How many treats per day for a dog? A simple guide to getting it right

One for sitting nicely. One for coming back at the park. A bit of crust from your toast, a chew in the evening, and a "just because" biscuit when they give you that look. It all adds up – but how many treats per day for a dog is actually right? The honest answer isn't a number of treats; it's a share of their daily food. This simple guide explains the 10% rule, how to work out your own dog's treat allowance, and how to keep rewarding generously without overfeeding.

At a glance:

The 10% rule: UK Pet Food advises that treats and snacks make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories.

Count everything: Training treats, chews, table scraps and "just because" biscuits all count towards the 10%.

Go small: Tiny pieces of a tasty treat work just as well as big ones – especially for training.

Balance the bowl: On days with lots of treats, give a little less of their usual food.

In this guide:

• How many treats per day for a dog? The 10% rule
• Why the number of treats matters
• How to work out your dog's daily treat allowance
• What counts as a treat?
• How many treats per day for a puppy?
• How to train with treats without overfeeding
• Signs your dog may be getting too many treats
• Choosing treats that make the 10% go further

How many treats per day for a dog? The 10% rule

There's no single number of treats that's right for every dog. A Chihuahua and a Labrador need very different amounts of food, and treats come in all sorts of sizes.

That's why UK guidance talks about calories, not counts. UK Pet Food, the trade body for the UK pet food industry, advises that treats and snacks should not make up more than 10% of a dog's daily calories – with the other 90% coming from their complete food. PDSA gives the same advice and suggests reducing your dog's usual food by the same amount, so they don't end up eating more overall.

So the real question is: what does 10% look like for your dog?

Why the number of treats matters

Treats are a wonderful part of life with a dog. They make training fun, help build your bond and give your dog a little joy. But they're also the easiest place for extra calories to sneak in.

PDSA's Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report 2023 found that:

• Vets estimated, on average, that 46% of dogs are overweight or obese.
• 40% of dog owners said treats are part of their dog's daily diet.
• 28% of vets who had seen a rise in pet obesity linked it to pets being fed too many treats.

The same report found that most owners believed their dog was a healthy weight, which suggests it's easy not to notice gradual changes. PDSA also points out that because dogs are much smaller than us, "a tiny treat for us is a lot of calories for a dog".

None of this means you should stop treating your dog. It just means it's worth knowing what your dog's allowance looks like.

How to work out your dog's daily treat allowance

You don't need to be a maths whizz. Here's a simple way to do it.

Step 1: Find your dog's daily food amount

Check the feeding guide on your dog's food for their weight and age, or ask your vet. UK Pet Food recommends using accurate kitchen scales rather than guessing with a scoop.

Step 2: Find the calories

Most dog food and treat packs list the energy content in kcal per 100g, per kg or per treat. Use that to work out roughly how many calories your dog's daily food provides.

Step 3: Take 10%

Divide that daily figure by ten. That's your dog's treat budget. For example, if your dog needs around 1,000 kcal a day, their treat allowance is about 100 kcal.

Step 4: Reduce their meals to match

If your dog uses their full treat allowance, reduce their meals by the same amount.

The simple shortcut

If calories feel like hard work, PDSA has an easy alternative: weigh out your dog's food for the day, take out 10% and set it aside as their treat allowance. Use those pieces for rewards through the day, alongside a few special treats.

If your dog has a health condition, is on medication, is overweight or you're worried about a change in them, please speak to your vet first. They can tell you your dog's ideal weight and daily calorie needs.

What counts as a treat?

More than you might think. Everything that isn't your dog's main meal counts towards the 10%:

• Training treats: Every reward on every walk.
• Chews: Long-lasting chews can be surprisingly calorie-dense.
• Biscuits and dental sticks: Including the bedtime biscuit.
• Table scraps: That crust of toast, the last bit of cheese, the roast dinner leftovers.
• Food used in toys: Peanut butter in a toy, cheese in a lick mat, treats in a snuffle mat.
• Treats from other people: Grandparents, neighbours and dog walkers all count too.

A quick family chat helps. If three people each give the dog "just one" biscuit, that's three biscuits.

How many treats per day for a puppy?

Puppies are learning all the time, so they often get more rewards than adult dogs. The 10% guidance still applies to their treats, but puppies have very specific growth needs.

• Use tiny pieces: A treat the size of your little fingernail is plenty for a puppy.
• Use part of their meals: Some owners use a portion of their puppy's daily food for training.
• Choose puppy-suitable treats: Soft, small, simple treats are easiest for little mouths. Our puppy dog treats are made for exactly that.
• Follow your vet's advice: Your vet can guide you on your puppy's food and growth.

