What Makes a Good Dog Treat and How to Feed Them

Anna Bain, canine nutrition expert and writer at ProDog Raw, provides all the insights you need to choose the healthiest treat options for your furry friend. She also highlights ProDog’s range of natural dog treats, ensuring that you can confidently support your dog’s nutritional needs and overall well-being while generating tons of happy tail wagging. 

Not all dog treats are created equal, much like human snacks. Many options on supermarket shelves contain inappropriate ingredients, artificial flavourings, and preservatives, with processing methods that strip away nutritional value. This can lead to treats that offer little to no benefit and can even be detrimental to a dog’s long-term health, contributing to issues like obesity. As with human food, whole, minimally processed foods are the best choice for our dogs, including their treats. 

Healthy dog treats are those that provide nutritional value, act as a tasty reward, are made with dog-appropriate, natural ingredients, and undergo minimal processing. 

Raw dog treats 

The term “raw dog treats” often refers to treats made from animal parts like rabbit ears, duck feet, or calf hooves. However, these are usually air-dried rather than truly raw. True raw dog treats are those in the exact same form they were when they came from the animal or are picked from the tree, such as raw meaty bones, fruits, or raw eggs. 

Air-dried or freeze-dried natural dog treats 

Often called ‘natural dog treats,’ air-dried or freeze-dried dog treats are sometimes mistakenly referred to as raw dog treats, though they aren’t technically raw since the ingredients have been altered from their original state. However, these treats are just as nutritious as raw options because the drying methods preserve the nutritional content without diminishing its value or necessitating artificial preservatives. This natural drying process also makes these tasty dog snacks convenient to store and serve. 

 Raw dog treats versus naturally dried dog treats 

 There’s no real competition here, as both offer various benefits. You might prefer one over the other for specific reasons, which we’ll explore later in the article. 

True raw dog treats, like mineral-rich, meaty bones, should always be fed raw to prevent splintering, which can occur when bones are cooked. Fruits can be an excellent raw treat for many dogs, opt for antioxidant rich, low sugar fruits such as berries. 

For more dog-friendly food options, check out our,  What Can My Dog Eat guide and for more tips on bones for dogs our article, Feeding Bones to Dogs,  may be helpful. 

For many people, feeding truly raw meat or animal products is too messy, therefore our naturally air-dried dog treats are a convenient alternative. These treats are made from quality proteins and naturally dehydrated, offering the next best thing to raw treats. By choosing ProDog treats, you are providing a healthy, natural option that complements your dog’s diet. 

A simple way to identify an unhealthy dog treat is by checking the ingredient list which often list numerous ingredients, some of which may be unfamiliar and unpronounceable. Labels like “made with chicken” can be misleading, as pet food labelling regulations require only 4% of the named meat to be in the product, allowing the rest to be fillers like grains or other carbs, which are not ideal for dogs. 

Healthy treats typically have very few ingredients, easily recognisable as real food. Some are just one ingredient, like duck feet or venison skins, zero ingredients added.  

ProDog natural dog treats are chosen for their high-quality ingredients and minimal processing, making them an excellent way to spoil and reward your dog while enhancing their diet. We advocate for feeding as much natural whole foods as possible, and for those who can, a fully raw dog food diet is always the ideal choice. Raw diets are rich in animal-based proteins, vitamins, and minerals in their most absorbable forms, supporting a dog’s energy levels, balanced mood, and strong immune system. 

To learn more, explore our guides, including, Top 12 Health Benefits of Raw Feeding Your Dog and Beginners Guide to Feeding Raw Dog Food.  

Many commercial dog treats contain grains, sugars, starches, and artificial preservatives, which can cause insulin spikes, leading to weight gain and behavioural issues. In contrast, whole food, animal protein-rich treats promote a healthy gut, support beneficial bacteria, and maintain a strong immune system. 

While treats play a key role in daily enrichment, choosing the right ones is essential for ensuring long-term health benefits for your dog. 

