Dogs | Treats
Best Everyday Healthy Dog Treats Australia: Ultimate Owners Guide
Finding healthy treats for dogs you can use every day — without tummy upsets, empty calories, or blowing your budget — takes more than guesswork. This guide clears the noise by showing exactly which treats are worth it and why, based on ingredients, calories per bite, texture, and real-world usability. We’ve reviewed everything from lean kangaroo cubes to single-ingredient liver options, and we’ll point out where brands quietly add fillers, when treats get too rich, and how to match treat type to the job (quick training reps, calm chew time, or gentle options for seniors). Read on for treats that keep focus high, weight steady, and stomachs happy — so you can reward your dog often, confidently, and with zero second-guessing.
Best Overall
SavourLife Australian Kangaroo Treats
- Irresistible meaty taste
- Fish oil + vitamins added
- Not grain-free
Best Value
Blackdog Beef Liver Treats
- Single-ingredient Aussie liver
- High protein, big 1 kg pack
- Rich — limit quantity
Best for Training
All Barks Aussie Nibbles (Venison & Kangaroo)
- Hypoallergenic kangaroo + venison
- Bite-sized for training rewards
- Small 100 g pack
Best for Seniors
Zuke’s Hip Action Dog Treats (Chicken Recipe)
- Glucosamine + chondroitin support
- Soft and chewy for older dogs
- Not low-calorie — portion it
We’ve compared dozens of products and picked these four top treats based on nutritional quality, safety standards, durability (yes, even food can be “durable” when it doesn’t crumble in your pocket) and of course taste and texture that dogs adore. We focused on options that meet Australian standards and use quality ingredients, avoiding any sketchy treats that have caused health scares in the past. Each recommendation was chosen for its availability to Aussie owners and backed by expert guidance and plenty of owner feedback. Let’s dig in — check out the comparison table below to see which treat might suit your best mate.
What to look for in an everyday dog treat
The five details that matter most. Scroll across to read all five.
Meat first ingredient
Skip treats where the first ingredient is a filler. Real meat — chicken, kangaroo, beef liver — should top the label. The rest of the line should look like food, not a chemistry experiment with five colour numbers.
Under 10% of calories
Vet guidance is treats stay under 10% of daily calories. For an 800-cal dog that’s 80 cal of treats. Set the day’s allowance aside in a little cup — when the cup’s empty, you’re done.
Match the texture
Soft and chewy for training reps and old dogs with worn teeth. Harder dried treats give chewers a workout but can crumble in pockets or break a tired tooth. Pick the texture for the job.
Novel proteins for allergies
Itchy dog or sensitive gut? Skip the chicken-and-rice everything and go novel: kangaroo, venison, or single-ingredient liver. Most allergy issues clear up once the trigger protein’s off the menu for a few weeks.
Store for the climate
Aussie humidity wrecks soft treats fast — they mould or go rock-hard. Use a resealable pack or transfer to an airtight tub, and keep them somewhere cool, not on the kitchen bench in summer.
At a glance
Our top four picks compared — specs, prices, and our one-line take on each.
| Rank | Product | Best for | Key feature | Approx. price | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall |
|
All dogs as an everyday training reward — a lean, high-value treat | Semi-moist kangaroo cubes fortified with fish oil (Omega 3 & 6) and vitamins. | ~$10–15 AUD (165 g) |
Check price |
| Best Value |
|
Bargain hunters and multi-dog households after a natural high-protein treat | 100% dehydrated Australian beef liver in a bulk 1 kg resealable pack. | ~$45–50 AUD (1 kg) |
Check price |
| Best for Training |
|
Training-focused owners and dogs with food sensitivities or allergies | Pea-sized soft novel-protein nibbles — grain-free, no sugars or additives. | ~$10–15 AUD (100 g) |
Check price |
| Best for Seniors |
|
Older dogs or those with joint issues — daily treat that doubles as a supplement | Soft chicken treats with glucosamine, chondroitin and turmeric for joint support. | ~$50 AUD (170 g) |
Check price |
Our picks in detail
What we love, what to watch out for, and who each pick really suits.
