Best Natural Dog Treats in Australia 2026 (Dental, Training & Sensitive Stomachs)

Choosing the right dog treats in Australia has become harder, not easier. Natural, freeze-dried, air-dried, grain-free, low-fat, hypoallergenic, dental, training and “single-ingredient” options all compete for attention — but only a few genuinely support better digestion, calmer behaviour, healthier teeth and safer long-term feeding. This evidence-based guide reviews the best natural dog treats in Australia for 2026, with a focus on dental health, training rewards and sensitive stomachs.

How to Choose the Best Natural Dog Treats (Australia 2026)

Mid-funnel dog owners are not just asking “what are natural treats?” anymore — they are searching for the best natural dog treats for specific needs: dental health, training, anxiety, allergies, weight control and sensitive stomachs. The right choice depends on your dog’s health history, behaviour and daily routine, not on packaging claims. The ET Clinical Framework below outlines the key criteria we use when assessing natural dog treats in the Australian market.

1. Short, Transparent Ingredient List

The healthiest natural dog treats use one clearly named protein (for example lamb heart, lamb tripe, kangaroo, salmon, venison or goat) and avoid cereals, sugars and vague “meat by-products”. A short ingredient list makes it easier to manage allergies and identify triggers. For sensitive dogs, single-ingredient treats are the gold standard.

2. Gentle Processing (Freeze-Dried or Air-Dried)

Freeze-dried and air-dried treats avoid the very high temperatures and mechanical extrusion used in many supermarket snacks. This helps retain amino acids, fatty acids and micronutrients, and supports digestibility. For dogs with sensitive stomachs, IBS-like symptoms or IBD history, gentle processing is often the difference between a treat that “just works” and one that causes flare-ups.

3. Appropriate Fat Level for the Dog

Fat drives flavour and palatability, but also risk. Dogs with pancreatitis history, obesity or chronic digestive issues need lower-fat treats (<10% as a broad guide, and often much lower). Proteins like kangaroo, some white fish and tripe are naturally lean, while liver and oily fish must be used more sparingly. There is no universal “best” fat level — there is a best fat level for a specific dog.

4. Chew Hardness that Protects Teeth

Dental benefits only occur when the chew is firm enough to scrape but not so hard that it can crack teeth. The thumbnail test is a practical rule: if you cannot make a slight indentation with your nail, the chew may be too hard. Natural collagen sticks, tendons and shaped dental sticks are usually safer for teeth than weight-bearing bones, hooves or antlers.

5. Allergen Strategy: Conventional vs Novel Proteins

Dogs with itchy skin, chronic ear infections or recurring gastrointestinal signs may benefit from treats based on novel proteins (for example kangaroo, venison, goat) or carefully managed lamb or fish. Mixed-protein treats and generic “meat” or “animal fat” blends make it almost impossible to run a clean elimination trial, so they are best avoided once allergies are suspected or confirmed.

6. Training Fit: Size, Speed and Reward Value

For training, the best natural treats are small, dry or soft enough to be eaten instantly, and highly rewarding. Freeze-dried lamb heart ticks all three boxes. Large treats that require prolonged chewing are ideal for enrichment but will interrupt training flow and add unnecessary calories.

7. Ethical Sourcing & Australian Standards

Treats made with Australian ingredients and processed under Australian standards offer better traceability and safer supply chains. This is particularly important for long-term feeding, immune-compromised dogs, and any situation involving high treat volume (for example in regular training or behaviour modulation work).

Top Natural Dog Treats in Australia (2026 Review)

Based on the criteria above, these three natural dog treats perform consistently well across training, anxiety support, sensitive digestion and daily reward use. They combine clean ingredients, predictable digestibility and strong owner feedback.

Anipal Calm Treats for Anxious Dogs 130g

A natural functional treat for dogs that need help settling, combining calming botanicals with a dog-friendly texture suitable for training or daily use.

• Designed to support anxious or reactive dogs
• Soft texture ideal for high-value training rewards
• Australian brand with evidence-informed calming actives

Shop Anipal Calm Treats

Animals Like Us Lamb Heart Freeze-Dried Raw Treat 85g

Pure lamb heart, freeze-dried into bite-sized pieces that make exceptional training rewards for puppies and adult dogs.

• Single-ingredient raw protein for clean feeding
• High-value, fast-eaten training treat
• Suitable for many dogs with food sensitivities

Shop Lamb Heart Treats

Bell & Bone Dog Dental Sticks Kangaroo, Mint & Turmeric

Natural dental sticks using kangaroo protein plus mint and turmeric to support oral hygiene, fresh breath and low-fat chewing.

• Dental chew designed for daily use
• Kangaroo as a lean, novel protein
• Mint & turmeric to support mouth and gum health

Shop Bell & Bone Dental Sticks

Best Dog Treats for Sensitive Stomachs

Dogs with sensitive stomachs require treats that are as predictable and gentle as their main diet. The three biggest issues we see in clinic are: high-fat treats triggering pancreatitis or loose stools; mixed-protein treats disrupting elimination diets; and heavily processed snacks making an already unstable gut even harder to manage. Natural, single-ingredient freeze-dried or air-dried treats address all three.

For most sensitive-stomach dogs, lamb tripe, lamb heart, kangaroo, venison and some fish proteins are ideal. Freeze-dried lamb tripe offers natural enzymes and microbiome-supportive compounds in a form that is easy to portion, and can be used sparingly as a “gut-friendly” reward. Kangaroo treats provide lean protein with very low fat, making them particularly helpful for dogs with pancreatitis history or those on strict weight-control plans.

