Safe pet treats to give as a gift

We don't sell pet treats, toys or accessories - we make cards, pin badges and prints in the UK. Nothing below is us selling you a chew toy.

Treats are the easiest pet gift to get wrong. The dog is on a prescription diet, the cat only eats one brand, or the bag you picked is half the animal's daily calories.

Ask the owner first, buy small, and pick single-ingredient where you can - it's the safest bet for a pet you don't live with.

Safe bets for dogs

• Single-ingredient dried treats such as fish skin, chicken breast or sweet potato - short label, nothing hidden.
• Dental chews sized for the dog, which most owners buy anyway and are happy to be topped up on.
• Plain training treats in a small bag, useful for a puppy household and easy to portion.
• A lickmat or stuffable toy plus a tub of dog-safe peanut butter, checked for xylitol.

Safe bets for cats

• Freeze-dried chicken or white fish, which most cats take even when fussy.
• Lickable wet treats in sachets - easy to portion and good for cats who need fluids.
• Dental treats in a small pack, since cats rarely finish a big one before it goes stale.
• A pinch of catnip or silvervine, which is a treat in its own right for the cats who respond.

Check the label before you buy

• Fewer than five ingredients is a good sign; a long list usually means fillers and sugar.
• No xylitol, no onion or garlic powder, no cooked bones and no added salt.
• Check the best-before date if it's a gift being opened weeks later.
• Treats should be under ten per cent of the animal's daily calories, so a small bag is kinder than a big one.

Human foods to never gift

• Chocolate, grapes, raisins and sultanas - toxic to dogs even in small amounts. Shop this card
• Anything containing xylitol, including some peanut butters and sugar-free spreads.
• Onion, garlic, leek and chive, raw or cooked, for both dogs and cats.
• Cooked bones, which splinter, and milk or cream, which most adult pets can't digest.

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How to write it so it lands

• Ask the owner before you buy anything edible.
• Small bag, short ingredient list, in date.
• Never gift chocolate, grapes, raisins or anything with xylitol.

Where to shop next

• Dog toy gift ideas
• Cat toy gift ideas
• Dog accessory gift ideas
• Cat accessory gift ideas
• Pet gifts to avoid
• New pet gift ideas
• Pet safe birthday cake and treats
• Gotcha day ideas
• Pet guides
• All guides
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Pin badges

Frequently asked questions

Is it rude to give treats to someone else's pet?

Not if you ask first. Plenty of pets are on a weight plan or a prescription diet, so a quick message before you buy saves the owner an awkward thank you.

What treats are safest for a pet you don't know well?

Single-ingredient dried meat or fish. One ingredient means far less chance of hitting an allergy or an ingredient the owner avoids.

How many treats a day is too many?

Treats should stay under about ten per cent of daily calories. For a small dog or a cat, that's only a few pieces.