Dogs are one of the most lovable pets you can find. They offer love and loyalty, and they seem to have a keen sense of knowing when you need a cuddly companion by your side. The best dog owners treat their furry friend like family, so they only want the best for their dog’s health and happiness.Treats are one way to encourage a dog’s best behavior, but it’s easy to get lost in the bags and boxes of treats available in the grocery store. In this guide, we’ll try to steer you towards the most popular, healthiest options chosen by dog owners just like you.
Product FAQs
How are dog treats different from dog food?
Dog food formulas are designed to contain all the nutrients dogs need in order to live a long and healthy life. Dog treats may lack some ingredients dogs need in their daily diet. Treats are not meant to replace dog food; they act as a supplement to a dog’s existing, balanced diet.
When should dogs be given treats?
Treats are best used as positive reinforcement to reward good behavior. When a dog does something it’s supposed to do, a treat ensures the dog will do it again in anticipation of the reward.
How much do dog treats cost?
Depending on the size of the packaging and the specific ingredients, dog treats can range from just a few dollars up to $20. Bulk bags allow you to save some money if you know your dog responds well to that particular treat.
Where can you buy dog treats?
Dog treats are sold anywhere pet supplies are sold, including big box stores such as Walmart or Target. Pet stores often have more choices. Online pet retailer Chewy.com is a great option for regular shipments and good discounts.
Are dog treats healthy?
In moderation, dog treats can be a great tool to train your dog to perform behaviors you desire. Most treat packages have a suggested limit of consumption per day, however, so be aware of this so you don’t overindulge your pup.
How We Reviewed
We understand the importance of choosing a dog treat you can trust, so we researched some of the most popular brands in today’s pet market to find the standouts. We perused retailer websites and customer reviews, along with expert opinions on the healthiest ingredients for dogs to consume. Our list takes into consideration what we feel are the four most important keys to a good dog treat:
- Nutrition
- Taste
- Price
- Availability
Dog treats come in all shapes and sizes. We included a variety of dog treat types, including both crunchy and chewy treats, as well as stick treats and jerky treats. Your dog may have special circumstances that make one type of treat more desirable than another, so we considered that too.
Pricing
The treats on our list range in price from $2.99 up to $29.99. This price reflects net weight variations of 4 ounces and 16 ounces, respectively.With a product like this, it’s common to find auto-ship deals as well. With an auto-ship option, you lock in a lower price and commit to having new product shipped to your door at a pre-determined frequency. For shoppers who know they’re going to buy the product again once it’s depleted, this can be a great way to save some money.
The Top 7 Best Dog Treats
Fruitables Pumpkin and Blueberry Dog Treats
[amazon box=”B002R8SLTU” /]
Key Features
These hard, crunchy treats are small in size, so they’re the perfect tiny treat for big and small dogs. They contain natural ingredients of pumpkin and organic oatmeal. The brand was founded by veterinarians who support continued research into animal health and nutrition.
Pros and Cons
In addition to the pumpkin and blueberry flavor, Fruitables makes several other varieties that also include fruit as a key ingredient. The fruit scent is strong, creating a pleasant experience for both dogs and their owners. These treats are harder to find outside of pet stores.
Pricing
A 7-ounce bag of these treats will cost about $4.50 at most retailers. These are small treats so quantity per bag is based solely on weight.
Where to buy
Major pet retailers Petco and Petsmart both carry these treats in several varieties. You can also find them on Chewy.com. They’re a little more difficult to find in general grocery stores or box stores.
Coupons/deals
Full list price for this product can go as high as $6.99. Most retailers sell it for much less than that, so anywhere you shop should get you a good bargain.
Blue Buffalo Blue Wilderness Trail Treat Chicken Jerky
[amazon box=”B00AXCCM42″ /]
Key Features
Real chicken is the primary ingredient of these treats, along with sugar and salt. No artificial preservatives or chemicals. They’re packed with protein and a nice treat for dogs with low-grain diets.
Pros and Cons
Customers frequently report this jerky as being a huge hit for dogs who don’t normally like treats. There is also a turkey version for some added variety. Pieces may be smaller than most expect from a jerky-type treat.
Pricing
The price for this product ranges from $8.50 up to $15 for a 3.24-ounce bag. Price varies based on special offers.
Where to buy
You’ll find Blue Buffalo products in a variety of stores, including grocery stores, and box stores such as Target and Walmart. This particular jerky product is a little harder to find, but most pet-centric retailers carry it.
Coupons/deals
If these treats work for your canine, you can setup auto-ship with Petco, Petsmart and Chewy.com. While all stores are priced similarly, Chewy.com has the best auto-ship deal at $8.26 per package.
Rocco & Roxie Gourmet Beef Liver Dog Sticks
[amazon box=”B00J391SUA” /]
Key Features
This product is made of 100 percent beef liver. It’s been smoked for 15 hours to give it flavor. Texture is dry and crunchy. Treats come in a foil-lined bag to keep the treats airtight and fresh.
Pros and Cons
The liver is easy to break apart, making it the perfect training treat. The smell may be a bit strong for humans, but dogs of all sizes and breeds love them.
Pricing
The list price for a bag that’s 16 ounces is $29.99. This is pricey, but it’s a good-sized bag, and many retailers sell it at discounted prices.