How to train with treats without overfeeding

Training is where most treats go – and that's a good thing. Reward-based training works brilliantly. Here's how to keep it generous without going over the 10%.

Make every treat tiny

The size of the treat doesn't matter to your dog nearly as much as the fact that they got one. Break treats into pea-sized pieces (smaller for little dogs). Soft meaty mini strips are easy to tear into tiny rewards.

Use high-value treats wisely

Save the most exciting treats for the hardest jobs – recall at the park, walking past other dogs, "leave it". Use everyday treats or part of their meal for easy things at home.

Mix food and non-food rewards

PDSA reminds us that treats don't always have to be food. Praise, a game of tug, a ball throw, a sniff of a lamp post or a cuddle can all be rewards. Our guide on when to reward your dog has more ideas.

Fade food rewards over time

Once your dog knows a skill well, you can reward every other time, then every few times, with praise in between. You'll always use some treats, but you won't need as many.

Keep a "treat pot"

Each morning, put the day's treats (or the 10% of their food) in a pot. When it's empty, it's empty. It's a simple way for the whole family to stay on track.

We do this at home. Mr Barnaby and Miss Dixie each have a treat pot on the kitchen shelf, filled in the morning. It's made a real difference – we used to lose count completely on busy training days, and now we can see at a glance how much is left.

For the full picture of how to use rewards well, see our complete guide to training your dog with treats.

Signs your dog may be getting too many treats

Every dog is different, but these are common signs that it's time to look at the treat budget:

• Their waist is disappearing: From above, you should usually see a waist behind the ribs.
• You can't easily feel their ribs: You should be able to feel them under a light covering.
• They're leaving meals: A dog full of treats may be less interested in dinner.
• They beg constantly: Lots of treats can teach dogs that begging pays.
• Their tummy is unsettled: Too many rich or new treats can upset some dogs. Our complete guide to treats for sensitive dogs explains how to choose gentle options.

If you're not sure whether your dog is a healthy weight, your vet or vet nurse can check their body condition and give you a target.

Choosing treats that make the 10% go further

The type of treat you choose can make a big difference to how far your dog's treat allowance goes.

Look for treats that are:

• Meaty and tasty: So a tiny piece still feels like a big reward.
• Easy to break: So one treat becomes several.
• Simple: With a short ingredients list and no added nasties.
• Lower in fat if needed: Helpful for dogs who need to watch their waistline.

Our low fat dog treats are all under 10% fat, and like all our air-dried treats, they're grain-free and made mostly from single proteins. They're easy to break into small pieces, so your dog gets more rewards from the same allowance.

Summary:

There's no magic number of treats per day for a dog. UK Pet Food and PDSA advise that treats make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories, with a little less of their usual food to balance it out. Count everything – training treats, chews and scraps – break treats into tiny pieces, mix in non-food rewards and ask your vet if you're unsure about your dog's weight.

FAQs:

Q1: How many treats can a dog have a day?

There's no fixed number. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories, according to UK Pet Food. How many treats that is depends on your dog's size and the treats you use, so check the calories on the pack and keep pieces small.

Q2: What is the 10% rule for dog treats?

The 10% rule means treats and snacks should provide no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories, with at least 90% coming from their complete food. PDSA also suggests reducing your dog's usual food by the same amount so they don't overeat.

Q3: How many treats per day for a small dog?

Small dogs need far fewer calories than large dogs, so their treat allowance is small too. Use tiny, pea-sized pieces and consider using part of their daily food as rewards. Check the feeding guide and treat pack, or ask your vet for your dog's daily calorie needs.

Q4: How many treats per day for a puppy?

The 10% guidance still applies to puppies' treats. Use very small, soft treats and think about using part of their daily food for training. Your vet can advise on your puppy's feeding as they grow.

Q5: Do training treats count towards the 10%?

Yes. Every treat counts, including training rewards, chews, table scraps and food in toys. On busy training days, use tiny pieces and reduce your dog's meals a little to balance it out.

Q6: Can too many treats upset my dog's tummy?

Lots of rich or new treats can upset some dogs, especially those with sensitive tummies. Introduce new treats slowly, keep portions small and stick to simple ingredients. If your dog has ongoing tummy problems, speak to your vet.

Not sure which treats suit your dog? Take our 60-second quiz and we'll make it simple.

This guide is general information to help you care for your dog. It isn't a substitute for advice from your vet, who knows your dog's individual needs.