Last updated: June 9, 2026 · 7-minute read
What Are the Healthiest Treats for Puppies? The Short Answer
The healthiest treats for puppies are single-ingredient, 100% real meat, and fully digestible snacks and chews that contain no rawhide, no chemicals, and no mystery fillers. At Bully Sticks Central our chews are ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms and are 100% high-quality guaranteed. For a growing puppy, the best treats are small, soft, low-calorie, and sized for little mouths — ideal for training and gentle on developing teeth and tummies.
Key takeaways
- Choose single-ingredient, fully digestible treats with no rawhide, additives, or artificial preservatives.
- Keep treats to roughly 10% of your puppy's daily calories so meals stay balanced.
- For training, use tiny, soft, pea-sized pieces your puppy can eat fast and keep working.
- Match chew size and hardness to your puppy's age and jaw strength to avoid choking or tooth damage.
- Always provide fresh water and supervise your puppy with any chew or treat.
What Makes a Puppy Treat "Healthy"?
A healthy puppy treat starts with a short, recognizable ingredient list. The gold standard is a single ingredient — real meat or a natural chew — with nothing artificial added. Look for treats that are 100% natural, high in protein, and free from rawhide, which is chemically processed and can be hard to digest. BSC chews are single-ingredient and fully digestible, so you always know exactly what your puppy is eating. Avoid treats with added sugar, salt, dyes, or vague "animal by-product" labels.
Which Treats Are Best for Training a Puppy?
Training treats should be small, soft, and quick to chew so your puppy can swallow fast and stay focused. Pea-sized pieces of beef tendons or thin slices of a beef trachea tube work beautifully, as do soft homemade bites. Because puppies train best with frequent, low-calorie rewards, choose treats you can break into many tiny portions. Browse our full natural dog treats and chews for training-friendly options.
What Chews Are Safe for Puppies?
Once your puppy has adult-style chewing behavior and teeth coming in, supervised chewing on the right product supports dental health and soothes teething. Softer, thinner chews are best for younger puppies. Good starting points include 6-inch standard bully sticks for smaller puppies, cow ears as a light, flat chew, and beef cheek rolls as a longer-lasting option for confident chewers. For bigger or more determined puppies, a 12-inch monster bully stick or a 10-inch tripe twist stick lasts longer. Always supervise and remove small end pieces.
How Much and How Often Should Puppies Get Treats?
Treats should make up no more than about 10% of your puppy's daily calories — the rest comes from balanced meals. Use the serving guide below as a starting point and adjust for your individual puppy and your vet's advice.
| Puppy weight | Approx. daily treat allowance | Good chew size |
|---|---|---|
| Under 10 lbs | Up to ~25 kcal | 6-inch bully stick (supervised), thin tendon pieces |
| 10–25 lbs | Up to ~50 kcal | 6-inch bully stick, cow ear, small trachea slices |
| 25–50 lbs | Up to ~90 kcal | Beef cheek roll, tripe twist, larger tendons |
| Over 50 lbs | Up to ~130 kcal | 12-inch monster bully stick, beef cheek roll |
Can You Make Healthy Homemade Puppy Treats?
Yes — soft homemade treats are easy, affordable, and let you control every ingredient. The simple recipe below makes soft, low-calorie training bites that puppies love. Always check that each ingredient is safe for dogs and introduce new foods gradually.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mash 1 ripe banana and stir in 1/2 cup plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) and 2 tablespoons unsalted, xylitol-free peanut butter.
- Mix in 1 cup oat flour until a soft dough forms; add a little more flour if sticky.
- Drop pea-sized portions onto the sheet, or spread thin and score into tiny squares for training bites.
- Bake 12–15 minutes until set, cool completely, and store in the fridge up to 5 days or freeze for longer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the healthiest treat for a puppy?
A single-ingredient, fully digestible treat made from 100% real meat with no rawhide or additives — such as a bully stick, beef tendon, or trachea — is among the healthiest choices for puppies.
When can puppies start having chews and treats?
Most puppies can enjoy small, soft, single-ingredient treats once they are eating solid food, typically around 8–12 weeks, with supervision. Choose softer, thinner chews for very young puppies.
Are bully sticks safe for puppies?
Yes — bully sticks are single-ingredient, fully digestible, and rawhide-free, which makes them a safe supervised chew. Pick a size appropriate for your puppy and remove small end pieces.
How many treats can a puppy have per day?
Treats should stay around 10% of your puppy's daily calories. Use small, low-calorie pieces, especially during training when rewards are frequent.
Is rawhide bad for puppies?
Rawhide is chemically processed, can be difficult to digest, and poses a choking and blockage risk. We recommend skipping rawhide in favor of fully digestible, single-ingredient chews.
What treats are best for teething puppies?
Softer, thinner chews like cow ears or thin bully sticks, and chilled soft homemade treats, can soothe teething gums. Always supervise teething puppies while they chew.
Can puppies eat homemade treats?
Yes, as long as every ingredient is dog-safe (no xylitol, chocolate, grapes, or excess salt). Soft homemade bites are great for training and let you control exactly what goes in.
How should I introduce a new treat?
Introduce one new treat at a time in small amounts and watch for any digestive upset. Always provide fresh water and consult your vet if your puppy has health concerns.
Preston Smith is the co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. He started BSC because he couldn't find single-ingredient, fully digestible chews he trusted to give his own dogs — no rawhide, no chemicals, no mystery ingredients. He writes about dog nutrition, safe chews, and the practical side of feeding dogs well. Read more about Preston →
This post was last updated at June 11, 2026 18:59
