Can too many dog treats be harmful?

We all love spoiling our dogs, and why not? They often deserve it, whether it’s learning a new trick, behaving oh-so well on their walk, or, most of the time, for just being there for us.

But when do treats become more of a problem than a celebration, and can they be harmful for dogs?

Here, we discuss how many treats your dog should eat, why too many can cause problems, and recommend some healthier (but still tasty) options.

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What do we mean by dog treats?

First, it's useful for us to define what we mean by dog treats. When we chat about dog treats, we're mostly talking about commercial options, like doggie biscuits and dental chews.

But when we talk about calories and not feeding your dog too many treats, this applies to all of them, even healthy, homemade options.

Are too many treats bad for dogs?

In short: yes. But we don’t want to make it sound like you shouldn’t ever give your dog a treat or spoil them. It really depends on how many treats you’re feeding them.

If treats make up a small part of your dog’s otherwise balanced diet, it shouldn’t be an issue. Problems tend to happen when that balance is upset, leading to issues down the line.

Giving your dog too many tasty treats can make them less interested in healthier, blander food too, so it's important to have a balance.

How many treats should a dog have?

Vets across the world stick to the “10% rule”, where treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. Vets recommend this amount as it likely reduces obesity and improves the chances of your dog having a nutritionally balanced diet.

For example, let's say your vet estimates that your dog's recommended daily amount of calories is 1000 per day. Assuming your dog is a healthy weight, that means the maximum amount of treats your dog should have per day is 100 calories worth.

100 calories of dog treats isn't much, so we can see why treats can easily lead to us accidentally overfeeding them.

But like us, different dogs need different amounts of calories depending on their lifestyle, size, and underlying health issues. It's why it's important to work closely with your vet when working out how many calories your dog needs.

You can learn more about what goes into the maintenance of a dog’s weight in our body condition score guide and our discussion on weight loss for dogs.

Why are too many dog treats bad?

Too many dog treats can lead to nutritional deficiencies or weight gain. Too many dog treats will lead to your dog having too many calories, which causes obesity.

On the flip side, let's say your dog is eating a healthy amount of calories, but a high proportion of those calories are treats - it’ll then cause nutritional deficiencies as your dog isn’t eating a balanced diet.

Eventually, too many treats can lead to long-term problems like:

Constipation

This depends on the treats, but some can contain additives and fillers, which can lead to constipation if your dog has too much.

Deficiencies

A balanced diet typically isn’t full of treats, meaning a treat-filled eating schedule can lead to deficiencies down the line for your pup. Our guide on nutrition in pets can help here.

Diarrhoea

Sometimes, too many treats can overwhelm your dog’s digestive system, mostly due to high-fat ingredients or fillers.

Obesity and pancreatitis

Too many treats can mean too many calories, which leads to obesity. Obesity in pets is serious, as it can increase the likelihood of our pets getting illnesses like pancreatitis.

Are there any healthy alternatives to regular dog treats?

Not all dog treats are unhealthy. But it can be a good idea to vary up your dog’s treat selection to introduce more nutrients or keep them entertained.

Some popular, healthy treat alternatives include:

• Carrots

• Green beans

• Plain, cooked chicken

• Plain pumpkin

And don't forget: treating your dog isn't just about food. Praise and petting them can work just as well, even in positive reinforcement training.

Our guide on healthy dog treat recipes can help, and we also have our dedicated Pet Food Safety tool to help you quickly check what’s healthy and what’s not.

It’s essential that you check if a food isn’t toxic for dogs before introducing it to them, and make sure to have a chat with your vet if you’re making big changes to your dog’s diet.

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The secret? Treating dog treats with respect!

So, we're not here to tell you when and how to spoil your dog. And we're not here to say dog treats are a bad idea, either.

We're just reminding you that it's about balance. Treats are a small part of keeping your happy; their real happiness comes from the bond you both share, and their long-term health is better with some moderation.

So, when in doubt, simply remember the 10% rule to keep short-term digestive issues and long-term obesity at bay. Don't be afraid to experiment with healthier, pet-safe treat options too, and if your dog is struggling with their weight - including being underweight - please chat with your vet.

A dog's ideal weight is very personal, and you'll need the guiding hand of a pet nutritionist or vet to find a plan that works for them.

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