Looking for the best healthy dog treats you can offer your dog as a reward after a session of training, perhaps? If so, you’ve come to the right page as I have reviewed the very best including a guide on how to pick the most ideal brand for treats that you can give your dog.
| Name | Best for: | Price |
| American Journey Lamb Recipe Oven Baked Crunchy Biscuit Dog Treats | Best Overall Healthy Dog Treat | Check on Chewy or Amazon |
| DreamBone Churre-Style Mini Sticks | Budget | Check on Walmart |
| Ava’s Pet Palace Ava’s Salmon Snacks | Splurge | Check on Ava’s Pet Palace |
| Grandma Lucy’s Organic Pumpkin Oven Baked Dog Treats | Organic | Check on Chewy or Amazon |
| Pup-Peroni Dog Snacks | Training | Check on Walmart or Amazon |
| Zuke’s Mini Naturals Dog Treats | Puppies | Check on Zuke’s or Amazon |
| Nudges Jerky Chews | Small Dogs | Check on Walmart or Amazon |
| WHIMZEES Brushzees Natural Daily Dental Dog Treats | Large Dogs | Check on Chewy or Amazon |
During this lockdown period, we are spending more time at home treating ourselves to kill boredom. As such, it is only natural to treat your canine buddy as well.
Dog treats come in handy for your furry friend, whether you are training them, cuddling up with them, or even playing. Nothing makes your pooch feel cherished, motivated, and important like a treat. It is also a great way to attract their attention towards you.
While that is the case, not just any treat is good for your dog. Just like you choose your best treats for in-between meals, you need to feed your canine buddy with the best healthy dog treats.
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Table of Contents
Review of the 8 Best Healthy Dog Treats
In this section, we shall look at a list of our 8 best healthy dog treats and what they are best for, from pups, training, large and small dogs, organic, and even best budget. By the end of the review, you will know what’s best for your pooch in detail.
American Journey Lamb Recipe Oven Baked Crunchy Biscuit Dog Treats
Our best overall healthy dog treat is the grain-free Lamb Recipe Oven Baked Crunchy Biscuit from American Journey. These crunchy snacks are small in size but come with great taste that your pooch will enjoy everywhere at any time.
The recipe contains bite-size treats that are baked from the oven using wholesome ingredients with real premium lamb as the first ingredient and an excellent source of protein. Other key ingredients include vegetables and fruits such as sweet potatoes, pumpkins, apples, carrots, and blueberries. This richly flavoured dog treat is perfect for small, medium, and large breeds and is suitable for all dog breeds.
This lamb recipe dog treats do not contain fillers, artificial colours, preservatives, or any poultry by-products. As such, it comes in handy for dogs with sensitivities and picky eaters. If you need a quality meal to keep your pooch revitalized, treat it with the American Journey Grain-Free Oven Baked recipes.
Pros:
- Grain-free treats
- No poultry by-products
- Chewable sizes
- High-quality
Cons:
- **
DreamBone Churro-Style Mini Sticks
Are you looking for a healthy dog treat with everything a rawhide chew offers? Our runner’s up, Churre-Style Sticks DreamBone brand from Spectrum Brands Inc. LLC is a fantastic choice. It is also the best budget-friendly option on the list.
These no-rawhide mini stick chews include delicious taste from wholesome veggies and real chicken as the first ingredients. Other ingredients include cinnamon, minerals, and vitamins. These DreamBone dog treats do not have artificial flavors or colors for a tasty, healthy chew.
A healthy rawhide alternative, these chews are easily digestible and come in handy in maintaining a healthy dental formula.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Easily digestible
- Healthy dental maintenance
Cons:
- *
Ava’s Pet Palace Ava’s Salmon Snacks
If you want to feed your pooch with extra nutrients, try this healthy dog treat with salmon as an ingredient from Ava’s Pet Palace!
Ava’s Salmon Snacks is made with a single ingredient, 100% wild-caught Alaskan Sockeye Salmon. Other than being delicious, this salmon snack recipe is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. As such, it helps in maintaining a healthy and shiny coat while supporting a healthy immune system.
With this Salmon Snacks dog treat recipe, your canine pal stays healthy and energized throughout the day. These all-natural quality treats include scales or skin on them and have to be kept fresh via refrigeration. The fish in the recipe is hand-cut and does not include preservatives or any grains.
