Ever look at your furry best friend’s happy face and just want to give them the absolute best? We all do! But when it comes to dog treats, that desire often meets a confusing wall of ingredients. Have you ever picked up a bag of seemingly healthy snacks only to find long, unpronounceable chemical names listed? That’s a common frustration for devoted dog owners.
Choosing treats shouldn’t feel like a science project. Many commercial snacks are packed with artificial colors, fillers, and preservatives that offer little real nutrition. You want to reward your dog, but you worry about what those rewards are actually doing to their health. Finding treats made from real, recognizable food can feel like searching for buried treasure.
This guide cuts through the noise. We will show you exactly what “natural” really means on a treat label and highlight the simple, wholesome ingredients that truly benefit your dog’s energy and coat. By the end of this post, you will feel confident knowing you are selecting treats that are both delicious and genuinely good for your companion.
Top Natural Dog Treats Recommendations
- 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.
- 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
- 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 5-15 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
- 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
- Includes One 21 oz Resealable Tub: Stewart Freeze Dried Beef Liver irresistible dog treats are perfect for training, rewarding, or enhancing your dog’s meals with high-protein, single-ingredient nutrition with up to 475 treats per tub for a 3 month supply
- The Original Freeze-Dried Dog Treats Since 1973: Our treats are made in the USA with trusted ingredients; Freeze dried in small batches in our Dayton, Ohio facility using USDA-certified beef liver sourced from reputable US suppliers
- Professional Trainer-Preferred: Our freeze-dried treats have been trusted by professional trainers for decades and were recognized by CNN Underscored as a top dog treat in December 2024
- Single Ingredient and Versatile: Made with 100 percent beef liver, these natural dog treats are grain free, gluten free, soy free, and corn free; great for training, food toppers, or dogs with food sensitivities to add variety and raw nutrition
- Raw Nutrition Without the Mess: We gently freeze dry raw beef liver to lock in nutrients and flavor, then package it in a resealable tub to keep treats fresh and tasty; Cats love these and they are safe as a healthy cat treat for your feline friends
- 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
- FRESH BAKED AROMA: Combining the aromas of oven-baked pumpkin, cinnamon, and yogurt, this treat delivers the warm, inviting scent of homemade pumpkin pie
- MADE with PUMPKIN: BLUE Health Bars dog treats prove that a healthy treat can be tasty, too; with ingredients like oatmeal, pumpkin, and cinnamon, 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
- PUMPKIN TREATS FOR DOGS: We believe in simple, real nutrition that your pet will adore. Our human grade dog treats are crafted with all natural, organic pumpkin. A mouth watering, healthy, vegan treat for even the pickiest of pups.
- EXCEPTIONAL FLAVOR: Each scrumptious snack is double baked with organic pumpkin puree, Bob’s Red Mill Garbanzo Bean Flour, peanut butter, molasses, and cinnamon. With 3 other flavors and mixed variety packs available, snack time just got a lot more 'pawsome'!
- LIMITED INGREDIENTS: Our tasty grain free dog treats are prepared with 7 ingredients or fewer with no preservatives, wheat, dairy, chicken, BHT, BHA, and no artificial colors. Ideal for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs, senior dogs, and picky eaters.
- GREAT FOR ALL SIZES: Our light and crunchy biscuit serves as an excellent training reward for all breeds, ages, and sizes, and can be easily snapped into smaller, bite-sized treats for small dogs.
- USA MADE: All of our gluten free dog treats are lovingly handcrafted using ingredients grown and sourced in the USA only. We use family recipes and package them in BPA-free bags. We’re here to support your pet's nutritional journey to eat well (and love it).
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing the Best Natural Dog Treats
Giving your dog treats is a fun way to show love and help with training. But not all treats are created equal. Natural dog treats offer better nutrition and fewer scary ingredients. This guide helps you pick the healthiest and tastiest options for your furry friend.
