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Published on September 18th, 2025
Updated on September 18th, 2025
For most dogs, treats are one of their favorite things. But determining how many treats dogs can have a day can be tricky. Petco has you covered with this comprehensive guide to treat quantity and quality, as well as an excellent selection in store and online.
Many human children get a monetary allowance for doing chores, so no doubt the fur kids deserve one too, but in treats, their favorite currency.
The 10% rule is a simple guideline to help keep your dog’s diet balanced and healthy:
90% of a dog's daily calories should come from their complete, nutritionally balanced dog food, while treats, snacks, chews and toppers combined should make up no more than 10%.
For example, if your dog needs about 1,165 calories per day, their total treat allowance would be roughly 116 calories—an amount that adds up faster than you might think.
This limit helps prevent nutritional imbalances, supports a healthy weight and ensures the carefully formulated nutrient ratios in your dog’s regular food aren’t thrown off.
Human food scraps are a common culprit for overdoing it, averaging up to 20% in some pets’ diets. That’s enough to derail nutrition and, over time, contribute to obesity or deficiencies. Salty and fatty treats should be avoided altogether because of the risk of pancreatitis, but even “healthy” extras can cause problems if the total goes over that 10% threshold. As many human foods are not a healthy addition to your dog’s diet, these should be avoided unless advised under the direction of your veterinarian.
Pro tip: Dog treat calories don’t just come from biscuits. Count everything, from training rewards and chews to dental sticks and any meal toppers and mix-ins. Small indulgences add up, and staying within the limit helps your dog enjoy treats without compromising their health. Remember, the whole family needs to be on board so each member isn’t doling out 10%.
The 1,165 example above was just that, an example. But how was that number determined? Not to give you math class flashbacks, but we’ve got an easy formula so you can see how the math maths for your own dog.
Of course, you can always skip the math and ask your vet for their opinion!
First, some alphabet soup: RER is “resting energy requirement” and MER is “maintenance energy requirement.” RER is a baseline calorie amount, while MER factors in life stage, growth and activity. The MER calculation is the calorie count you typically want.
RER = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75
Then, multiply the RER by a multiplier that matches your dog’s life stage, spay/neuter status and activity level. For example, a typical spayed or neutered adult dog uses a multiplier of about 1.6.
Toby is a 50 lb. dog (about 23 kg)
RER = 70 × (23^0.75) ≈ 728 kcal
MER (maintenance calories) = 728 × 1.6 ≈ 1,165 kcal/day
Now you have the total number of calories Toby should get in a day—from food and treats combined.
However, it’s always a good idea to confirm these totals with your vet because each dog is different. Is Toby an agility dog? Or maybe he’s missing a limb and that needs to be factored in. It’s also important to consider medical conditions that may affect your dog’s metabolism and if they are currently at a healthy weight or need an increase or decrease in calories. The Pet Nutrition Alliance cautions that these equations for MER are only estimates and the needs of individual pets can vary by as much as 50% from the predicted values.
Pro tip: For additional multipliers and details, go to https://petnutritionalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MER.RER_.PNA_.pdf.
When picking treats for your dog, aim for options that are low in calories (20 calories or less) but high in protein and other nutrients. If your dog has any known food allergies or sensitivities, always take ingredients into consideration when choosing the best treat.
Commercial treats like Zuke’s Mini Naturals are great because they’re small, easy to portion and come in flavors most dogs love. If you prefer whole-food options, fresh vegetables, from asparagus to zucchini, offer a satisfying crunch with minimal calories. Frozen fruits and veggies are also good options. Avoid canned varieties, however, as they often include sodium and other additives. Before adding any fresh food to your dog’s diet, be sure to discuss it with your vet since not all fruits and vegetables that are healthy for humans are healthy for dogs. Also, some fruits and veggies may be acceptable in moderation for healthy dogs but could lead to health complications for dogs with specific medical conditions.
With recent concerns about rawhide safety and recalls, many pet parents want alternatives that still satisfy a dog’s chewing instincts. Dental chews can be a smart replacement. Just remember to introduce new foods gradually and in small amounts, and always check that they’re safe for your specific pet. Time spent with chews should always be supervised, and chews that are worn down to a small enough size to become a choking hazard should be discarded. Over time, these healthier treat swaps can help keep your dog’s waistline—and overall health—in great shape.
When it comes to treats, type and size matter for both your dog’s health and their enjoyment. Veggies can be a great way to give more caloric bang for the buck to a healthy dog without dietary restrictions. For example, 20 calories of chicken breast is just over ¾ of an ounce; 20 calories of baby carrots are just under 2 oz.; and your dog can have 25 to 30 blueberries for 20 calories!
Whether you’re offering a store-bought snack or a healthy veggie like a carrot, break it into smaller pieces so your dog feels like they’re getting more—without the extra calories.
Small dogs especially benefit from tiny treats that won’t overwhelm their calorie allowance—or their petite mouths—while larger dogs can still enjoy smaller portions for training and rewards. Switching up textures can also help keep things exciting. Crunchy treats offer satisfying chewing, while soft treats are easy to break apart and perfect for quick rewards during training sessions. Treat texture should also be taken into consideration for dogs with any type of dental condition, including puppies who are losing baby teeth and senior dogs who may have weakened or missing teeth. By being mindful of portion size and variety, you can give your dog the joy of frequent treats while protecting their nutrition and helping them maintain a healthy weight.
Treats work best when they’re used strategically—as rewards for good behavior, not just random snacks. Reserve them for training sessions, reinforcing commands or rewarding calm, desirable actions throughout the day. To keep your dog motivated without overloading them on extra calories, mix in other forms of positive reinforcement like verbal praise, petting and playtime. This variety helps keep training fun and strengthens your bond. By offering a variety of treats, you may discover that your dog places varying levels of value on different types, allowing you to offer higher-value rewards for specific behaviors with greater importance.
If your dog eats kibble, you can also use part of their regular ration as training incentives; keep, say, an 1/8 cup aside for treats when learning new tricks. This way, you’re still rewarding them often without upsetting their nutritional balance or daily calorie count. By being thoughtful about when and how you give treats, you’ll help your dog learn faster, stay healthy and appreciate their rewards even more.
Pro tip: Speaking of strategies, for many people, “food equals love,” but overfeeding and offering unhealthy table scraps that could be toxic to your pet can cause more harm than good. If you know grandma likes to give your dog treats from her plate, having low-calorie, healthy dog treats on hand and making a kind request not to feed your cute pup from their plate may help.
Treat allowances aren’t one-size-fits-all or one-size-fits-forever. Your dog’s needs and preferences can change over time. Keep an eye on their body condition score (BCS) and overall weight. If you notice extra pounds creeping on, cut back on treats or switch to lower-calorie options.
Senior dogs, in particular, tend to lose lean muscle mass and require fewer calories, so their treat limit may need to drop by as much as 25%, depending on their activity level. Be especially mindful with large chews and bones—some pack a surprising calorie punch, ranging from 200 to over 700 calories, which can be more than an entire unbalanced meal for many dogs.
Always match chew size to your dog’s size to prevent overfeeding and reduce the risk of choking or digestive issues.
By adjusting portions and choices based on your dog’s life stage, activity level and health, you can help keep them fit, healthy and still enjoying their favorite rewards. And Petco, with our selection of treats of all types, along with veterinary experts, can help you along the way.