Where to buy
You can buy direct from the brand using the Rocco & Roxie website, or you can find it at online retailers Chewy.com and Amazon. This product is sold in very few brick-and-mortar locations.
Coupons/deals
Chewy.com offers 40 percent off of the full price, selling the same 16-ounce bag for $17.97. It’s the best deal, even once you consider Rocco & Roxie’s auto-ship option that prices each bag at $18.97.
Zuke’s Mini Naturals Peanut Butter Natural Training Dog Treat
[amazon box=”B000H0ZJIG” /]
Key Features
These treats are meat-free and contain less than 3 calories per treat. The texture of these treats is softer and more tender for dogs who need it.
Pros and Cons
While the top ingredient is peanut butter, followed by ground barley and rice, these treats do contain some preservatives. However, they do not contain wheat, corn or soy. Zuke’s Mini Naturals are often recommended by dog trainers for their small size and great taste.
Pricing
You’ll have a choice of a 6-ounce bag and a 16-ounce bag. The price difference begins around $6.99 and goes up to $15.99, depending on the size of the bag and where it’s purchased.
Where to buy
The Zuke’s brand is found primarily in specialty pet stores. The most prominent suppliers are Petco and Petsmart, but stock of specific products will depend on the store.
Coupons/deals
Chewy.com has the best price for either sized bag, at $9.50 for 16 ounces and $5.02 for 6 ounces. You can also save an additional 5 percent if you set up auto-delivery.
Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Grain Free Lamb & Salmon Recipe
[amazon box=”B001HBBQKY” /]
Key Features
These treats are grain-free with key ingredients of lamb and salmon. Texture is soft and intended for dogs of all ages, including puppies. These Wellness bites come in a variety of flavors.
Pros and Cons
Bites are small and moist and contain whole fruits and vegetables. The ingredient list is still a bit long, however, containing preservatives like sorbic acid and mixed tocopherols.
Pricing
A 6-ounce bag at full list price comes in around $9.99. That price is reduced by at least $1.00 at some retailers.
Where to buy
This dog treat is found primarily at pet stores, but specialty grocery stores such as Whole Foods may have them. Chewy.com, Petsmart and Petco are the easiest places to find them.
Coupons/deals
The best price you’ll likely find is $8.07 at Petco. This price assumes repeat delivery, but if you’re only interested in a one-time purchase, you’ll only pay slightly more at $8.49. With repeat delivery, however, shipping is free.
Merrick Power Bites Big Bites Real Beef Recipe
[amazon box=”B0719R8HKG” /]
Key Features
Grain-free and gluten-free are the two big draws of these dog treats. Sorbic acid, a common preservative, is nowhere to be found, and the treat formula contains Omega 3 and Omega 6 to promote a healthy coat.
Pros and Cons
While the recipe does not contain sorbic acid, these treats are not completely preservative free. Still, they contain primarily natural ingredients of real beef and potatoes. Treats are larger in size to appease big dogs with big appetites.
Pricing
The cost of these treats starts at $6.99 and goes up to $13.99. Variation in the price is determined primarily by the size of the bag.
Where to buy
Pet stores are the best place to look for this pet brand. Chain stores such as Petco, Petsmart and Pet Supplies Plus are the most accessible retailers. Chewy.com is another potential source.
Coupons/deals
Chewy.com is one of the few retailers that offers a larger sized bag at 14 ounces at a discounted price of $10.35 from $13.99. If a smaller bag suits you just fine, you’ll find a similar price of around $5.99 at most retailers for a 6-ounce bag.
Newman’s Own Chicken & Rice Recipe Snack Sticks Dog Treats
Key Features
[amazon box=”B001E95KRE” /]
Organic ingredients of chicken, grains and vegetables make up the recipe of this treat. It contains no chemical additives and is presented in a soft, chewy stick.
Pros and Cons
Treats are adequate enough in size for a decent treat, but they can be easily broken apart to act as smaller training treats. Newman’s Own is a historically charitable brand, so your purchase will go towards a worthy cause. A downside is that it’s more difficult to find in popular stores.
Pricing
These treats are the cheapest on our list at $2.99. They also come in at the second smallest weight per package in our list at only 4 ounces. This amounts to about six treats.
Where to buy
Newman’s Own is a harder brand to track down in pet stores, but you’ll have luck at giant online retailer Chewy.com, as well as Target and Walmart. The company website also has a tool that allows you to find suppliers near your zip code.
Coupons/deals
Your best bet for a good deal is Chewy.com, if you take advantage of the auto-ship option. This can reduce the price from $2.99 to $2.84 per package.
Comparison Table
[amazon box=”B002R8SLTU, B00AXCCM42, B00J391SUA, B000H0ZJIG, B001HBBQKY, B0719R8HKG, B001E95KRE” template=”table”]
The Verdict
When choosing the best treat for your dog, you’ll need consider which variable is most important to you. Each of the treats in our list win out in at least one area of contention when we consider price, ingredients, taste and accessibility. Dogs on special diets may need grain free or gluten free, while dogs with tender teeth may benefit from softer, chewy treats. High protein options such as jerky and liver chews are perfect for dogs that burn a lot of energy. Choose the treat that fits your pup’s lifestyle the best!