Venison dog treats
Venison dog treats are a single-protein option that many owners reach for either because their dog has a suspected sensitivity to chicken or beef, or simply because their dog enjoys the flavour and a leaner meat. They range from soft training treats through to air-dried strips and chews, so the right one depends on what you are using it for.
Why venison is a popular choice
Venison is a naturally lean meat and, like duck, is fed to far fewer dogs day to day than chicken or beef, which makes it a useful novel protein for a dog that may have developed a sensitivity to more common meats over time. Paddock Farm 100% Venison Strips are an example of a single-ingredient venison treat in our range, with nothing else added.
Beyond the sensitivity angle, plenty of dogs are simply given venison treats because they enjoy the taste and texture, which is a perfectly good reason on its own. It is also a reasonably lean meat compared with some alternatives, which suits an owner keeping an eye on a dog's overall calorie intake without wanting to give up treats during training altogether.
Training treats versus chews
Small, soft venison treats, such as Pet Munchies Natural Venison Training Treats, are sized for quick repeated rewards during training sessions, where you want something a dog can eat in one bite without breaking the flow of a session.
Firmer options like Hollings Venison Bites or a longer air-dried strip suit a slower, more occasional treat rather than repeated training rewards, giving a dog something to work at for longer.
How treats fit into the day
Treats, venison or otherwise, should stay a minority of a dog's daily calorie intake, with a proper main meal doing the bulk of the nutritional work. For a dog on a strict single-protein diet for a suspected sensitivity, it is worth checking that any treats given, venison-based or not, do not reintroduce whatever protein is being avoided. This is a small thing to check but it genuinely matters for a dog on a carefully managed diet.
It is also worth checking the ingredients list on any treat marketed as venison, since some products combine it with other meats or flavourings rather than being a single, straightforward protein, which matters if the whole point of choosing venison was to keep the diet simple. A quick look at the back of the packet settles this in a few seconds and avoids any surprises further down the line.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Calm the Eff Down Treats Chicken Flavour 90 Tablets
Chicken-flavoured calming tablets from Pets Calm Down, made in the UK, ninety to a pack and given as a treat for dogs who find fireworks, travel or being alone difficult.
£22.99
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
Forthglade Grain Free Soft Bites Fresh Breath Treats 8pk
Chicken soft dog treats with parsley and peppermint oil for fresh breath
£2.45
James Wellbeloved Adult Dry Cat Food Turkey
A single-source turkey dry food for adult cats, without the grain-free or joint-support extras
From£21.79
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
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 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
Pedigree Dentastix Light Dog
Pedigree DentaStix Light dental chews across small, medium and large sizes
From£2.35
Common questions
- Are venison treats good for dogs with food sensitivities?
- Venison is often used as a novel protein because fewer dogs have eaten it before, making a reaction to it less likely than to chicken or beef. A genuine food sensitivity is best confirmed with a vet-guided elimination trial rather than assumed from treats alone.
- Can puppies have venison treats?
- Most venison treats aimed at adult dogs are fine given in small amounts to puppies old enough to have moved onto solid food, but check the specific product's guidance, and keep treats to a small proportion of a puppy's daily intake.
- Are venison treats high in calories?
- This varies by product and preparation, with air-dried and freeze-dried treats generally more calorie-dense per gram than soft training treats due to the water content being removed. Check the packaging and factor treats into your dog's overall daily food if you are watching their weight.
- Why does my dog love venison treats so much?
- Venison has a distinct flavour and aroma many dogs find appealing, similar to how individual dogs often show a strong preference for one meat over another. There is no health significance to a dog preferring venison beyond simple taste.
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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.