Best Natural & Freeze-Dried Dog Treats in Australia (Buying Guide)

The best natural dog treats in Australia are single-protein treats with a short ingredient list: freeze-dried meat for training and toppers, natural chews for dental interest and enrichment, and novel proteins such as kangaroo or crocodile for sensitive dogs. Whatever you choose, keep treats to about 10% of your dog's daily calories.

Below, our Moorabbin team explains each treat type and the ranges we recommend most. Browse everything in our dog treats collection, or jump straight to freeze-dried dog and cat treats.

Key takeaways

• Single protein first: one named meat makes it easier to avoid triggers and to fit treats around your dog's main diet.
• Match the treat to the job: small freeze-dried pieces for training, longer-lasting chews for enrichment and dental interest.
• Novel proteins help sensitive dogs: kangaroo and crocodile are useful when chicken or beef cause problems.
• The 10% rule: treats should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
• Always supervise chews and keep fresh water available.

What makes a dog treat "natural"?

There is no legal definition, so read the ingredient list, not the front of the pack. A good natural treat usually has one named animal protein (for example "100% chicken breast" or "kangaroo"), minimal processing, and no added sugars, artificial colours or cheap fillers.

Processing matters too. Freeze-dried treats keep the meat close to its raw state, air-dried treats are gently dried with warm air, and natural chews such as tendons and ears are simply dehydrated. Our guide to air-dried vs freeze-dried vs frozen raw explains the differences in more detail.

Which freeze-dried treats are best for dogs?

Freeze-drying removes moisture at low temperatures, leaving a light, crumbly treat that is high in meat, easy to break into small pieces and shelf-stable until opened. They suit training pouches, fussy eaters' bowls and multi-pet homes, as many are made for both dogs and cats.

• Meaty Treaty Freeze Dried Chicken Breast 100 g: a simple, lean everyday reward that suits most dogs and cats.
• Meaty Treaty Freeze Dried Chicken Heart 100 g: richer and very aromatic, a favourite high-value training reward.
• Meaty Treaty Freeze Dried NZ Green Lip Mussels 50 g: a seafood option many owners add for older, active dogs.
• Pawcket Freeze Dried Free Range Chicken Breast 80 g: one ingredient, 100% free-range chicken breast.
• Black Hawk Freeze Dried Lamb Dog Treats 50 g: a single-protein lamb option from an Australian brand.

See the full Meaty Treaty range and the Black Hawk freeze-dried treats.

What are the best natural chews and dental chews?

Chewing is a natural behaviour that relieves boredom, and a firm chew that takes time can support oral hygiene as part of a wider dental routine (it does not replace brushing or vet dental checks). Pick a chew that matches your dog's size and chewing style, and always supervise.

• Blackdog Beef Tendons: tough, long-lasting, high in protein and very low in fat; best for medium to large dogs.
• Blackdog Lamb Ear 10 Pack and Blackdog Cow Ear 10 Pack: popular single-ingredient chews; multipacks work out better value per chew.
• Blackdog Collagen Dental Sticks 28 cm: very hard beef and collagen sticks for determined chewers.
• Bell & Bone Dental Sticks Kangaroo, Mint and Turmeric 7 Pack: a kangaroo-based dental stick for dogs that need to avoid common proteins.

Browse more in chewing treats for dogs and dog dental care, or read our Blackdog dog treats review and Bell & Bone dental sticks review.

What makes a good training treat?

A good training treat is small, smelly, quick to eat and easy to break without crumbling to dust in your pocket. Aim for pieces roughly the size of a pea for small dogs and a fingernail for large dogs, so you can reward often without overfeeding.

• Prime100 SPD Prime Cut Salmon Dog Treats 100 g: Australian-made, air-dried single-protein bites that sit alongside Prime100's single protein diets.
• Blackdog Beef Liver: rich and highly motivating; cut into small pieces, as liver is best fed in moderation.
• Meaty Treaty Chicken Heart: easy to snap into tiny training-size portions.

Our natural dog training treats collection groups the best single-protein options together, and the Prime100 Prime Cut range comes in several proteins.

Are kangaroo and crocodile treats good for sensitive dogs?

Many food sensitivities in dogs are linked to proteins they eat often, such as chicken and beef. A novel protein is simply one your dog has not eaten much before, which can make it a useful choice for dogs with itchy skin or sensitive tummies. It is not a cure, and an elimination diet should be planned with your vet.

• Meaty Treaty Freeze Dried Crocodile 50 g: a lean, low-fat and genuinely unusual protein.
• Black Hawk Freeze Dried Kangaroo 40 g: single-protein, wild-sourced kangaroo, freeze-dried in Tasmania.
• Blackdog Kangaroo Jerky: a chewier kangaroo option for dogs who like texture.
• Meaty Treaty Freeze Dried Wild Boar 70 g: another less common protein to rotate in.

Learn more in Is kangaroo good for dogs and cats? and novel and single-protein diets for allergies, or shop kangaroo dog and cat food and treats.

Natural dog treats compared

How many treats can my dog have a day?

Vets commonly suggest that treats make up no more than about 10% of a dog's daily calories, with the other 90% coming from a complete and balanced diet. Here is a simple way to apply it:

1. Check the feeding guide on your dog's main food to estimate their daily calories (for example, about 1,000 kcal for many moderately active 20 kg adult dogs).
2. Take 10% of that figure as the treat budget: about 100 kcal in this example.
3. Check the calories on the treat pack where listed, and count out the day's treats in the morning.
4. On big training days, use smaller pieces and reduce the main meal slightly.
5. Weigh your dog every 4–6 weeks; if the weight creeps up, cut treats back first.

Store opened packs sealed in a cool, dry place out of direct sun, and follow the storage directions on the label.

Ways to save on treats

• Multipacks and larger bags usually cost less per piece than single packs.
• Check the Stock Take & Clearance range and our current specials; what is included changes regularly.
• Earn points with our Reward Program, and ask about our Price Match Promise.
• Free standard shipping over $69 to selected VIC, NSW, ACT and SA metro areas, plus same-day local delivery to eligible Melbourne suburbs.

Check each product page for current pricing and stock.

FAQs

How many treats can I give my dog a day?

Keep treats to no more than about 10% of your dog's daily calories. A dog that needs around 1,000 kcal a day should get no more than about 100 kcal from treats. On heavy training days, use smaller pieces and trim the main meal slightly.

Are freeze-dried dog treats raw?

Most freeze-dried treats start as raw meat that has had its moisture removed at low temperatures, so they are shelf-stable but not cooked. Wash your hands after handling them, keep the pack sealed and dry, and follow the storage directions on the label.

What is the best treat for a dog with food allergies?

Start with a single-protein treat made from a protein your dog has not eaten much before, such as kangaroo or crocodile, and match it to their main diet. Introduce one new protein at a time, and talk to your vet if itching or tummy upsets continue.

Are natural chews safe for every dog?

Natural chews suit most adult dogs, but always supervise, choose a size your dog cannot swallow whole, and remove the chew once it is small enough to be a choking risk. Puppies, seniors and dogs with dental problems may need softer options, so check with your vet if unsure.

Can cats eat freeze-dried dog treats?

Many single-protein freeze-dried treats, including several Meaty Treaty and Pawcket packs, are labelled for both dogs and cats. Check the pack says it suits cats, break pieces into small bites, and keep dense dog chews such as tendons and ears away from cats.

Not sure which treat suits your dog? Visit our team at 39-47 Nelson St, Moorabbin, call 0481 349 394, or shop online for delivery or Click & Collect.