Dog Treats
79% of UK owners give daily dog treats, and by choosing the right reward for your breed, it is also ideal for your dog’s health. However, always follow the ‘10% rule’ to make sure your furry friend gets a balanced diet. From grain-free training bites to long-lasting natural wood chews that lower stress, we have a large selection of high-quality rewards for every life stage of your dog. So browser our selection below, or give us a call if you are not sure, and our helpful team will be happy to help you.
Quick Guide: Best Treats at a Glance
Best for Puppies, you should choose soft-textured Training Bites or air-dried snacks that are gentle on developing milk teeth and easy to digest.
Best for Dental Health, opt for Daily Dental Sticks or natural fish skins, which provide the mechanical abrasion needed to reduce tartar by up to 30%.
Best for Longevity, for "power chewers," Olive Wood or Coffee Wood chews offer the longest-lasting distraction while naturally lowering stress hormones.
A Guide to Choosing Dog Treats
79% of UK owners treat their dogs daily, and as with many dog owners, you find yourself standing in the pet shop aisle or scrolling through endless web pages, feeling completely overwhelmed about what is the right dog treat to get your furry friend.
With hundreds of different biscuits, bones, and chews on offer, it is hard to know which ones are actually healthy for your breed. As here you really want to reward your furry friend, but you worry about hidden "nasties," upset tummies, or accidentally helping your dog pile on the pounds, as you do so.
So, choosing the wrong treat isn't just a waste of money; it can lead to real problems. Hard chews can sometimes hurt a puppy’s delicate teeth, for instance, while high-fat snacks can make an older dog sluggish and overweight.
Even worse, though, many treats are packed with salt and sugar that do nothing for your pet's health. Overall, it is just frustrating when you just want a simple, safe way to say "well done" or keep them quiet for half an hour.
The good news is that finding the perfect snack for them doesn't have to be a guessing game, and in this guide to Dog Treats we will break down everything you need to know about the Pets & Friends range.
From low-calorie training bites to natural, rawhide-free chews, we will show you exactly how to pick the right treat for your dog’s age, size, and health needs.
Table of Contents
Find Your Match, The Chew-Time Scale
Use our proprietary ratings system to find the perfect treat for your dog's chewing style.
Best for training sessions or a "welcome home" snack.
Examples: Soft bites, biscuit bones, small jerky strips.
Best for keeping them busy while you eat dinner or take a call.
Examples: Dental sticks, puffed pig ears, fish skins.
Best for high-energy dogs or managing separation anxiety.
Examples: Olive wood, coffee wood, thick paddywhack.
What Are The Types of Dog Treats?
Treats are more than just a tasty snack for your dog. They are important tools for training, and 45% of owners use treats as the main training tool.
As these are a great way to reward good behaviour, and help with dental health. In the UK, many brands focus on natural ingredients. This guide breaks down the main categories you will find on the site.
1. Training Treats, Small but Mighty
Training treats for instance are designed to be used often.
As here when you are teaching your dog a new skill, you need to give rewards quickly and frequently.
Size and Texture
These are usually very small, about the size of a pea, and mean that your dog can eat them quickly and get back to learning, rather than having to stop for a while as they work through them.
Due to this, they are often soft, so you can break them into even smaller pieces as well.
Calories
Because you might give your dog many of these in one session, they are usually low in calories.
As a result, here you should look for "Training Bites" or "Mini Treats" to get the best for you in this regards.
2. Dental Chews, For Cleaning While They Crunch
Many owners now also use treats to help with oral hygiene, as research shows that Dental treats can reduce bad breath gases by 80%.
That is partly why Dental sticks and chews, for instance, are shaped specifically to rub against the teeth and gums to help here - as here daily dental chews can actually reduce tartar by over 30%.
How They Work
As your dog chews, the firm texture of the chew helps to scrape away plaque and tartar. Which can prevent bad breath and more serious dental problems later in life from building up as a direct result.
3. Natural and Rawhide-Free Chews
Many modern pet owners we are finding are now also preferring rawhide-free options as well because they are easier for the dog to digest.