Practical rules: introduce one new treat at a time, feed very small quantities for the first week, and monitor stool quality, gas and appetite closely. If a dog is on a prescription gastrointestinal diet, any treats must align with the diet’s protein and fat profile. In that context, single-ingredient treats that match the diet’s protein choice are far safer than multi-protein biscuits or supermarket chews.

Best Natural Training Treats (Puppies & Adult Dogs)

Training treats live at the intersection of behaviour science and nutrition. Behaviourally, the best training treats deliver high reward value, immediate consumption and minimal disruption to training flow. Nutritionally, they should be low in bulk but high in quality protein, so that dozens of small rewards do not compromise overall diet balance.

Freeze-dried lamb heart is almost ideal: it is pure muscle meat, easily cut or broken into tiny pieces, highly palatable and low-mess. Puppies and adult dogs typically find it rewarding, yet each piece can be made small enough to keep calorie load modest. Soft functional treats like Anipal Calm can also double as training rewards when working on relaxation behaviours or controlled exposure for anxious dogs.

For puppies, choose treats that are small, digestible and free from excess fat, salt or smoke flavour. Hard biscuits are often too slow to eat and too carbohydrate-heavy for intensive training. In early life, the goal is frequent, tiny rewards tied to positive experiences — not large, occasional snacks that disrupt learning timing.

Best Low-Fat Natural Dog Treats (Pancreatitis-Friendly)

Dogs with current or past pancreatitis are one of the strictest test cases for treat quality. Any spike in dietary fat can trigger abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or hospitalisation. For these dogs, the best natural treats are those with very low fat percentages and completely transparent ingredients.

Kangaroo is the standout low-fat protein in the Australian market and appears in many of the better dental sticks and jerky treats. Some white fish-based jerky can also be appropriate, provided the analysed fat content is clearly displayed and low. Owners should be wary of liver-heavy or “marbled” treats, which may look lean but carry more fat than expected.

The safest strategy is to treat pancreatitis-prone dogs as “special category” animals: introduce any new treat under veterinary guidance, start with tiny portions, and keep total treat calories well under the usual 10% rule. In some cases, the only truly safe treat may be a portion of the dog’s existing prescription diet, baked or freeze-dried into training-sized pieces.

Best Natural Dog Chews (Safe for Dental Health)

Natural chews do double duty: they offer mental enrichment and contribute to dental health when chosen carefully. The goal is to provide enough resistance to scrape plaque and tartar without exposing teeth to fracture risk. Kangaroo-based dental sticks, collagen chews and air-dried tendons typically strike this balance well.

Products like Bell & Bone Dog Dental Sticks Kangaroo Mint & Turmeric are specifically formulated for daily or frequent use. They use a lean protein base, add ingredients supportive of gum and breath health, and are shaped to encourage chewing along the length of the stick. This is very different from simply giving a large bone and hoping for the best. Hard weight-bearing bones, antlers and hooves may create impressive chewing sessions, but they also generate a steady stream of dental fracture cases in practice.

As always, supervision is mandatory. Dogs that gulp, rather than chew, may need larger-format chews that cannot be swallowed whole, and aggressive chewers benefit from more frequent but shorter chewing sessions to reduce tyre-like wear on teeth. When in doubt, discuss chew choices with your veterinarian as part of routine dental checks.

Best Fish-Based Treats (Omega-3 for Skin & Coat)

Natural fish treats occupy an important niche for dogs with skin issues, dull coats or low omega-3 intake from their core diet. Dehydrated sardines, small fish jerky and salmon strips all deliver EPA and DHA — the omega-3 fatty acids associated with improved skin barrier function and moderated inflammation.

When choosing fish-based treats, focus on small species (like sardines) to minimise mercury accumulation, avoid heavy seasoning, and pay attention to fat levels. Many dogs tolerate modest amounts of oily fish well, but pancreatitis-prone animals may need even fish treats to be tightly rationed. In sensitive dogs, start with very small quantities and build slowly while monitoring stools and itch levels.

For owners already using omega-3 supplements, fish treats should complement rather than replace prescribed doses. They can, however, be a useful way to provide something “extra” on days when skin and coat need more support, particularly in dry or high-pollen environments.

Best Natural Treats for Dogs with Allergies

Allergic dogs cannot simply be given whatever treat is on special this week. Every mouthful must be factored into the allergy plan. The best natural treats for dogs with allergies are hypoallergenic or novel-protein options that match, or at least do not conflict with, the main diet strategy.

In practical terms, that means choosing single-protein treats such as kangaroo, venison, goat or certain fish and avoiding any treat that lists “meat by-products”, “animal fat” or multiple animal sources. For dogs on a strict elimination diet, treats must use the same protein as the test food or be excluded altogether. Lamb heart and lamb tripe can play a role here when lamb is part of the controlled diet, provided there is no cross-contamination with poultry or beef.

Owners should keep a simple treat log when working through allergy investigations. Note which treat is introduced, in what quantity, and what happens over the following days. Without this record, it is very easy to lose track and misattribute flares to the main diet when the real culprit is an inconsistent treat pattern.

FAQ: Best Natural Dog Treats in Australia (2026)

Final Thoughts: Matching Treats to Your Dog’s Health Profile

There is no single “best” natural dog treat for every dog in Australia. The right choice depends on age, weight, dental health, behaviour, gut history and allergy status. What does remain consistent is the value of simplicity: single-ingredient, gently processed treats that clearly state their protein source and fat level are easier to match to each dog — and easier to trust long term.

By applying a clinical lens to treat selection and using natural options strategically — for training, dental health, calm behaviour and sensitive stomachs — treats move from junk-food extras to meaningful, health-supportive tools. That is the standard Eco Traders aims to uphold across its natural dog treat range.