Updated for 2026
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Walk into any pet shop, and you will see shelves packed with dog treats.
Some promise cleaner teeth. Others claim to support digestion, training, or calm behaviour. Bright packets and clever marketing make them look appealing to owners.
Many people naturally wonder the same thing.
Are dog treats good or bad?
The answer is not as simple as yes or no.
Treats can be extremely useful. They can help with training, support recall, and build nervous dogs’ confidence and trust.
However, as you have probably noticed, the quality of treats varies hugely.
Some products contain high meat content and simple ingredients. Others rely heavily on cereals, flavourings, and additives. These may fill a packet cheaply but offer little value to your dog.
Over the years, walking dogs around Finchley and North London, I have seen the difference a diet and treats can make. Dogs with sensitive stomachs often improve once their diet changes. Some dogs constantly seem hungry because their treats contain very little real nutrition.
Owners often feel confused when choosing the right products. The packets can look healthy while the ingredient list tells a different story.
This guide looks honestly at whether dog treats are good or bad.
You will learn
• How to tell if a dog treat is healthy
• What treats should dogs avoid
• dog treat ingredients to avoid
• safer natural options
• How many treats should dogs have
Treats can absolutely be part of a healthy routine. The key is understanding what you are feeding and why.
Dog Treats: Good or Bad? Why Owners Ask This Question
The popularity of dog treats has grown enormously.
Training advice now encourages reward-based methods. Owners also enjoy giving dogs something special during the day.
Because of this, many dogs receive treats frequently.
That raises two common concerns.
Nutrition
Some treats contain little real meat and large amounts of fillers.
Quantity
Dogs may receive treats from several people in the household without anyone noticing how many they actually eat.
Both issues lead people to search online for questions such as
Are dog treats bad for dogs
What ingredients should not be in dog treats
How many treats should a dog have
Treats themselves are not harmful. Problems usually come from low-quality ingredients or excessive amounts.
Are Dog Treats Bad for Dogs or Is It About Quality?
Most dogs enjoy treats and respond well to them in training.
The real issue lies in the difference between healthy dog treats and unhealthy treats.
Healthy treats usually contain
• identifiable meat or fish
• short ingredient lists
• limited processing.
Unhealthy treats often include
• cereal fillers
• artificial colours
• added sugars
• flavourings designed for humans rather than dogs
When dogs eat these regularly, the result may include
• digestive upset
• itchy skin
• weight gain
• poor appetite for normal meals
Choosing safe dog treats means paying attention to the ingredient list.
What Treats Should Dogs Avoid?
Some treats appear popular but carry more risk.
Examples include
Rawhide chews
These can be difficult to digest and may cause blockages if swallowed in large pieces. Read my post on rawhide chews.
Heavily processed dental sticks
Some contain large amounts of cereal and flavouring. Owners often assume their dogs are healthy without checking the ingredients in dental sticks.
Brightly coloured treats
Colour makes no difference to dogs, but it often signals the presence of artificial additives.
Very hard synthetic chews
These may damage teeth if dogs chew forcefully.
Imported chews with unclear sourcing
Recent advice from the UK Food Standards Agency raised concern over some dog chews linked to illness.
That does not mean every chew is dangerous. It simply means it is worth checking where treats come from and what they contain.
Dog Treat Ingredients to Avoid
Reading ingredient lists is the best way to judge a treat.
Dog treat ingredients to avoid often include
Meat derivatives
This vague label may include low-quality leftovers rather than clear meat sources.
Excess cereals
Large quantities of wheat or maise often appear in cheaper treats.
Artificial colourings
These serve no purpose for dogs.
Added sugars or syrups
Dogs do not need sugar in their diet.
Unclear flavourings
These sometimes hide poor-quality ingredients.
Learning to read labels quickly helps you recognise healthier choices.
How to Tell if a Dog Treat Is Healthy
Many owners ask how to tell if a dog treat is healthy.
A few simple checks help.
- Look for a named protein such as chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, or fish.
