Best Dog Treats

Importance of Good Dog Treat

What makes a treat one of the best dog treats? Well, there are a few things that you need to consider when looking for a good treat, taste, texture, and health!

If you don’t use a great dog treat, your dog’s behavior can suffer. Your dog can lose motivation to learn and improve their behavior if they aren’t interested in the treats you’re providing. At their worst, bad dog treats can even make your dog sick with fillers or unknown ingredients.

The very best dog treats are made with wholesome ingredients that provide a great taste your pet will love. Not only do these treats taste good, but they are also perfectly safe for your dog when fed in moderation!

Five Best Dog Treats

Take it from a certified dog trainer, the type of dog treat you use makes a huge difference in the amount of time and effort you have to put into training! When I work with a leash reactive dog, I don’t expect to keep their attention with a boring dry biscuit!

Each of these foods has a certain scenario or feature that makes it shine: taste, all-around use, value, etc. It is difficult to provide an all-encompassing choice of which dog treat is best, but we have ranked them in terms of quality, price, versatility, and more.

Here is our unbiased review of the top 5 best dog treats available!

All-Around Favorite Dog Treats

Buy Now
Review Highlights:

“… I gave my dog one and he’s ecstatic… Amazing quality and value! Would recommend to anyone… Amazing service and product …”

“… These have become [my dog’s] favorite treat… they are made in the USA unlike most of the treats you find in the stores which are made in China. I will be buying more for sure …”

“… If you’re looking for a quality training treat for your dog, I would highly recommend these ones …”

buy now

These dog treats are my absolute favorite for a combination of versatility, flavor, and wholesome ingredients. Whether you’re giving your dog a quick snack before you head out the door, or you’re working on training a new behavior, you can use this great treat.

Feature Highlights:

  • Choose from Turkey, Beef, and Chicken flavors.
  • The first ingredient is a real protein source.
  • Smoked for ten hours to get soft, chewy texture.
  • Made without corn, soy, or gluten.

There are two primary reasons that I like these treats, and a plethora of smaller reasons as well! The first thing I love in a treat is versatility. Large treats that you can easily break into bite-sized pieces work wonderfully for training and for everyday use. My second favorite feature is the protein as the first ingredient. When I look for a dog food, I want one with protein as the first ingredient, and the same goes for my dog treats.

This brand provides your dog with wholesome treats made using real protein sources. It doesn’t include any fillers, and it doesn’t source its ingredients from China. In fact, these treats are both made and sourced in the USA, so you know exactly where your dog’s treats come from.  Recommended for: Pugs, Labrador Retrievers, Shetland Sheepdogs, Beagles, and more.

Best Treats For Training

Buy Now
Review Highlights:

“… My Lab puppy loves these. I like that they are small… the powerful scent makes them more rewarding …”

“… My dogs are absolutely CRAZY about this stuff. I am very pleased with this product… my dogs are hooked on it …”

“… My dog goes absolutely NUTS for these. I would 100% recommend and will certainly order again! …”

buy now
$16.95 ($1.06 / oz)

When it comes to great training treats, Zuke’s has you covered. These treats are small, soft, and chewy, and you can break them into even smaller pieces if desired. You can also choose from a plethora of different flavors to keep your dog guessing.

Feature Highlights:

  • Comes in duck, chicken, peanut butter, pork, rabbit, and salmon flavors.
  • Less than three calories per treat!
  • No corn, wheat, soy, or any artificial flavors or colors.

You absolutely need variety when you’re training your dog, and these treats give you exactly that! They offer a whopping six different flavors, each with its own unique taste and smell. As a trainer, I have had great success with the duck, but I’d recommend using several different flavors and alternating.

Finally, and most importantly, one of the biggest perks for this treat is the ingredients. The first ingredient is a real protein source, such as duck or rabbit. With a low calorie content and healthy ingredients, you can know this is a great choice for your dog. Recommended for: Maltese, Golden Retrievers, Pomeranians, German Shepherds, Chihuahuas, and more.

