Safe Treats for Dogs on a Natural Diet 2025: Vet Approved Options 🐶✨

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Just because your dog is on a natural diet doesn’t mean treats are off the table. In fact, real-food treats can support training, enrichment, and nutrition—if you choose them wisely.

I’m Dr. Duncan Houston, veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. Here’s my list of vet-approved natural treats for dogs, plus tips on how to use them without ruining balance or causing upset stomachs.

🍗 What Counts as a “Natural” Treat?

• Single-ingredient or minimally processed
• Free from artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or fillers
• Preferably dehydrated, freeze-dried, or lightly cooked

✅ My Favorite Vet-Approved Natural Treats

Proteins (High-Value Training or Reward Treats)

• Cooked chicken breast (no skin or seasoning)
• Boiled beef, lamb, or turkey pieces
• Freeze-dried liver (use sparingly)
• Dehydrated fish like sardines or salmon strips

Fruits (Low-Calorie, Antioxidant-Rich Treats)

• Blueberries, apple slices (no seeds), banana
• Watermelon (no seeds or rind), strawberries

Veggies (Crunchy, Fiber-Rich Options)

• Carrot sticks, cucumber, green beans, zucchini
• Sweet potato slices (cooked or dehydrated)

Functional Natural Treats

• Plain canned pumpkin (small spoon as a reward)
• Kefir or goat milk frozen cubes (digestive boost)
• Egg (cooked, or raw yolk if tolerated)

🧠 Treat Tips for Natural Diets

• Limit treats to 10% of total daily calories
• Balance with meals—if you use high-fat treats, reduce meal portions slightly
• Use treats to deliver supplements or meds in a soft base like pumpkin or sardine paste

⚠️ Treats to Avoid

• Commercial biscuits with grains, sugar, or artificial colors
• Rawhide (can cause digestive blockages)
• Overuse of liver or high-fat meats (can lead to vitamin A toxicity or pancreatitis)

🐾 Natural Treat Uses

• Training: use cooked meat or freeze-dried proteins in small pieces
  
• Dental health: use dehydrated carrot or sweet potato slices
• Frozen chews: freeze bone broth or kefir in silicone trays

📦 Prep Your Treats Weekly

• Pre-slice cooked meat into small pieces
• Make frozen cubes with goat milk, kefir, or pumpkin
• Use storage containers for fridge or freezer for easy portioning

🔗 Tools from Ask A Vet

• Ask A Vet – Upload your treat list and get real-time vet feedback on safety and balance

📋 Summary Excerpt

Dogs on a natural diet can still enjoy delicious treats. A vet shares safe, healthy, real-food options that fit into any natural feeding plan—without causing weight gain or stomach upset.

❓ FAQs

• Q: Can I give my dog fruit every day?
  A: Yes, in moderation. Stick to dog-safe fruits and use them as low-calorie rewards.
• Q: How many treats are too many?
  A: Treats should be 10% or less of your dog’s daily caloric intake. More than that can unbalance their diet.
• Q: Is peanut butter okay?
  A: Occasionally, yes—choose xylitol-free natural peanut butter and use tiny amounts.