How Many Treats Can My Dog Have? The 10% Guideline
How many treats a dog can have each day depends on more than simply counting treats. Dog size, normal diet, activity, the size of each treat and its calorie content all matter.
A useful general starting point is the 10% guideline: treats and other extras should make up no more than around 10% of your dog’s daily food or calorie allowance.
What does the 10% guideline mean?
The important point is that 10% does not mean “10 treats”.
A tiny training reward and a large edible chew can contain very different amounts of food and calories. Everything given outside the dog’s normal meals needs to be considered together.
This can include:
- Training treats
- Natural dog treats
- Edible chews
- Dental treats
- Pieces given by different family members
- Food used in enrichment toys
- Suitable human foods given as extras
The aim is to keep all those extras within a sensible part of the dog’s overall daily diet.
Why does the amount matter?
Treats are usually complementary foods rather than complete meals. Giving lots of extras on top of a dog’s normal food can increase their overall calorie intake and may unbalance the diet.
That is why organisations including PDSA and Dogs Trust advise moderation and recommend allowing for treats within the dog’s normal daily food intake.
Count the size of the reward, not just the number
It is easy to say, “My dog only had four treats today,” but that does not tell you how much food was actually given.
Four small training pieces could be very different from four large chews.
When possible, check:
- The feeding instructions on the product
- The weight or portion size
- Any calorie information supplied by the manufacturer
- How much of the chew your dog actually eats
If calorie information is not provided and you need an accurate figure, contact the manufacturer rather than guessing.
Training treats can quickly add up
Training often involves giving many rewards in a short period, so using small pieces can help.
Suitable treats that can be divided into smaller rewards may allow you to reward a dog frequently without giving a large piece every time.
Another option is to use part of the dog’s normal daily food allowance as training rewards where appropriate.
Remember edible chews too
A chew may keep a dog occupied for longer than a small reward, but if the dog eats it, it still contributes to their daily food intake.
Do not treat an edible chew as “free” just because it took longer to eat.
Think about how much was actually consumed and include it alongside the other treats given that day.
More than one person giving treats?
This is an easy way for treats to add up without anyone realising.
If several people in the household reward the dog, it can help to set aside the day’s treats in one container. Everyone then takes treats from the same allowance rather than starting a fresh handful.
Should I reduce my dog’s normal food?
If treats form part of the dog’s daily intake, the normal meal allowance may need adjusting so the treats are not simply extra food on top.
How much to adjust depends on the individual dog, their food and the treats being given.
Follow the feeding instructions for the dog’s normal food and ask your vet or veterinary nurse for individual guidance where accurate calorie control is important.
What if my dog needs to lose weight?
If your dog is overweight, underweight, rapidly changing weight or already following a veterinary diet, general treat guidance is not enough to decide their individual allowance.
Your vet or veterinary nurse can help establish an appropriate daily intake and tell you how treats should fit within it.
A treat being described as natural, small or lower fat does not automatically mean unlimited portions are suitable.
Make each treat count
Treats do not always need to be large to be rewarding.
Depending on what you are using them for, you might choose:
- Small pieces for training
- A normal treat for an occasional reward
- An appropriately sized chew for supervised chewing
- Part of the dog’s normal food allowance for repeated rewards
The right choice depends on the dog and what you want the treat to do.
Not sure which type of treat to choose?
Once you have thought about portion size, our choosing guide can help narrow the options by chewing style, protein, life stage and what you are looking for.
For wider information about weight, ingredients and wellness-related claims, see our Dog Treats & Health Considerations Guide →
Sources and guidance
This page provides general information and does not replace individual veterinary advice.
Important: Follow the individual product feeding information. Speak to your vet or veterinary nurse if your dog has a medical condition, prescribed diet or needs individual weight-management advice.