Does your dog wag their tail wildly for a treat, but you worry about what they are actually eating? Many popular dog snacks are packed with fillers and artificial junk. It is tough to know which treats truly support your furry friend’s health. You want to reward them, but you also want them to thrive, not just survive.
Choosing healthy dog treats feels like a confusing maze. Ingredients lists are long, and marketing claims are often misleading. You might end up buying something you think is good, only to realize later it causes tummy troubles or weight gain. This constant guessing game can be frustrating for any devoted dog owner.
But what if you could easily spot the best, most nutritious options at the store? This post cuts through the confusion. We will show you exactly what to look for on labels and share simple, healthy treat ideas. By the end, you will feel confident giving your dog rewards that taste great and boost their well-being. Let’s dive into making treat time healthy time!
Top Dog Treats Healthy 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
- Greenies 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 Dog Treats are veterinarian-recommended dental dog chews that clean teeth and freshen dog breath
- Dental Chews For Dogs Fights Tartar: Including Greenies regular size dogs teeth cleaning treats into your daily 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: These Greenies dental treats for dogs offer clinically proven dental care to help maintain your four-legged friend's oral hygiene
- Unique Texture For Dog Teeth Cleaning: Made for dogs (25 - 50 lbs.), Greenies dental treat for dogs have a unique design that cleans down to the gumline and positively balances the oral microbiome to help support whole-body health
- Greenies 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 Dog Treats are veterinarian-recommended dental dog chews that clean teeth and freshen dog breath
- Dental Chews For Dogs Fights Tartar: Including Greenies teenie size dogs teeth cleaning treats into your daily 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: These Greenies dental treats for dogs offer clinically proven dental care to help maintain your four-legged friend's oral hygiene
- Unique Texture For Dog Teeth Cleaning: Made for small breed dogs (5-15 lbs.), Greenies dental treat for dogs have a unique design that cleans down to the gumline and positively balances the oral microbiome to help support whole-body health
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- Greenies 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 Dog Treats are veterinarian-recommended dental dog chews that clean teeth and freshen dog breath
- Dental Chews For Dogs Fights Tartar: Including Greenies petite size dogs teeth cleaning treats into your daily 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: These Greenies dental treats for dogs offer clinically proven dental care to help maintain your four-legged friend's oral hygiene
- Unique Texture For Dog Teeth Cleaning: Made for small breed dogs (15-25 lbs.), Greenies dental treat for dogs have a unique design that cleans down to the gumline and positively balances the oral microbiome to help support whole-body health
- REAL BEEF FIRST: These Blue Buffalo dog treats are made with real beef for a taste dogs just can't resist
- A TASTY REWARD: Reward your dog for a job well done with delicious BLUE Nudges natural dog treats
- BREAK INTO SMALLER PIECES: Delicious, oven-dried and easy to tear, these natural dog treats are perfect for all breed sizes
- WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: These healthy dog snacks contain no artificial preservatives, corn, wheat, or soy
- Contains: One (1) 16-oz bag of Blue Buffalo Nudges Grillers Natural Dog Treats; Steak Recipe
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Healthy Dog Treats
Choosing the right treats for your dog is important. Healthy treats keep your dog happy and strong. This guide will help you pick the best snacks for your furry friend.
1. Key Features to Look For
Good dog treats have certain features. Look for treats that match your dog’s needs.
- Ingredient Transparency: The label should clearly list all ingredients. Good brands do not hide what is inside.
- Appropriate Size and Texture: Treats should match your dog’s size. Small dogs need small, soft treats. Big dogs can handle larger, chewier ones.
- Purpose-Driven Treats: Some treats help with specific needs. Look for dental chews for clean teeth or calming treats for anxious dogs.
- Limited Ingredients: Fewer ingredients often mean fewer potential allergens. This is great for sensitive dogs.
2. Important Materials: What’s Inside Matters
The ingredients define how healthy a treat is. Always check the first few items on the list.
Protein Sources:
High-quality protein is essential. Look for real meat first on the list. Good examples include chicken, beef, salmon, or lamb. Avoid treats listing “meat by-products” as the main ingredient.
Healthy Fillers and Binders:
Some treats need binders. Choose natural sources. Sweet potatoes, peas, oats, or brown rice are better choices than corn or soy fillers.
Superfoods and Supplements:
Many healthy treats include extras. Ingredients like blueberries, carrots, pumpkin, or turmeric offer extra vitamins and antioxidants. These boost your dog’s health.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Treat quality varies a lot. Some things make a treat great; others make it less healthy.
What Improves Quality?
- Natural Preservation: Treats preserved naturally, like with Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), are better than those using artificial preservatives like BHA or BHT.
- Slow Baking or Dehydration: These methods keep more nutrients in the food.
- Human-Grade Ingredients: When ingredients are fit for humans, they usually mean higher quality sourcing.
What Reduces Quality?
- Artificial Colors and Flavors: Dogs do not need bright colors added to their snacks. These offer no nutritional benefit.
- High Sugar Content: Added sugars or sweeteners like corn syrup should be avoided. They contribute to weight gain and dental issues.
- Unknown or Vague Ingredients: If the label says “animal digest” without saying where it comes from, this reduces the quality score.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the treat affects your choice. Think about training and daily rewards.
Training Rewards:
For training, you need high-value, small treats. They must be easy to break apart quickly. Soft, breakable treats work best for fast rewards during a training session.
Long-Lasting Chews:
If you want to keep your dog busy, choose durable chews like natural rawhide alternatives or hard biscuits. These satisfy chewing instincts.
Sensitive Stomachs:
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, choose limited-ingredient, single-protein treats. Introduce new treats slowly to check for any bad reactions.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Healthy Dog Treats
Q: How often should I give my dog treats?
A: Treats should only make up about 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Give them sparingly, mostly for training or good behavior.
Q: Are grain-free treats always healthier?
A: Not necessarily. Grain-free became popular, but some dogs do fine with grains like oats. Focus more on avoiding common allergens and fillers.
Q: What is the best ingredient to avoid in dog treats?
A: Avoid artificial sweeteners like Xylitol completely, as it is highly toxic to dogs. Also, limit artificial colors and high amounts of corn.
Q: Should I worry about the calorie count in treats?
A: Yes. Over-treating leads to weight gain, which harms your dog’s joints and heart. Always check the calories per piece.
Q: What makes a treat “dental”?
A: Dental treats usually have a specific shape or texture designed to scrape plaque off the teeth as the dog chews them.
Q: Can I use human food as treats?
A: Some human foods are safe, like plain carrots or apple slices (no seeds). However, many human foods are toxic, so stick mainly to dog-specific treats.
Q: How long do natural treats last?
A: Treats without artificial preservatives spoil faster. Store them in a cool, dry place, or sometimes even the refrigerator, based on the package directions.
Q: What if my dog is allergic to chicken?
A: Look for novel protein sources for treats, such as fish, duck, or venison. Read the label carefully to ensure no cross-contamination occurred.
Q: Are soft, moist treats better than hard biscuits?
A: It depends on the use. Soft treats are easier for older dogs to chew. Hard biscuits help clean teeth better and last longer.
Q: How do I know if a treat is truly “all-natural”?
A: Look for clear labeling. The ingredients list should only contain items you recognize as natural foods or minerals. Avoid vague terms without proof.