Overview

Wellness Soft Puppy Bites are marketed toward puppies, but calling them a "puppy treat" undersells what is actually one of the best small-format training treats on the market regardless of your dog's age. The dual-protein formula combines lamb and salmon, which is an unusual and nutritionally smart pairing. Lamb provides the rich flavor that drives high treat motivation, while salmon delivers DHA omega-3 fatty acids that support cognitive development in young dogs and brain maintenance in older ones.

The grain-free formula avoids wheat, corn, and soy, relying instead on chickpeas and peas for structure. These bites are genuinely small, roughly the size of a pea, making them ideal for tiny mouths and for training sessions where you want to reward without interrupting flow. Wellness has one of the strongest safety records among mid-tier pet food brands, with no major recalls on their treat lines. At $9.99 for 8 ounces, the per-ounce price is premium, but the target audience of puppy owners and small breed owners is accustomed to buying smaller quantities at higher unit costs. If you are raising a puppy or training a small dog and want the cleanest ingredient list in a soft treat, Wellness Puppy Bites are the standout choice.

Features Deep-Dive

Dual-Protein Formula and DHA Supplementation

Most training treats rely on a single protein source, typically chicken. Wellness differentiates by combining lamb and salmon, which accomplishes two things. First, it provides an alternative for dogs with chicken sensitivities, which are among the most common protein allergies in dogs. Second, the salmon inclusion brings naturally occurring DHA omega-3, an essential fatty acid that supports neural development in puppies during their critical first year. For adult dogs, DHA contributes to cognitive maintenance and coat health. The lamb component provides a rich, gamey flavor profile that many dogs find more motivating than chicken, particularly dogs that eat chicken-based kibble daily and may be desensitized to chicken-flavored rewards.

Size Engineering for Small Mouths

These treats are engineered small. Each bite is approximately the diameter of a standard pea, which is deliberate. Puppy mouths, particularly in toy and small breeds, cannot safely or comfortably handle treats the size of a nickel. The miniature format also means each bite is consumed in under a second, maintaining the rapid reward-response cycle that makes positive reinforcement training effective. For adult small breeds like Maltese, Pomeranians, and Papillons, the size works just as well as it does for puppies. You do not need to break these in half or worry about your dog pausing mid-session to work through a larger treat. The soft texture further accelerates consumption; there is no crunch time, just a quick chew and swallow.

Wellness Brand Safety and Manufacturing Standards

In a market where recalls periodically shake consumer confidence, Wellness stands out for consistency. The brand operates its own manufacturing facilities in the United States and maintains strict quality control protocols. Their treat lines, including Soft Puppy Bites, have not been subject to FDA recalls. This matters more than many buyers realize. When you are feeding a treat daily during a training program, especially to a young puppy with a developing immune system, manufacturing consistency and ingredient traceability become more than marketing bullet points. Wellness publishes sourcing information for their primary proteins and has been transparent about their supply chain in ways that some competitors have not.

Pricing Analysis

At $9.99 for an 8-ounce bag, Wellness Soft Puppy Bites come in at roughly $1.25 per ounce, making them the most expensive treats in this comparison on a per-ounce basis. That premium pricing reflects the dual-protein formula, DHA inclusion, and Wellness's manufacturing standards. However, context matters. Puppy owners are already spending significantly on vet visits, vaccinations, crate supplies, and premium puppy food. An extra few dollars for a training treat with a clean ingredient list and a strong safety record is a rounding error in the total cost of puppy ownership. The 8-ounce bag contains roughly 150 to 200 individual treats depending on sizing variation, which lasts most puppy owners two to three weeks of daily training. Monthly cost runs about $15 to $20, well within the range of a premium but not extravagant recurring purchase.

Who Is This For?

• First-time puppy owners who want a treat specifically formulated for developing dogs, with DHA for brain development and a size appropriate for puppy mouths. The Wellness brand reputation provides peace of mind during a period when new owners are anxious about everything their puppy ingests.

• Small breed owners of any age dog who struggle to find treats small enough for a 5-pound Yorkie or Chihuahua. Most training treats require breaking in half for very small dogs; these are ready to use at their natural size.

• Owners avoiding chicken-based treats due to suspected or confirmed chicken protein allergies. The lamb and salmon combination provides high-value flavor without the most common allergen in the dog treat market.

• Safety-conscious buyers who research brand recall histories before purchasing. Wellness's clean track record across their treat lines is a genuine differentiator for owners who have been burned by recalls from other brands.

Who Should NOT Use This

• Large breed owners training adult dogs will find the tiny size impractical. A 70-pound Labrador does not register a pea-sized treat as a meaningful reward, and you would need to dispense multiple treats per repetition to maintain motivation, burning through the small bag rapidly.

• Budget-focused buyers doing high-volume training will feel the per-ounce premium. If you are going through a bag every week during intensive training, BLUE Bits or Zuke's deliver more treat per dollar with comparable ingredient quality. The Wellness premium is easier to justify for moderate daily use than for high-repetition programs.

• Owners who need treats to survive rough handling will find these too soft for pockets or bags without a dedicated container. Like all moist soft treats, they compress and stick together when jostled, and they dry out within days of the bag being opened if not properly sealed.

Bottom Line

Wellness Soft Puppy Bites are the premium pick for puppies and small breeds, combining a thoughtful dual-protein formula with DHA and a genuinely clean safety record. The per-ounce price is high, but the quality justifies it for owners who prioritize ingredient integrity and brand trustworthiness.

FAQ

Can I give these to my adult dog even though they say "Puppy" on the bag?

Absolutely. The "Puppy" label reflects the DHA content and small size that make these treats particularly well-suited for young dogs, but there is nothing in the formula that is inappropriate for adults. Many adult small breed owners use Wellness Puppy Bites as their primary training treat because the size is perfect and the lamb-salmon flavor drives high motivation. The DHA continues to support cognitive health in adult and senior dogs.

How do these compare to Zuke's Mini Naturals for training?

Both are excellent soft training treats, but they target slightly different needs. Zuke's are lower in calories (3 per treat) and come in a much larger bag, making them more economical for high-volume training. Wellness Puppy Bites offer the dual-protein advantage, DHA supplementation, and a smaller bite size that works better for toy breeds and very young puppies. If calorie efficiency and volume are your priorities, go with Zuke's. If ingredient variety, DHA, and small size are more important, Wellness wins.

Are chickpeas and peas safe for dogs?

Chickpeas and peas are common ingredients in grain-free dog treats and foods. They provide plant-based protein and fiber. The FDA's ongoing investigation into a potential link between legume-heavy grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) focuses on primary diets, not treats. The amount of chickpea and pea in a few training treats per day is nutritionally insignificant compared to your dog's main food. If your dog already eats a grain-free, legume-heavy primary diet, discuss the overall picture with your vet.

How should I store these after opening?

Seal the bag tightly after each use, or transfer treats to an airtight container. The soft, moist texture that makes these appealing to dogs also makes them vulnerable to drying out and mold if exposed to air. In humid climates, refrigeration extends freshness and prevents clumping. Plan to use an opened bag within two to three weeks for optimal texture and flavor.