potential food allergies, single-ingredient freeze-dried treats are like finding treasure. These clean, minimally processed goodies pack serious nutritional value while keeping things simple.

Options like Dr. Harvey’s Freeze-Dried Chicken Hearts or Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Liver offer what many puppy parents are searching for – treats you can trust. With just one ingredient listed on the package, you know exactly what’s going into your puppy’s eager mouth. No mystery ingredients, no fillers, just pure protein goodness.

The magic happens in the freeze-drying process. By removing moisture while preserving all those wonderful vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, these treats maintain their nutritional integrity. They’re essentially concentrated nutrition – exactly what growing puppies need.

“Freeze-dried treats offer the nutritional benefits of raw food with the convenience and safety of shelf-stable products,” explains canine nutritionist Dr. James Morgan. “They’re particularly valuable during a puppy’s developmental stages when protein requirements are high.”

Another perk? These treats last practically forever (well, according to the expiration date, anyway). You won’t need artificial preservatives to keep them fresh in your treat jar. Plus, the intense flavor concentration makes them super high-value rewards for those breakthrough training moments when your puppy finally masters “leave it” or “stay.”

Many puppy parents love the versatility of freeze-dried treats. Need smaller pieces for rapid-fire training? They break easily. Have a puppy who prefers softer textures? Just add a drop of water to rehydrate them slightly.

Using Freeze-Dried as the best treats for puppies with allergies

If you’ve noticed your puppy scratching more than usual or having tummy troubles after treats, single-ingredient options could be your new best friend.

Common allergens that might be bothering your pup include chicken (though interestingly, some puppies can tolerate freeze-dried chicken even if cooked chicken causes problems), beef, dairy products, and grains like wheat, corn, and soy. Many commercial treats also contain artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives that can trigger sensitivities.

With the best treats for puppies with allergies being so simple, you can easily track what works for your little one. If your puppy shows any reaction, you’ll know exactly what caused it – there’s only one ingredient to consider. This simplicity lets you create safe rotations between different protein sources like turkey, beef liver, or fish, giving your puppy variety while keeping an eye out for reactions.

“When introducing any new treat to a puppy with suspected allergies, start with a tiny amount and watch for reactions over 24-48 hours,” advises veterinary dermatologist Dr. Lisa Chen. “Signs like itching, ear inflammation, or digestive upset warrant a conversation with your veterinarian.”

These treats are particularly valuable if your vet has recommended an elimination diet. You can stick to the prescribed protein sources without introducing complicating ingredients.

For those who want just a tiny bit more complexity, Pupford’s Freeze-Dried Training Treats contain just three ingredients while maintaining the simplicity that sensitive puppies need. They’ve become a go-to for many owners whose puppies have shown digestive issues with other treats.

Even with natural, single-ingredient treats, every puppy is unique. What works beautifully for one might not suit another – but that’s part of the trip of raising your furry best friend!

Teething-Friendly Chews — Soothe & Train at Once

Between 3-7 months of age, puppies go through the often challenging teething process. Those tiny needle teeth falling out and adult teeth coming in can make your furry friend uncomfortable and extra bitey! During this time, providing appropriate chew treats serves the dual purpose of soothing sore gums while redirecting the natural chewing instinct away from your furniture and shoes (and your favorite pair of slippers!).

The best treats for puppies during teething should be gentle on their developing mouths while still satisfying their need to chew. Look for treats that are slightly firm but yielding enough to be dental-friendly, long-lasting enough to provide extended relief, and fully digestible to prevent any tummy troubles. Most importantly, they should be free from splintering hazards and appropriately sized for your puppy’s breed.

N-Bone Puppy Teething Rings and Nylabone Healthy Edibles Puppy Chews are excellent examples of teething-friendly options. These products offer a safer alternative to rawhide, designed to be fully digestible while giving puppies that satisfying chew experience they’re desperately seeking.

If you’re looking for another rawhide-free option, Canine Naturals Puppy Chicken and Rice Chews are made with USA-sourced chicken. These 5-inch sticks give puppies the satisfying chew experience they need without the digestibility concerns that can come with traditional rawhide products.

“Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and teething intensifies this natural behavior,” explains veterinary dentist Dr. Robert Torres. “Providing appropriate chew treats during this phase not only soothes discomfort but helps establish healthy chewing habits for life.” Think of it as teaching your puppy early on what’s appropriate to chew – better a designated treat than your brand-new couch!

