There's a moment every new puppy parent hits. Usually around day three, when the shoe chewing is in full swing and the sit command is going spectacularly ignored. You reach for the treat bag and think: "Wait, can I actually give these to a puppy?"
Good instinct. Not all treats are puppy-safe, and getting the timing and the type right makes a real difference to training, teeth, and that still-developing digestive system. Here's what you need to know.
When can puppies start having treats?
Most experts and vets agree: puppies can start having treats from around eight weeks old. By that age, they've weaned off mum's milk and their digestive system can handle solid food, including small, simple treats.
That said, there's a difference between can and should. If you're planning to use treats for training (and you should, because they're the single most effective motivator for a young pup), it's worth holding off until around 10 to 12 weeks, when you're starting basic commands like sit, stay, and come. Introducing treats at the same time as training creates a clean association: good behaviour equals reward. No confusion.
One rule to lock in from day one: the 10% rule. Treats should never make up more than 10% of your puppy's daily calories. The other 90% needs to come from a nutritionally complete puppy food that supports their growth. Treats are the bonus, not the main event.
What to look for in a puppy treat
Not all treats are created equal, and what works for an adult dog isn't necessarily right for a puppy. Here's what matters:
Single or limited ingredients. A puppy's gut is still developing, and the fewer ingredients you introduce at once, the easier it is to spot if something doesn't agree with them. Single-ingredient treats like Pawtion's range are ideal because if your pup reacts, you know exactly what caused it.
Soft or easily broken textures. Puppies have small mouths and developing teeth. Hard, dense chews can crack baby teeth or frustrate a pup who can't get through them. Look for treats you can break into small pieces for training, or chews with enough give that a puppy can work at them without risking damage.
No artificial additives. This applies to all dogs, but especially puppies. Their smaller body weight means even low levels of artificial preservatives, colours, or flavourings have a proportionally bigger impact. If the ingredient list reads like a chemistry textbook, skip it.
Australian-sourced and Australian-made. You want to know where the protein came from and how the treat was made. Pawtion treats are both Australian-sourced and Australian-made in an accredited facility. One ingredient, nothing added, no guesswork.
The best natural treats for puppies (by use case)
Not every treat serves the same purpose. Here's how to think about it, and which Pawtion products fit each role.
Training treats
Training is where treats earn their keep. You need something small, soft, intensely flavoured, and fast to eat. A puppy who spends 30 seconds chewing between commands has already forgotten what they did right.
Lamb Snacks are the standout here. They're soft enough to break into tiny pea-sized pieces, and they're a great source of protein and amino acids to support your puppy's muscle growth and development. The smell gets a puppy's full attention, and lamb is a relatively gentle protein for young stomachs.
Chicken Jerky works well too. It's slightly chewier than the lamb snacks but still easy to tear into small training portions. High in protein to support healthy growth and energy, with a natural flavour that means you don't need much per reward.
The key with training treats is portion control. You're not feeding them, you're paying them. Tiny pieces, rapid delivery, and keep the session short (5 to 10 minutes for a puppy is plenty).
Easy chews
Every puppy needs something they're allowed to chew. Without an approved option, they'll find their own. And it'll be your shoes, your furniture, or the corner of a skirting board.
Chews also serve a developmental purpose. Between 12 and 24 weeks, puppies are teething, losing baby teeth and growing adult ones. A good chew soothes sore gums, satisfies the urge to gnaw, and helps keep emerging teeth clean.
Pork Bully Sticks are a great first chew for puppies from around 12 weeks. They're a chewy tendon (not a hard bone), rich in B vitamins that support your pup's nervous system and energy levels. They have enough give for developing jaws without the risk of cracking teeth, and small to medium puppies will typically spend 20 to 30 minutes working through one. Long enough to keep them occupied, short enough that they don't overdo it.
Kangaroo Tendons are another excellent option. They're naturally chewy, lean, and high in protein to support healthy muscle development. The texture provides a satisfying gnawing experience that mimics what puppies instinctively want to do, and the chewing action helps clean teeth mechanically. Think of it as nature's toothbrush.
A couple of ground rules for puppy chews: always supervise (especially the first time), remove any piece that gets small enough to swallow whole, and wait until at least 12 weeks before introducing anything beyond soft treats.
Healthy snacks
Sometimes a treat isn't about training or teething. It's just a reward for existing. (Puppies are very good at existing.) These are the between-meals snacks that deliver genuine nutritional value on top of the tail wag.
