Most dog owners underestimate how many treats they're giving — and how quickly those calories add up. Here's the actual guidance, including how it applies to common natural treats.
Are Treats Good for Dogs?
Yes — used correctly. Treats serve real purposes: reinforcing training, providing enrichment through chewing, delivering additional nutrition from whole-food sources, and strengthening the bond between dog and owner. The issue isn't treats — it's unmonitored volume.
Treats in this guide
Australian Beef Bully Sticks 8"
From 34
Kangaroo Jerky
From 14
Goat Horn
From 12
Tough Bully Sticks 8"
From 15
The 10% Rule
The standard from most veterinary nutritionists: treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake. The remaining 90% comes from their complete balanced diet.
Rough daily calorie requirements by size:
- Small dog (5kg): ~300–400 kcal/day → treat budget: 30–40 kcal
- Medium dog (15kg): ~700–900 kcal/day → treat budget: 70–90 kcal
- Large dog (30kg): ~1,200–1,400 kcal/day → treat budget: 120–140 kcal
- Extra large dog (45kg+): ~1,800–2,000 kcal/day → treat budget: 180–200 kcal
Calorie Guide — Common Natural Treats
- Bully stick (15cm): approximately 60–90 kcal depending on thickness
- Kangaroo jerky strip (10g): approximately 25–35 kcal (very lean)
- Goat horn: low calorie — the chewing value is in the time, not the calorie density
- Kangaroo ear: approximately 30–50 kcal (light chew, lower fat)
- Fish treats (10g): approximately 20–30 kcal
- Small training treat (1–2g): approximately 2–5 kcal
How Many Bully Sticks Can a Dog Have Per Week?
This depends entirely on your dog's size and calorie budget. For a medium dog with a 70–90 kcal treat budget: one bully stick (60–90 kcal) essentially uses the entire day's treat allocation. That's fine once or twice a week as an enrichment chew — but it means minimal other treats on those days. For smaller dogs, opt for shorter/thinner bully sticks. Most owners find 2–3 per week sustainable for a medium dog without impacting weight.
High Value Treats for Training
Training sessions call for different treats than enrichment chews. For recall and high-distraction training, you want high value dog treats — small in size, very appealing, something your dog doesn't get every day.
The best approach for training treats:
- Use tiny pieces — 1–2g each. You can do 30–50 repetitions and still stay under budget
- Dried kangaroo or fish work extremely well — the smell is strong and dogs respond to real protein
- On heavy training days, reduce the main meal slightly to compensate
- Some trainers use a portion of daily kibble as training rewards — no additional calories at all
Signs You're Over-Treating
- Gradual weight gain with no change in main meals
- Reduced interest in regular food
- Loose stools or digestive upset (excess treats, especially rich ones)
- Constant, intense begging behaviour
The Practical Answer
For most medium dogs on a standard diet:
- 2–4 small training treats on routine days
- 1 larger chew (bully stick, goat horn, kangaroo ear) a few times a week as enrichment
- Adjust based on weight — if they're gaining, pull back
Single ingredient treats have an advantage here — read more in our guide to single-ingredient dog treat benefits. What you see is what you get. No hidden calories from starchy fillers. Our treats at Cooee K9 are natural, single ingredient, and lean — particularly our kangaroo and fish range. For ideas on what types to use, see the best natural dog treats in Australia. Browse the range here.
