---
title: How Many Treats Can a Dog Have? The 10% Rule
description: How many treats can a dog have a day? A York groomer explains the vet 10% rule, how treat calories add up and healthier low-calorie treats to reach for.
---
[%20(250%20x%20100%20px)%20(1).png)](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk)
- [About](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/about)
- Pricing & Packages
- [Full Dog Groom](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-prices-and-packages-in-york)
- [Hand Stripping](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/hand-stripping-in-york)
- [Puppy Grooming](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/puppy-grooming-in-york)
- [Wash, Dry & Deshed](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-deshedding-prices-in-york)
- [Nail Clipping](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-nail-clipping-cost-in-york)
- [Gallery](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-gallery)
- [Reviews](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/customer-reviews-fluffs-dog-grooming-york)
- Resources
- [FAQs](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/faqs)
- [Blog](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks)
- [Contact](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/contact-fluffs)
Dog Nutrition
# How Many Treats Can a Dog Have? The Honest Truth About the 10% Rule
How many treats can a dog have a day? A York groomer explains the vet 10% rule, how treat calories add up and healthier low-calorie treats to reach for.
[Lucy](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/author/lucy)
Oct 26, 2026
---
Here is the honest answer most owners don't want to hear: treats should make up **no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories**, and everything else should come from their proper, balanced food. For a lot of dogs that works out at far fewer treats than they are currently getting. The good news is that with a bit of portioning and some smarter choices, you can keep the training rewards and the "good boy" moments without quietly making your dog overweight.
I hear the sheepish confessions in the salon all the time. A biscuit here, a bit of cheese there, a chew after the walk. Individually nothing, together a real problem. So let me lay out how the 10% rule actually works in practice.
## What the 10% rule really means
The rule is about calories, not the number of treats. Vets and charities such as the [PDSA](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/conditions/obesity-in-dogs) agree that treats should be capped at roughly a tenth of daily calorie intake, with the main diet reduced slightly to make room.
The catch is that treats are often calorie-dense. A single dental chew or a chunk of cheese can blow a small dog's entire treat budget for the day in one go. A cube of cheese to a small dog is, proportionally, like a person eating a couple of burgers as a "little snack".
## How treat calories sneak up
- **Table scraps count.** That last bit of toast or sausage is a treat, even if it never came from the treat jar.
- **Chews are calories too.** Long-lasting chews can be surprisingly rich. Factor them in.
- **Training days add up.** A long session can mean dozens of rewards. Use tiny pieces and count them.
- **More than one person feeds the dog.** In a busy house, everyone gives "just one". Agree a household total.
Nearly half of UK dogs are overweight, and treats are one of the quietest causes. It is rarely one big thing, it is lots of small untracked ones.
> **\> Groomer's tip:** Weigh your dog's daily food into a tub in the morning and take training treats from that same portion. What comes out of the tub is the whole day's food. It sounds fussy, but it is the single easiest way to stop overfeeding without feeling mean.
## Healthier treats to reach for
You don't need shop-bought treats at all. Plenty of everyday foods make brilliant low-calorie rewards:
- **Carrot sticks and cucumber:** crunchy, hydrating, almost no calories.
- **Small pieces of apple** (no core or pips) or a few blueberries.
- **A little plain cooked chicken** or white fish, no skin, no seasoning.
- **Frozen treats in summer:** a few frozen peas or berries, or plain food frozen in a lick mat.
The [Blue Cross fruit and veg guide](https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/can-dogs-eat-apples-grapes-potatoes-and-other-fruit-and-veg) and the [PDSA safe fruit and veg list](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/safe-fruit-and-veg-for-dogs) both set out which are safe and which to avoid. The big one to keep off any list is grapes, raisins and sultanas, which are toxic.
## Cutting treats without cutting the fun
If you feel you are always saying no, change the reward rather than the amount. Break treats into pea-sized pieces (dogs care about the number of rewards, not the size of each one). Use some of their normal kibble for training. And swap food rewards for a game, a bit of fuss or a favourite toy some of the time. The wag doesn't know the difference.
## Frequently asked questions
**How many treats a day is too many?** There is no single number because it depends on the treat's calories and your dog's size. Stick to the 10% rule: total treats should stay under a tenth of daily calories, and reduce the main meal a little to balance it.
**Do treats really need to come out of their food allowance?** Yes. Treats are extra calories, so if you don't trim the main meal to compensate, the weight creeps on. Take training rewards from the daily food portion where you can.
**Are dental chews and long-lasting chews included in the 10%?** They are. Chews often carry more calories than people expect, so count them within the treat budget rather than treating them as "free".
**What if my dog is already overweight?** Speak to your vet about a proper plan. The PDSA notes safe weight loss is gradual, around 1 to 2% of body weight a week, usually through a measured diet and a bit more exercise rather than crash cutting.