Pros:
- 100% wild-caught salmon
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- All-natural
- Best for splurge
Cons:
- One ingredient only
- Require refrigeration after opening
Grandma Lucy’s Organic Pumpkin Oven Baked Dog Treats
Do you want to treat your furry friend with a tasty meal without meat in the recipe? Our fourth-best healthy dog treats, Organic Pumpkin Oven Baked Dog Treats from Grandma Lucy is a perfect choice.
As the name suggests, it is the best organic dog treat on the list. Made from human-grade ingredients, these quality dog treats are baked in a bakery by folks with terrific affection for pets. This food comes in a cute little bear’s shape with a delicious pumpkin taste that leaves your pooch salivating for more treats.
This healthy organic pumpkins dog treat from Grandma Lucy does not include additives, by-products, fillers, or GMOs. It is dairy-free for dogs with allergies and is recommended for all breed sizes. The dog treat is certified by Kosher.
Pros:
- Organic treat with pumpkins
- Dairy-free
- All-natural
- Bear-shaped with delicious taste
Cons:
- No meat
Pup-Peroni Dog Snacks
If you want to train your dog and need the best treats to reward him for the best behavior and obedience, our fifth-best healthy dog treat from Pup-Peroni is a perfect choice.
The dog treats are obtainable in a range of meaty flavors, including bacon and lean beef among others. The Pup-Peroni Lean Beef flavor dog snacks choice, for instance, is 90% fat-free with great taste that leaves your pooch wagging his tail. Sounds cool, right?
The best thing about this treat is that it includes meat by-products from known sources. As such, your canine friend cannot have any dietary problems. It also comes with other ingredients such as onion extract, garlic powder, and more. These dog treats are easy to break into smaller pieces when feeding your pooch and are also available in triple meat lovers flavor dog treats.
Pros:
- Best for training
- 90% fat-free
- Available in a range of meaty flavours
Cons:
- No grains
Zuke’s Mini Naturals Dog Treats
$17.99 in stock
Free shipping
Our best healthy dog treats for puppies is Zuke’s Mini Naturals Dog Treats. If you are training a pup whose adult teeth are yet to develop, this dog treat is an ideal choice for him.
These natural mini dog treats are made using high-grade ingredients with real chicken as the first ingredient. As such, it is a great choice of high-quality protein for your dog. Other ingredients include real whole foods such as savory herbs and berries.
Zuke’s Mini Naturals soft dog treats come in small sizes and are made with minerals and vitamins. Ideal for all life stages, it does not include soy, wheat, or corn, and each treat contains less than 3 calories and can be fed to your pup any time.
Pros:
- High-grade ingredients
- Suitable for pups & training
- Well-balanced diet
- No grains
Cons:
- **
Nudges Jerky Chews
Do you own a small dog and are wondering which dog treat is healthy for him? Nudges have just what you are looking for with their Jerky Chews recipe.
With USA chicken as the first ingredient, this dog treat includes frozen chicken wrapped in savory chicken jerky. Your puppy will delight in a stick that is perfectly sized for his mouth. These treats are all-natural and do not include artificial flavors or rawhide for a healthy diet.
Other ingredients include ground rice, vegetable glycerine, dried citrus pulp, pearled barley flour, and more. Make your canine friend feel better! Nudges Jerky Chews are soft and tiny, making them perfect for all life stages and are recommended for small breeds.
Pros:
- All-natural treats
- Soft & small chewable sizes
- USA-raised chicken
- Ideal for all life stages
Cons:
- Not for large pooches
WHIMZEES Brushzees Natural Daily Dental Dog Treats
$14.99 in stock
Free shipping
Do you have a large pooch (20 lbs. – 40 lbs.) and want a healthy dog treat that perfectly fits its mouth? WHIMZEES Brushzees Natural Daily Dental Dog Treats is an ideal choice.
These dental chews are ideal for cleaning their teeth, breath freshness, while at the same time reducing plaque. If you are looking for the most convenient, efficient, and playful way to improve your pooch’s daily dental health, then look no further.
These chews include vegetarian ingredients with six (6) primary non-GMO ingredients and do not include artificial colors, meat, or additives. As such, they are a perfect choice for pooches with sensitivities or food allergies. They also include the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal.