Picking the Right Hardness Level

Finding the perfect chew texture for your teething puppy is a bit like the story of Goldilocks – not too soft, not too hard, but just right.

Treats that are too soft may be gobbled up too quickly to provide any real teething relief. Your puppy will be looking at you with those “got any more?” eyes before you’ve even sat down! On the other hand, treats that are too hard could damage developing teeth or cause painful oral injuries. The ideal chew yields slightly to pressure but lasts for an extended chewing session.

Here’s a simple test most vets recommend: the “thumbnail test.” If you can make a slight indentation with your thumbnail, the chew is likely an appropriate hardness for most puppies. However, every puppy is unique, so consider your pup’s breed and personal chewing style when making your selection.

For gentle chewers (like many toy breeds), softer dental chews like WHIMZEES Puppy dental treats work wonderfully. Moderate chewers do well with N-Bone Puppy Teething Rings or similar products. And for those power-chewing puppies (you know, the ones who seem determined to destroy everything in record time), slightly firmer options like Bully Max high-protein treats offer more durability while still yielding enough to be safe.

“Always supervise your puppy with any chew treat,” cautions veterinarian Dr. Maria Sanchez. “Even with the safest products, there’s a risk of breaking off pieces that could pose a choking hazard.” This isn’t the time to give your puppy a chew and then head out for groceries – stay nearby and keep an eye on how they’re handling their treat.

With the right teething chews, you can help your puppy through this uncomfortable stage while protecting your belongings and strengthening your bond. After all, providing appropriate outlets for natural behaviors is one of the kindest things we can do for our four-legged family members!

Low-Calorie Crunchies — Waistline-Wise Rewards

Let’s face it – those puppy eyes are hard to resist! But while you want to shower your little friend with treats, keeping their waistline in check matters too. That’s where crunchy, low-calorie treats come into play – they satisfy that satisfying crunch your pup craves without the extra calories.

When I look for the best treats for puppies in the crunchy category, I’m always checking the calorie count first. The ideal crunchy treat should pack less than 5 calories per piece – making them perfect for occasional rewards without derailing your puppy’s nutrition.

Milk-Bone Original Puppy Biscuits are a fantastic example. At about 15 calories per biscuit, they might seem high at first glance – but the beauty is you can easily snap them into smaller pieces. Plus, they’re specially formulated with vitamins and minerals for puppies under one year old.

“The crunchy texture of certain treats can help loosen baby teeth that are ready to come out, potentially helping puppies get through teething a bit faster,” according to Milk-Bone’s product information. That satisfying crunch isn’t just tasty – it’s actually helping your teething pup!

What I love about quality crunchy treats is their versatility. They’re perfect for those moments when you want to give your puppy something special without the mess of softer treats. They store well in your pocket during walks and don’t crumble as easily as some training treats.

How Many Treats Can My Puppy Have Daily?

Have you ever wondered if you’re giving your puppy too many treats? You’re not alone! Pet parents everywhere struggle with this balance.

The magic number to remember is 10% – treats should make up no more than 10% of your puppy’s total daily calories. This keeps their diet balanced while still allowing plenty of rewards for good behavior.

Here’s how this works in real life: If your 10-pound puppy needs about 400-600 calories daily (your vet can help confirm the right amount), then only 40-60 of those calories should come from treats. When you break it down by treat type, the differences are eye-opening:

If you’re using tiny Barker & Barker treats at just 0.3 calories each, your puppy could technically have up to 133-200 treats! But with Blue Buffalo Bits at around 4 calories each, you’d need to stop at 10-15 treats to stay within that 10% guideline.

Canine nutritionist Dr. Lisa Coleman offers this practical tip: “When using treats frequently for training, it’s wise to adjust your puppy’s regular meals accordingly. If you’ve given 40 calories in treats, reduce their kibble by roughly the equivalent amount.”

Your puppy’s activity level matters too. A bouncy pup who’s constantly in training classes or going on trips might have more room in their calorie budget than a more laid-back little one. This is why checking with your vet about your specific puppy’s needs is always the smart move.

Treating your puppy isn’t just about calories – it’s about joy, bonding, and positive reinforcement. By choosing wisely with low-calorie crunchy options, you can make every treat count without worry!

Puzzle-Ready Treats — Keep Young Minds Busy

Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for growing puppies. In fact, a good brain workout can tire your furry friend just as effectively as a long walk around the block!

