Best Dog Treats [Reviews & Guideline from Dog Trainers]

Dogs are known for their undeniable appetite and possess a unique ability to gobble up an entire meal in seconds. Though dogs mainly source their nutrients from a dog formula, an occasional nice healthy treat can do your pup friend a lot of good. Whether for reward purposes or a training snack, treats are something that your dog cannot do without. You want the best for your dog, and offering it will go a long way in strengthening your bond. In this article, we have prepared the best dog treats reviews to guide you when trying to select the perfect treat for your pup from a large number of treats in the market.

1. Rocco & Roxie Gourmet Jerky Dog Treats - Healthiest Dog Treats (Best Overall)

Rocco & Roxie jerky sticks are healthy and made from natural animal products, i.e., chicken, beef, and turkey. They are one of the healthiest treat options available in the market. A strong and enticing roast-meat aroma makes them stand out as the best dog jerky treats. They are also soft and have a chewy texture, which is very satisfying to dogs. 

10 hours of smoking can give the treats a delicious taste undeniable for dogs. They become soft, chewy, and full of rich aroma. We know the treats are prepared naturally and are not enhanced with artificial flavors, which are known to leave a smelly and greasy residue in your hands.

Pros

• They are natural and healthy
• They have beef, chicken, and turkey options
• Long hours of roasting which makes them stay fresh for long
• Packaged in a foil-lined resealable pack
• They come with a money return guarantee

Cons

• In some instances, excessive consumption may lead to stomach upsets.

2. Zuke's Mini Natural Training Dog Treats - Best Dog Treats For Puppies

This product serves as one of the best dog training treats for puppies. When you set out for an adventure with your pup friend, these treats are specifically manufactured to keep every experience healthy, fun, and delicious. They come in a little size that is perfect for training or as treats for a small size dog breed. The treats are prepared using natural ingredients and contain less than three calories per treat, to keep your dog energized and healthy. The treats are made with restrictions from wheat, corn, and soy, which are not very healthy for your dog.

Pros

• Suitable for all ages and dog stages of development
• High-quality protein source and wholesome ingredients with no additives like wheat corn and soy or artificial colors and flavors
• Features a variety of flavors like oats, peanut butter, rabbit, chicken, and pork, among others
• Tender and soft texture

Cons

• The package is too small for a large-sized dog
• The pack is not resealable and may hence need to be transferred to a resealable one

3. SmartSticks Peanut Butter Dental Bones Chew Treats - Best Dog Bones Treats

These treats are made from real chicken, peanut butter, and wholesome vegetables. They are fortified with minerals and vitamins, which makes them very healthy compared to any rawhide chew. They are highly palatable and digestible and rich, busting with a taste irresistible to your dog. The treats are cut into fun shapes with each pack containing 10 smart sticks. The treat helps maintain strong healthy teeth and gums for your dog through the natural action of chewing. The chewing activity is mentally invigorating and keeps the dog busy and prevents boredom. The treat is, therefore, one of the best dental treats for your pup. Your dog is going to love the peanut butter flavor on the outside and the rich taste of chicken on the inside.

Pros

• Highly palatable and digestible, thus minimizing possibilities of stomach upset
• Boosts dental health and hygiene
• Fortified with minerals and vitamins
• Uses real natural ingredients like chicken and vegetables

Cons

• They are quite costly.

4. Doggie Dailies Glucosamine Dog Treats - Best Treat for Hip & Joint Care

For a long, productive, and healthy life for your pup, hip, and joint health is an important aspect. The doggie dailies dog treat is a soft, chewy advanced supplement for dogs. The glucosamine product is specially formulated to promote hip and joint health and to improve comfort and mobility. The product is equipped with numerous active ingredients required to repair, maintain, and prevent future joint damage. It is enriched with supplementary ingredients like chondroitin, glucosamine, MSM, and hyaluronic acid.

Glucosamine is a naturally occurring chemical compound in a dog’s body. It helps prevent inflammation and also plays a vital role in maintaining healthy joints.

Chondroitin, on its end, is an essential component for the development and maintenance of the cartilage. It attracts fluids to the connective tissue around the joint, thus creating an extra thick layer for shock absorption and lubrication. This allows the dog to move around without pain or discomfort.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a strong anti-inflammatory sulfur compound that helps promote flexibility, reduce inflammation, and pain in the joints.

Hyaluronic acid is an essential component of the fluid contained in the joints. It is known to increase the thickness of the fluid and thereby to increase the cushioning effect.

Pros

• It contains six active ingredients
• Flavored to accommodate feeding
• The product comes with a cash return guarantee

Cons

• Relatively low levels of chondroitin and glucosamine

5. Old Mother Hubbard Classic Natural Dog Treats - Best Dog Biscuits Treats

This crunchy natural wholesome dog treat is in the form of dog biscuits shaped like a bone. The biscuits are oven-baked slowly over long hours to help in preserving their natural flavors. The biscuits have a fun natural crunch that your dog will enjoy. The bickies also feature natural ingredients for health purposes. They are available in four different flavors, i.e., original, cheddar, chicken, and char tar. Whether occasional treats or for training purposes, these biscuits are a healthy snack and important additions to your dog’s ordinary healthy diet. Many Old Mother Hubbard dog treat reviews indicate that the biscuits are all-natural and do not have any artificial additives or preservatives. The biscuits are available in three different sizes which are: mini, small and large to cater for different dog sizes.

