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Reward your furry best friend with the 10 best dog treats

Show your dog what a good boy (or girl) they are by rewarding them with the best treats for dogs, reviewed and approved by our editors.

Published Mar 25, 2024
5 min. reading time
Collage of dog treats and treats in packets against a coral background

Every dog loves treats and it’s easy to see why. They’re different from their regular meals and come in so many different flavors that it’s hard to have just one.

Pet owners can use dog treats to reward desired behaviors and make training sessions more effective and enjoyable for both dogs and owners. Additionally, dog treats can be used to alleviate boredom, provide mental stimulation, or simply as a way to show love and affection to your four-legged friend. 

There is a wide variety of options available on the market to suit every dog's preferences and dietary needs. You can get healthy dog treats without all the artificial flavors and fillers including crunchy biscuits, soft chews, jerky and dental sticks. 

Find the best dog treats from our list to keep your furry companion happy, healthy and tail-waggingly satisfied.

Read more: Feed your kitty with the best wet cat food

Discover the tastiest dog treats

Orange packet of Buddy Biscuits Peanut Butter Soft and Chewy Dog Treats
Best overall
Buddy Biscuits Peanut Butter Soft and Chewy Dog Treats
$4.99 at Target
Packet of Amazon Brand Wag Chicken Flavor Training Treats for Dogs
Best for training
Amazon Brand – Wag Chicken Flavor Training Treats for Dogs
$13.29 at Amazon
Packet of Greenies TEENIE Natural Dental Care Dog Treats Mint Fresh Flavor
Best teeth cleaning treats
Greenies TEENIE Natural Dental Care Dog Treats Mint Fresh Flavor
$16.15 at Amazon
Packet of Blue Buffalo Health Bars Natural Crunchy Dog Treats Biscuits, Pumpkin & Cinnamon
Best crunchy biscuits
Blue Buffalo Health Bars Natural Crunchy Dog Treats Biscuits, Pumpkin & Cinnamon
$4.94 at Amazon

No furry friend can resist peanut butter and these treats are crunchy and healthy. Made with just seven ingredients and no added gluten, corn, soy, yeast, sugar, salt, fillers, artificial flavors or additives, these Buddy Biscuits suit dogs of all ages and sizes and are healthy.

Small and easy to chew, these Amazon Brand wag Chicken Flavor Training Treats are the ideal size to reward your dog with if you’re training them. It doesn’t have corn, soy or wheat in it and is made with delicious chicken. Dog owners have rated these dog biscuits 4.5 stars and like that they’re value for money and easy to give during training sessions.

Best teeth cleaning treats

Looking for vet-recommended dog treats? These Greenies are chewy to fight plaque and tartar and tasty, plus bursting with a fresh minty flavor that freshens your dog’s breath teeth. Just one a day is enough to clean your dog’s teeth and improve their oral health.

What’s great about Greenies is that they’re made with soluble ingredients that are safe and easy for small dog breeds to digest. With all these benefits, these dental chews are one of the best healthy treats for dogs.

For the healthiest dog treats, these Blue Buffalo Health bars are a top contender. They’re made with the finest natural ingredients and fortified with omega-3 and antioxidants but without ingredients like corn, wheat and soy, which are known to cause allergic reactions in some dogs. 

These baked treats are pumpkin and cinnamon flavored, but if they’re not to your furry friend’s liking, there are other flavors like apple and yogurt, bacon, egg and cheese, banana and yogurt and beef too.

A low-calorie option

If you need to control your dog’s weight, a low-calorie treat will still reward and satisfy them but not pack on the pounds. These Hill’s Natural Baked Light Biscuits are made with real chicken and contain phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals. Light on the calories, they make a great snack for adult and mature dogs

For a snack that does double duty to help with joints and mobility in older dogs, Zuke’s Natural Hip & Joint Action Chicken Recipe Dog Treats will go down a treat. Each one contains 104 milligrams of glucosamine and 34 milligrams of chondroitin to promote good joint health and mobility, plus egg shell membrane to nourish hips and joints. 

Additionally, these are packed with antioxidant-rich berries, added vitamins, and minerals to make them even more delicious and nutritious. 

