Paddock Farm natural treats

Single-ingredient treats are exactly what the name suggests: one named ingredient and nothing else added, which appeals to owners who want to know precisely what they are giving a dog rather than reading down a long list of additives on the back of a bag.

This kind of natural chew tends to be air-dried or naturally dried rather than baked or extruded, which is part of why they often carry a stronger natural smell than a processed biscuit — a genuinely different product to a shop-bought training treat, not a like-for-like swap.

Natural single-ingredient chews suit dogs who need a longer-lasting occupation than a quick training treat, and owners who prefer to avoid mixed-ingredient products for a dog with a known sensitivity. They are generally richer than a low-calorie biscuit, so they work better as an occasional chew than an everyday reward given in quantity.

As with any new chew, introduce it in a small amount first and watch how your dog gets on, since a rich, single-protein treat can unsettle a stomach that is not used to it, particularly in a dog with a sensitive digestion.

Natural dried treats keep best in a cool, dry place, and a sealed container tends to keep them fresher for longer than leaving the bag open on a shelf, since dried animal-based chews can pick up moisture and go off faster than a manufactured biscuit.

As with any chew, size it to your dog and supervise while they have it, particularly a smaller dog with a larger chew, since any hard or dense natural chew carries the same general chewing and swallowing risks as other treats of its type.