What’s cuter than a puppy? Maybe a puppy wagging its tail because you gave it the perfect treat! Those tiny paws and big eyes deserve the very best, especially when it comes to training and growth. But let’s be honest, walking down the pet store aisle can feel overwhelming. So many bags, so many labels—how do you know which treats are safe, healthy, and actually useful for your little bundle of fluff?
Choosing the wrong puppy treat can lead to tummy troubles or won’t help with those important early training sessions. You want treats that support growing bones and brains, not just empty calories. Finding that sweet spot between tasty reward and nutritious fuel is the real challenge for every new dog owner.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what makes a puppy treat great, what ingredients to watch out for, and how to pick rewards that match your puppy’s age and energy level. Get ready to become a treat-choosing pro!
Top Dog Treats For Puppies Recommendations
- 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.
- 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
- Contains one (1) 36 ounce canister of mini dog biscuits in 3 tasty flavors: beef, chicken and bacon
- Tasty mini dog treats prepared with care and right-sized for treating more often
- Crunchy texture helps freshen breath and reduce tartar build-up, perfect for sloppy doggie kisses
- Wholesome goodness at only 5 calories per treat with 12 vitamins and minerals
- Bone-shaped deliciousness that makes dog life more fun
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- MINI CHEWY PUPPY TREATS: These delicious, grain free soft puppy training treats are made with 2 kinds of fresh meat plus added vitamins specially for puppies and a healthy source of DHA to promote healthy brain development
- HEALTHY INGREDIENTS: These moist and tasty treats are made with whole fruits and veggies including superfoods like blueberries and sweet potatoes for a craveable flavor and a boost of antioxidants
- THOUGHTFULLY MADE: We craft delicious treats with simple, healthy, high quality ingredients chosen for their nutritional benefits; no meat byproducts, artificial colors, or flavors
- FIND THE RIGHT TREATS: From puppy to senior, small dog to large breed, crunchy to chewy, grained to grain free, treating to training, we've got a healthy recipe for every dog's needs and taste
- TRAINING AND REWARDING: These bite sized soft puppy training treats are the perfect rewards during training sessions or any time you want to thank your dog for good behavior
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Puppy Treats
Bringing a new puppy home is exciting! Training is a big part of that excitement. Treats make training fun and effective. But not all puppy treats are the same. This guide helps you choose the best snacks for your growing dog.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for puppy treats, look for specific things. These features ensure the treats help your puppy grow strong and stay healthy.
Size and Texture
- Small Size: Puppy treats must be small. Puppies have tiny mouths. Small treats are easy to chew. They also prevent choking.
- Soft Texture: Look for soft, chewy treats. Puppies are teething. Hard biscuits can hurt their gums. Soft treats are gentle on new teeth.
Nutritional Balance
- Growth Support: Treats should support rapid growth. Look for added calcium or DHA for brain development.
- Calorie Control: Puppies need calories for energy, but too many treats lead to weight gain. Treats should only make up about 10% of their daily food intake.
Training Suitability
- High Value: For training, treats need to be very tempting. A “high-value” treat is something your puppy loves more than anything else. This makes them focus better.
Important Ingredients and Materials
What goes into the treat matters most. You want clean, simple ingredients for your puppy.
Good Ingredients
- **Real Meat/Protein:** Chicken, turkey, or fish should be the first ingredient listed. This builds strong muscles.
- **Whole Grains or Vegetables:** Ingredients like sweet potatoes or oats provide necessary energy and fiber.
- **Natural Preservatives:** Look for Vitamin E or rosemary extract instead of artificial chemicals.
Ingredients to Avoid
Some things should not be in your puppy’s snacks.
- Artificial Colors and Flavors: These offer no nutritional benefit. They can sometimes cause stomach upset.
- By-Products: These are low-quality fillers. Avoid generic “meat by-products.”
- Excessive Fillers: Corn, wheat, and soy are common fillers. Some puppies have sensitivities to them.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The way a treat is made greatly affects its quality.
Quality Boosters
Treats made with limited, recognizable ingredients usually have higher quality. Treats that are freeze-dried or gently baked retain more nutrients. High-quality treats often have clear sourcing information on the bag.
Quality Reducers
High heat processing can destroy some vitamins. Treats packed with sugar or corn syrup are lower quality. If the ingredient list is very long and full of chemical names, the quality is likely reduced.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the treats impacts your choice.
Training Scenarios
- Quick Rewards: For fast commands like “sit” or “stay,” use very small, quick-to-eat treats. The puppy gets the reward fast and moves to the next command.
- Long Sessions: For longer training periods, use slightly larger, more durable chews. These keep the puppy busy and rewarded over time.
Puppy Life Stages
- Very Young Puppies (Under 16 weeks): They need the softest, smallest treats possible. They are learning everything at once.
- Older Puppies (6+ months): They can handle slightly tougher treats as their adult teeth come in.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Puppy Treats
Q: When can I start giving my puppy treats?
A: You can usually start giving very small, soft treats as soon as you bring your puppy home, around 8 weeks old, once they have settled in.
Q: How many treats should my puppy have each day?
A: Treats should never be more than 10% of your puppy’s total daily calories. Always check the feeding guidelines on the treat bag and adjust their main meal accordingly.
Q: Are human foods safe to use as treats?
A: Some are safe, like small pieces of carrot or apple. However, many human foods like grapes, chocolate, and onions are toxic. Stick to treats made specifically for dogs.
Q: What is the difference between puppy treats and adult dog treats?
A: Puppy treats are softer and usually contain more necessary nutrients, like calcium and DHA, to support rapid growth that adult treats do not focus on.
Q: Should I use training treats or dental chews?
A: Use soft training treats for active training sessions. Use dental chews separately to help clean their teeth as they get older.
Q: Why is my puppy not interested in the treats I buy?
A: Your puppy might find the treat is not high-value enough. Try testing different flavors, like chicken or peanut butter, to see what motivates them most.
Q: Can too many treats cause stomach upset?
A: Yes. Too many treats, especially new kinds, can cause diarrhea. Introduce new treats slowly, one at a time.
Q: What are “limited ingredient” treats?
A: These treats have very few ingredients, usually five or fewer. They are great if your puppy has known food allergies or sensitivities.
Q: Do I need to worry about sugar in puppy treats?
A: Yes, you should worry. Avoid treats with added sugar or corn syrup. Puppies do not need that extra sweetness, and it offers no health benefit.
Q: Are grain-free treats always better for puppies?
A: Not necessarily. Grain-free is only better if your puppy is allergic to grains like wheat. Many healthy puppies thrive well on treats containing safe whole grains like oats.