Bringing home a new dog — puppy or adult — comes with a lot of decisions, and treats are more important than most new owners realize. Here's everything you need to know.
Puppies (8 weeks - 1 year)
Start with soft treats like Chicken Bites or Chicken Heart & Liver. Avoid hard chews like bones until at least 16 weeks, when adult teeth are established. Treats should never exceed 10% of daily caloric intake — puppies especially need most of their nutrition from a complete puppy food.
Adults (1-7 years)
This is when you have the most flexibility. Rotate through different proteins (chicken, buffalo, fish, goat) to keep things interesting and provide varied nutrition. Use treats for training, but watch total calorie intake if your dog is less active.
Seniors (7+ years)
Softer treats become important again as dental health may decline. Organ treats like liver are excellent for seniors — nutrient-dense in small quantities, which matters as appetite naturally decreases with age.
Overweight Dogs
Choose lower-calorie options like fish treats or lungs (naturally low-fat), and break larger treats into smaller pieces to make them last longer during training sessions.
7-Day Rotation Strategy
Day 1-2: Chicken-based. Day 3-4: Fish-based. Day 5: Organ treats. Day 6-7: Alternate protein (buffalo/goat). This keeps nutrition varied and prevents your dog from developing a sensitivity to any single protein source through overexposure.