Feeding your pup treats is one of the best ways to love and show affection. The ecstatic tail wags when your pup sees the treats is what makes you so happy. You give your pup delicious snacks for training, good behavior, or when they look cute.
Dog owners know how essential treats are to reward their pets while training. Treats are the best incentives if you want your fur baby to follow your commands or learn to perform new activities. They appeal to your fur baby because you feed them occasionally in small quantities. Also, the smell, texture, and flavor make treats dog favorite.
You may often feed your pooch small nibbles of your meal as treats. Many everyday food and drinks are not ideal for dog health and cause various issues, ranging from upset stomach to blood clotting disorders.
Barbara Hodges, a doctor of veterinary medicine, says that ingredients are the foremost factors to look for while buying treats for dogs. He says,
“You can use small pieces of cooked meats, fish, eggs, cheese, fruits, and vegetables as treats.”
Further, he states that if you use store-bought treats, choose one packed with healthy and whole-grain ingredients.
With various healthy dog treats available on the market, I have curated a list of some of the best ones. Before delving deeper into the list, consider essential points while buying healthy dog treats.
How to Choose the Best Treats for Dogs?
Most treats are packed with high fats or sugar, which are unhealthy for your pet. They may result in weight gain, putting your pet at risk of developing several health issues, such as diabetes, pancreatitis, and arthritis.
So, the foremost factor to consider while buying treats for your pets is to check their calorie content. It is always recommended to nourish your pet with low-calorie treats.
Furthermore, you must avoid table scraps as treats for your fur baby. As mentioned earlier, many food items, such as chocolate, onions, garlic, etc., are unsuitable for dogs, as they are high in fat and sugar, resulting in obesity. These contents may upset your pet’s stomach. Also, you will be ruining its natural appetite for nutritional and well-balanced meals.
Finding the Right Treats
- Pick treats specially formulated for dogs. They are packed with dog-friendly ingredients and please your pet’s palate without constipation.
- Choose snacks with high nutritional value and beneficial for dental health.
- Ensure to feed treats that are slightly firm and hard as it helps reduce plaque and tartar build-up on teeth and gums.
- Remember your pooch’s age and buy treats with adequate nutrition and suitable size, shape, and hardness.
Check the Dog Treat Package Label
1. Source of Ingredients
Always look for the source of ingredients on the package label. Choose one with natural ingredients. Avoid treats packed with synthetic colors, unwanted fillers, and preservatives. They all are harmful to your pet.
2. Quantity of Ingredients
If there are multiple ingredients with high-quality and health benefits, it is not essential to consider the number of ingredients. However, many pooches are sensitive and allergic to specific food items. As a result, single-ingredient treats are the go-to option.
3. Quality of Ingredients
Many natural ingredients are toxic to dogs. So, choose treats with ingredients that are dog-friendly. Before buying, ensure to perform research on food items suitable to your pooch’s breed.
Ingredients You Should Avoid
1. Preservatives
Preservatives are harmful to your pet. Check the treat ingredients and avoid them if you notice potassium sorbate, ethoxyquin, BHA, BHT, or calcium propionate.
2. Artificial Coloring
Colored treats are not packed to appeal to dogs but rather to humans. Say a big no to treats with artificial colors.
3. Synthetic Sweeteners
Synthetic sweeteners result in various health problems in pets, such as tooth decay, nervousness, allergies, and obesity.
Sorbitol, an artificial sweetener, is well-known for arthritis and digestive problems, like bloody stools, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps.
So, avoid treats with artificial sweeteners.
Best Dog Treats to Buy for Your Pooch in 2024
1. Zuke’s Mini Naturals Dog Training Treats Salmon Recipe – Best Overall
- Product Rating: 4.7/5
- Price: $16.98 (1-lb bag)
As the name suggests, Zuke’s Mini Naturals are the best dog treats for training. These soft dog treats come in multiple flavors – salmon, chicken, beef, duck, pork, rabbit, turkey and cranberry, turkey and pumpkin, peanut butter, and oats.
Suitable for all life stages, Zuke’s Mini Naturals are smooth and chewy. Even pups can have them easily without any effort. You can break treats into pieces and feed your pups as and when needed.
Protein is the main ingredient. All flavors supplement with ground rice, barley, fruits, and vegetables. There is no presence of corn, fillers, byproducts, wheat, soy, and other artificial ingredients.
Every piece of treat contains two calories. So you don’t have to worry about your pet’s weight gain. You can reward your pet guilt-free.
Key Ingredients: Meat protein, rice, vegetables, and fruits.
| Like | Dislike |
| Main ingredient is proteinMultiple flavorsSoft and easily breakableSuitable for all life stagesSmall in sizeNo artificial ingredients | When exposed to air, soft treats can turn into hard. |
You can buy the product from Amazon, Walmart, and Chewy.
