Serving advice
Treat dog treats as a snack rather than part of the daily ration — the usual ceiling is about 10% of daily calories. Start with one small piece of dog treats and watch stools and appetite over the next 24 hours.
Most commercial dog treats are safe for dogs (d=0) but are not nutritionally complete for cats. They may contain onion or garlic powder, which cats are highly sensitive to. Feeding them to cats should be limited; watch for vomiting, drooling, or signs of gastrointestinal upset.
Dogs are rated “Safe to share” and cats “Feed with care”. If both share the house, go by the stricter of the two when you decide what to hand over.
There is no poisoning risk here, and the usual problem is simply eating too much at once: a heavy fat or salt load can bring on loose stools or a single vomit. Offer water, keep an eye on the pet for 24 hours, and do not induce vomiting.
Other foods that are safe to share
The full A–Z food list groups every food by verdict for each species.
Why these cautions matter
Garlic and onion damage a pet's red blood cells and can bring on anaemia. Signs are often delayed for several days, so looking fine straight afterwards does not rule it out.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat dog treats?
YES — safe. Most commercial dog treats are safe for dogs (d=0) but are not nutritionally complete for cats. They may contain onion or garlic powder, which cats are highly sensitive to. Feeding them to cats should be limited; watch for vomiting, drooling, or signs of gastrointestinal upset.
How much dog treats can dogs have?
Serve dog treats as a snack and keep it under about 10% of daily calories. Start with one small piece of dog treats and watch stools and appetite for the next 24 hours.
What reaction should I watch for after dogs eats dog treats?
In the 24 hours after dogs eats dog treats, look for vomiting, diarrhoea, gas or a drop in appetite. Most commercial dog treats are safe for dogs (d=0) but are not nutritionally complete for cats. They may contain onion or garlic powder, which cats are highly sensitive to. Feeding them to cats should be limited; watch for vomiting, drooling, or signs of gastrointestinal upset.
How often can dogs have dog treats?
Treat dog treats as an occasional extra, once or twice a week at most, and keep the portion small next to your dog's regular meals — those still do the nutritional work.
What else can dogs have besides dog treats?
Rotate through the safe list — Chestnuts or Chia seeds — instead of the same thing every time; a mix covers more nutrients than any single extra, and it stops your dog holding out for one favourite.