Treats and chews can be enjoyable rewards, but no item is automatically suitable for every dog. Dogs differ in size, age, dental health, chewing strength, experience and how quickly they try to swallow food.

This guide explains the main checks to make before offering a dog treat or chew. Always follow the individual product information and speak to your vet where a dog has a medical condition, dental problem, suspected allergy or prescribed diet.

Before you start | Choosing the right size | Supervision | Hardness and teeth | Treat portions | When to contact a vet

Before Giving a New Treat or Chew

Check the individual product and think about the dog that will be eating it.

• Age and life stage: puppy, adult or senior
• Physical size: including mouth and throat size
• Chewing style: gentle, steady, forceful or prone to gulping
• Experience: whether the dog is familiar with that treat type
• Teeth and gums: including missing, worn, damaged or sensitive teeth
• Ingredients: including known restrictions and the dog’s normal diet
• Health history: particularly digestive, dental or swallowing problems

Product labels such as “small,” “large” or “long-lasting” are only a starting point. The final choice must still suit the individual dog.

Choose an Appropriate Size

A treat or chew should be large enough that the dog can’t simply place the whole item comfortably into its mouth and swallow it without chewing.

Before offering it, ask:

• Can the dog fit the entire item into its mouth?
• Is the dog likely to bite off and swallow large sections?
• Could it quickly become a small end piece?
• Is its shape easy for the dog to hold and chew steadily?
• Is the texture suitable for the dog’s teeth and experience?

Natural treats vary in size, shape, colour and thickness. Check the actual piece rather than relying only on the product name or photograph.

Supervise Every Treat and Chew

Supervision means staying close enough to see how the dog is handling the item. It shouldn’t mean giving a chew and leaving the house or moving somewhere you can’t observe the dog.

Watch for:

• trying to swallow the item whole;
• breaking off unusually large pieces;
• forceful biting rather than steady chewing;
• coughing, gagging or repeated retching;
• bleeding from the mouth;
• the item splintering, cracking or developing sharp edges;
• the remaining piece becoming small enough to swallow.

Remove the treat if you’re no longer confident it can be handled safely. A trained “drop” or “leave” cue can make taking an item away calmer and safer.

Dogs That Gulp or Swallow Pieces

Some dogs try to swallow treats instead of chewing them properly. A larger item doesn’t automatically remove this risk, particularly if the dog bites off and swallows chunks.

Dogs that repeatedly gulp, swallow large pieces or guard items may need a different treat format or a non-food enrichment option. Speak to your vet where swallowing behaviour is persistent or concerning.

Swallowed pieces can sometimes cause choking or a blockage in the digestive system. Contact a vet promptly if you believe your dog has swallowed something unsuitable.

Hard Chews and Tooth Damage

The toughest or longest-lasting chew isn’t automatically the safest choice.

Very hard items can damage teeth, especially where a dog bites down forcefully. PDSA advises that chew items that can’t be indented with a fingernail may be too hard for some dogs, while BSAVA notes that some commonly sold chews are as hard as or harder than tooth enamel.

Be particularly cautious where a dog:

• bites down forcefully rather than gnawing;
• has worn, cracked or previously damaged teeth;
• has missing teeth or sore gums;
• is older or has known dental disease;
• shows discomfort while chewing.

Signs of a possible dental problem include dropping food, chewing on one side, bleeding gums, pawing at the mouth, avoiding hard food or suddenly becoming reluctant to chew. Arrange a veterinary check if you notice these changes.

Read the Tough Chews Guide

Introduce New Treats Gradually

Offer a small amount of an unfamiliar treat first, particularly if the dog is prone to digestive upset.

• Introduce one new treat type at a time.
• Start with a small portion.
• Watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, itching or other unexpected changes.
• Stop offering it and seek veterinary advice if you’re concerned.

A single-ingredient treat makes the ingredient easier to identify, but it doesn’t guarantee that every dog will tolerate it.

Treats and the Daily Food Allowance

As a general guide, treats should make up no more than around 10% of a dog’s daily calorie intake. The dog’s usual food may need reducing to account for the additional calories.

The correct amount varies with the dog’s size, age, activity, body condition and main diet. Large natural chews can contain considerably more calories than a small training treat, even when they’re offered less often.

Ask your vet or veterinary nurse for individual feeding advice if your dog is underweight, overweight, on a prescribed diet or has a medical condition.

Fresh Water, Hygiene and Storage

• Always provide fresh drinking water.
• Wash your hands after handling animal-based treats.
• Keep treats away from children and other pets where necessary.
• Follow the storage instructions supplied with the product.
• Store treats in a cool, dry place unless the packaging says otherwise.
• Discard treats that smell unusual, show mould or appear contaminated.

When to Contact a Vet

Choking is an emergency. Don’t wait for symptoms to improve where a dog is unable to breathe normally. Contact your veterinary practice or emergency vet straight away.

Fido’s Safety Checklist

Choosing Treats at Fido’s

Fido’s offers natural treats, tougher chews, softer options, training rewards, taster packs and treat boxes. No product is suitable for every dog, so check the individual product details before ordering.

You can also visit our shop on Normanton High Street and tell us about your dog’s age, size, chewing style, experience and any ingredients you’re avoiding.

Browse all dog treats at Fido’s

Explore Fido’s Information Hub