Last updated: June 29, 2026 · 8-minute read
What Treats Are Good for Puppies? The Short Answer
The best puppy treats are soft, small, low-calorie, and made from real food your puppy can actually digest. For chewing and teething relief, choose single-ingredient, fully digestible chews made from 100% real meat with no rawhide and no chemicals or fillers. At Bully Sticks Central, every chew is ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms and 100% high-quality guaranteed, so you always know exactly what your puppy is eating.
Key takeaways
- Treats should make up no more than 5–10% of your puppy's daily calories — the rest comes from a complete puppy food.
- Pick soft, small, single-ingredient treats for young puppies and during teething.
- Avoid rawhide, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives — they offer no nutrition and can upset sensitive puppy stomachs.
- Edible chews like thin bully sticks and beef tendons soothe teething gums and support healthy chewing habits when sized and supervised correctly.
- Always introduce one new treat at a time and supervise every chew session.
What Makes a Treat Safe and Healthy for a Puppy?
Puppies grow fast and need more protein, vitamins, and minerals than adult dogs, so treats should add real value — not empty calories. A good puppy treat is soft or appropriately sized for developing teeth, made from high-quality protein like beef, chicken, lamb, or fish, and low in calories. Most importantly, it should be made from whole, natural ingredients with nothing artificial. Single-ingredient treats — where the label lists just one thing, like "beef" — are the gold standard because there's nothing hidden to irritate a developing digestive system.
Which Chews Are Good for a Teething Puppy?
Between roughly 3 and 6 months, puppies chew constantly to relieve sore gums. Safe, edible, fully digestible chews are far better than hard plastic or rawhide. Thin 6-inch standard bully sticks are an ideal starter chew — single-ingredient, fully digestible, and easy for small mouths. Regular beef tendons and beef trachea tubes are softer options that naturally contain joint-supporting nutrients. For dedicated chewers ready to graduate, 12-inch monster bully sticks last longer. Always pick a size your puppy can't swallow whole, and supervise every session. Browse the full natural dog treats and chews collection to match a chew to your puppy's size.
How Much Should You Feed in Treats Each Day?
Use the 10% rule: treats and chews together should stay under 10% of your puppy's daily calorie intake. Smaller puppies need very little. Here's a quick serving guide by weight.
| Puppy weight | Approx. daily treat calories | Good everyday options |
|---|---|---|
| Under 10 lbs | ~15–25 kcal | Small soft training bites; short pieces of a thin bully stick |
| 10–25 lbs | ~25–60 kcal | 6-inch bully stick (portioned); beef tendon |
| 25–50 lbs | ~60–120 kcal | Cow ears; beef cheek rolls |
| 50+ lbs | ~120–200 kcal | 12-inch monster bully stick; tripe twist sticks |
These are general guides — adjust for your puppy's body condition and ask your veterinarian if you're unsure.
What Treats Are Best for Training a Puppy?
Training treats should be tiny, soft, and exciting enough to keep your puppy's attention. Break treats into pea-sized pieces so you can reward often without overfeeding. Single-ingredient meaty treats work beautifully because they're high-value and easy to digest. For longer-lasting rewards after a big training win, a portioned beef tendon makes a satisfying jackpot. Keep a mix on hand so training stays novel and fun.
Can You Make Healthy Puppy Treats at Home?
Yes — simple homemade treats let you control every ingredient. These soft pumpkin and peanut butter bites are gentle on puppy tummies and great for teething. Use unsweetened pumpkin and xylitol-free peanut butter only.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix 1 cup oat flour, ½ cup plain canned pumpkin, and 2 tablespoons xylitol-free peanut butter until a soft dough forms.
- Roll the dough into small pea- to dime-sized balls, sized for your puppy, and flatten slightly on the sheet.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until set but still soft, then cool completely before serving.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer — frozen bites also soothe teething gums.
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Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can a puppy start having treats?
Most puppies can begin enjoying soft, small treats around 8 weeks, once they're eating solid food. Start with tiny amounts and introduce one new treat at a time.
Are bully sticks safe for puppies?
Yes, when properly sized and supervised. Choose a thinner stick your puppy can't swallow whole, take it away once it becomes a small nub, and always watch your puppy while they chew.
How many treats can a puppy have per day?
Keep treats and chews under 10% of your puppy's daily calories. The exact amount depends on weight — see the serving guide above.
What treats should I avoid giving my puppy?
Avoid rawhide, cooked bones, and anything with artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, added sugar, or xylitol. Skip very hard chews that could crack baby teeth.
Are single-ingredient treats really better?
For puppies, yes. With only one ingredient there are no fillers or additives to upset a sensitive, developing digestive system, and you know exactly what your puppy is eating.
What chews help with puppy teething?
Soft, fully digestible chews like thin bully sticks, beef tendons, and beef trachea help soothe gums. Frozen homemade bites can also provide cooling relief.
Can treats upset my puppy's stomach?
Any new food can. Introduce one treat at a time in small amounts and watch for soft stool or upset. Single-ingredient treats make it easy to spot what agrees with your puppy.
Are Bully Sticks Central chews really fully digestible?
Yes. Unlike rawhide, our single-ingredient beef chews are 100% natural, 100% real meat, and fully digestible — ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms.
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 July 15, 2026 21:08