Pros:
- Vegetarian dog food
- Ideal for dogs with food sensitivities & allergies
- Daily dental health
- All-natural
Cons:
- No meat which is some dogs like
- For large dogs only
Final Verdict
Giving your dog treats comes in handy, but they should not make up more than 10% of your pooch’s caloric consumption. The secret is in making sure that your canine pal takes treat in-between meals. When it comes to the best healthy dog treats, it all depends on your dog’s needs.
Our Editor’s Choice, American Journey Lamb Recipe Oven Baked Crunchy Biscuit Dog Treats, offers all the benefits your pooch needs. From bite-sized crunchy treats to wholesome ingredients, your doggie will enjoy each treat bite for sure.
The Most Healthy Dog Treats Recipe
There are many dog treats recipes out there which are great, but some are not as healthy as they should be. I reviewed most of them and here’s my healthiest dog treats recipe:
Frozen Peanut Butter Yoghurt Dog Treats: Peanut butter is featured in many dog treats which is why it should be an ingredient in your recipe. The best thing about peanut butter dog treats is that they are rich in protein and healthy fats.
If you mix them with vanilla yoghurt, it’s awesome! Here’s what you need:
- 1 cup peanut butter
- Vanilla yoghurt (32 ounces)
How to prepare:
- Use a microwave safe bowl to melt the peanut butter
- Mix it with yoghurt
- Pour the blend into cupcake papers
- Put in the freezer
Worst Dog Treats/Dog Treats Brands to Avoid
Some dog treat brands should be avoided completely if they are harmful to our dog’s health. While some cause diseases to our canine friends, some go an extra mile of causing them their lives!
You should avoid rawhide chews as well as those produced in China completely. While they may be among the most popular dog treats on every pet store shelves, rawhide chews have caused choking, emergency surgeries, and even death. It is also the case with China-made dog treats.
Other dangerous brands that contain lots of BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, a preservative considered lethal. When it comes to human foods, do not give potato skins, grapes, raisins, onions, coffee, macadamia nuts, alcohol, chocolate, and apple seeds. Others include Xylitol (common in commercial treats), peach, apricot, cherry & plum pits, yeast dough, nutmeg, tea, and persimmon seeds.
Vet Recommended Dog Treats
What do vets recommend regarding treats?
When it comes to recommending dog treats, different vets have different preferences and opinions. And in most cases, that is what vets give – their opinions! And they vary based on their individual perspectives, learning institutions, and personal experiences.
As such, my best advice is that you conduct your own inquiries or refer to a vet personally. That being said, some vets will recommend all-natural treats while others pick standard commercial ones.
Those recommending all-natural dog treats base their arguments on dogs being more omnivorous than carnivorous. As such, treats should include a range of whole foods such as meat, veggies, some grains, and fruits.
For commercially manufactured dog treats, vets recommend that you avoid those produced in China. Why? Unlike in countries like the US, New Zealand, Australia, and the Netherlands, where food health standards are strict, in China, they differ substantially.
Healthy Treats for Dogs Homemade
How do you make a homemade treat?
Treats should constitute a small part of total calories. As such, it is not a must for them to include all the nutrients. So, just focus on portion control and be wary about the safety of the ingredients used.
If you know your doggie suffers from food sensitivities, there are certain foods that you should avoid in your recipes. Another thing to observe to keep your pet healthy should be maintaining the 5% recommendation, that is, in small amounts.
TIP: If you have doubts concerning a particular ingredient, it’s not a must for you to include it. Check out these simple recommended recipes!
Best Dog Treats on Walmart
What dog treats are available at Walmart?
Here are the top 6 picks dog treats that are available on Walmart today:
- WHIMZEES Natural Grain-Free Daily Dental Long Lasting Dog Treats
- Old Mother Hubbard D-Nuttier ‘N Nanners Grain-Free Biscuits Baked Dog Treats
- Purina Prime Bones Limited Ingredients Small Dog Treats
- Nudges Jerky Chews with Real Chicken for Small Dogs
- Golden Rewards Duck Jerky Recipe Dog Treats
- DreamBone DreamSticks with Real Chicken, Peanut Butter & Vegetables Rawhide-Free Dog Chews
Are Milk Bones Bad for Dogs?
