Does your dog’s tail start wagging the second you walk into the pet aisle at Target? We’ve all been there, staring at shelves packed with colorful bags of dog treats. It’s exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming! Target offers so many brands, from trendy new options to the trusted classics. How do you know which ones are healthy, tasty, and worth your hard-earned money?
Finding the perfect treat shouldn’t feel like solving a complex puzzle. You want something your furry friend will love, but you also worry about ingredients, allergies, and finding good value. Settling for the wrong treat means wasted money or a disappointed pup. That’s why we dove deep into Target’s treat selection to bring you the inside scoop.
In this guide, we break down the best dog treats you can grab on your next Target run. We will highlight top-rated chews, healthy training bites, and budget-friendly favorites. Get ready to discover treats that earn enthusiastic tail wags every time. Let’s explore the best bites Target has to offer your best friend!
Top Dog Treats From Target 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.
- FREEZE-DRIED RAW MINNOWS 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 minnows.
- 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.
- Contains one (1) 47-ounce bag of Canine Carry Outs Beef Flavor dog treats
- Soft and chewy dog treats
- Treats with the look and taste of real beef
- Fun shapes for an exciting treating experience
- Produced in Topeka, Kansas
- Premium Salmon Dog Treats: Supplements for dogs enriched with Omega 3-6-9 from clean and pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil. Just two allergy dog chews deliver 520mg EPA + DHA – outperforming other brands while supporting your pet's long-term wellness
- Skin and Coat Supplement for Dogs: Nature Target fish oil omega 3 supplements for dogs contain fatty acids, Biotin, Zinc, and Vitamin C & E to relieve dry/sensitive skin, control shedding and promote shine. Comprehensive support for your furry friend
- Support Health From the Inside Out: Our omega 3 6 9 supplements deliver a complete natural blend with antioxidants (Vitamins C & E) to relieve itching, scratching, paw licking, and hot spots, while boosting immunity and promoting hip & joint health
- Super Value Cat & Dog Health Supplies: 180 pet allergy chews, specially freeze-dried technology to remove moisture (which locks nutrients & flavor), then stored in vacuum-sealed bags to minimize spoilage risk. Ideal for all breeds at all life stages
- Treat with Delicious Flavor: Freeze-dried salmon skin treats for dogs, made with real chicken & salmon-perfect for picky eaters. Unlike pills or capsules, dog care chews offer bite-size convenience—making feeding as simple as giving treats
- BUDDY TRAINING BITES - These bite-sized treats are chock full of meaty flavor from appetizing pork liver as the 1st ingredient, so they are easy to eat and perfect for dogs of all ages.
- ALL THE GOOD STUFF - Our training treats are made in the USA and they are free of corn, soy, artificial flavors and preservatives. With Buddy, you can feel good about serving your best bud the treats they deserve!
- LOW CALORIE - Only 1.5 calories per treat to help make your dog training sessions last longer! The delicious aroma will have your pup coming back for more.
- 500 TREATS PER BAG - Reward your dog's good behavior with 500 treats per bag. Buddy is healthy, tasty & fun!
- EVERYBODY LOVES BUDDY: Buddy is the perfect companion for your best friend! Buddy's delicious flavors are sure bring your pup joy! Buddy has a range of treats - all made with real, simple ingredients that you can pronounce.
- Healthy Treats - Healthfuls Sweet Potato Slices are packed with nutritious goodness and a natural, sweet flavor your pup will love. Made with real dried sweet potatoes, these treats are a great training reward or low-fat snack.
- Nutritious - As nourishing as they are delicious, these treats are naturally packed with vitamin A to help to support healthy skin and a shiny coat. Sweet potatoes also contain a high level of Beta Carotene to help to support vision, and provide vital dietary fiber and antioxidants to help support your dog's digestion and overall good health.
- Wholesome Ingredients - This grain-free recipe is made without artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or fillers - just a sweet, natural flavor that your pup will love.
- Flavorful - Packed with nutritious goodness and natural flavor, your dog will love the aroma, texture, and taste.
- USA Lab Tested - Your four-legged furry friend deserves the best! These tasty treats are lab-tested in the USA to ensure quality and safety.
- BIG MOTIVATION IN EACH MINI BITE. Each of these 3 calorie treats are packed with flavor from pork liver, real bacon, and added botanicals that will keep dogs focused and eager to learn!
- TRAIN. ENRICH. TREAT. These low calorie training rewards are great for training sessions, enrichment activities such as puzzle toys and snuffle mats, and every day treating occasions.
- GREAT FOR DOGS OF ALL SIZES. These bite-sized treats are the perfect size for training and every day treating for dogs of all sizes. Each 20 oz bag includes approximately 500 treats.
- REWARD THE EVERYDAY Pet Botanics healthy training rewards are perfect for training and treating every day in every way. These soft & chewy treats have no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
- PROUD MEMBER THE CLOUD STAR FAMILY. With Cloud Star products, you can spend less time worrying about what to feed your pet and spend more time Living Life with Your Dog by Your Side.
