How many treats a day is too many for a Labrador?

There's no single number that suits every dog, since it depends on the individual's size, activity level and main diet, but a common guide is keeping treats to no more than around 10% of a dog's total daily calories. Ask your vet for guidance specific to your own dog.

Are low-calorie treats less rewarding for a Labrador?

Not necessarily — most Labradors respond just as strongly to a small, low-calorie treat as a larger one, since it's the frequency and timing of reward that matters most for training, not the size of each piece.

What treats should I avoid for a Labrador?

Very high-fat or very large treats given often are the main things to watch, given the breed's tendency to gain weight. Anything containing chocolate, xylitol or onion should be avoided for any dog, Labrador or otherwise.

Can I use my Labrador's normal kibble as training treats?

Yes, this is a genuinely good option for keeping calories under control — using a portion of the day's regular kibble allowance for training means treats aren't adding anything extra on top of a normal meal.

Best treats for a Labrador

Labradors are one of the more food-motivated breeds around, which makes them wonderfully easy to train and reward — and one of the more commonly overweight breeds, for exactly the same reason. Choosing treats for a Labrador is really about managing calories without losing the reward value that makes training work so well with this breed.

Why calorie density matters more for this breed

A genetic tendency toward a strong appetite is well documented in Labradors, which means the breed can put on weight from treats more easily than a less food-driven dog eating the exact same amount. Choosing lower-calorie treats, or breaking larger treats into smaller pieces, keeps reward frequency high without the calorie total creeping up unnoticed over a day of training.

Reading the calorie information on a treat packet, where it's given, and factoring treats into a Labrador's overall daily food allowance rather than treating them as separate from 'proper' meals, is one of the more useful habits for this specific breed.

What actually works well for training

Small, soft training treats that can be broken into pea-sized pieces suit a Labrador's enthusiasm for repetition — a training session works better with many tiny rewards than a few large ones, and it keeps the total calorie count down for the same number of rewards given.

Freeze-dried single-ingredient treats, such as plain meat or fish pieces, tend to be both highly motivating for a food-driven dog and lower in the fillers and added fat that bulk out some cheaper treat lines.

Dental chews and longer-lasting options

Labradors also do well with longer-lasting chews for settling and dental maintenance, separate from quick training rewards. A dental chew or a natural chew suited to a large, strong-jawed breed gives a Labrador something to work on for longer, which suits the breed's enthusiasm for chewing as much as eating.

Supervising a Labrador with any longer-lasting chew is worth doing, since this is a breed that can try to swallow larger pieces than is sensible rather than working through a chew gradually. Choosing a size genuinely meant for a large dog reduces that risk considerably.

Pedigree DentaStix Light daily dental chews for medium and large dogs

£2.35

Browse all of Dogs →

Common questions

How many treats a day is too many for a Labrador?: There's no single number that suits every dog, since it depends on the individual's size, activity level and main diet, but a common guide is keeping treats to no more than around 10% of a dog's total daily calories. Ask your vet for guidance specific to your own dog.
Are low-calorie treats less rewarding for a Labrador?: Not necessarily — most Labradors respond just as strongly to a small, low-calorie treat as a larger one, since it's the frequency and timing of reward that matters most for training, not the size of each piece.
What treats should I avoid for a Labrador?: Very high-fat or very large treats given often are the main things to watch, given the breed's tendency to gain weight. Anything containing chocolate, xylitol or onion should be avoided for any dog, Labrador or otherwise.
Can I use my Labrador's normal kibble as training treats?: Yes, this is a genuinely good option for keeping calories under control — using a portion of the day's regular kibble allowance for training means treats aren't adding anything extra on top of a normal meal.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.