Chicken Strips are packed with amino acids and protein that support muscle growth, immune function, and overall development. They've got a satisfying chew to them but aren't as tough as a dedicated chew treat, making them a good all-rounder for puppies who've settled into solid food. You can break them into smaller pieces for younger pups.
Kangaroo Jerky is a lean, high-protein snack rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that support brain development and vitamin B12 that aids nervous system health. Kangaroo is also a novel protein, meaning most puppies have never been exposed to it. That makes it a great option if you suspect sensitivities to more common proteins like chicken or beef. It can be shredded up for smaller mouths or used as a meal topper to make kibble more exciting.
Mackerel Slivers are a fish-based option loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids that support brain development, healthy skin, and a shiny coat. They're smaller and thinner than a full chew, so they suit puppies who are still building confidence with treats. Fair warning: they're aromatic. Your puppy will love this. Your nose will have opinions.
What to avoid giving a puppy
Just as important as what to give them is what to keep away:
Rawhide. It swells in the stomach, is difficult to digest, and poses a serious choking risk. There's no reason to use it when natural single-ingredient chews exist.
Cooked bones. They splinter. Raw or air-dried bones are safer options for adult dogs, but most bones aren't suitable for puppies at all. Their jaws aren't strong enough, and the risk of cracking baby teeth is high.
Supermarket treats with long ingredient lists. If you can't pronounce half the ingredients, your puppy's gut doesn't want to process them either. Artificial colours, glycerine, vegetable starch, and "meat meal" of unspecified origin are all red flags.
Treats designed for adult dogs. Large, hard chews made for powerful adult jaws can overwhelm a puppy. Always match the treat to the size and developmental stage of your dog.
Human food scraps. Some human foods are fine for dogs in moderation, but grapes, chocolate, onions, garlic, and anything containing xylitol are toxic. With a puppy, it's safest to stick to purpose-made treats and avoid the guessing game.
A simple puppy treat routine
If you're not sure where to start, here's a practical framework:
8 to 12 weeks: Introduce soft training treats only. Tiny pieces of Lamb Snacks during short training sessions. Keep it simple with one or two treat types max so you can monitor digestion.
12 to 16 weeks: Add a gentle chew. Pork Bully Sticks or Kangaroo Tendons give teething pups something appropriate to gnaw on. Always supervise.
16 weeks and beyond: Expand the rotation. Introduce protein variety with snacks like Kangaroo Jerky and Mackerel Slivers. By this stage, your puppy's digestive system is more robust and can handle a wider range of single-ingredient treats.
Throughout all stages, stick to the 10% rule and make sure the majority of their nutrition comes from complete puppy food.
Pawtion treats are single ingredient with absolutely nothing added, so you can rest easy knowing our treats contain no nasties. Every protein is Australian-sourced, and every treat is made in an accredited Australian facility. For a growing puppy, that simplicity is exactly what you want.
FAQs
How many treats can I give my puppy per day?
Follow the 10% rule: treats should make up no more than 10% of your puppy's daily calories. For a small puppy eating 400 calories a day, that's roughly 40 calories' worth of treats. A few small pieces of jerky or a handful of training-sized bites.
Can I use treats to toilet train my puppy?
Yes, and it's one of the most effective methods. Keep a dedicated treat (like small pieces of Chicken Jerky) exclusively for toilet training so it stays high-value. Reward immediately after they go in the right spot. Timing is everything.
My puppy has a sensitive stomach. Which protein should I start with?
Kangaroo and lamb are often the gentlest options for puppies with digestive sensitivities. Kangaroo is a novel protein, meaning most dogs haven't been exposed to it, which reduces the chance of a reaction. Single-ingredient treats make it easy to identify what works and what doesn't.
Are air-dried treats safe for puppies?
Yes. Air-drying uses low temperatures to remove moisture, making the treat shelf-stable without artificial preservatives. Softer air-dried treats (like jerky and snacks) are ideal for puppies. Harder air-dried chews (like bones or trachea) are better suited to adult dogs. Read more in our guide to how air-drying works.
When can my puppy have bully sticks?
From around 12 weeks, once their jaw strength has developed enough to work through a chewy tendon safely. Choose an appropriately sized bully stick for your puppy's breed and always supervise.
Ready to start your puppy's treat journey?
Whether you're knee-deep in toilet training, working on "sit" for the fortieth time today, or just rewarding your furry little gremlin for not eating the couch cushion, there's a Pawtion treat for that.