Healthy treats are the best reward for good behavior
Whether you’re training Fido to sit or want to reward them for not jumping on a houseguest, treats are a vital part of pet ownership. But when your pup is always on their best behavior, you might wonder if the amount of treats you’re giving out is going to make them sick. Don’t worry, healthy dog treats are out there! They include wholesome ingredients and low caloric counts, so you can rest easy when giving your doggie several treats in a row.
The betterpet team reviewed and tested some of the top healthy dog treats on the market. We considered each treat for safe ingredients, smell, taste, calories, texture, consistency, and packaging. Here are the best healthy dog treats based on our veterinarian’s opinion and in-person testing.
Why you should trust our reviews | How we picked | At first glance | How we tested these products | What else should pet parents consider? | Frequently asked questions
To start with our reviews and testing of healthy dog treats, we searched online for the best-selling and highest-rated dog treats. We wanted to find dog treats that promised healthy, safe ingredients. We steered clear of any treats with toxic or even questionable ingredients and artificial colors or dyes. We also avoided rawhides, animal bones, and jerky-type treats, which can pose choking hazards for dogs.
Once we found the top contenders, Dr. Irish narrowed down our list. She ranked her top picks along with what she liked and disliked, if anything, about each product. Once we had a short list, our editorial team tested the treats, then chose the best-performing treat based on our criteria.
Aside from our team reviews, this is how each product compares based on price, size (in ounces), and price per ounce.
*Price on Amazon, Chewy, or Chippin at the time of our review
We take our product reviews seriously, and we only want to recommend the best for your pet. When it comes to treats, there are several things to keep in mind, so we worked with a veterinarian to choose the top criteria. Dog treats should be safe to eat in terms of both ingredients and size, as some treats can fracture and cause a choking hazard. We ranked and tested treats based on the following criteria:
Safe ingredients. First thing’s first: are the ingredients in these treats safe for dogs? We opted for products with ingredients that are safe for dogs. We also wanted to avoid harmful ingredients like additives or animal bones. Please note that while many of the treats we included market “natural” or “organic” ingredients, these terms don’t necessarily equate to health. Dog treats can also be healthy and safe for your furry friend without these labels, and we made sure to include only vet-approved options on our list.
Smell. No one wants to be left with the smell of salmon on their fingers after an afternoon of dog training. We tested treats based on how they smelled, both to human and dog noses.
The “taste” test. No, we didn’t taste a series of dog treats. We left that to the expert: a 1-year-old, female English cream golden retriever that loves snacks. If she refused a treat, then we were concerned whether the treat was palatable for most dogs.
Calories. We noted the calorie count per treat for each product. It’s important to find low-calorie treats, especially if you use them for training because you could be offering up several treats at once.
Texture and consistency. Texture and consistency are important because treats that are too tough to chew might be a choking hazard. Some tougher treats might be better for super chewers or large dogs. We tested treats based on their texture and consistency, or whether the treats in the bag all look and feel the same, which could be an issue for pickier pups.
Packaging. Sure, your dog might eat a stale treat if it’s offered, but wouldn’t you prefer to give them something fresh? We evaluated products based on packaging, too, giving higher marks for brands that offer resealable packages that keep the treats fresh.
Fortunately, many dog treats are nutritious, so dog treats can be part of a balanced diet for your pup. Dog treats are especially helpful when you are training your dog or rewarding them for good behavior. If your dog has food allergies, you’ll need to pay close attention to treat ingredients, and dogs that are overweight or with certain medical conditions should only follow a veterinarian-recommended diet and may not be allowed to have treats.
When your best friend learns a new trick or behaves really well at the dog park, it’s tempting to reach for the first treats you can find to praise them. But not all treats are a good reward for good behavior. Unfortunately, some treats may have questionable ingredients or high-calorie counts that can be detrimental to your pup’s health. To keep your pup healthy and following good nutrition, opt for healthy treats instead.
If you’re ready to start shopping for healthy dog treats for your best friend, there are several things to keep in mind. Take a close look at labels to evaluate the ingredients and calories, but also keep things like size and texture in mind.
Ingredients. One of the most important things to look for in healthy treats is the ingredients list. Stick to treats with an ingredients list of whole, natural foods. Many treats include healthy ingredients like meat, peanut butter, fruits, and vegetables. Our vets also recommend treats with fish or salmon, because omega-3 fatty acids can help with brain and eye development in puppies or boost cognitive function in older dogs.