- FAST ALLERGY & ITCH RELIEF - Tired of the constant scratching & paw licking? Our advanced chews provide powerful, fast-acting support for seasonal, food, and environmental allergies. Helps calm irritated skin & coat
- DUAL-ACTION: SOOTHE & SUPPORT - We target symptoms AND the root cause. A powerful blend of Turmeric & Omega-3s soothes immediate itchiness. At the same time, our formula works deeper to support a balanced immune system for long-term resilience
- GUT & IMMUNE HEALTH - Over 70% of your dog's immunity is in their gut. Our formula, fortified with Colostrum and 3 Billion Probiotics, helps balance gut flora and regulate the immune response, building resistance to allergens
- FREEZE-DRIED TASTY TREATS - Wellness should be a treat, not a chore. Our unique freeze-drying process locks in the nutrients and real chicken flavor. It’s a delicious freeze-dried chew every picky eater will beg for
- VET RECOMMENDED & GMP MADE - Our chews are Veterinarian Recommended and made in a GMP-certified facility. Non-GMO, and free from corn, soy, & gluten. Trusted by thousands of happy pet parents
Your Guide to Snagging the Best Dog Treats from Target
Target is a fantastic place to shop for your furry friends. They offer a huge variety of dog treats. Finding the perfect snack for your pup can be easy if you know what to look for. This guide will help you choose the best options available at your local Target store or online.
Key Features to Look For
When you pick up a bag of treats, check these things first. These features tell you a lot about the treat’s value.
- **Size and Shape:** Does the treat fit your dog’s mouth well? Small dogs need tiny, soft treats. Big dogs need chewier, larger options.
- **Purpose:** Are you training your dog? Look for small, high-value training treats. Does your dog need to chew? Then look for dental chews.
- **Treat Count:** Check how many treats are in the bag. This helps you compare prices fairly.
- **Freshness Seal:** Good packaging keeps the treats fresh longer. A strong seal is important.
Important Ingredients and Materials
What goes into the treat matters most. Always read the ingredient list on the back of the package.
What to Look For (Good Stuff):
- **Real Meat or Protein First:** The first ingredient should be something good, like chicken, beef, or salmon. This means the treat has real food in it.
- **Whole Grains or Vegetables:** Ingredients like sweet potato, oats, or brown rice offer good fiber.
- **Natural Preservatives:** Look for natural sources like Vitamin E to keep the treats safe.
What to Avoid (Stuff That Lowers Quality):
- **Artificial Colors and Flavors:** These add no nutritional value. Your dog cannot tell the difference between red dye 40 and a natural color. Skip them if you can.
- **By-Products:** These are lower-quality parts of meat. Choose named meats instead.
- **Too Much Filler:** Ingredients like corn or soy are often used just to bulk up the treat. They don’t offer much benefit.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Treat quality goes beyond just the ingredients. How the treat is made affects how good it is for your dog.
Quality Boosters:
Baked treats often hold their shape better. Treats made in the USA or Canada usually follow strict manufacturing rules. Treats with added benefits, like probiotics for digestion or glucosamine for joints, boost the quality significantly.
Quality Reducers:
Soft, moist treats might seem great, but they often need more preservatives to stop mold growth. If the treat crumbles easily into dust, it might be overly processed or stale. Very cheap treats often use lower-grade materials.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you will use the treat. This changes what you should buy.
- **Training Sessions:** You need small, soft, easy-to-chew treats. Dogs often eat these quickly during high-energy training. Target carries many small-bite options perfect for this.
- **Long-Lasting Chews:** If you need to keep your dog busy while you work, choose rawhide alternatives, dental sticks, or bully sticks. These take longer to finish.
- **Special Diets:** Does your dog have allergies? Target stocks many limited-ingredient diet (LID) treats. These use fewer ingredients to reduce allergic reactions. Always check the label for common allergens like wheat or chicken.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Target Dog Treats
Q: Which brands at Target are generally considered high quality?
A: Brands like **Good & Gather** (Target’s own brand), **Wellness**, and **Blue Buffalo** often receive good reviews for ingredient quality. Always check the specific product label, though.
Q: Are Target’s store-brand treats (Good & Gather) good for my dog?
A: Many Good & Gather treats focus on simple, recognizable ingredients. They are often a great budget-friendly choice if you look for the options that list real meat first.
Q: How do I know if a treat is too hard for my senior dog?
A: If you can barely press the treat between your fingers, it is too hard. Look for “soft-baked” or “tender” labeled treats for older dogs with sensitive teeth.
Q: Can I find grain-free treats at Target?
A: Yes, Target stocks several grain-free options. However, remember that grain-free is not always better for every dog. Check with your vet if you have concerns.
Q: What is the best type of treat for bad dog breath?
A: Look specifically in the dental care aisle. Dental chews or sticks that have the **VOHC seal** (Veterinary Oral Health Council) are proven to help reduce plaque and tartar.
Q: Are large bags of treats always cheaper per ounce?
A: Usually, yes. Buying the larger package saves money over time. However, make sure your dog will eat them before they expire or go stale.
Q: What does “limited ingredient” mean on a treat package?
A: It means the treat uses only a small number of ingredients, often just one protein source and one carbohydrate. This is helpful for dogs with many food sensitivities.
Q: Should I buy soft or crunchy treats?
A: Crunchy treats help clean teeth slightly and stay fresh longer. Soft treats are better for training because dogs eat them faster. Choose based on your dog’s needs.
Q: Are Target treats safe for puppies?
A: Puppies need treats made specifically for them. Look for bags labeled “Puppy Formula.” Adult treats can sometimes be too rich or hard for growing stomachs and teeth.
Q: How should I store my new dog treats?
A: Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Once opened, keep them sealed tightly in their original bag or a separate airtight container to maintain freshness.