Treats are an important part of life with a dog—they help with training, strengthen your bond, and make everyday moments special. But treats can also be a hidden source of excess calories contributing to weight gain.
The 10% rule provides a simple framework for keeping treats in healthy proportion.
The 10% Rule Explained
What It Means
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommend that treats and other non-complete foods should not exceed 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake.
The remaining 90% should come from complete and balanced dog food.
Why It Matters
If treats exceed 10% of calories:
- Your dog may gain weight
- Essential nutrients may be diluted (treats aren't nutritionally balanced)
- Appetite for regular food may decrease
- Nutritional imbalances can develop over time
An Even Safer Target
Many veterinary nutritionists suggest targeting 5% of daily calories from treats to provide an extra safety margin.
Calculating Your Dog's Treat Budget
Step 1: Determine Daily Calorie Needs
Use your dog's caloric requirement (from food packaging or calculated):
| Dog Weight | Approximate Daily Calories |
|---|---|
| 10 lbs | 200-275 kcal |
| 20 lbs | 325-450 kcal |
| 30 lbs | 450-600 kcal |
| 50 lbs | 650-850 kcal |
| 70 lbs | 850-1100 kcal |
| 90 lbs | 1050-1350 kcal |
These are estimates—actual needs vary by age, activity level, and metabolism.
Step 2: Calculate 10% (and 5%)
| Daily Calories | 10% Treat Budget | 5% Treat Budget |
|---|---|---|
| 300 kcal | 30 kcal | 15 kcal |
| 500 kcal | 50 kcal | 25 kcal |
| 700 kcal | 70 kcal | 35 kcal |
| 1000 kcal | 100 kcal | 50 kcal |
Step 3: Know Your Treat Calories
Check treat packaging for calorie content. If not listed, estimate:
- Small commercial treats: 3-10 kcal each
- Medium commercial treats: 10-30 kcal each
- Large treats/chews: 50-300+ kcal each
- Dental chews: Often 50-100+ kcal
Example Calculation
30 lb dog needing 500 calories/day:
- 10% treat budget = 50 calories
- A treat with 5 calories each = 10 treats maximum
- A treat with 25 calories each = 2 treats maximum
It adds up faster than you'd think!
The Hidden Calorie Problem
Common High-Calorie Culprits
| Treat | Approximate Calories |
|---|---|
| Large milk bone | 40-125 kcal |
| Dental chew (large) | 70-100 kcal |
| Pig ear | 130-230 kcal |
| Bully stick (6") | 80-130 kcal |
| Rawhide (medium) | 80-150 kcal |
| Cheese cube (1") | 70 kcal |
| Hot dog slice | 15-20 kcal |
| Peanut butter (1 tbsp) | 90 kcal |
Training Treat Math
If you're doing a training session with 50 treats, using regular commercial treats could add 150-500 calories—potentially your dog's entire daily needs!
Healthy Low-Calorie Treat Options
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
| Treat | Calories (per piece/serving) |
|---|---|
| Baby carrot | 4 kcal |
| Apple slice (no seeds) | 5 kcal |
| Blueberries (5) | 4 kcal |
| Green bean | 2 kcal |
| Cucumber slice | 1 kcal |
| Watermelon cube (seedless) | 5 kcal |
| Banana slice (thin) | 5 kcal |
| Strawberry (half) | 2 kcal |
Commercial Low-Calorie Options
Many brands now offer "training treats" or "light treats" with 2-5 calories each. Look for:
- Small size (pea-sized is ideal for training)
- Low calorie count listed on package
- Simple ingredient lists
Using Kibble as Treats
Your dog's regular kibble makes excellent training treats:
- Already nutritionally balanced
- Doesn't add extra calories beyond daily ration
- Most dogs respond just as well
- Budget-friendly
Simply set aside a portion of daily food for training.
Foods to Avoid as Treats
Toxic Foods
Never give dogs:
- Chocolate: Theobromine toxicity
- Grapes and raisins: Kidney failure risk
- Onions and garlic: Red blood cell damage
- Xylitol (artificial sweetener): Severe hypoglycemia, liver failure
- Macadamia nuts: Weakness, vomiting, tremors
- Alcohol: Obvious dangers
- Caffeine: Similar to chocolate toxicity
Foods to Limit
- Cheese: High in fat and calories
- Peanut butter: Calorie-dense (check for xylitol!)
- Fatty meats: Can trigger pancreatitis
- Salty foods: Excessive sodium
Training Treat Strategy
Size Matters
For training:
- Use the smallest treat that works
- Pea-sized is often sufficient
- Break larger treats into tiny pieces
- Dogs respond to the act of getting a treat, not the size
Value Hierarchy
Have different treat values for different situations:
- Low value: Kibble or vegetables for basic obedience
- Medium value: Commercial training treats for new skills
- High value: Cheese or meat for challenging environments or recall
Timing Over Quantity
Dogs learn from the timing and consistency of rewards more than the size. A tiny treat delivered immediately is more effective than a large treat given 5 seconds late.
Treats and Weight Management
For Dogs at Ideal Weight
- Stick to 10% rule
- Use healthy options
- Factor treats into daily calories
For Overweight Dogs
- Target 5% or less
- Use very low-calorie options (vegetables, air-popped plain popcorn)
- Consider using affection and play as rewards instead
- Every calorie counts during weight loss
For Underweight Dogs
- Treats can help add calories
- Choose calorie-dense, healthy options
- Still maintain variety and nutrition
- Address underlying cause with your vet
Special Considerations
Puppies
- Same 10% rule applies
- Smaller bodies = smaller treat budgets
- Choose age-appropriate treats (soft, small)
- Avoid hard chews until adult teeth are in
Dogs with Health Conditions
- Diabetes: Treats affect blood sugar—work with your vet
- Kidney disease: Limit phosphorus and protein in treats
- Allergies: Ensure treats don't contain allergens
- GI issues: Stick to known tolerated ingredients
- Dental disease: Avoid hard treats if teeth are compromised
Multi-Dog Households
- Each dog has their own budget
- Prevent treat stealing
- Avoid feeding competitions that encourage gulping
Reading Treat Labels
What to Check
- Calorie content: Usually listed per treat or per serving
- Serving size: How many treats is one serving?
- Ingredients: First ingredients should be recognizable
- Country of origin: Some prefer treats from specific regions
Red Flags
- No calorie information available
- Artificial colors (not needed)
- Excessive sugar or salt
- Vague ingredients ("animal by-products")
- Very long shelf life without natural preservatives
Making Treats Count
Non-Food Rewards
Dogs don't need treats for every reward:
- Verbal praise ("Good dog!")
- Physical affection (pets, scratches)
- Play (tug, fetch)
- Access to something desired (going outside)
Mix these with treats to reduce overall treat consumption.
Quality Time Over Quantity
A few meaningful treats are better than constant snacking:
- Reserve treats for training or special moments
- Make treat time interactive
- Use treats purposefully, not mindlessly
The Bottom Line
The 10% rule is simple to remember but requires some math to implement:
- Know your dog's daily calorie needs
- Calculate 10% (or 5% for safety margin)
- Check treat calories and count accordingly
- Choose low-calorie options when possible
- Factor treats into daily food portions
- Use kibble and vegetables liberally
- Avoid toxic foods completely
Treats should enhance your dog's life without compromising their health. With a little awareness, you can give plenty of treats while keeping your dog at a healthy weight.