Regardless of your dog’s diet, incorporating quality natural dog treats can enhance their nutritional intake. However, it’s important to research beforehand, as dogs that have been on a kibble diet for a long time may find it challenging to digest denser raw or natural treats, such as raw meaty bones.  

My advice is to start with small portions and gradually increase the amount while monitoring your dog’s toilet habits, energy levels, and weight. For tailored guidance, consider contacting ProDog’s expert nutritionist team before making any significant dietary changes. 

Let’s delve into how healthy dog treats can benefit your dog’s wellbeing 

Dental and oral health: Healthy dog treats, especially those with the ‘hassle factor’, meaning foods that require lots of gnawing and chewing, are a great way to clean teeth and can help reduce plaque buildup and promote fresher breath. By choosing natural or raw treats, you avoid harmful additives, supporting overall oral hygiene and reducing the risk of dental diseases. 

Joint and mobility: Natural treats rich in glucosamine and chondroitin, such as those often derived from animal cartilage and connective tissues, such as duck feet, beef trachea or duck neck this can aid in maintaining joint health and mobility, especially helpful for older dogs or those breeds prone to joint issues. These nutrients help to support cartilage repair and maintain balanced inflammatory response, making them beneficial for active dogs or those with arthritis. 

Digestive system: High-quality, natural dog treats often are made from ingredients that are supportive of the gut, rather than being packed with sugar or starchy ingredients that fuel the bad bacteria of the gur natural or raw dog treat  promote  the beneficial bacteria, while also treats such as rabbit ears with fur can help to sweep the intestinal tract of debris helping with digestive conditioning, including working as a natural dewormer.  

Toilet habits: A balanced diet supplemented with healthy treats can regulate your dog’s bowel movements, promoting regular and healthy toilet habits. Natural treats fed in balance and can provide bulk and ruffage to the stools, helping to support effective anal gland function, some types can help to cleanse the digestive tract and those rich in collagen also contribute to a healthy gut environment by reinforcing the gut lining, all of which support a smooth digestive function and manageable stool consistency. 

 Weight management: Natural or raw dog treats are often lower calorie than processed dog treats. They are nutrient-dense therefore an excellent way to help manage your dog’s weight while still offering a tasty reward. They provide necessary nutrients without excessive calories, reducing the risk of obesity and the plethora of related metabolic health issues. 

Emotional wellbeing 

The mind and body are linked, and therefore what you fuel your dog with will impact their happiness as much as their health. 

Natural whole foods can support the systems and functions of the body that affect mood and behaviour, whilst the act of chewing, innate to dogs, is an activity that can calm, soothe and relieve boredom in dogs. 

Healthy training treats

Food is an excellent motivator for many dogs and can be an invaluable tool in training. While teaching your dog essential skills for safe living, it’s crucial to use healthy and nutritious dog training treats as incentives. Avoid treats filled with inappropriate, highly processed ingredients and synthetic additives, as these can negatively impact your dog’s health, mood, and behaviour [1]. 

ProDog offers a selection of natural dog treats perfect for training, encouraging your dog to learn and repeat desired behaviours while meeting their nutritional needs. This high-reward, delicious selection includes treats made from lean proteins, naturally air-dried or freeze-dried to preserve the quality of the raw ingredients. The softer texture, created using vegetable pulp, makes them ideal for young pups and older dogs with delicate teeth. They’re also small enough to avoid overfeeding and are easy to carry in pockets or pouches. 

Dental dog snacks 

Chewing is one of the best ways for a dog to keep their teeth clean and breath fresh, provided the right snacks are chosen. Grain-free, animal protein-based treats that are minimally processed to retain nutritional value are the best choice for dental health and overall well-being. 

Many dental dog chews on the market use ingredients like grains high in sugars and starches, which can promote bad bacteria in the mouth and gut, making them difficult to digest and leading to issues like insulin spikes, fat storage, and weight gain [2]. In contrast, ProDog’s range of dental dog treats is expertly selected to support oral hygiene, are easily digestible, and add beneficial vitamins and minerals to the diet.