- Check the percentage of meat. Dog treats with high meat content often provide more nutritional value.
- Keep the ingredient list short.
- Avoid unnecessary additives.
- Think about digestibility.
Single-ingredient treats such as sprats are often easier for dogs with sensitive stomachs. You can find the treats I suggest on my recommended products page
Following these steps helps you choose safer options without needing specialist knowledge.
Are Supermarket Dog Treats Bad for Dogs?
This question comes up often.
Are supermarket dog treats bad for dogs?
Not always.
Some are heavily processed and low in meat. Others are perfectly reasonable.
The most important factor is not where you buy the treat but what the ingredient list shows.
Even supermarkets sometimes stock
• dried fish skins
• simple meat strips
• natural chews.
Reading labels is far more helpful than judging the shop.
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Natural Dog Treats
Natural treats have grown in popularity because they contain fewer additives.
Examples include
• dried sprats
• rabbit ears
• beef trachea
• chicken strips
• fish skins
Many dogs digest these more easily than processed biscuits.
Natural treats can also provide enrichment because they take longer to chew
Single Ingredient Treats
Single-ingredient treats contain one clear protein source.
Examples include dried chicken breast or fish skin.
These are helpful for dogs with food sensitivities because the ingredient is easy to identify.
They are also a simple way to avoid unnecessary additives.
Homemade Dog Treats Benefits
Some owners prefer to make treats at home.
Homemade dog treats benefits include
• full control over ingredients
• no artificial additives
• easy portion control.
Simple options include
• small pieces of cooked chicken
• baked sweet potato slices
• oat biscuits with peanut butter
Homemade treats should still be given in moderation.
How Many Treats Should a Dog Have?
One common guideline suggests treats should not exceed ten per cent of daily calories.
For many dogs, this means only a small handful of treats each day.
Training treats should be tiny.
When working with dogs during walks or training games, I break treats into very small pieces. This allows many rewards without overfeeding.
Using Treats for Training and Confidence
Treats are powerful communication tools.
They help dogs understand when they made a good choice.
Reward-based training uses treats to encourage behaviours such as
• recall
• calm walking on a lead
• settling in new environments
This approach is especially useful for rescue dogs.
Many rescue dogs arrive feeling unsure about the world. Gentle reward-based training helps them build confidence.
If you live locally and need help, I offer one-to-one support alongside solo walks and house sitting.
Support is also available for
• rescue dogs adjusting to new homes
• training games during walks
• cat and small animal care when owners travel.
Every dog learns at a different pace. Calm guidance and consistency make a huge difference.
If you enjoy these guides and find them helpful, you can support the time spent writing them by buying me a coffee.
FAQ
Treats are not harmful when chosen carefully and fed in moderation. Problems usually arise from low-quality ingredients or feeding too many treats each day.
Artificial colourings, added sugars, excessive cereals, and vague ingredients such as meat derivatives are often signs of lower-quality treats.
Some are low quality, but others are fine. Reading the ingredient list is the best way to decide.
Treats should usually make up no more than ten per cent of a dog’s daily calories. Training treats should be very small.
Owners often choose to avoid rawhide chews, highly processed dental sticks, and brightly coloured treats containing artificial additives.
Conclusion
The question of whether dog treats are good or bad has no simple answer.
Treats themselves are not harmful. Many dogs benefit from them during training, enrichment, and daily interaction with their owners.
The real difference lies in quality and quantity.
Choosing treats with clear ingredients and high meat content helps support your dog’s health. Avoiding heavily processed options filled with additives is usually a sensible step.
Moderation also matters.
Small rewards used thoughtfully can help build trust and strengthen communication between you and your dog.
If you ever need support with solo dog walks, house sitting, rescue dog guidance, or care for cats and small animals, you can explore the services available through Finchley Dog Walker.
Disclaimer
This article provides general educational information and should not replace veterinary advice. If your dog has allergies or medical conditions, always consult your vet before changing the diet or treats.