---
*Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. A healthy weight makes grooming comfier for your dog too. [Get in touch to book.](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/contact-fluffs)*
[Dog Nutrition](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/tag/dog-nutrition)
## Similar posts
Fluffs Dog Grooming
Wigginton,
York, YO32 2TW
Tel: [07955270459](tel:07955270459)
### About
- [About](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/about)
- [Contact](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/contact-fluffs)
- [Reviews](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/customer-reviews-fluffs-dog-grooming-york)
### Local Areas
- [Strensall](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-in-strensall)
- [Huntington](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-in-huntington)
- [New Earswick](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-in-new-earswick)
- [Wigginton](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-groomer-in-wigginton)
- [Haxby](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-groomer-in-haxby)
### Popular Breeds
- [Cockapoos](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/cockapoo-grooming-in-york)
- [Labradors](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/labrador-grooming-in-york)
- [Cocker Spaniels](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/spaniel-grooming-in-york)
- [Golden Retrievers](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/golden-retriever-grooming-in-york)
- [Poodles](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/poodle-grooming-in-york)
- [Pomeranian](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/pomeranian-dog-groomer-in-york)
- [Shih Tzu](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/shih-tzu-grooming-in-york)
- [Cavalier King Charles](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/cavalier-king-charles-spaniel-grooming-in-york)
- [Bichon Frise](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/bichon-frise-grooming-in-york)
- [Miniature Schnauzer](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/miniature-schnauzer-grooming-in-york)
- [Cavapoo](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/cavapoo-grooming-in-york)
© 2026 Fluffs York All rights reserved [Privacy Policy](https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/privacy-policy)
[Powered by Atlas - a B2B SaaS HubSpot theme](https://www.kalungi.com/atlas-hubspot-theme-for-b2b-saas-software)
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "Lucy",
"url" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/author/lucy"
},
"dateModified" : "2026-10-26T09:20:00.553Z",
"datePublished" : "2026-10-26T09:20:00.000Z",
"headline" : "How Many Treats Can a Dog Have? The 10% Rule",
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/dog-grooming-tips-and-tricks/how-many-treats-can-a-dog-have",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/hubfs/Untitled%20(400%20x%20400%20px)%20(250%20x%20100%20px).png"
},
"name" : "Fluffs York"
}
}
```
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@id" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/#organization",
"@type" : "LocalBusiness",
"additionalType" : "https://schema.org/PetGroomingService",
"address" : {
"@type" : "PostalAddress",
"addressCountry" : "GB",
"addressLocality" : "York",
"postalCode" : "YO32 2TW",
"streetAddress" : "Brecks Close"
},
"areaServed" : [ {
"@type" : "City",
"name" : "York",
"sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York"
}, {
"@type" : "AdministrativeArea",
"name" : "Wigginton"
}, {
"@type" : "AdministrativeArea",
"name" : "Haxby"
}, {
"@type" : "AdministrativeArea",
"name" : "Strensall"
}, {
"@type" : "AdministrativeArea",
"name" : "Huntington"
}, {
"@type" : "AdministrativeArea",
"name" : "New Earswick"
}, {
"@type" : "AdministrativeArea",
"name" : "Rawcliffe"
}, {
"@type" : "AdministrativeArea",
"name" : "Poppleton"
} ],
"description" : "Professional one-to-one dog grooming in York, specializing in hand stripping, puppy grooming, and deshedding.",
"geo" : {
"@type" : "GeoCoordinates",
"latitude" : "54.0156",
"longitude" : "-1.0844"
},
"hasOfferCatalog" : {
"@type" : "OfferCatalog",
"itemListElement" : [ {
"@type" : "Offer",
"itemOffered" : {
"@type" : "Service",
"description" : "Comprehensive styling, bathing, and clipping tailored to your dog's breed and needs.",
"name" : "Full Dog Grooming"
}
}, {
"@type" : "Offer",
"itemOffered" : {
"@type" : "Service",
"description" : "Traditional manual coat removal for wire-haired breeds to maintain natural coat texture and color.",
"name" : "Hand Stripping"
}
}, {
"@type" : "Offer",
"itemOffered" : {
"@type" : "Service",
"description" : "Professional undercoat removal for double-coated breeds to reduce shedding and improve skin health.",
"name" : "Dog Deshedding"
}
}, {
"@type" : "Offer",
"itemOffered" : {
"@type" : "Service",
"description" : "Gentle 'Puppy Introduction' sessions to build confidence with salon sounds and handling.",
"name" : "Puppy Grooming"
}
}, {
"@type" : "Offer",
"itemOffered" : {
"@type" : "Service",
"description" : "Safe and professional nail trimming for canine comfort and paw health.",
"name" : "Nail Clipping"
}
} ],
"name" : "Grooming Services"
},
"image" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/logo.jpg",
"name" : "Fluffs York",
"openingHoursSpecification" : [ {
"@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification",
"closes" : "17:00",
"dayOfWeek" : [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ],
"opens" : "09:00"
} ],
"priceRange" : "£10-£65",
"sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/fluffsyork", "https://www.instagram.com/fluffsyork", "https://maps.app.goo.gl/Er5YVKgijS5ZyRiIa" ],
"telephone" : "+447955270459",
"url" : "https://www.fluffsyork.co.uk/"
}
```