Your dog will love their tasty new chew, while you’ll appreciate the benefit of natural bones and long-lasting chews keeping their teeth clean [3]. If you’ve struggled with brushing your dog’s back teeth, these treats offer a healthy, self-care alternative. 

Made from single-protein ingredients, naturally dehydrated, with zero additives, and free from rawhide (see details on the risks of feeding rawhide below), these chews provide a nutritious snack that also cares for your dog’s teeth and gums.  

An added bonus of regular chewing on healthy treats is fresher breath! 

Feeding advice : For power chewers, try Calf Hooves or Ostrich Bones. For smaller, more delicate mouths, Rabbit Ears, Lamb Shoulder Strips, or Duck Necks are excellent options for dental care. 

 * Note on rawhide– Rawhide chews can pose serious risks to dogs, including choking hazards and blockages, as they can swell and become difficult to digest. They often contain harmful chemicals used in processing, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues or toxicity. My advice, steer well clear and choose natural, rawhide-free alternatives for chewing! 

Long-lasting natural dog treats 

Dogs are naturally inclined to chew, a behaviour that dates back to their wild ancestors who gnawed on prey. Although domesticated, dogs still have an instinctual need to chew, which stimulates their minds, releases calming endorphins [4], and aids in dental and gum health. 

Providing dog treats that satisfy this need supports a happier, healthier dog. While many long-lasting chews are available, the best options are those that are minimally processed and as close to raw as possible. ProDog’s range of long-lasting natural treats are naturally dehydrated using air-drying methods to retain the vitamins and minerals in the raw ingredients. 

With a variety of options available, you’ll surely find one that your dog loves. For smaller, delicate teeth, Kangaroo Jerky is a great choice, while power chewers will enjoy Venison Skins, Calf Hooves, or a Yak Milk Chew Bar. 

Bones and chews 

The old saying “Give a Dog a Bone” holds true; raw bones and chews are fantastic for enriching your dog’s diet. They provide essential vitamins and minerals and satisfy a dog’s natural chewing instincts, offering enjoyment, mental stimulation, and a way to exercise jaw and neck muscles [5]. 

 Learn more about feeding bones to dogs in our comprehensive guide. 

Beyond the enjoyment, certain bones also support joint development due to their rich calcium and mineral content. A large Ostrich bone is perfect for power chewers, with a honeycomb texture that cleans teeth as your dog chews. For smaller dogs, pups, or those not accustomed to bones, start with softer chews made from naturally dehydrated animal proteins, such as Lamb Shoulder Strips. 

Dogs on a raw food diet are typically better equipped to digest bone content due to the optimal stomach acidity promoted by such diets. For dogs fed commercial diets, stomach acidity can differ from the natural intended balance, so it’s wise to start with softer, more easily digestible chews like Rabbit Ears . Rabbit Ears with fur can also aid in cleansing the intestines, serving as a natural method of internal parasite control. 

Whatever your dog’s needs, our extensive range of dehydrated bones and chews for dogs will surely delight them. For personalised advice on which treats to choose, contact our canine nutrition team today, and we’ll help guide you to the best options for your furry friend. 

Now that you’re familiar with some treat options, the next step is to choose the appropriate treats based on your dog’s preferences and needs. 

Considerations: 

What proteins does your dog enjoy? Do they have any food intolerances? What size breed are they? (Larger breeds with strong chewing abilities require different treats than smaller breeds or pups with delicate teeth.) 

Next, think about the purpose of the treats. For training, treats should be small since you’ll give your dog many in a short period. Our training treats come in handy bite-size pieces that fit easily into a treat pouch or pocket, perfect for rewarding good behaviour. For smaller dogs, you can break them into even smaller morsels to prevent overfeeding. 

