Best Natural Treats for Dogs — the 1 You Should Definitely Bin

It started, for me, with a bag of suspiciously orange “chicken bites” from a well-known supermarket. My spaniel Bruno demolished them in approximately four seconds, wagged furiously, and then I flipped the bag over and started reading. Glycerol. Propylene glycol. E150d. I had no idea what any of it meant, but I knew one thing: this wasn’t chicken.

That moment sent me down a rabbit hole I’ve never fully climbed out of. Years later, I know far more about dog treat ingredients than any normal person probably should — and I’m genuinely glad about it. Because once you understand what to look for (and what to run a mile from), choosing natural treats becomes second nature.

This guide covers the three things UK dog owners ask me about most: the best natural treats for training, how to actually look after your dog’s teeth naturally, and the ingredients you should never, ever ignore on a label.

Training Treats: Small, Stinky, and Absolutely Worth It

Here’s the thing most people get wrong with training treats: they go too big. You’re not rewarding your dog with a Sunday roast — you’re marking a behaviour. A treat the size of your thumbnail, delivered within two seconds, is worth infinitely more than a fancy chew they have to think about for ten minutes.

So what makes a brilliant natural training treat?

If you’d rather buy ready-made, look for brands like Naturaw, Skippers (for fish-based treats), or JR Pet Products, all of which offer single-ingredient training treats with genuinely transparent labelling. Many are available through independent pet shops or directly from their websites.

“The best training treat isn’t the fanciest one — it’s the one your dog would cross a motorway for. Find that treat, use it wisely, and the rest follows.”

Natural Dental Treats: Do They Actually Work?

Short answer: yes. Longer answer: it depends enormously on the treat, your dog’s chewing style, and whether you’re using them as part of a wider dental routine.

Dental disease affects an estimated 80% of dogs over three years old, according to the PDSA — and it’s not just about bad breath. Left untreated, gum disease can affect heart and kidney health. The good news is that natural chews genuinely help, as long as they’re the right type.

What to look for

The best natural dental treats work through mechanical action — the chewing motion physically scrapes plaque and tartar from teeth, similar (though not identical) to brushing. For this to work, the treat needs to be:

Some brilliant UK-available natural dental options include raw meaty bones (under supervision only — always raw, never cooked), Antos root chews, and yak milk chews, which are long-lasting, digestible, and popular with dogs who find rawhide too rich. VetUK has a solid selection of vet-approved natural dental options if you want somewhere to start.

Ingredients to Avoid: The Label Reading Guide You Actually Need

This is the part most dog treat articles skip over, and honestly, it’s the most important bit. Natural marketing claims on packaging are almost entirely unregulated. “Natural,” “wholesome,” “premium” — these words mean nothing legally in the UK pet food industry. What matters is the ingredients list.

Here are the ones that should make you put the bag down and walk away.

So, What Should You Actually Buy?

Right, enough doom and gloom — here’s the practical bit. If you want a simple, no-stress starting point for natural treats in the UK, these guidelines will serve you well:

For everyday training: single-ingredient freeze-dried meat or fish treats, broken into tiny pieces. Shop independent if you can — your local pet shop is more likely to stock transparent brands than a supermarket. Failing that, Zooplus and Pets at Home both stock some decent natural options if you filter carefully.

For dental health: a long-lasting natural chew two to three times a week, supervised, appropriate for your dog’s size and chewing strength. Pair it with at least a couple of tooth-brushing sessions per week using a dog-safe toothpaste (poultry-flavoured ones are usually a hit).

For a special reward: a larger natural treat — bully stick, ostrich neck, or a yak chew — for calm evening chewing. These are longer-lasting, satisfying, and brilliant for reducing anxiety and boredom.

“The label tells you everything you need to know — if you know how to read it. Short ingredients list, named meat sources, no numbers you’d struggle to pronounce. That’s your baseline.”

One Last Thing: Your Dog Doesn’t Know What’s Trendy

They don’t care if it’s artisan, grain-free, superfood-infused, or hand-rolled by someone in a hemp apron in the Cotswolds. They care that it smells good and you gave it to them. The beauty of natural treats is that the simplest options are often the best — and frequently the cheapest.

A piece of dried sprat costs pennies. A cube of cheese from your fridge costs nothing. A handful of freeze-dried liver fits in your pocket for a walk. None of this needs to be complicated or expensive — it just needs to be honest.

Start reading labels. Ask questions. And enjoy the ridiculous wiggly-bum dance you’ll get in return.