Better Bones
Dog Food Brands also offer options that look like traditional rawhide but are made from easily digestible ingredients like chicken and vegetables as an option for you here as well.
4. Functional Treats, or Those Health Boosters
Some treats do more than just taste good, though - they have a specific job for your dog's health.
Joint Support and Coat Health
Here you should look for treats with Glucosamine for older dogs, or Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish) to help make your dog’s fur shiny and to help to aid soothe itchy skin.
The Science of a Happy Dog
You might have noticed that your dog seems more relaxed after a good session with a chew. This isn't just a coincidence; it is backed by Pankseppian Affective Neuroscience.
In the wild, dogs spend hours sniffing and chewing to find food. These are "seeking" behaviours that keep their brains engaged and satisfied.
Repetitive chewing triggers the release of endorphins and significantly lowers cortisol (the stress hormone). This is why a chew is the best tool for an anxious pet.
Expert Tip: When your dog is "seeking" and chewing, they are fulfilling a deep biological need. Providing a long-lasting chew is one of the easiest ways to improve their mental well-being.
Choosing for Your Dog’s Life Stage
When it comes to choosing the right treat for the age of your dog, here you should:
For Puppies (Under 1 Year)
Puppies have delicate milk teeth, so you should choose soft treats and always check the packet to ensure they are suitable for their specific age.
For Adult Dogs
Watch the weight of adult dogs, and if they are a bit overweight, look for "Light" or low-fat options. Here you should then use longer-lasting chews to keep them busy if they get bored.
For Senior Dogs (7+ Years)
Older dogs might have missing teeth or slower metabolisms. As a result, you want to switch back to softer treats and stick to low-fat options to protect their joints.
The "10% Rule", The Golden Rule for Owners
No matter how much your dog begs, treats should never make up more than 10% of their daily calories.
If you give a large treat, reduce their main meal slightly to keep them at a healthy weight.
Safety Tips for Treat Time
Always make sure there is a bowl of fresh, clean water nearby when your dog is chewing.
Never leave your dog alone with a long-lasting chew in case they try to swallow the last bit whole as well.
Understanding the Label, & The Technical Standards
At Pets & Friends, we ensure our treats meet strict quality standards.
As a result, when you are comparing products, here you should look for these key Analytical Constituents to make sure your dog is getting the best nutrition:
Essential for muscle repair and growth. High-quality treats usually sit between 20% and 70%, depending on the meat source.
Provides energy. For dogs on a diet, look for "Light" options with a crude fat content below 5%.
Quality Guaranteed Treats Are / Contain
- ✅ EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) Approved
- ✅ Non-GMO Ingredients
- ✅ UK Sourced Standards
Dog Treats Frequently Asked Questions
Across our shops, our team gets asked questions daily when it comes to these types of dog treats. Here are some of hte most common questions about rewarding your dog safely and healthily.
What are the best low-calorie treats for a Labrador on a diet?
For a Labrador prone to weight gain, the best treats are "single-ingredient" natural snacks.
Here for this bread, you should look for dried sprats, which are high in protein but low in fat, or air-dried vegetable treats like sweet potato.
Many owners also use "training bites", which are specifically made to be under 3 calories per treat, allowing you to reward them without adding bulk.
Can puppies have dental sticks before their adult teeth come in?
Most vets recommend waiting until a puppy is at least four to six months old before introducing firm dental sticks.
As here, a puppy’s "milk teeth" are much more fragile than adult teeth and can fracture if the chew is too hard - so you should always consider puppy treats over dog treats here for this reason.
What are the best treats for puppies with milk teeth?
Puppies under six months require soft-textured treats or "puppy-specific" chews to protect delicate deciduous (milk) teeth from fractures.
As a result, you should avoid hard nylon bones or thick rawhide. Instead, opt for moisture-rich training bites or natural, air-dried treats that soften upon contact with saliva to ensure safe ingestion.
Are rawhide-free bones safer for aggressive chewers?
Rawhide-free bones are generally considered much safer and easier to digest.
