What’s the secret ingredient to a happy dog? Often, it’s something tasty you hold in your hand! We all love seeing our furry friends wag their tails for a delicious reward. But when you walk down the treat aisle, does the sheer volume of choices make your head spin? You want the best for your pup, yet navigating confusing labels filled with ingredients you can’t pronounce feels like a frustrating guessing game.
Choosing the perfect dog treat is more than just picking the yummiest-looking bag. It involves balancing flavor with nutrition, ensuring safety, and avoiding hidden fillers that don’t support your dog’s health. It can feel overwhelming trying to figure out which snacks truly benefit your best friend.
This post cuts through the noise. We will break down what makes a truly excellent dog treat. You will learn exactly what ingredients to look for—and which ones to avoid completely. Get ready to become a treat-choosing pro!
Top Dog Treat Recommendations
- Chicken First: Pur Luv dog chicken jerky treats are made with only whole proteins, featuring 100% Real Chicken as the very first ingredient
- Satisfying Treat: The chicken dog treats help to satisfy your dog’s natural instinct to chew
- Limited Ingredients: Pur Luv chicken treats for dogs feature limited ingredient decks so you know exactly what you’re feeding your dog
- Healthy Snack: The Pur Luv Chicken Jerky for dogs is a high protein and low fat snack with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Pur Luv Chicken dog jerky treats satisfy your dog’s craving for real chicken and their natural desire to chew; dogs love chicken jerky treats and the flavor that comes from the real whole protein chicken breast, which makes Pur Luv treats so special
- Contains one (1) 40 ounce package of small dog treats with real bone marrow
- The dog biscuit shell encases a real bone marrow center
- Crunchy on the outside and meaty on the inside, our MaroSnacks dog snacks are a satisfying combo of texture and mouthwatering flavor
- Savory treats with calcium, perfect for dogs of all sizes
- Baked with love in Buffalo, New York, USA, with colors from natural ingredients only
- Contains one (1) 25-ounce container of Milk-Bone Soft & Chewy Beef & Filet Mignon Recipe With Chuck Roast dog treats
- Soft and chewy dog treats made with real chuck roast
- Fortified with 12 vitamins and minerals
- Great for dogs of all sizes
- Loved since 1908
- Perfect Dog Treats For Daily Dental Care: Greenies natural dog teeth cleaning treats are crafted to support the 4 areas veterinarians check most: plaque, tartar, gums, & breath and are made with natural ingredients plus vitamins, minerals & nutrients
- Veterinarian-Recommended Dog Dental Treats: Greenies Dental Dog Treats are veterinarian-recommended dental treats for dogs that clean teeth and freshen breath
- Dental Chews For Dogs Fights Tartar: Including Greenies teeth cleaning dog treats into your daily dog dental care routine supports 47% less tartar accumulation and 40% less plaque accumulation in 28 days (Data on file)
- Clinically Proven Dog Teeth Cleaning Treat: This dog dental chew offers clinically proven dog dental care to help maintain your four-legged friend’s oral hygiene
- Unique Texture For Dog Teeth Cleaning: Made for a dog between 25-50 lbs., these Greenies dog treats have a unique design that cleans down to the gumline and positively balances the oral microbiome to help support whole-body health
- FRESH BAKED AROMA: Combining the savory scents of bacon, egg & cheese, this recipe is the next best thing to a bite of your breakfast sandwich
- MADE with BACON: BLUE Health Bars dog treats prove that a healthy treat can be tasty, too; with ingredients like oatmeal, bacon, and egg, these bars feature the ingredients you’ll be proud to feed your furry family members
- CRUNCHY DOG TREATS: For dogs who prefer a crunch, these dog biscuits are oven baked for a texture they’ll love
- WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: These dog treats don’t contain any chicken (or poultry) by-product meals and are free from corn, wheat, and soy; plus, they’re free from artificial preservatives like BHA & artificial colors
- HEALTHY DOG TREATS: Made with only the finest natural ingredients and enhanced with vitamins and minerals, Blue Buffalo natural dog treats feature the ingredients you’ll love feeding as much as they’ll love eating
- TRIPLE FLAVOR BEEF HIDE CHEW: Good ‘n’ Fun Triple Flavor Wings are made with premium chicken, delicious pork hide and long-lasting beef hide.
- GREAT SOURCE OF PROTEIN: Wrapped with premium cuts of real chicken.
- FUN SHAPE: Treat your pup to a fun ‘n’ flavorful chew time with this wing-shaped chew.
- SATISFIES YOUR DOG’S NATURAL URGE TO CHEW: The natural chewing action helps reduce tartar buildup and remove plaque.
- SNACK FOR ALL DOGS: Your dog is sure to love this truly delightful, long-lasting treat.
- NEW TO BLUE: Nudges are now part of the Blue Buffalo family; same great taste and healthy ingredients, now backed by the True BLUE Promise
- REAL CHICKEN FIRST: BLUE Nudges Jerky Cuts are made with real chicken as the first ingredient for a mouthwatering taste
- TAIL-WAGGING TEXTURE: Oven-dried and easy to tear into smaller pieces, these tender dog treats are perfect for every buddy
- WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: BLUE foods and treats are formulated with the finest natural ingredients, with no chicken by-product meals, no corn, wheat or soy, and no artificial flavors or preservatives
- PACKAGING MAY VARY: Contains One (1) 36oz bag of BLUE Nudges Jerky Chews Natural Dog Treats, Chicken
- FREEZE-DRIED RAW BEEF LIVER DOG TREAT: Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Dog Treats pack more protein than industry standard into every bite to deliver the peak vitality your dog deserves. Our natural freeze-dried raw dog treats are made from responsibly sourced, premium butcher cut beef liver.
