As more and more dog owners take their dog's diet seriously, it encourages even more questions around healthy dog treats. Luckily for retailers who stock natural dog treats, having treats with quality ingredients, nutrition and health benefits makes it easy to speak to your customers about the best option for your dog.

It's important to build trust with your customers, and providing clear guidance is essential to encourage repeat customers and continue to drive sales. Below are 10 common questions pet shop owners are being asked and how to answer them.

What are the healthiest dog treats?

Many pet owners associate healthy dog treats with single ingredients and low fat treats. Natural dog treats are commonly single ingredient and despite being high in protein, are still low in fat and ideal for weight management. Healthy dog treats should have simple ingredient lists and no artificial ingredients or preservatives. Examples of the healthiest dog treats include:

• Dental chews
• Rabbit ears
• Long lasting chews
• Small training treats
• Duck and chicken feet
• Calcium bones
• Dried sprats

These treats are low in fat, whilst many of them are still high in protein. They also support with joint and dental health, and rabbit ears are natural dewormers for dogs.

There is no single 'healthiest dog treat', as this depends on your dog's age, breed, size and activity levels, so the best choice always comes down to each dog's preferences.

How many treats should I give my dog each day?

The number of treats you can give your dog differs significantly based on dog size and activity levels. Other factors like how aggressive of a chewer they are and what their current diet looks like also plays a part.

Treats should only make up 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake. Sticking to this rule maintains a balanced diet for your dog, whilst also giving them plenty of drinking water. If you have a smaller dog, using smaller treats like training bites and mini sausages are ideal to support with a balanced diet.

Premium treats can be used as an occasional, high value reward instead, whilst long-lasting chews are great for keeping your dog busy without them consuming lots of calories at once.

Are natural dog treats better than processed treats?

Yes, natural dog treats are significantly healthier for dogs than process alternatives. This is down to:

• Rich in protein
• Support joint care
• Better for overall health
• Improved dental health
• Preventing digestion issues

Natural dog treats contain fewer ingredients and are from a single protein source. Going through an air drying process, they do not require preservatives and still have a long shelf life. On top of their health benefits, they are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction and great for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Find out more about why natural dog treats are better than processed treats here.

What ingredients should dog owners avoid?

In terms of natural treats, it's important to avoid any treats that your dog is allergic to. However, this is made much easier due to the smaller ingredient list of natural treats. You should also avoid treats unsuitable for your dogs age, with many treats only recommended for dogs once they are at least 2, 3 or 4 months old.

Outside of natural treats, avoiding processed treats and rawhide completely can be a great choice for your dog's overall health. This means your dog avoids food containing:

• Artificial colours
• Artificial flavourings
• Excessive added sugar
• Unnecessary fillers
• Ingredients they don't recognise or understand

Natural treats are also less likely to splinter, preventing choking hazards.

Are air dried treats good for dogs?

Air drying is a fantastic method for preserving dog treats whilst retaining their great flavour, vitamins and nutrients within the treat. This means air dried treats are a great choice for dogs.

During air drying, moisture is removed to increase their shelf life, whilst also meaning they are longer-lasting to keep your dog occupied. Some benefits of air dried treats also include:

• Retain their natural appearance
• Offer satisfying chewing experiences
• Have a long shelf life when stored correctly
• Are available in a wide variety of proteins and textures

Which dog treats are best for puppies?

Puppies have different chewing tendencies compared to adults, so finding the right treat is important to support their development at a young age. When considering dog treats for puppies, think of:

• Soft training treats
• Bite sized rewards
• Easily digestible options

Training treats, mini filled bones and mini sausages are great choices for training your puppy, reinforcing good behaviour and rewarding them appropriately.

Can dog treats help with dental health?

Dental chews are specifically made to support dental hygiene, bad breath and removing plaque and tartar. Natural dog treats are no different. Long lasting chews act as natural toothbrushes, removing plaque and tartar, whilst supporting with saliva production to clean the mouth and remove harmful acids.

They are not a replacement for actually brushing your dogs teeth, but by satisfying your dog's natural urge to chew, you can maintain their overall dental health.

Why do natural dog treats sometimes smell stronger?

Despite the fact dogs absolutely love the smell of natural treats, this may be slightly unappealing to their owners. However, natural dog treats having a stronger smell is completely normal. This is due to the fact they are not processed and the air drying maintains their original flavours and ingredients.

Reassuring customers that variation in smell, shape and colour is completely normal can help build confidence in natural products.

What are the most popular dog treats with owners?

Popularity of dog treats changes all the time based on what's trending and what offers the most health benefits or cravings for your dog. Some of the most popular treats right now include:

• Pigs ears
• Training treats
• Jumbo Sausages
• Meaty filled bones
• Mini sausages
• Rabbit ears with fur
• Buffalo ears

Having a wide selection of treats is great for pet shops looking to meet the needs of different dogs, regardless of age, breed or dietary requirements.

How can pet shops help customers choose the right treats?

The best customer experience comes from asking a few simple questions before making a recommendation.

Useful questions include:

• How old is the dog?
• What size or breed is it?
• Is the treat for training or chewing?
• Does the dog have any known dietary sensitivities?
• Does the owner prefer natural products?

Providing honest, practical advice builds trust and helps customers feel confident in their purchase.

Clear product information, knowledgeable staff and a carefully selected range all contribute to a positive shopping experience that encourages repeat visits.

If you're looking to expand your range, explore our wholesale dog treats for a wide variety of natural chews and everyday favourites. You can also visit our dedicated Pet Shops collection for products selected specifically for independent pet retailers.