2. Jiminy’s Cricket Treats – Best Natural
- Product Ratings: 4.5/5
- Price: $9.95 (6-oz bag)
If you are looking for natural and eco-friendly treat options, Jiminy’s Cricket Treats are the best. Treats are in the form of soft sticks, serving as the best chews for puppies and adults. They are gluten-free and high in protein.
Furthermore, the product’s common ingredients, such as beef, chicken, lamb, soy, & fish, make it hypoallergenic. The insect protein called Cricket is the primary ingredient, making it easy for dogs to digest. Cricket act as a probiotic and has more omega-3, iron, fiber, and B12.
Besides, the product contains natural ingredients, such as sweet potatoes, peas, and oats. These ingredients provide a sweet yet savory taste to satisfy your pet’s palate.
The product is the best natural for your fur baby, with no soy, wheat, corn, or other fillers. As these treats are soft, you can break them into pieces and feed your pet while training.
Key Ingredients: Crickets, oats, vegetables, and fruits.
| Like | Dislike |
| Made from natural ingredientsEco-friendlyHighly nutritiousSoft and breakableSustainable protein | Very pungent for humansExpensive |
You can buy the product from Amazon, Petco, and Chewy.
3. Pet Botanics Training Rewards Treats – Best for Training
- Product Ratings: 4.7/5
- Price: $15.74 (20-oz bag)
Highly nutritious and healthy, highly professional trainers recommend these best training treats for puppies and adults. They are bite-sized, soft, and low in calories. Each piece contains three calories, available as a pellet. They are available in three styles – Regular, Mini, and Grain free.
It is a high-protein treat sourced from natural pork liver. It is available in different flavors – Bacon, chicken, beef, salmon, duck & bacon.
The pellets have a moist texture that won’t crumble easily. Also, they are free from synthetic colors, flavoring, soy, and preservatives, like BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin.
Besides protein, the product contains botanical ingredients, such as antioxidant fruits, dandelion, rosemary, green tea, chamomile, and other herbs. All these ingredients are packed with vitamins that aid your pup’s digestive system.
Key Ingredients: Pork liver, pea flour, potatoes, and eggs.
| Like | Dislike |
| Several flavorsNo synthetic elementsBite-sized treatsLow calorieHighly packed with protein | Some dogs do not like it. |
You can buy the product from Amazon, Walmart, and Chewy.
4. Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Soft-Moist Training Treats – Best For Adults
- Product Ratings: 4.7/5
- Price: $9.98 (11-oz bag)
These are a trainer, and vet-recommended soft dog treats with heart shapes, where each piece has four calories. They are a little larger than other treats that come in different flavors – chicken, beef, salmon, turkey, and their combinations.
These treats are suitable for all life stages and dog breeds with no artificial ingredients, soy, corn, wheat, synthetic colors, and preservatives like propylene glycol. They are packed with minerals and vitamins.
Furthermore, brown rice, oatmeal, and flaxseeds promote healthy digestion. The goodness of Omega-3 and six fatty acids foster healthy skin and coat. In addition, DHA helps in the cognitive development of puppies.
Key Ingredients: Meat protein, brown rice, and oatmeal.
| Like | Dislike |
| Multiple flavorsHigh in proteinNo artificial ingredientsLow caloriePromotes healthy skin and coat | Not as soft as the above treats. |
You can buy the product from Amazon, Walmart, and Chewy.
5. Fruitables Skinny Minis Chewy Dog Treats – Best Low-Calorie
- Product Ratings: 4.6/5
- Price: $7.87 (12-oz bag)
Though these treats are larger than others, each piece has only three calories. They are highly soft and chewy, serving as the best dog chews. The taste and smell are both refreshing.
As the name indicates, these treats are available in different fruit flavors combined with meat – apple bacon, rotisserie chicken, pumpkin & mango, watermelon, pumpkin & berry, pumpkin spice, and grilled bison. If you don’t like the pungent smell of meat, you can opt for treats with pure fruit flavors.
The goodness of natural fruits enriches treats with antioxidants, vitamins, and dietary fiber. There is no artificial flavoring, i.e., no content of soy, wheat, gluten, sweeteners, and preservatives. So, you can reward your pooch guilt-free without worrying about weight gain.
Key Ingredients: Fruits, vegetables, and meat proteins.
| Like | Dislike |
| Fresh smellLow calorieNumerous flavorsNo artificial ingredientsPocket friendly | Some dogs do not like fruity flavors. |
You can buy the product from Amazon, Walmart, and Chewy.
6. Rocco & Roxie – Jerky Dog Treats – Best for Potty Training
- Product Ratings: 4.6/5
- Price: $19.97 (16-oz bag)
These 6-inch jerky sticks are brittle, soft, and meaty, enabling you to break them into pieces and use them while potty training your fur baby. They are slow-roasted snacks for pets with high-value real meat. They provide a natural smoky flavor, as they are slow-smoked over hickory wood for 10 hours.