Milk Bones contain a preservative known as BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole). Typically, all dog treats include preservatives that increase shelf-life while maintaining freshness. And though the FDA stresses that BHA is safe in low doses, these stains are being fed to pooches every day.
Wheat, corn, and soy are also constituents in the Milk Bones recipe. If we as humans have trouble digesting these ingredients, it’s only worse for dogs.
Zuke’s Dog Treats
Zuke’s dog treats are made in the US using the best ingredients from the earth. All their recipes are grain-free (no wheat, soy, & corn), and do not include artificial colours, by-products, and fillers.
Explore Zuke’s range of natural treats and chews to discover what boosts your doggie’s adventurous life.
Best Dog Treats for Training – Zuke’s Mini
A good training treat for dogs should be small in size, quick and easy to swallow, and easily portable. In addition, consider those crafted in the US as they are inspected for health benefits, and with a good aroma.
$17.99 in stock
Free shipping
Zuke’s Mini Naturals Training Treats is a perfect example of the best dog treats for training. They come in bite-sizes with great taste and contain no corn, soy, or wheat. If you are looking for a soft training treat with a robust, tantalizing aroma crafted in the US, Zuke’s Mini Naturals Training Treats is what you need.
Best Dog Treats for Small Dogs/Puppies
If you are adopting a new pup in your home, the next concern will be which treats are best for him. While they are excellent tools for reward-based training, treats also come in handy in improving your pup’s growing diet.
Here are two best dog treats for small dogs or pup:
Wellness Soft Puppy Bites
Wellness crafts all its foods and dog treats in the US with ingredients from the US. Their Soft Puppy Bites, for instance, are all-natural and are specifically prepared for puppies. They contain DHA that improve their development, as well as proteins which are easily-digestible.
Wellness Soft Puppy Bites include bite-size chewy treats that are suitable for teething pups. They are all-natural and crafted with high-quality ingredients, no artificial flavors, corn, or soy.
Old Mother Hubbard Crunchy Natural Treats
$12.49 in stock
Free shipping
Old Mother Hubbard makes oven-baked dog treats that are perfect for pups that love crunch. Their Crunchy Natural Treats include chicken as the first ingredient for tasty protein, as well as fruits like apples and veggies like carrots.
These treats are available in small sizes that perfectly fit your pup’s mouth and either be fed whole or broken to smaller sizes.
Best Dog Treats for Dogs with Bad Teeth
Ever experienced the pain of a broken tooth or cavity? Your canine buddy also suffers from the same problems (gum disease & plaque). Unlike wolves in the jungle that hunts and tears flesh with his teeth, your doggie feeds from homemade meals or kibble. This makes their teeth soft.
As such, you need to feed your canine pal with treats that will keep their dentals strong and clean, especially if they hate toothbrushes. Blue Buffalo Dental Chew for Dogs is one of the best dog treats in the market for dogs with bad teeth.
Crafted from a mix of all-natural ingredients, these US-made treats are crafted to maintain your puppy’s teeth hygiene and also include chondroitin and glucosamine for healthy joints. They are grain-free, contain no poultry by-products, and are suitable for other dog sizes (large & small adults).
Check on Chewy!
Best Dog Treats for Dogs with Bad Breath
I’m sure you love cuddling with your canine buddy. But that affection can be cut loose by your dog’s bad breath. After consulting with dog owners, we found that they found solutions for these problems with certain dog treats.
While regular dental check-ups come in handy, you can try the Merrick Brush Bones. These grain-free brush bones from Merrick are crafted with all-natural ingredients and are gluten-free. They are highly-digestible and come in different sizes such as Lil’, Mini, and Big.
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Hi there! My name is Ben Domb, an owner of two pets and I am one of the co-founders of OurPets HQ. I have several years of experience as a pet care professional in the New England region having spent time in various roles including a stint at a veterinary hospital in Upstate New York, Syracuse area. I am a certified pet care professional and mostly spend my time researching pet nutrition and sharing my thoughts in various blogs and columns. With quarantine and COVID restrictions, I have been spending a lot of time a lot with my dogs and cat and loving it! I also run a small consulting business providing advice to parents on pet nutrition, and especially safe homemade options to try. You can reach me at ben@ourpetshq.com
