Natural dog treats
Natural dog treats are generally made from a small number of simple ingredients — often just one, such as dried meat, fish or tripe — with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives added. The word itself is not a legally regulated term the way complete or organic are, so the ingredients list, not the word natural on the front, is what actually tells you what you are buying.
What natural actually means on a treat
A treat made from a single ingredient — dried fish, tripe, liver or a similar meat — has been through minimal processing and typically carries no added colours, flavourings or artificial preservatives. That single-ingredient simplicity is usually what owners are looking for when they reach for something labelled natural.
Because the term is not tightly regulated, it is worth checking the ingredients list rather than relying on the word alone. A short, recognisable ingredients list is a better guide to what you are actually feeding than a natural label on its own.
Why they suit dogs with sensitivities
A single-ingredient treat is easier to rule in or out if you are trying to work out what agrees with a dog with a sensitive stomach or a known allergy, since there is only one thing to identify rather than a long list of possibilities.
This does not make natural treats calorie-free — dried meat and fish treats can be dense in protein and fat relative to their size, so they still count towards a dog's daily food intake and should be given with portion control in mind, particularly for a dog managing their weight.
Choosing between the different types
Dried meat and fish treats tend to be softer and easier for puppies or older dogs with dental issues to manage, while chews such as tripe sticks or natural bones offer more of a long-lasting, harder texture that suits a dog who likes to chew for longer periods.
For a dog with a specific food sensitivity, a single-protein treat that matches their existing diet is usually the safer choice over a mixed-ingredient product, even if both are labelled natural.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Chicken-Wrapped Milk Stick Dog Treats
Chewy dog treats of soft milk sticks wrapped in real chicken for tasty, protein-rich rewarding.
From£12.99
Dried Catnip & Cat Grass Leaf Treats
A tub of dried catnip and cat grass leaves to sprinkle over toys, scratchers and bedding.
From£8.99
Whiskas 1+ Lamb Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete lamb dry food for adult cats in a practical 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Whiskas 1 Tuna Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete tuna dry food for adult cats, offered in several bag sizes
From£3.19
Whiskas Kitten Chicken Dry Cat Food
Complete chicken dry food for kittens, available in several bag sizes
From£3.19
Whiskas 7+ Senior Cat Complete Dry with Chicken
Complete chicken dry food for senior cats aged 7+ in a 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Catit Nibbly Jerky Chicken & Fish Treats
Soft chicken and fish jerky treats for cats, two named meats high on the list, grain free
£1.89
Catit Creamy Tuna Treats 4 Pk
Lickable 26% tuna purée tubes for cats, 4 x 10g, up to 3 a day in place of main meal
£1.89
Dreamies Meaty Sticks Adult Cat Treats with Scrumptious Salmon
Soft meaty stick treats for adult cats with salmon, individually wrapped, not for kittens
£1.59
Dreamies Creamy Adult Cat & Kitten Treats with Scrumptious Salmon
Creamy lickable salmon treats for cats and kittens, in a 40g pack with taurine
£1.59
Stop Bloody Scratching Treats Chicken Flavour 90 Tablets
Chicken-flavoured tablets from Pets Calm Down, made in the UK, ninety to a pack, given daily as a treat to support skin and coat condition in itchy dogs.
£22.99
Dreamies Shakeups Seafood Celebrations Cat Treats
Complementary Dreamies Shakeups tuna, salmon and shrimp treats, 55G
£2.05
Common questions
- Are natural dog treats better than regular ones?
- Not automatically — natural describes the ingredients and processing rather than guaranteeing a nutritional advantage. A short, simple ingredients list can suit a dog with sensitivities well, but any treat, natural or otherwise, should be given in moderation alongside a complete diet.
- Can natural treats cause an upset stomach?
- Yes, particularly if given in a large amount or introduced too quickly, since many are protein-dense. Introduce a new treat gradually in small amounts, and speak to your vet if your dog develops ongoing loose stools after starting one.
- Are natural chews safe for puppies?
- Many are, but check the specific product is suitable for a puppy's age and size, since some harder chews are better suited to adult dogs with fully developed teeth and jaws. Supervise any chew, natural or otherwise, and remove it once it becomes small enough to swallow.
- How many natural treats can a dog have a day?
- It depends on the size of the treat and your dog's daily calorie needs, but as a general rule treats of any kind should stay a small proportion of a dog's total food intake. Dense options like dried meat or tripe sticks add up quickly, so little and often works better than a large daily portion.
- Do natural treats go off faster than regular ones?
- Some do, since fewer or no preservatives can mean a shorter shelf life once opened. Check the packaging for storage instructions and a best-before date, and keep an opened pack sealed and, where recommended, refrigerated to keep it fresh for longer.
Related
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.