If your pooch is sensitive and allergenic, these jerky sticks are perfect treats to relish. They do not contain soy, wheat, corn, and gluten-packed ingredients.
You get these treats in three flavors – beef, chicken, and turkey. The primary setback of these sticks is that they are high in calories, i.e., 20 per stick. So, ensure to feed in limited quantities. The best way is to break one stick into multiple pieces and offer them while training.
Key Ingredients: Meat proteins, rice protein, and spices.
| Like | Dislike |
| No artificial fillersEasily breakableSoft and meaty textureThree flavors | 20 calories/stick |
You can buy the product from Amazon, Walmart, and Chewy.
7. Pooch Creamery Ice Cream Mix – Best Frozen Treat
- Product Ratings: 4.2/5
- Price: $6.29 (5.25-oz cup)
Please your pet’s palate with this canine-friendly ice cream mix. It is a unique dog snack, making your pup wag its tail fast with excitement.
A grain-free ice cream mix packed with only five ingredients is a healthy snack to feed that uses lactose-free whole milk and cane sugar. Regarding health, the mix is high in protein.
In addition, it is easy to use. Simply add warm water to the mix and freeze it for 8 hours or overnight. Your pet’s ice cream is ready.
The ice cream mix is available in different flavors – vanilla, birthday cake, carob, maple bacon, peanut butter, and watermelon.
Key Ingredients: Lactose-free whole milk and cane sugar
| Like | Dislike |
| Lactose-free milkEasy to prepare and storeVarious flavorsHigh in protein | Higher in calories |
You can buy the product from Amazon, Walmart, and Chewy.
8. Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Natural Grain-Free Treats – Best for Training
- Product Ratings: 4.6/5
- Price: $9.49 (8-oz pouch)
These square-shaped snacks, free from grains, are healthy and soft, with six calories per piece. They are the best treats for puppies when you want to relish your pooch during training or for good behavior.
The presence of DHA fosters the brain or cognitive development of puppies. These snacks are packed with minimal ingredients and protein and focus on your pup’s health. They are free from wheat, meat by-products, corn, soy, gluten, synthetic colors, and preservatives.
You can choose from two flavors – lamb & salmon and chicken & carrots. Besides, the snacks blend chickpeas, potatoes, apples, and blueberries. In short, your pooch receives vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables.
Key Ingredients: Lamb, salmon, chickpeas, and potatoes.
| Like | Dislike |
| No artificial fillersEasy to break into pieces | Can be smelly |
You can buy the product from Amazon, Walmart, and Chewy.
9. Old Mother Hubbard Classic Mini Oven-Baked Dog Biscuits – Best for Puppies
- Product Ratings: 4.7/5
- Price: $5.47 (16-oz bag)
These grain-free crunchy biscuits make a great companion to your fur baby’s everyday diet. The crunchy texture soothes your pup’s teeth.
Natural ingredients and assorted natural flavors make these biscuits the healthiest dog treats. Crafted into bone-shaped mini biscuits, they are available in three flavors – peanut butter & banana, pumpkin & carrot, and turkey & sweet potatoes.
These all-natural oven-baked biscuits are free from natural preservatives and meat by-products. The only drawback is the calorie content. Each piece contains ten calories.
Besides the mini size, you can opt for a larger size for adult pooches.
Key Ingredients: Whole wheat flour, oatmeal, wheat bran, proteins, and fruits.
| Like | Dislike |
| Three flavorsSmall sizeAll-natural | High in calories |
You can buy the product from Amazon, Walmart, and Chewy.
10. Bocce’s Bakery Crunchy Biscuits – Everyday Dog Treats
- Product Ratings: 4.7/5
- Price: $6.50 (5-oz bag)
Another crunchy delight for your fur baby is crunchy biscuits from Bocce’s Bakery. They are soft-baked snacks suitable for every life stage, having the shape of the letter B. Limited in ingredients, these biscuits are free from wheat, making great snacks for puppies.
Blended with minimal ingredients and all-natural preservatives, the biscuits come in 5 flavors – bacon nutty, mud pie oh my, quack-quack-quack, say moo, and Sunday roast.
You can offer these biscuits without artificial fillers, wheat, soy, or corn without any guilt. Ensure to feed in limited quality, as each biscuit has 14 calories.
Key Ingredients: From chicken and bacon to peanut butter and oat flour.
| Like | Dislike |
| Multiple flavorsMinimal ingredientsWhea-freeNo artificial fillers | More Calories |
You can buy the product from Amazon, Walmart, and Chewy.
Conclusion: Reward your Fur Baby with These Healthy Treats!
Here we have reached the end of the list of the best dog treats. All products are free from artificial fillers, synthetic colors, and artificial preservatives. Also, most dog snacks on the above list are extremely low in calories. Hence, you can choose any of the above treats to relish your paw friend while training or for good behavior.
Shower your love and affection on your pooch with these healthy and nutritional treats.
Happy Paw-renting!
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