Best Overall: SavourLife Australian Kangaroo Treats
Bottom line — my go-to for everyday rewarding: soft kangaroo cubes, low-fat, fortified with Omega oils, and they don’t crumble in a treat pouch.
These SavourLife Kangaroo Treats are my go-to for everyday rewarding. They come as soft little kibble-sized cubes that save me from chopping up sausages for training. Made with real Aussie kangaroo meat, they have a rich, meaty aroma that grabs a dog’s attention immediately. We appreciate that they’re enriched with fish oil and essential vitamins, so it’s not just empty calories. In fact, the fat content is low and each piece is small.
The quality is top-notch: no dodgy chemicals, just natural flavours and a bit of cereal filler to bind the treats. They’re moist but not greasy, and they don’t crumble to dust in your treat pouch even on a hot day. As an added bonus, SavourLife donates half their profits to rescue organisations, so every bag supports a good cause. The only downsides are a touch of added salt/preservative (for shelf stability) and the fact that the largest bag is only 165 g. If you have multiple dogs or do intensive training, you’ll be buying refills fairly often. Still, considering the quality and the zoomie-level excitement these treats generate, they’re worth every cent.
| What we love | Areas for improvement |
|---|---|
|
|
Best Value: Blackdog Beef Liver Treats
Bottom line — as simple as it gets: one ingredient, Aussie beef liver, dried and bagged in bulk. Dogs lose their minds over it.
If your dog could choose, they’d probably eat an entire cow liver — and with this Blackdog 1 kg beef liver pack, they just might try. This is as simple as it gets: one ingredient, Australian beef liver, sliced and air-dried into crunchy pieces. No added anything. The result is a powerfully aromatic treat that dogs go bonkers for. It’s naturally packed with protein and vitamins (liver is loaded with vitamin A and iron), making it a genuinely nutritious reward in moderation. And the bulk 1 kg bag is fantastic value, and comes significantly cheaper per gram than smaller specialty treats.
One warning: go easy on how much liver you dish out. It’s rich — too much can give dogs the runs or in extreme cases vitamin A overload. Break it into small shards for training treats; since it’s dehydrated, it snaps fairly easily (albeit with some crumb mess, so maybe do the breaking over a container). The smell is on the pungent side — but that strong aroma is exactly why dogs obey like little angels to earn a piece. Some pieces can be a bit large or hard, so tiny dogs or oldies with bad teeth might struggle unless you soften it with water. Overall, for an everyday reward that’s all-natural and affordable, you can’t beat beef liver.
| What we love | Areas for improvement |
|---|---|
|
|
Best for Training: All Barks Aussie Nibbles (Venison & Kangaroo)
Bottom line — pea-sized novel-protein nibbles built for training reps; lean, grain-free, and brilliant for dogs with common allergies.
When you’re training your dog and need something extra special to hold their attention, these All Barks Aussie Nibbles are little gems. They combine two novel proteins — venison and kangaroo — into small, soft nibbles that are about the size of a pea. Despite the exotic meats, there’s zero funky smell; they have a mild, jerky-like aroma, so you won’t mind having a pocket full of them during obedience class.
Because they use wild kangaroo and venison, they’re super lean and ideal for dogs with common allergies (no chicken, beef, wheat, or other typical irritants in the mix). We also love that they contain no grains or artificial junk at all — it’s literally just meat and natural preservatives. The texture is chewy but not tough, meaning even puppies or older dogs can manage them easily. The pack size is on the small side, so plan to reorder if you’re running training-heavy sessions. For the quality and the size of the pieces, the premium per gram is fair.
| What we love | Areas for improvement |
|---|---|
|
|
Best for Seniors: Zuke’s Hip Action Dog Treats (Chicken Recipe)
Bottom line — a daily wellness cookie that doubles as joint support; soft, easy to chew, with glucosamine baked in so older dogs don’t notice the medicine.