Best Dog Biscuit

Buy Now
Review Highlights:

“… He loves them, and we love these for him! Also since switching to this brand completely he has had so much more energy, is very playful again,and his coat has been simply amazing, and shiny. …”

“… I love these treats! Having natural, healthy treats for my pup is really important to me. I feel confident in giving these to him as I can read and identify all of the ingredients listed….”

“… LOVE these! When you open the bag, it actually really smells like what the flavor is! Even my cat was interested in trying these …”

buy now
$6.98 ($0.70 / oz)

Long gone are the days when we schlep out the ten-pound box of milkbones and load our dogs full of calories. These biscuits provide your dog with all the crunchy goodness of a biscuit, but use real protein instead of wheat and flour.

Feature Highlights:

  • No chicken or poultry by-products.
  • First ingredient is real protein.
  • Completely grain-free for dogs with allergies.

You might begin to notice a trend in my selections. Like the other choices on this list, this treat offers several different flavors to keep your dog interested. You can choose from bison, duck, red meat, turkey, and salmon.

While I wouldn’t recommend these as training treats, they are great everyday treats for some crunchin’ fun. As dry biscuits go, these offer the best reinforcement value because they are made with real protein. Fear not if your dog has allergies, these contain no grains and all-natural ingredients. Recommended for: Pitbulls, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs, and more.

Best All Natural Dog Treats

Buy Now
Review Highlights:

“… They ALL loved these beef lung bites… The dogs love them! I also like that I can break one into smaller pieces for the little guys in no time at all. …”

“… My dogs love these treats! I love them because they’re just dehydrated lung so no weird stuff added that isn’t good for our pups… the dogs love them so much that I don’t think I’ll ever switch them to another type of treat …”

“… My dogs go CRAZY for these treats. I use them with the dogs I train with no allergy issues or teeth issues. Perfect treat …”

buy now
$23.19

Lots of companies love to tout about the word “natural,” but when you read their ingredients you still find lots of confusing words and content. Not these treats! Go ahead, take a look yourself, the one and only ingredient is beef lung! It doesn’t get more natural than that.

Feature Highlights:

  • Made of 100% dried beef lung, no other ingredients.
  • Made in the USA and sourced in the USA.
  • Light and crunchy treats are easy to break into smaller pieces.

Let’s just look at the facts here, dogs love meat. You don’t need any extra fillers or crazy additives, just plain ol’ meat works for them, and it works for these treats. There’s something about knowing exactly what you’re feeding your dog.

Speaking of knowing what you’re feeding your dog, where your ingredients come from is nearly as important as what they are. Numerous cases have surfaced in the past few years of dogs getting sick from eating ingredients sourced in China. That’s what makes these USA made and sourced beef lung bites so delectable, you don’t have to wonder about their quality! Recommended for: Labrador Retrievers, Shih-Tzus, Shetland Sheepdogs, Toy Poodles, and more.

Best Soft Dog Treats

Buy Now
Review Highlights:

“… I love that their ingredients are meat and plant-based… My puppy seems to love the flavor… They are good for training or a quick reward. …”

“… My dog loves these treats. They are the perfect size for training & reinforcement… these are his favorite …”

“… When I pick up these treats she comes alive, jumps around wagging her tail and that makes me happy too …”

buy now

It’s called a “puppy treat” but don’t be fooled! These treats are a wonderful choice for puppies, seniors, and adult dogs alike! Generally, all dogs love soft treats that are easy for them to scarf down. Soft treats are also great for puppies and senior dogs with sensitive teeth or gums.

Feature Highlights:

  • Made real lamb and salmon.
  • Made in the USA and sourced from only the best ingredients worldwide.
  • Contains only all-natural ingredients and no artificial flavors or colors.

Seriously, watch your dog jump for joy over these great little treats. I love soft treats for training because they are easy to break into smaller pieces. These dog treats are even better because not just the first, but the first two ingredients are real protein sources!

There’s something to be said about real, wholesome ingredients. With these treats, your dog gets a tasty mouthful, and you get the peace of mind knowing your dog is getting a healthy and natural treat. Recommended for: Yorkies, Maltese, Chihuahuas, French Bulldogs, and more.