How Many Treats Should You Give Your Dog a Day?

Most dog owners find it hard to resist their pet's puppy dog eyes. It’s very easy to give them “just one more treat”, especially when treats are a lovely way to reward good behaviour, bond with your dog, and make their day a little bit more exciting.

But it’s important to remember that dog treats count toward your pet’s daily food intake, and if you give them too much, they can gain weight. So, it’s sensible to ask: how many treats should you give your dog a day?

The honest answer is that there’s no single answer for every dog. A small or large breed, or a young or old dog, all have different lifestyles and needs. The type of treat is important too. A small training treat is very different from a larger chew, and might need to be counted differently. At Favour, we think treats should be delicious and enjoyable for your pet, but they should also fit sensibly into their routine. Whether you’re using treats for training, enrichment, chewing or simply as a little reward, moderation is key.

A Helpful Rule for Dog Treats

The easiest way to think about treats is that they’re extras, not the main part of your dog’s diet. Your dog’s regular food should provide the majority of their nutrition, while treats can be added for a bit of enjoyment.  A common guideline is that treats should make up only around 10% of your dog’s daily food allowance. The PDSA offers helpful advice on giving your dog treats, including slightly reducing their usual food if they have had extra treats during the day.

That doesn’t mean you need to count every crumb. It’s just a useful reminder that treats can add up quickly. A few small rewards, a chew in the afternoon and a dental treat in the evening can become a bigger part of your dog’s daily intake than you realise. 

Why the Right Amount Depends on Your Dog

When owners ask how many treats they should give their dog each day, it’s important to consider each dog as an individual rather than focus on a fixed number.

• A small dog should usually have fewer treats than a larger dog because it has a smaller daily food allowance overall. One chew or biscuit might be a much bigger portion for them than it would be for a larger breed. 

• Activity level is also important. A very active dog that enjoys long walks or a working dog will have different needs from an older dog who spends more time resting. That doesn’t mean active dogs can have unlimited treats, but their overall routine will affect how treats fit into their typical day.

• Age is another factor. Puppies, adult dogs and senior dogs all have different needs. Puppies might have small treats while training, but their diet needs to be carefully balanced as they grow. Older dogs might need softer treats, smaller portions or more careful choices depending on their teeth, digestion and weight.

• General health should also be considered. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, allergies, dental problems, weight concerns or a medical condition, you need to choose treats carefully. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to speak to your vet.

Think About Treat Size, Not Just Treat Count

One of the most common mistakes is counting treats without thinking about size. Ten small training treats might be less food overall than one large chew. At Favour, we always recommend checking the feeding guidance on the packaging before giving your dog treats. 

It’s also useful to think about how the treats will fit into the rest of your dog’s day. If you’re giving them a larger chew, you might decide to keep other treats to a minimum that day. If you’re doing lots of training, smaller treats usually make more sense than larger snacks.

You can also break some treats into smaller portions. This is especially useful for training, where the reward needs to be quick, frequent and motivating, but not too filling. Dogs often care more about the reward moment than the size of the treat, so small pieces can still work well.

Choosing Quality Over Quantity

When it comes to dog treats, it’s better to give a few treats that have a clear purpose than lots of extras throughout the day without thinking. For example, a small treat might be used to reward good behaviour on a walk, or a dental chew might be given as part of a daily care routine. 

This is why choosing the right type of treat can make a real difference. Within the Favour dog treats range, there are different options for different moments, including large natural bones for chewing, puzzle treats for mental enrichment, and even pill treats for medication. Having a good selection for different occasions can make treats much more meaningful.

Treats for Training

Training treats are usually best when they are small, making them quick to give and easy to eat. During training, you want the reward to be clear, immediate and motivating.

If you are using treats for training throughout the day, it’s worth keeping them small. You can break them into tiny pieces rather than using full treats, especially if you are practising repeated behaviours such as recall, loose-lead walking, or settling. When used well, treats help your dog understand what you want from them and make training feel positive.

Treats for Enrichment

Larger chews are different from training treats because they’re designed to last longer. They can be helpful when your dog needs something calm and focused to do. If your dog has a chew, it still counts towards their treat allowance for the day, rather than being treated as separate. 

For dogs who love to chew, choosing the right size and texture matters. Always pick something suitable for your dog’s mouth size and chewing style, and supervise them while they enjoy it.

Dental Treats

Dental treats can be a useful part of a dog’s routine, especially for those who enjoy chewing. Products such as the Favour Barking Bites Toothbrush treats can give your dog something enjoyable while also supporting their wider oral care routine.

However, dental treats aren’t a replacement for veterinary dental care; they can be one helpful part of the bigger picture.

Signs You Might Be Giving Too Many Treats

It’s usually obvious when treats have gotten out of hand. Your dog might have gained weight, even if their main meals haven’t changed, or they might have an upset stomach because they’re getting too many rich snacks. They might also be less interested in their normal food because treats are much more exciting, or they might start begging more often because it usually results in them getting treats. 

If any of these things happen, don’t panic. It might simply mean you need to start thinking more about how many treats you’re giving your dog. Start by reducing the number of treats, breaking treats into smaller pieces, using treats for a more specific purpose, or adjusting mealtimes slightly if treats have become a bigger part of the day.

Finding the Right Dog Treats for Your Pet 

So, how many treats should you give your dog a day? The best answer is: enough to use as a reward or enrichment, but not too many that treats start to replace a balanced diet. As a general guide, treats should only make up a small part of your dog’s daily intake. The right amount depends on your dog’s size, age, activity level, health and the type of treat you’re giving.

Whether you’re looking for small rewards, chewy snacks, dental treats, or something completely natural, explore the Favour website today. We stock a wide range of products, making it easy to choose treats that suit your dog and fit naturally into their day. If you have any questions about our products, don’t hesitate to contact our team, we’re always happy to help.