As dogs enter their golden years, they often need a bit of extra TLC for their joints (have a look at our Product Guide on joint supplements for more). Zuke’s Hip Action treats are a clever way to give that support in the form of a tasty daily treat. They’re about the size of a large sugar cube — soft, moist, and easy to break apart if needed. The chicken recipe smells like decent jerky. Each treat is packed with glucosamine and chondroitin, which are the superstar supplements for joint health. Basically, they help lubricate joints and maintain cartilage, keeping old dogs moving more comfortably.
From a nutrition standpoint, Zuke’s Hip Action treats are grain-free and made with pretty wholesome ingredients (real chicken, antioxidant-rich cherries and turmeric). No corn, wheat or nasty fillers. They are, however, about 20+ calories a pop, so you can’t fling them around like low-cal training treats. I treat them more like a daily wellness cookie — one a day for a medium dog like Pepper (she’s not a senior, but I give her these a few times a week as a preventative measure, and because she loves the taste). Just remember, if you’re adding these daily, trim back a few calories from dinner to avoid your senior turning into a couch potato. Also, consistency is key: you’ll want to feed them regularly to see the benefit, which means buying a new bag every few weeks. It’s an ongoing cost, but comparable to many pet joint supplements — and a lot easier to administer, since dogs think it’s just treat time.
| What we love | Areas for improvement |
|---|---|
|
|
FAQ
How many treats can I give my dog per day?
In general, treats should be given in moderation — they’re called “treats” for a reason. A common guideline is to ensure treats are no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. For example, if your dog eats 800 calories a day, keep treats to 80 calories or less (that’s roughly a few small treats). This prevents accidental overfeeding and weight gain. It’s easy to lose count during training sessions, so set aside the day’s treat allowance in a little cup — when the cup’s empty, that’s it for the day. Also, consider the size and richness of the treats: a giant chew might count as the whole 10%, whereas you could give multiple tiny training treats spread out. Always adjust your dog’s main meals slightly downward on days with lots of treats, just to balance things out. And of course, if you’re using functional treats (like joint supplements or dental chews), follow the package’s feeding recommendations.
What are some healthy alternatives to commercial dog treats?
You don’t always have to buy packaged treats — there are plenty of everyday foods that can make excellent (and cheap) dog treats. Small pieces of cooked lean meat (like unseasoned chicken or beef) are a classic favourite. Many dogs also enjoy certain fruits and veggies: try carrot sticks, cucumber slices, apple slices (no seeds), or blueberries. These are low-calorie and packed with nutrients. A bit of plain cooked pumpkin or sweet potato can be rolled into bite-size balls for a soft treat. Even a portion of your dog’s regular kibble can serve as a training reward; they often don’t mind as long as it comes from your hand and not the bowl. See the RSPCA’s dog care advice for more safe options, and have a look at our Knowledge Guide on homemade dog food and — for those raw-curious, on raw dog food.
Are dental chews a good replacement for brushing my dog’s teeth?
Dental chews can be a big help for your dog’s oral hygiene, but they’re not a complete replacement for brushing. Chews can help reduce plaque and tartar, but brushing with dog-safe toothpaste remains the gold standard for cleaning all tooth surfaces — have a read of our Knowledge Guide on every dog’s favourite pastime — tooth brushing. The RSPCA brushing advice is another good place to start. Aim for a mix: try to brush your dog’s teeth a few times a week if possible, and on the off days, give them a dental chew to munch on. Also, always supervise when giving any chew to ensure they’re actually chewing it and not trying to swallow it whole. Regular vet check-ups are key too — a chew won’t prevent all dental issues, so your vet may need to do the occasional professional cleaning.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, the “best” everyday treat is one that fits your individual dog’s needs and brings them joy without compromising their health. Whether you have a high-energy puppy in training or a grey-muzzled old friend who deserves a little indulgence, there’s something on this list that can suit. Just remember to factor in things like treat calories into your dog’s diet, watch those ingredients for any personal no-nos (every dog is different), and supervise when needed — especially with chews. Using treats wisely can be a fantastic way to motivate, bond with, and care for your dog. So go on, give your mate a healthy nibble and watch that tail wag.