As here traditional rawhide can become slimy and pose a choking risk if a large piece is swallowed.
For aggressive chewers, rawhide-free options made from compressed vegetables or hardened proteins provide a similar "toughness" but break down more safely in the dog's stomach.
How do I calculate the 10% treat allowance for a 5kg terrier?
To calculate this, you first need to know your dog's daily calorie needs.
A typical 5kg terrier needs roughly 350 to 400 calories a day. This means their treats should total no more than 35 to 40 calories daily.
Which natural treats help with dog separation anxiety?
Natural treats that encourage long-term licking and chewing are best for anxiety.
Long-lasting chews like olive wood, coffee wood, or thick "pizzle" sticks are excellent because the act of chewing releases endorphins that naturally calm a dog's brain.
For a quicker fix, treats containing natural calming ingredients like chamomile, valerian root, or lemon balm can also help soothe a worried pet.
Are dental chews effective for dog tartar?
Scientific research indicates that high-quality dental chews can reduce tartar buildup by over 30% and neutralise volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) responsible for halitosis by up to 80%.
These functional treats work through mechanical abrasion against the tooth surface and often contain bioactive ingredients to inhibit plaque mineralisation.
Rawhide vs. Olive Wood Chews
When looking for a long-lasting chew, it is important to balance durability with safety.
As here, while rawhide is a traditional choice, many owners are now switching to natural wood alternatives.
| Feature | Traditional Rawhide | Olive Wood Chews |
|---|---|---|
| Digestibility | Low - can cause blockages if swallowed. | High - safe fibres break off as the dog chews. |
| Ingredients | Processed animal hide. | 100% Natural wood & Olive oil. |
| Longevity | Medium - softens with saliva. | Very High - excellent for "power chewers." |
| Mess Factor | Can become slimy and stain carpets. | Low - non-greasy and low odour. |
Freeze-Dried Liver vs. Dehydrated Chicken
High-value training rewards usually come in two forms: freeze-dried or dehydrated.
Both are healthy, but they serve different purposes during a training session.
| Feature | Freeze-Dried Liver | Dehydrated Chicken |
|---|---|---|
| Best Use | High-stakes training (Recall/Agility). | Everyday rewards and general snacks. |
| Texture | Light, crumbly, and "melt-in-mouth." | Chewy, leathery, and firm. |
| Palatability | Extremely High - most dogs love the smell. | High - a reliable, lean favourite. |
| Calorie Density | Rich - give in small amounts. | Lean - great for weight management. |
Glucosamine Treats vs. Liquid Joint Supplements
If your dog is getting a bit stiff in their old age, you might be deciding between a daily functional treat or a liquid supplement added to their food.
| Feature | Glucosamine Treats | Liquid Joint Supplements |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience | Very High - easy to give as a "bedtime snack." | Medium - must be measured into food. |
| Dosage Accuracy | Fixed amount per treat. | Precise measurement by weight (ml). |
| Dog's Preference | High - tastes like a reward. | Mixed - some dogs dislike the taste. |
| Best For... | Early prevention and active adult dogs. | Advanced support for senior dogs. |
Who Are Pets & Friends?
Pets & Friends is also more than just a pet shop; we're a community of pet lovers, backed by the experience of our parent company, Kennelgate, a family-run business that's been around for donkey's years.
Our whole approach is actually built on providing you with friendly, down-to-earth advice to help you give your pet the best life possible.
Furthermore, we believe that every pet is a friend, and as their owner, you're a friend of ours too. We're also passionate about what we do, and we're here to help you every step of the way.
Here to Help, However You Shop
So, whether you're shopping with us online or visiting a store, our customer service team is always ready to lend a hand.
Online, you can easily track your delivery or get in touch about returns.
In-store, our expert team can offer brilliant, practical advice on everything from finding the right food for a sensitive tummy to fitting your dog with the perfect harness.
We're also properly trained and genuinely love pets, so no question is too silly. So much so that we are committed to making sure you and your pet have a happy experience with us every single time.