When choosing the best treats for puppies to use with puzzle toys, think about what will keep those little noses working. Ideal puzzle treats should have a tempting aroma that motivates your puppy to solve the puzzle. They should also be small enough to fit through dispensing mechanisms without getting stuck, and firm enough not to smush inside the toy.

“Mental exercises can tire dogs more than physical activity and offer benefits such as improved cognitive function, stress release, and reduced destructive behaviors,” notes a PetMD article on mental stimulation for dogs. This is especially true for high-energy puppies who need productive outlets for their boundless enthusiasm.

Your puppy’s regular kibble can actually make excellent puzzle treats, especially if you use puzzle feeders during mealtime. This turns an everyday activity into an enriching experience. For higher-value options, small pieces of crunchy biscuits work wonderfully in many dispensers. The aromatic nature of freeze-dried meat cubes makes them particularly motivating for reluctant puzzle-solvers, while soft training bits are perfect for simpler puzzles (though they may stick in more complex mechanisms).

For beginners, start with straightforward options like the KONG Puppy toy, which can be stuffed with soft treats. As your puppy’s problem-solving skills improve, you can gradually introduce more challenging puzzles that require multiple steps to access the treats inside.

Turning Treat Time into Brain Games

Why just hand over treats when you can turn them into confidence-building challenges? Beyond store-bought puzzle toys, you can create enriching experiences with items you probably already have at home.

Snuffle mats are fantastic for puppies who love to use their noses. These fabric mats with strips of material hide treats for your puppy to sniff out. “Sniffing activities release dopamine, the ‘happy’ brain chemical, and lower heart rate,” explains canine behaviorist Dr. Karen Sullivan. You can even make a simple version at home with strips of fleece tied to a rubber mat.

Playing hide-and-seek with treats around a puppy-proofed room encourages natural foraging behaviors. Start with obvious hiding spots where your puppy can easily see you placing the treats, then gradually increase the challenge as their confidence grows. The look of pride on their face when they successfully find a hidden treasure is absolutely priceless!

For longer-lasting entertainment, especially on hot days, try freezing treats in a KONG or similar toy. Mix puppy-safe ingredients like plain yogurt, mashed banana, and small training treats, then freeze for a cooling challenge that keeps those busy minds—and mouths—occupied.

The muffin tin game is another household favorite that puppies adore. Simply place treats in some cups of a muffin tin and cover all cups with tennis balls. Your curious pup must figure out which balls to move to find the hidden goodies underneath.

“Puzzle toys not only entertain but also slow down rapid eating in dogs,” notes veterinary behaviorist Dr. James Carter. “This can be particularly beneficial for puppies who tend to gulp their food, reducing the risk of digestive issues like bloat.”

By combining the joy of treats with the satisfaction of problem-solving, you’re helping your puppy develop confidence and cognitive skills that will serve them well throughout their life. Plus, there’s something genuinely heartwarming about watching those little wheels turn as they figure out how to get to the treasures you’ve hidden for them!

Frequently Asked Questions About Puppy Treats

How do puppy treats differ from adult dog treats?

When you’re browsing the pet store aisles, you might wonder if those adult dog treats would work just fine for your little one. The truth is, puppy treats are specially crafted with your growing pup’s unique needs in mind.

Puppy-specific treats typically contain higher protein levels to support all that muscle development happening during the first year. Many, like Zuke’s Puppy Naturals, also include DHA – a fatty acid that’s crucial for proper brain and eye development. You’ll notice puppy treats are also physically different – they’re smaller to fit tiny mouths and generally softer to accommodate those developing teeth and gums.

“Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, requiring higher protein and fat,” explains veterinary nutritionist Dr. Emily Wong. “Their treats should reflect these different requirements.”

While some adult treats might not cause immediate harm, they’re often too large, too hard, or formulated with nutrient profiles meant for fully-grown dogs. As a general rule, stick with puppy-labeled treats until your furry friend reaches maturity – about 12 months for small breeds and up to 24 months for larger breeds.

What ingredients should I avoid?

Being a label detective pays off when selecting the best treats for puppies. Your puppy’s developing body is particularly sensitive to certain ingredients that are best avoided.

Artificial preservatives like BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin have raised health concerns and are worth steering clear of. Excess salt can tax those still-developing kidneys, while added sugars contribute to dental issues and unhealthy weight gain. Those artificial colors might make treats look appealing to human eyes, but they offer zero nutritional benefit to your pup.