While these bites may cost a little more than usual snacks, they’re worth the price because they act like a mobility supplement. And they come in a resealable pouch, to make it easy to bring along wherever you and your furry companion may go.

Got a pup in training and want to reward them for good behavior? These treats are the best dog treats for puppies as they’re soft enough for developing teeth and can be torn apart into smaller pieces if desired. Made with lamb and salmon oil, it also contains sweet potato, blueberries and flaxseed that support your pup’s brain development, immune health and a healthy skin and coat. 

These savory beef and barley flavor dog treats are larger than your average chews and ideal if you want your dog to gnaw on something for longer than a few seconds. Great for bigger dogs, these taste like real beef and don’t have any soy or corn additives. Dog owners have rated these 4.5 stars on average, saying they are very affordable and like that they’re made with natural ingredients.

A combination of pumpkin, oats and bananas, these crunchy dog treats are the ideal size for smaller dogs. They’re free from corn, soy, wheat and articficial additives and come in different flavors if your furry friend is finicky. Sweet potato and pecan or crispy bacon and apple sound good to us!

For chewers

If your dog is a fan of chicken, they will love these jerky strips. Ideal for dogs of all ages, only three ingredients go into this treat, which are chicken, glycerin and salt. They are easily digested and don’t contain any rawhide, so if you’re looking for treats that are natural and unprocessed, this is the one your furry companion should try.

What are the best types of treats to give my dog?

The best dog treats that are vet-approved are generally high-quality, natural treats made with wholesome ingredients. Look for treats that are free from artificial flavors, colors and preservatives, and ideally, treats that are made with limited ingredients to minimize the risk of food allergies or sensitivities. 

Some pet owners opt for treats that are low in calories and fat to prevent weight gain, especially if a dog is prone to obesity. Additionally, dental treats can be beneficial for maintaining a dog's oral health by reducing plaque and tartar buildup

Is it OK to give dogs treats every day?

While it's fine to give dogs treats in moderation, it's important to be mindful of the quantity and quality of treats you're offering your furry friend. Treats should only account for a small portion of your dog's daily caloric intake, ideally no more than 10% of their total daily calories. Overfeeding treats can lead to weight gain and potential health issues such as obesity, diabetes and dental problems. 

Man feeding dalmatian treats
Photo: Pexels/Bethany Ferr

What should I avoid for dog treats?

Look out for these ingredients and types of dog treats that should be avoided:

Artificial additives: Treats that contain artificial flavors, colors and preservatives may be harmful to dogs and contribute to health issues.

High caloric content: Treats with a high caloric content should be given sparingly to prevent weight gain and obesity. 

Fillers and by-products: Avoid treats that contain fillers such as corn, wheat, and soy, as well as animal by-products, which offer little nutritional value and may be difficult for dogs to digest.

Allergenic Ingredients: Be cautious of treats that contain common allergens such as dairy, gluten, and artificial meats. Choose treats that are free from these ingredients if your dog has food allergies or sensitivities.

Hard or Abrasive Texture: Treats that are excessively hard or abrasive can pose a choking hazard or cause dental damage. Opt for treats that are appropriately sized and have a chewy or crunchy texture that is easier for your dog to eat.

Person holding pomeranian's paw with a treat in another hand
Photo: Pexels/Cup of Couple

Which dog treats get our vote?

Your dog will enjoy all the treats on our list but if we had to choose, we would go with Buddy Biscuits Peanut Butter Soft and Chewy Dog Treats for their seven-ingredient list and delicious peanut butter flavor and Blue Buffalo Health Bars Natural Crunchy Dog Treats Biscuits for their affordable price and healthy range of flavors.

For teeth cleaning properties and to maintain oral health, Greenies TEENIE Natural Dental Care Dog Treats Mint Fresh Flavor is our next pick.

Go on, reward your best friend today with these editor-curated best dog treats and watch their tails wag in appreciation!


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Prices updated on 03/25/2024. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned in this article

Sherelyn Goh Professional Headshot
Written by
Sherelyn Goh

A former women's lifestyle magazine editor, Sherelyn Goh has worked with all things beauty, health, style and travel and finds a thrill in discovering and testing new products. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she enjoys food, travel, working out and cooking.

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