Our long-lasting treats are perfect for keeping your dog occupied during downtime, such as when you need to focus on household chores or work at the computer. Bones and chews are great for engaging your dog’s mind, calming them, and preventing boredom with a tasty snack they can really sink their teeth into. 

 For enrichment toys like treat balls or puzzle toys, our Kangaroo Jerky can be easily broken into pieces to fill the toys, offering a mentally stimulating activity and a delicious reward at the end. 

 Seasonal considerations: 

In warmer weather, your dog might appreciate cooling treats; dog hydration is crucial. A simple, high-reward, healthy summer treat is frozen bone broth, which is cooling, mineral-rich, and hydrating. Get creative by adding dog-friendly ingredients like blended berries, greens, chia seeds, or ground pumpkin seeds. Pour the mixture into ice cube trays or ice lolly moulds and freeze for a delicious summer treat.

For more seasonal summer tips, check out our blog, How to Keep Your Dog Cool and Avoid Heatstroke. For a resource on safe natural ingredients to add to your dog’s diet, our A-Z What Can My Dog Eat guide is a great one to bookmark. 

Treats should be included in your dog or puppy’s daily feeding amount. For dogs on a raw dog food diet, our handy raw dog food calculator tool can help you determine the recommended quantity of food to give your dog based on age and weight. 

It can be very easy to underestimate the number of treats you feed your dog, as they are usually provided in small amounts throughout the day. A few treats here and there don’t seem significant, but you’ll be surprised how the quantities can add up. 

As much as your dog may love treats if you overdo them, you may find your dog not eating their meals. If your dog is turning away from their food bowl at mealtimes, check out our guide, written by canine behaviourist Caroline Spencer, for more tips to help dogs who are fussy eaters.

Dog treat feeding tips

When using training treats as a training tool, it’s best to give your dog one at a time, in quick succession, while focusing on a specific goal or action. As your dog progresses, gradually increase the delay between each treat, starting from a 1-second delay and extending it to 2 seconds and so on. The aim is to phase out the treats entirely, so your dog responds to your commands without needing a reward. 

Remember, every dog is unique, and what works as a reward for one might not be as effective for another. For some dogs, the highest reward might be verbal praise or a pat on the head, while others might prefer a quick game of tug or chasing a ball. For those who are food-driven, high-reward treats are the ultimate prize. 

Always supervise your dog while they are enjoying longer-lasting treats or dental chews to prevent accidents. However, avoid making direct eye contact or staring at them, as this can make some dogs feel possessive and lead to guarding behaviours around their treats and meals. 

When selecting treats, consider your dog’s size, teeth strength, and chewing capabilities. For example, a duck foot is more suitable for a Chihuahua, while an Ostrich Bone would be better suited for a German Shepherd with strong chewing abilities.  

Always choose treats that match your dog’s needs to ensure their safety and enjoyment. 

Why choose ProDog for your natural dog treats 

The abundance of enticing dog treats on supermarket shelves can be tempting, but as mentioned earlier, not all dog treats are created equally. 

When selecting treats to spoil your dog, it’s best to choose minimally processed products that are as close to nature as possible. A treat shouldn’t compromise your dog’s health by contributing to metabolic issues, weight gain, poor gut health, or digestive distress—it’s simply not worth it for a moment of pleasure. As the saying goes in the human world, “a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips”; the same holds true for our canine companions! 

With ProDog’s healthy dog treats, you can indulge your pet guilt-free, knowing you’re bringing joy to their day while supporting their overall health. 

Our treats are naturally dehydrated, preserving the nutritional value of the raw ingredients. We use only quality proteins, ensuring our treats are not only tasty but also healthy, getting top marks from our canine critics for deliciousness and the all-important drool factor. 

As long as you account for treats in your dog’s daily food intake, you can treat them as much as you like. Our handy raw dog food calculator tool can help you determine the ideal feeding quantity for dogs on a raw food diet.