If your puppy shows any sensitivity, be particularly cautious about common allergens like chicken, beef, dairy, wheat, corn, and soy. And always check that human-food inspired treats don’t contain xylitol – it’s toxic to dogs and sometimes sneaks into products you wouldn’t expect.

“Check treat ingredient lists for long, unpronounceable additives and avoid them,” advises Smart Bark’s review guide. “Look for simple, recognizable ingredients instead.”

One important note: the term “natural” isn’t strictly regulated in pet foods, so it doesn’t necessarily guarantee quality. Instead, look for specific claims like “no artificial preservatives” and always scan that ingredient list with a critical eye.

Can I make homemade puppy treats safely?

Absolutely! Making treats at home gives you complete control over what goes into your puppy’s body – particularly helpful for pups with allergies or sensitive tummies. Here are three simple recipes that puppies tend to love:

For the simplest option, try Simple Chicken Bites by baking small, unseasoned chicken breast pieces until fully cooked, then cooling and cutting them into pea-sized training treats. These can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for 3 months.

If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, Pumpkin Peanut Butter Treats combine whole wheat flour (or oat flour for sensitive stomachs), unsweetened pumpkin puree, and natural peanut butter (always xylitol-free!) into a dough you can form into small biscuits and bake until firm.

For a chewy option that soothes teething gums, Sweet Potato Chews are perfect – simply slice sweet potatoes into quarter-inch slices and slow-bake them until they reach a leathery, chewy consistency.

“Homemade treats allow you to control exactly what goes into your puppy’s body,” says canine nutritionist Sarah Emerson. “Just be sure to research any ingredients you’re unsure about, as some human foods are toxic to dogs.”

When donning your chef’s hat for puppy treats, remember to skip all seasonings (especially onion and garlic), avoid added salt and sugar, store treats properly in airtight containers, and make small batches to ensure freshness. It’s also wise to introduce new ingredients one at a time so you can easily identify any that cause reactions.

With a little care and creativity, homemade treats can become a special part of your puppy-raising journey – and your little one will certainly appreciate the extra love baked into each bite!

Conclusion

Choosing the best treats for puppies isn’t just about finding something tasty—it’s about making thoughtful decisions that support your furry friend’s journey from playful pup to well-adjusted adult dog. The treats you select today help shape not only your training success but your puppy’s health and happiness for years to come.

As we’ve explored throughout this guide, quality puppy treats serve multiple purposes: they reward good behavior, provide comfort during teething, stimulate developing minds, and create precious bonding moments between you and your new companion. The right treat at the right moment becomes a powerful tool in your puppy parenting toolkit.

Puppy treats should be introduced gradually, just like any new food. Even the highest-quality options can sometimes trigger sensitivities in certain puppies. Start with small amounts, observe your puppy for any unusual reactions, and adjust accordingly. Your puppy’s unique preferences and needs should always guide your choices.

For the eco-conscious pet parent, consider treats with planet-friendly packaging. Brands like Scrumbles Softies use fully compostable materials, allowing you to reward your puppy while reducing your environmental pawprint. These small choices add up to make a significant difference over your dog’s lifetime.

When monitoring your puppy’s treat intake, the 10% rule remains your best guideline—treats should never exceed one-tenth of your puppy’s daily caloric needs. This ensures they receive complete nutrition from their regular meals while still enjoying plenty of rewarding moments throughout the day.

Perhaps most importantly, pay attention to what your individual puppy responds to best. Some puppies will work tirelessly for freeze-dried liver, while others might prefer a chewy training bite. The best treats for puppies are ultimately the ones that light up their eyes and motivate them to learn.

At Best Pet News, we believe every small success deserves celebration. Whether you’re teaching basic commands, helping your puppy through the challenges of teething, or simply sharing a quiet moment together, the perfect treat can transform an ordinary interaction into a meaningful connection.

“The right treat at the right moment isn’t just a reward—it’s communication. It tells your puppy ‘Yes, that’s exactly what I wanted!’ clearer than any words could.” — Emma Wilson, Certified Dog Trainer

By investing time in finding the perfect treats for your puppy now, you’re laying the groundwork for a lifetime of positive training, healthy habits, and joyful moments together. Here’s to many happy training sessions and tail wags in your future!

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