Key Features to Look For in Natural Dog Treats
When you shop, look closely at the packaging. Certain features signal a high-quality, natural treat.
1. Simple Ingredient List
- Fewer Ingredients are Better: A short list usually means less processing and fewer fillers.
- Recognizable Names: You should easily recognize what you are feeding your dog (like sweet potato, chicken, or oats).
2. Source Transparency
Good companies tell you where their ingredients come from. Look for treats made with human-grade ingredients or those sourced locally.
3. Appropriate Texture and Size
Consider your dog. Small puppies need soft, easy-to-chew treats. Large, power-chewers require durable, long-lasting chews.
Important Materials: What’s Inside Matters
The materials used determine the treat’s nutritional value and safety.
Protein Sources
Choose treats where the first ingredient is a named, whole protein. Good examples include real chicken, beef, salmon, or turkey. Avoid treats listing “meat by-products” or generic “animal digest.”
Natural Binders and Fillers
Natural treats use wholesome binders like brown rice flour, oats, or chickpea flour. These provide energy without spiking blood sugar too quickly.
Preservatives and Colorants (The Ones to Avoid)
Natural treats should *not* contain artificial colors (like Red 40), artificial flavors, or chemical preservatives (like BHA or BHT). Natural preservatives, such as Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), are preferred.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The way a treat is made significantly affects its quality. Pay attention to the processing method.
Quality Enhancers (Better Quality)
- Dehydration or Baking: Slow baking or air-drying preserves nutrients better than high-heat extrusion (the process used for many hard kibbles).
- Limited Ingredient Diets (LID): These are excellent for dogs with allergies because they use only a few, novel ingredients.
Quality Reducers (Lower Quality)
Treats that look too uniform or unnaturally shiny are often heavily processed. High levels of corn, wheat, or soy often reduce the overall nutritional quality, especially if your dog is sensitive to grains.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the treat affects which type you should buy.
Training Rewards
For quick, frequent training sessions, you need small, high-value, soft treats. They should be consumed quickly so training doesn’t stop for too long.
Dental Health and Boredom Busters
For keeping your dog busy or supporting their teeth, look for harder chews like natural jerky strips or dental sticks. These provide longer-lasting satisfaction.
Allergy Management
If your dog scratches a lot, switch to single-ingredient treats (like dried sweet potato or single-source protein). This helps you easily pinpoint the trigger food.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Natural Dog Treats
Q: What makes a dog treat “natural”?
A: A natural treat usually means it avoids artificial colors, flavors, and chemical preservatives. The ingredients come from natural sources like real meat or vegetables.
Q: Are natural treats always healthier than regular treats?
A: Generally, yes. Natural treats offer better nutrient density because they use fewer fillers and by-products.
Q: How long do natural dog treats usually last?
A: It depends on the type. Soft, moist treats last less time (maybe a few weeks refrigerated). Hard, baked, or dehydrated treats can last 6 to 12 months if stored correctly.
Q: Should I worry about grain-free treats?
A: Grain-free is good for dogs allergic to wheat or corn. However, always check that the grain replacement (like peas or potatoes) is balanced and not overused.
Q: Can I give my dog human food as a treat?
A: Some human foods are great (like carrot sticks or small pieces of apple). But many human foods, like grapes or chocolate, are toxic to dogs.
Q: What is the best way to store natural treats?
A: Keep them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Many soft treats benefit from being kept in the refrigerator after opening.
Q: What are “by-products” in a treat ingredient list?
A: By-products are parts of the animal other than the muscle meat, like organs or bone. While some organs are nutritious, “by-products” often mean lower quality parts.
Q: How often should I give my dog treats?
A: Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Use them sparingly, especially during training.
Q: Are expensive natural treats worth the extra cost?
A: Often, yes. You pay for higher quality protein sources and better processing methods that preserve nutrients.
Q: Can natural treats help clean my dog’s teeth?
A: Some harder, chewier natural treats provide a mild scrubbing action, but they do not replace regular brushing or dental chews.