Brand. Some brands offer higher quality dog treats than others. Our veterinary team trusts brands like Purina Pro Plan, Science Diet/Hills, and Royal Canin. They all avoid cross-contamination between foods and treats during manufacturing.
Calories. Generally, treats should be just that — treats! Treats should make up less than 10% of your dog’s daily calories, so read the label for the calorie amount per treat and stick to the correct portion sizes.
Texture. You want to choose treats that aren’t too hard, otherwise, they can pose a choking hazard. Hard treats are difficult for a dog to bite into, so they might only be able to bite them into large pieces, which are hard to swallow. Too-hard treats can also fracture your dog’s teeth.
Size. Treats can be a choking hazard if they are too large or too small for your dog. Opt for small treats for puppies or small dogs. Large dogs may enjoy large treats, but also make sure to keep an eye out. Even large dogs can choke on treats that are too big.
Labels. Treats labeled as all-natural can be misleading, as the treats may still be highly processed.
👉 If your dog is overweight or has dietary restrictions, you’ll need to scrutinize the treat labels very carefully.
There are many popular treats out there that aren’t good for any dogs. Here are some common treats to stay away from.
Rawhides. Rawhides are inexpensive treats with little nutritional value. Some rawhides are treated with toxins like formaldehyde and bleach. They also pose a huge choking risk as they break down into pieces over time. However, some rawhide-like products, such as Purina Pro Plan Dental Chewz, are VOHC-approved and safe for consumption.
Animal bones. Sure, bones are “all-natural” but they can be covered in pathogens, such as E. Coli and salmonella. Some people may suggest boiling the bones to sanitize them, but this process actually makes the bones brittle and more likely to splinter. This is a choking hazard for dogs, and splinters and sharp pieces can puncture the intestines.
Jerky-type treats. Since 2007, the FDA has received reports of sick pets after consuming jerky pet treats. Learn more about their ongoing investigation (Trusted Source) and how they’re testing treats to determine why some jerky treats are making pets sick. While these cases are rare, we recommend avoiding jerky-type treats — especially with so many other great options on the market.
Treats with additives. We like treats that don’t contain lots of additives or artificial colors. Some additives, such as Red#3, used for coloring or preservatives have been linked to cancer in animals (Trusted Source) .
Toxic human food. While dogs may love chicken and sweet potatoes as we do, there are many foods that humans eat that are not suitable for dogs. While you treat yourself with chocolate, you can’t do the same for your pup, because the chemicals in chocolate can cause seizures and increased heart rates in dogs. Instead, you can give your dog human food treats like some fresh fruits and vegetables (avoid grapes and items with seeds or pits), like watermelon, broccoli, green beans, bananas, or carrots.
It’s easy to make DIY dog treats at home, and you might be surprised to find your mouth watering as the smell of our favorite peanut butter and oatmeal cookies (yes, these really are for your pup!) fills your kitchen. Making treats at home means you can customize the ingredients based on your dog’s dietary needs and flavor preferences. Try one of our tried-and-true all-natural pet treat recipes for your best friend.
The healthiest treats for dogs will be low in calories and made with whole ingredients like meats, fruits, and vegetables. Also opt for softer, chewier treats rather than options that are too hard, and always choose treats that are appropriately sized for your dog. Fruits and veggies like bananas, green beans, and carrots are also great low-calorie snacks for your pup!
You can talk to your vet about the best treats for your dog based on the dog’s health, age, and breed. In general, our vets recommend dog biscuits with ingredients like salmon or other fish for the beneficial omega-3s.
Many of our favorite healthy dog treats are made entirely with natural ingredients. Our top pick overall is Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers, but the best natural dog treat really depends on your dog’s preferences.
In moderation, milk bone dog treats are fine. But keep in mind that many milk bone treats can be high in sugar. Several milk bone options also contain artificial food dyes and BHA that have been linked to cancer in dogs.
You can make homemade healthy dog treats with just a few simple ingredients. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables as well as meats that your dog loves to make treats that are full of vitamins and minerals. Just avoid human foods that are unsafe for dogs, instead opting for vegetables and other foods that are safe for dogs. One of the easiest biscuit recipes to make is the one-ingredient sweet potato treats made with dehydrated sweet potatoes.
Many dogs may be allergic to animal proteins, wheat, gluten, or nuts. For pups who have wheat, gluten, or nut allergies, opt for treats made with either seafood, meat, or cheddar cheese. We also recommend Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers as a hypoallergenic option, just be sure to check the ingredients list of any treats for allergens before feeding them to your dog.
