If your dog or cat pricks their ears at the word treat, you are in good company. Treats are more than a tasty moment, they can help with training, dental health, and enrichment, while adding extra nutrition to your pet’s day. In this guide, you will discover why natural treats beat the supermarket stuff and which options are healthiest for dogs and cats, clever ways to use treats for training and enrichment.
Why choose natural treats over supermarket brands?
Flip over a typical supermarket treat and you will often see long ingredient lists, added sugars, artificial colours, preservatives, and fillers. These extras can contribute to weight gain, itchy skin, tummy upsets, and fussy eating. Natural treats keep it simple, usually single ingredient, species appropriate, and gently dried or snap frozen to lock in nutrients.
Here is what you get when you choose natural:
- Fewer additives, which can mean fewer reactions for sensitive pets
- Better nutrient density, thanks to real meat, organ, and bone
- Clear sourcing and processing, so you know what you are feeding
- High value taste and aroma that pets find motivating during training
Happy Paws Pet Food treats are free from fillers and artificial nasties, with options made from Australian meats and, where noted, certified organic sources. That means peace of mind for you and a healthy wag or purr from your best mate.
What are the healthiest treats for dogs and cats?
Healthy treats mirror what dogs and cats are designed to eat, meat, organs, and bones in appropriate forms. Aim for single ingredient treats that offer functional benefits like joint support, dental cleaning, or gentle fibre.
Great picks for dogs:
- Pig Trotter, naturally rich in collagen for joint and skin support, plus a satisfying crunch
- Beef trachea, a chondroitin and glucosamine rich chew that helps teeth and gums
- Lamb crumble, light and low fat, great for frequent rewards without overdoing calories
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Goat horns, a long lasting chew made of keratin that supports dental hygiene
Healthy choices for cats:
- Freeze dried or gently dried meats like chicken or fish, easy to portion and highly tempting
- Small, crunchy options that engage hunting instincts without heavy carbohydrates
If your cat is treat particular, try small, aromatic pieces and keep training sessions short. For both species, limit treats to about 10 percent of daily intake unless a vet or nutritionist advises otherwise. Break larger treats in to tiny pieces so you can reward often without overshooting calories.
How treats support training and enrichment
Treats are tools. Used well, they can transform training and turn everyday moments into enrichment.
- For training, use small, soft, easy to swallow pieces so your pet can stay focused. Think of rapid reward games, name recognition, recall practice, and calm mat training. Keep sessions short and end on a win.
- For enrichment, rotate chews to satisfy natural licking, gnawing, and foraging behaviours. Chewing can reduce stress and promote relaxation, which is why an appropriate, safe chew after a big walk can help your dog settle.
- For confidence building, hide a few crumbly treats in a snuffle mat, under plant pots, or in a cardboard box puzzle. Let your pet problem solve at their own pace.
- For dental care, offer raw meaty bones suited to your pet’s size to help scrape plaque and massage gums. Always supervise and choose bones designed for chewing.
- Pro tip, combine a handful of high value, soft rewards for quick training with a single long lasting chew for wind down time. This gives your pet both mental stimulation and a soothing chew session.
What makes Happy Paws Pet Food treats special?
Happy Paws Pet Food puts quality and simplicity first. Here is what sets the range apart:
- Single ingredient focus, real meat and organs without fillers or artificial colours
- Gentle processing, dried or snap frozen to preserve nutrients and natural flavour
- Functional benefits, options that support joints, teeth, digestion, and skin
- Ethically minded, with sustainably and responsibly sourced meats across the range
- Convenience you will love, flexible delivery in refrigerated vehicles across many regions
You can browse a wide range of natural pet treats that slot neatly into your pet’s raw feeding routine without derailment. If you are exploring a full raw approach, Happy Paws Pet Food also offers options like raw pet treats, raw dogfood, and selected organic lines under organic paws . Use links as needed, then choose what suits your pet best.
Smart ways to use Happy Paws Pet Food treats
- Training jackpot, keep a mix of tiny soft bites and crunchy bits.
- Mark good behaviour with the soft bites, then occasionally give a larger crunchy reward for extra effort.
- Brain games, create a scent trail through the garden with small crumbs, or load a puzzle toy with broken up pieces for problem solving.
- Mealtime booster, add a few green tripe mini balls as a topper to support gut health and boost palatability for fussy eaters.
- Sensitive tummies, start with a novel protein like roo or fish, introduce slowly, and watch for happy digestion.
Always supervise chewing, provide fresh water, and store treats properly to maintain freshness