- BETTER PROTEIN = BETTER BENEFITS: The best freeze dried dog treats on the market use premium butcher cut raw protein to unlock the benefits of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals in raw muscle and organs, because pets deserve the energetic playtimes, healthy skin, shiny coats, strong teeth, and essential gut health that a high-protein diet delivers.
- PROUDLY AMERICAN CRAFTED: All our dog treats and food are responsibly sourced and humanely harvested to ensure the quality of our proteins. We go above industry standards to preserve flavor and ensure the highest quality of protein and nutrients in every Vital Essentials product.
- MADE WITHOUT: Dog treat additives, fillers, dyes, flavorings, artificial preservatives, grains, or rendered by-products. Vital Essentials also offers the widest variety of single-protein raw dog food and treats on the market—great for picky eaters and dogs with allergies!
- RAW DOG TREATS FREEZE DRIED FOR PEAK FRESHNESS: Our protein is frozen within 45-minutes of harvesting to lock in peak nutrients, flavor, and freshness. A slow-freeze-dry ensures minimal processing, while preserving the vital nutrients that our pets deserve, the way nature intended.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Dog Treats
Choosing the right dog treat can be tricky. Treats are great rewards for training or just showing your dog love. This guide helps you pick the best snacks for your furry friend.
Key Features to Look For
Good dog treats have several important features. These features make the treat safe and enjoyable for your dog.
Nutritional Value
- Protein Source: Look for real meat, like chicken or beef, as the first ingredient. This gives your dog energy.
- Added Vitamins and Minerals: Some treats include things like Omega fatty acids for a shiny coat.
- Calorie Count: Treats should only be a small part of your dog’s daily food. Check the calories, especially if your dog needs to watch its weight.
Texture and Shape
- Hardness: Soft, chewy treats are easy for older dogs to eat. Hard biscuits last longer and can help clean teeth.
- Size: Treats must match your dog’s size. A tiny treat is fine for a small dog, but a large dog needs a bigger snack.
Important Ingredients and Materials
The ingredients list tells you everything about the treat’s quality. Pay close attention to what goes into the snack.
What to Seek Out
- Whole Foods: Treats made with actual vegetables (like sweet potatoes) or fruits are usually better.
- Natural Preservatives: Good treats use natural preservatives like Vitamin E instead of artificial chemicals.
What to Avoid
- Artificial Colors and Flavors: These offer no real benefit to your dog. They just make the treat look appealing to you.
- By-Products: Avoid treats listing “meat by-products.” These parts are not as nutritious as whole muscle meat.
- Excessive Fillers: Ingredients like corn or wheat are often used as cheap fillers. Use them sparingly.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The way a treat is made greatly affects its quality and safety.
Quality Boosters
Treats that are baked or gently dehydrated tend to keep more of their natural nutrients. Single-ingredient treats (like dried liver) are often very high quality because they are simple.
Quality Reducers
Over-processing, like high-heat extrusion, can destroy valuable nutrients. Treats with very long ingredient lists often have more unnecessary additives. If a treat has a shelf life of two years without refrigeration, artificial preservatives were likely used.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the treat changes what kind you should buy.
Training Treats
For training, you need small, highly desirable treats. They should be soft and easy to break into tiny pieces. Your dog needs to eat them fast so you can quickly get back to the training session.
Dental Chews
These are larger, tougher treats. They are designed for your dog to chew on for several minutes. This action scrubs plaque off the teeth.
Long-Lasting Chews
If you need to keep your dog busy while you work, choose rawhide alternatives or long-lasting jerky. These provide entertainment and satisfy the urge to chew.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Dog Treats
Q: How often should I give my dog treats?
A: Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s total daily calories. Use them sparingly for rewards, not as meal replacements.
Q: Are grain-free treats always better?
A: Not necessarily. Grain-free became popular, but some dogs do fine with grains. If your dog has a grain allergy, then yes, avoid them. Otherwise, focus on the main protein source.
Q: Can treats cause an upset stomach?
A: Yes, rich or new treats can cause diarrhea or vomiting. Introduce new treats slowly, giving only one or two at first to check your dog’s reaction.
Q: What is the best treat for puppy training?
A: Puppies need soft, small treats that they can swallow quickly. High-value training treats—ones that smell strong—work best to keep their attention.
Q: Should I worry about rawhide?
A: Many vets advise caution with traditional rawhide. It can swell in the stomach or break into large chunks that cause choking. Look for safer alternatives like bully sticks or dental chews.
Q: How do I know if a treat is fresh?
A: Fresh treats should smell like their main ingredient (like meat or peanut butter). If they smell dusty, stale, or have any mold, throw them away immediately.
Q: What are “limited ingredient” treats?
A: These treats use very few ingredients, often just one or two. They are excellent for dogs with many food sensitivities or allergies.
Q: Can I give my dog human food as a treat?
A: Some human foods are safe, like plain cooked carrots or small pieces of apple. However, never give dogs grapes, chocolate, xylitol (artificial sweetener), or onions.
Q: Do expensive treats mean better quality?
A: Often, yes. Higher prices usually reflect better sourcing of ingredients, like human-grade meat and natural preservatives. But always read the label, even on pricey brands.
Q: Are freeze-dried treats better than baked treats?
A: Freeze-dried treats retain more of the original nutrients because they use gentle drying methods. They are often considered top-tier quality, but baked biscuits are still great for dental health.