Ever watch your dog’s eyes light up the second they hear the crinkle of a treat bag? That sheer joy is priceless! But behind that happy tail wag lies a real puzzle for pet owners. Walking down the pet store aisle feels like navigating a minefield. You see bright packaging and catchy names, but how do you know which treats are genuinely good for your furry friend?
Choosing the perfect treat is more than just finding something tasty. Many owners worry about hidden fillers, artificial ingredients, or whether a specific snack is even safe for their dog’s tummy or training goals. It’s frustrating to spend money on something your dog won’t eat, or worse, something that causes an upset stomach later.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down what ingredients really matter, explain the difference between training rewards and everyday snacks, and show you how to read labels like a pro. By the end of this post, you will feel confident picking treats that keep your dog healthy, happy, and eager to learn. Let’s dive into the wonderful world of dog treats!
Top Dog Treats 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) 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
- [Single Ingredient] Made with just one ingredient: chicken breast. It contains no additives, grains, gluten, or artificial preservatives for a simple and minimal snack.
- [Whole-Cut for Versatile Feeding] The unique whole-cut shape provides a satisfying chewing texture. It can be easily broken into smaller pieces for training, crumbled as a meal topper, or softened in water.
- [Treats for Dogs & Cats] A simple, single-ingredient snack that both dogs and cats can enjoy as an occasional treat. Its minimal formulation is suitable for most pets.
- [Easy to Store & Take Anywhere] The treats are packaged in a resealable jar to lock in freshness and crunch, making them convenient to keep in your bag during walks, travel, or training sessions.
- [After Sales Service Support] We have 20+ years of expertise in the dog treats industry. If your dog doesn't like our dog treats, please contact us. We are always ready to help you.
- 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 24-oz. box of Milk-Bone Original Biscuits
- CRUNCHY DOG TREATS: With tail-wagging meaty taste for treating fun, every day
- MEDIUM SIZE: Perfect for dogs over 20 lbs.
- 15 PERCENT PROTEIN: Fortified with vitamins and minerals — more than 12!
- BAKED WITH LOVE: Produced in Buffalo, New York, USA
- 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.
- Golden Rewards Chicken Duck Beef Variety Jerky Premium Dog Treats 12 Oz and Vital Volumes Pet Care Card Bundle
- Long Lasting Dog Chews - Munchy Sticks are high protein, long lasting, & made from top quality oven-baked pork skin.
- Delicious Flavors Your Dog Will Love - Our Munchy Sticks come with 3 mouth watering flavors: Roasted Pork, Chicken, & Bacon.
- Available in 50 & 100 Count Options - Munchy Sticks come in generous quantities to keep your pup happy & satisfied. Remember, treats should always be larger than your dog's mouth to ensure safe chewing. Please feed responsibly.
- Perfect for Small, Medium & Big Dogs - Dogs of all sizes love our Pork Chomps. Supervise use. If your pet is unaccustomed to this product, serve in a limited quantity initially. Intended as a treat, not to replace food.
- Only the Best for Your Pet - Pork Chomps uses a patented process to remove 70% of the pork's fat to create a low-fat, cleaner and healthier dog chew.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Dog Treats
Dog treats are more than just snacks. They help train your dog. They also make your dog happy. Choosing the right treat matters for your dog’s health. This guide will help you pick the best ones.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop, check a few important things first.
- **Size and Shape:** Treats should match your dog’s size. Small dogs need small, soft treats. Big dogs can handle larger, crunchier chews.
- **Texture:** Do you need a soft treat for old dogs? Or a hard biscuit for dental cleaning? Texture is very important.
- **Purpose:** Are you training? Choose small, highly rewarding treats. Are you trying to keep your dog busy? Pick a long-lasting chew.
Important Ingredients and Materials
The ingredients list tells you what your dog is eating. Good ingredients make good treats.
High-Quality Protein Sources
The best treats list a real meat source first. Look for things like chicken, beef, salmon, or lamb. These give your dog energy. Avoid treats where “meat by-products” are the main ingredient.
Natural Fillers and Binders
Many treats use grains or vegetables. Whole grains like brown rice or oats are usually fine. Sweet potatoes and peas are healthy additions. If your dog has allergies, look for grain-free options.
What to Avoid
Some ingredients lower the quality of the treat.
- **Artificial Colors and Flavors:** These add no nutritional value. They are just for looks or smell.
- **Unnecessary Preservatives:** Look for natural preservatives like Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols). Avoid chemical names you cannot pronounce.
- **High Sugar Content:** Too much sugar is bad for dog teeth and weight.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Treat quality changes based on how they are made and what goes into them.
Improving Quality: Processing Matters
Treats that use minimal processing often keep more nutrients. Baking slowly is better than frying. Single-ingredient treats (like dried liver) are often very high quality. These are often easier to digest.
Reducing Quality: Hidden Ingredients
Low-quality treats often use cheap fillers to bulk up the product. These fillers offer very little nutrition. If the first five ingredients are things like corn, wheat, or soy, the treat quality is probably lower.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the treat changes what you should buy. Think about your daily routine with your dog.
Training Sessions
For training, you need soft, smelly, small treats. Dogs learn faster when they get a quick, high-value reward. These treats should be easy to break into tiny pieces. You give many of these during one session.
Long-Lasting Entertainment
If you need to keep your dog busy while you work, choose durable chews. Bully sticks or hard dental chews work well here. These satisfy your dog’s need to chew. They are not usually given every day.
Dental Health
Some treats are specially shaped to scrape plaque off teeth. Look for the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal on these products. These treats actively support good breath and healthy gums.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About 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, especially during training.
Q: Are grain-free treats always better?
A: Not necessarily. Grain-free is only better if your dog is allergic to grains like wheat. Otherwise, healthy grains are a good source of energy.
Q: What is the main difference between a treat and a food topper?
A: A treat is a reward or snack. A food topper is meant to be mixed with their main meal to boost flavor or nutrition.
Q: Should I worry about the “best by” date?
A: Yes. Old treats can lose flavor, making them less exciting for training. Stale treats can also sometimes cause stomach upset.
Q: What are “high-value” treats?
A: High-value treats are the most delicious things your dog loves. Use these for hard training tasks or when you need maximum focus.
Q: Can treats help clean my dog’s teeth?
A: Some specific dental chews can help reduce tartar buildup. They work best when they have that special VOHC seal.
Q: Are rawhide treats safe for my dog?
A: Many vets advise caution with rawhide because it can swell or break off in large pieces. Look for safer, digestible chews instead.
Q: What should I do if my dog gets an upset stomach from a new treat?
A: Stop giving the treat immediately. Reintroduce it slowly later, or switch to a simpler, single-ingredient treat to see if that works better.
Q: Do soft, moist treats expire faster than hard biscuits?
A: Yes. Because soft treats have more moisture, they can grow mold more easily. Keep them sealed tightly and check the date often.
Q: How do I choose a treat for a puppy?
A: Puppies need very soft, small treats for easy chewing. Avoid hard chews until their adult teeth come in fully. Keep the ingredients simple.