🔄Last Updated: 4 March 2026•Originally published: 18 March 2020
Treats should never exceed 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake — a rule most owners unknowingly break. A medium-sized dog (15kg) needs roughly 700-900 kcal/day, meaning treats should total no more than 70-90 kcal. That’s why choosing low-calorie, nutrient-dense treats is essential, especially during training when you may give 30-50 treats per session.
High-Value vs Low-Value Treats
| Type | When to Use | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| High-value | New skills, distracting environments, recall | Liver, cheese, chicken, dried fish |
| Medium-value | Reinforcing known commands | Commercial training treats |
| Low-value | Daily rewards, puzzle toys | Kibble, carrot sticks, apple |
Quick Comparison: Best Dog Treats UK 2026
| Brand | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Barker & Barker Liver | Training | Tiny, crumb-free, 0.3 kcal each |
| Denzel’s Training Bites | Natural / UK-made | 100% natural, baked in UK |
| Scrumbles Nibbles | Sensitive stomachs | Hypoallergenic, prebiotics |
| Pooch & Mutt Meaty | Gut health | Probiotics, no dairy/soy/beef |
| Soopa Healthy Bites | Vegan / Low-cal | Superfoods, grain-free |
For training equipment, see Best Dog Treat Bag and Best Dog Training Clicker.