Giving your pet a treat is one of the simple, genuine pleasures of being a pet owner. The look of anticipation, the enthusiastic response, the tail wag or purr — these moments of connection matter. The goal isn’t to eliminate treats — it’s to choose them wisely so that they contribute to your pet’s health and training rather than quietly working against it.
The pet treat industry is enormous — and like the broader pet food industry, it’s full of products that range from genuinely nutritious to essentially junk food. Understanding what makes a good treat, how many are appropriate, and which human foods you can safely share helps you make every treat moment count.
The Calorie Problem With Treats
The first thing to understand about pet treats is their caloric impact. A medium-sized commercial dog treat can contain anywhere from 25 to 100 calories. For a 20-pound dog with a daily caloric need of approximately 400–500 calories, giving three or four treats per day represents a significant portion of total daily intake — without contributing meaningful nutrition.
The 10% rule is the widely recommended guideline: treats should make up no more than 10% of your pet’s total daily caloric intake. If you’re giving more than that regularly, you need to reduce the main meal accordingly — otherwise the cumulative caloric excess leads to gradual weight gain.
This is one of the most common causes of pet obesity — owners who feed appropriate main meal portions but give generous treats on top without accounting for those calories.
What Makes a Good Commercial Treat
When choosing commercial treats, apply the same critical eye you’d use for main pet food:
Short, recognizable ingredient lists: The best treats are made from simple, whole-food ingredients. A chicken treat should contain chicken — not a long list of fillers, artificial flavors, and preservatives.
Named protein source as the first ingredient: “Chicken,” “salmon,” “beef” — not “meat,” “poultry,” or “animal.”
Low in sugar and artificial additives: Many treats are sweetened or artificially flavored to increase palatability. These add calories without nutritional value.
Appropriate for your pet’s size and health status: Large treats given to small dogs are a calorie and choking hazard. Treats for dogs with specific health conditions (kidney disease, diabetes, food allergies) need to be selected carefully.
VOHC seal for dental treats: If you’re choosing dental treats for oral health benefits, look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal — it’s the only independent verification that a product provides meaningful dental benefit.
Safe Human Foods to Use as Treats for Dogs
Many whole human foods make excellent dog treats — they’re affordable, minimally processed, and nutritious. Here are the best options:
Carrots: One of the best dog treats available. Low in calories, high in fiber and beta-carotene, and the crunchy texture provides mild dental benefit. Most dogs love them. Baby carrots are the perfect size for most breeds.
Blueberries: Rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins C and K. Low in calories. Can be given fresh or frozen — many dogs love frozen blueberries as a summer treat.
Apple slices: A good source of vitamins A and C and fiber. Always remove the core and seeds before giving to your dog — apple seeds contain amygdalin, which releases cyanide when chewed in significant quantities. The flesh is safe and most dogs enjoy it.
Watermelon: High in water content, making it a refreshing summer treat. Remove the seeds and rind before giving.
Green beans: Plain, cooked or raw green beans are an excellent low-calorie treat and a great way to add bulk to a meal without adding significant calories for dogs on weight management programs.
Cooked chicken breast: Plain, unseasoned cooked chicken is one of the highest-value treats for dogs and is highly effective for training purposes.
Cooked sweet potato: High in fiber, vitamins A and C. Give in small amounts as a treat — the natural sweetness makes it very appealing to most dogs.
Plain cooked eggs: A complete protein source that most dogs find irresistible. Scrambled or hard-boiled, with no oil, butter, or seasoning.
Peanut butter: Most dogs love it and it’s useful for stuffing Kongs and other enrichment toys. Choose a brand with no xylitol, no added sugar, and no added salt. Check the ingredient list every time you buy a new jar — some manufacturers have added xylitol to previously safe products.
Plain Greek yogurt: A source of protein and probiotics. Give in small amounts — some dogs have lactose intolerance, so start with a small amount and observe for digestive upset.
Safe Treats for Cats
Cats are more selective than dogs about treats, and their obligate carnivore status means that the best cat treats are animal-based.
Cooked chicken or turkey: Plain, unseasoned, boneless cooked poultry is one of the best treats for cats. High in protein, biologically appropriate, and highly palatable.
Cooked fish: Small amounts of plain cooked salmon, tuna, or other fish are generally safe and loved by most cats. Avoid raw fish regularly — it contains thiaminase, an enzyme that breaks down thiamine (vitamin B1) and can cause thiamine deficiency with regular consumption.
Commercial freeze-dried meat treats: Single-ingredient freeze-dried chicken, salmon, or other meats are excellent cat treats — minimally processed, high in protein, no fillers.
Catnip: Not a food treat but worth mentioning — catnip (Nepeta cataria) is safe for cats and produces a harmless euphoric response in the approximately 50–70% of cats that are genetically sensitive to it. Catnip toys and dried catnip sprinkled on toys provide enrichment at zero caloric cost.
Treats to Avoid
For dogs: Anything containing xylitol, chocolate, grapes or raisins, onion or garlic, macadamia nuts, alcohol, or excessive salt. Avoid high-calorie treats with poor nutritional value for regular use — save these for special occasions.
For cats: Anything with onion or garlic (including flavored treats), excessive fish (thiaminase concern with raw fish), dog treats (not formulated for feline nutritional needs), dairy products in significant amounts (most adult cats are lactose intolerant), and any treat containing artificial sweeteners.
Using Treats for Training
For training purposes, the most effective treats are:
Small: Pea-sized or smaller. Training may involve giving dozens of treats in a single session — if each treat is large and calorie-dense, you’ll quickly exceed appropriate daily intake and end up with a very full dog that’s no longer motivated.
High-value: The more motivating the treat, the more effective it is for training challenging behaviors or in distracting environments. Keep a hierarchy of treat values — kibble for easy behaviors in low distraction, mid-value commercial treats for regular training, and high-value rewards (small pieces of chicken, cheese, or liver) for challenging behaviors, new environments, or recall.
Soft: Soft treats are consumed faster than hard treats, keeping the training session moving efficiently and preventing your dog from becoming distracted by extended chewing.
Making Treats Work for You and Your Pet
Account for treats in daily totals: Log treat calories alongside main meal calories to ensure you’re staying within appropriate daily intake.
Use food toys for enrichment: Instead of giving all treats by hand, use puzzle feeders, Kongs stuffed with healthy fillings, snuffle mats, and lick mats. These provide mental stimulation alongside the treat reward, significantly enriching your pet’s environment.
Use a portion of daily kibble as training treats: This keeps total caloric intake unchanged while still providing reward-based reinforcement. Many dogs are highly motivated by their regular food in a training context.
→ Read Next: The Complete Guide to Cat NutritionThe Bottom Line
Treats are a legitimate and valuable part of your relationship with your pet — for bonding, training, and enrichment. The goal is not to eliminate them but to choose wisely and account for them properly. Prioritize simple, whole-food ingredients, respect the 10% calorie rule, know which human foods are safe and which are dangerous, and use treats to actively enrich your pet’s life rather than just as a habit. Your pet will be just as happy with a well-chosen healthy treat as with a calorie-dense junk one — and their waistline will thank you.
Emma Hartwell is a lifelong animal lover, certified pet nutritionist, and experienced dog trainer with over 8 years of hands-on experience working with animals of all kinds. She founded InnerzNews to give pet owners access to honest, practical, and science-backed advice — because every animal deserves the best possible care. When she’s not writing, Emma is hiking with her two rescue dogs, Milo and Biscuit, or volunteering at her local animal shelter.