Pros

• They are made with natural healthy ingredients
• Use of high-quality proteins, veggies, and fruits
• Sweet natural flavors
• Suitable for even dogs with sensitive stomachs

Cons

• The treat easily attracts bugs
• Their smell is unpleasant

6. Wellness natural grain free puppy training treats – best dog training treats

These specially formulated puppy treats are soft, wholesome, tasty, and irresistible to your pup. They are a special formula for puppies below one year and come with salmon and delicious lamb flavors. The soft puppy training treats are a perfect way of introducing your pup to training and rewarding him with these bites. They are soft, chewy, and perfectly sized. Therefore, the treats provide an excellent teething treats for puppies. As your puppy grinds on the delicious treat, it equally hardens the jaws and stimulates teeth development. They are made using natural ingredients and do not contain soy, corn, or any artificial flavors and colors.

Pros

• Made using natural authentic ingredients
• Specially formulated for puppies
• Soft, chewy, and perfectly-sized for teething purposes
• Small size bites for treating during training 

Cons

• In some instances, some puppy breeds develop a watery stool

7. Blue buffalo wilderness grain free trail dog treats – Best Value  

These blue wilderness biscuits are crunchy and tasty and will surely send your dog’s taste buds on a frenzy. They are a perfect crunchy treat for your canine. It is one of the cheap healthy dog treats that still maintain high quality. They are made with all-natural and wholesome ingredients like real duck, salmon, and turkey meat. Your dog may have a hard time resisting the treat. They do not have any chicken by-products and are also grain-free. Grains are rich in gluten. The end product is, therefore not only satisfactory but also has an irresistible crunch, which leaves your dog’s tail wagging for more.

Pros

• It is all-natural and grain-free
• Made of real ingredients i.e., meat and vegetable
• Absence of grains and chicken products

Cons

• They are relatively thin. 

Why should you give your dog treats?

Treats are an essential part of your relationship with your dog. They play a very vital role in showing affection and appreciation to your dog. Whenever you reward your dog with a treat during or after training or after accomplishing a task, he will always be motivated and interested in indulging in future sessions because he is aware there is a reward. Some treats are also specially formulated and have diverse nutritional values.

Best dog treats buying guides- what to consider?

Selecting the right treat for your dog can be a daunting task. As much as they are essential, there are a few factors to consider when choosing the best treat for your pup.

Calories

Generally, most pets suffer from obesity, which results in numerous health complications. To avoid this, go for treats that have a low-calorie count.

Ingredients

Treats made with natural ingredients like whole grains and single-source proteins such as lamb or tuna are the best. These treats benefit the overall health of the dog. Avoid treats with artificial colors and flavors.

Special supplements

Some treats are equipped with special supplements like glucosamine, which is essential in the dog’s body. Generally, treats should be kept at minimal indulgence and should account for less than 10% of the dog's diet.

Dental health and weight loss of dogs- can dog treats play a role?

Dog treats are generally meant to supplement ordinary dog food. They, therefore, account for the dietary health of your dog. If you feed your dog with too much treat regularly, it is obvious that after some time, it will start putting on some weight. It is important, therefore, to limit the treats to an occasional basis. It is also essential to keep to treats with a low-calorie count.

Treats also play a vital role in dental health. Occasional chewing is not only invigorating but also promotes both jaw and teeth strength. Dogs chew as a way of cleaning their teeth. Therefore, it is important to avoid sugary treats as they have negative effects on the teeth. 

Is peanut butter good for dogs as a treat?

In moderate amounts, peanut butter is harmless to your dog. However, they should be kept only as treats and not as a regular meal as they are rich in fats. Fats can easily lead to obesity. Peanut butter in dog treats is alright since animal nutritionists specially formulate it. However, the giver of the treat should adhere to rationing.

Homemade dog training treats- what’s the best dog treats recipe?

Different dogs may be having various allergies. You should, therefore, monitor your dog closely when giving treats. To make a simple healthy treat you can use:

• Flour (whole grain, nuts or all-purpose)
• Meat (lamb, tuna or chicken)
• Cheese

The flour acts as a binder for the ingredients and is perfectly healthy. The meat is a source of protein, which is the basic source of nutrients for canines. The cheese is a rich source of protein and can also attract with its smell. You can prepare the treat by baking in an oven.

Conclusion

We always want the best of everything for our pups, in terms of care and treatment. Rewarding time whether after a task or just as an occasional treat, is an essential mutual bonding moment for you and your dog. Let your dog learn to play and enjoy a long, healthy, and productive life while reveling in your total care and affection.