Does My Dog Need Treats?
Does My Dog Need Treats?
For many of us, giving our dog a treat feels like a simple act of love. A biscuit after dinner, a snack when they look up at us hopefully, or a reward for good behaviour.
But the truth is: most dogs don’t actually need treats every day.
Treats can be useful tools for training and positive reinforcement. However, when they become routine extras rather than intentional rewards, they can quietly contribute to excess calorie intake and weight gain.
And because we control every meal our dogs eat, maintaining a healthy weight is ultimately our responsibility as their guardians.
Dogs Burn Energy Differently
Just like humans, dogs have different metabolisms.
Some dogs run, swim and play for hours each day. Others prefer a slower pace of life. Age, breed, hormones, neuter status and health conditions can all influence how efficiently a dog uses energy.
This means the same number of treats can affect dogs very differently.
A highly active dog may easily burn additional calories from treats, while a lower-energy dog may gradually store those extra calories as body fat.
Feeding nutritionally balanced meals and adjusting portions based on activity level plays an important role in maintaining healthy weight.
You can learn more about how balanced diets support overall canine health in our guide to Raw Dog Food Explained.
Do Dogs Actually Need Treats?
Treats are not a nutritional requirement.
Dogs can receive everything they need nutritionally through complete, balanced meals designed to meet their daily energy and nutrient requirements.
Treats are best thought of as occasional foods used for training or enrichment, rather than something dogs need to receive every day.
For many dogs, especially those who are highly food-motivated, their regular meals can be used as training rewards instead. This helps maintain the correct daily calorie intake without adding unnecessary extra food.
Our approach focuses on nutritionally balanced meals made from fresh whole ingredients, which you can explore in more detail in Human Grade Dog Food.
How Treats Contribute to Weight Gain
Treats may seem small, but their calories add up quickly.
Even a few extra snacks each day can significantly increase a dog’s daily calorie intake. Over time, this can lead to gradual weight gain that owners may not immediately notice.
Research has shown that dogs maintained at a lean body condition live significantly longer than dogs that are overweight (Kealy et al., 2002).
In a large study analysing veterinary records across multiple breeds, overweight dogs were found to have shorter lifespans compared with dogs at a healthy body condition (Salt et al., 2019).
Because dogs rely entirely on their owners to control food intake, managing treat consumption is one of the most effective ways to help maintain a healthy weight.
Health Risks of Overweight Dogs
Being overweight affects far more than appearance.
Excess body fat can increase the risk of multiple health conditions and place additional strain on a dog’s body.
Scientific research has linked obesity in dogs with:
• Osteoarthritis and joint stress
• Reduced mobility and exercise tolerance
• Increased risk of metabolic disease
• Reduced quality of life
• Shorter life expectancy
Fat tissue is also metabolically active and contributes to chronic inflammation, which can further affect long-term health (German, 2016).
Maintaining a healthy body condition helps protect joints, support mobility and promote longevity.
A Smarter Way to Use Treats
Treats can still play a valuable role in your dog’s life when used intentionally.
Instead of adding additional food to the day, many owners choose to set aside a portion of their dog’s daily meal to use as training rewards.
This approach:
• Maintains the correct daily calorie intake
• Prevents accidental overfeeding
• Allows positive reinforcement training
• Supports healthy weight management
You can also customise your dog’s daily portions and ingredients to suit their activity level and needs through Custom Dog Meals.
Our Responsibility as Dog Owners
Unlike humans, dogs cannot choose what they eat.
They rely entirely on us to provide appropriate food, portion sizes and feeding habits.
Maintaining a healthy body condition is one of the most powerful ways we can support our dogs’ long-term health and wellbeing.
When treats are used thoughtfully rather than automatically, they return to what they were meant to be:
An occasional reward — not a daily necessity.
Embark Portions
We have set our portion sizes to be customisable in 50g increments to offer the best control over your dog's meals.
We can help determine the recommended size for your dog's weight goals to help you Build Your Dog's Bowl,
References (APA Style)
Kealy, R. D., Lawler, D. F., Ballam, J. M., Mantz, S. L., Biery, D. N., Greeley, E. H., Lust, G., Segre, M., Smith, G. K., & Stowe, H. D. (2002). Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 220(9), 1315–1320. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2002.220.1315
Salt, C., Morris, P. J., Wilson, D., Lund, E. M., & Cole, T. J. (2019). Association between life span and body condition in dogs in the United Kingdom. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 33(1), 89–99. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15367
German, A. J. (2016). The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats. The Journal of Nutrition, 136(7), 1940S–1946S. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/136.7.1940S