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Different types of food offer various health advantages even in the dog world. Did you know that dog parents and their furry friends are increasingly preferring natural dog food and treats over processed ones?
This is because more than 80% of pet owners said they now expect the same standards for the food they buy for their pets as they would their own. According to Dr Maygane Ronsmans, a Product Manager for animal nutrition at BENEO, “Whether it’s sustainable, natural, plant-based or grain-free, consumers have come to expect the same high-quality credentials from their pet food products as they do their own.”
When we have a puppy in the household, we want to spoil them with love, affection, and of course, treats. But what treats are best for puppies and why? In this article, we dig into why natural puppy treats make the pawfect choice and discuss when you can give them to your puppy.
If you have a new furry bundle of joy in the family, you may have a lot of questions about caring for them. You may be wondering when the best time is to start introducing treats, how to provide the treats, and what dog treats are safe to give puppies.
To answer the first question, a puppy is ready to embark on a culinary adventure once they turn 8 weeks old. Treats are handy to use when training your puppy, as you can reward them for their good behaviours. This way, they will associate the good things they do with getting a tasty natural treat.
Initially, it’s best to keep 8–10-week-old puppies on single ingredient treats and soft chews. See below for a handy puppy treat timeline:
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association advises limiting treats to less than 10% of your puppy's daily calories. Therefore, it’s recommended to keep them as a training treat only. So, try to resist those adorable begging puppy eyes and fight the urge to toss your puppy a treat just because they look cute!
Chicken feet and pig snouts may not sound appealing to us, but our furry friends love them! This is because natural treats are 100% animal and include no additives or preservatives. It means that you are only giving your pup the very best and ensuring they remain happy and healthy!
Natural puppy treats bring a wide range of health benefits, so there is no wonder why they are becoming so popular. Some of the advantages include:
These are just a few of the benefits natural treats can bring to a growing pup’s life. They also offer a pawsome taste that dogs find simply irresistible. They are healthy and taste amazing for our fur babies – so it’s really a no-brainer!
Now you know the great advantages of natural dog treats, let's find out which ones are safe for puppies.
Many adult dog treats will be unsuitable due to their ingredients and size, so it’s best to opt for puppy-specific treats. However, you should always check the size and ingredients as some natural dog treats will be suitable for puppies from 8 weeks old to adult.
Young puppies have sensitive teeth and gums, this means it’s essential to choose treats that are soft and easy for them to chew. Hard and large treats could hurt their gums and damage their growing adult teeth. Larger natural dog treats could also be a choking hazard for puppies, they will need something small that will not require much chewing.
With that being said, what treats do we recommend for puppies at WOOOF?
Soft dog treats are always best for puppies because they are easy on your puppy’s evolving teeth.
These small and tasty Duck & Rosemary treats from Buddy Pet Foods contain no nasty additives, preservatives, fillers, or added sugar. Instead, they are full of natural goodness and high-quality meat for healthy puppy teeth and gums!
One of the best puppy natural treats to choose from as they are made specially with puppies in mind. Harrington’s Fresh Bakes Chicken With Yoghurt Puppy Nibbles are a complementary pet food suitable for all dogs from 8 weeks old.
Unique Fresh Bakes make use of high-quality ingredients. These ingredients are freshly prepared and baked in traditional ovens. This ensures that the nutrition provided is naturally tasty and easily digestible. By promoting your puppy's health and happiness, Fresh Bakes are a great choice. They also fit perfectly inside many a dog treat puzzle or added enrichment!
This tasty puppy reward can also be found within The Puppy Love Enrichment Gift Bundle, a perfect gift for any new pawrent and their adorable fur baby.
Denzel's is a great brand that offers tasty, natural treats for rewarding all dogs. The Puppy Bites are soft, squishy treats made in the UK. They are safe for puppies and made from natural ingredients. They are also low-calorie making them ideal for training when your puppy reaches 8 weeks old.
Salmon, Peanut Butter & Sweet Potato Puppy Bites are naturally high in Omega-3s, which has been shown to improve retinal and brain development in young pups.
Our WOOOF Own Gourmet Chicken and Cheese slices proved to be very popular natural treats in 2023. This is because they are not only delicious but also incredibly healthy! They are ideal for dogs of all breeds and sizes - including puppies. We recommend placing some inside one of our food toys for dogs for extra excitement.
Gourmet Chicken and Cheese Slices provide a great source of protein and we responsibly source them. By choosing a WOOOF Own natural treat, you can rest assured that your puppy is only snacking on the very best for their health and wellbeing.
See below for all our delicious WOOOF natural treats that are safe for puppies.
Our furry friends love the taste of dog-safe peanut butter! There’s no surprise as to why since it is high in vitamins B6 & E, niacin, protein, and healthy fats. Plus, it tastes amazing!
Poochbutter by Nuts for Pets is safe for puppies and can be given as a treat using a small spoon, or by spreading onto a Lick Mat or inside your puppy’s fillable toy.
Pet Munchies 100% Natural Dog Treats such as the Sushi Training Treats are suitable for puppies from 4 months old. These premium gourmet tasty bites contain no artificial additives or preservatives, and are free from wheat, soya, and gluten.
Once your puppy reaches 4 months old, you can use Pet Munchies Natural Treats to ensure that you reward them with the very best after puppy training!
If you love to bake, you can spoil your puppy with homemade natural treats! We have a variety of baking mixes available at WOOOF that will make your puppy’s tail wag! Our Goji Berry & Turmeric Biscuit Mix is healthy, grain-free, and palm-oil free. It's great for baking a tasty treat for your well-behaved pup.
As we said before, for us humans the thought of eating Puffed Chicken Feet does not sound appealing in the slightest! But for our furry babies it’s one of their favourite natural treats.
As your puppy grows older and starts to begin adulthood, they can start tackling larger treats. Puffed Chicken Feet are air-dried to retain their natural flavour and offer a quick, chewy snack.
Natural and nutritious puppy treats play an important role in raising a healthy and happy pup due to their many health benefits. They can also be used to help with puppy training that will allow them to grow into lovable, well-behaved dogs.
At WOOOF, we adore all dogs and puppies and want them to flourish! That’s why we stock only the best natural dog food and treats for them to enjoy. We hope this article has helped you find some natural treats your new puppy will lap up! We also hope it's given you some inspiration on how to create your own at-home dog treat puzzle or fill up your food toys for dogs.