The Best Dog Treats Reviewed (Healthy & Delicious!)

Written by Estrella Bolton

Every dog deserves a nice reward. Whether you’re just loading up their backpack for the day or showing them gratitude for going outside, treats are a great way to let your dog know that you care. Some dogs work for them (perhaps by doing things they despise like taking a bath or sitting patiently while you’re grooming their nails) while others just expect them after coming back home. No matter the case, every dog owner knows the value of a good dog treat. Finding the best dog treats for a dog can be tricky, though, especially when you are faced with all of the options that you typically see on the shelf. If you want to find the right treat for your dog, you’re going to need a bit of extra help.

Through painstaking research, we’ve managed to locate some of the best dog treats on the market today. Not only will we help you figure out what sets them apart from the crowd but we’ll also show you exactly where you can buy these great dog treats. Taking a look at these reviews will help you to figure out exactly what kind of dog treats are the best fit for your pets and how you can get them as quickly as possible. 

Best Dog Treats In 2021

SmartBones SmartSticks Peanut Butter Chews

As every dog owner knows, there are a few tastes for which dogs tend to go wild. While dogs obviously love anything that’s meaty, many other dogs love the taste of peanut butter. There are a variety of great sprays and gels that have a peanut butter taste but finding something solid is a little harder. If you’re looking for the best treat that combines the taste of nut butter with real, high-quality meat ingredients like chicken, you’ll love this alternative to more traditional rawhide dog treats. In fact, you might find that this treat from SmartBones is exactly that for which both you and your dogs have been looking. 

The key to finding the best dog treat usually starts with the ingredients. Your dog isn’t going to take a treat that he or she doesn’t like, so taking the time to find one that actually has the right ingredients can obviously take some time. This treat does a great job by not only making use of nut butter flavoring but also by adding in real chicken and other real ingredients like chicken to create a flavor profile that most dogs love. Your dog may not know exactly what’s in this treat, but he or she will know that it tastes great. 

At the same time, the treat manages to tick off some boxes that dog owners prefer. The product doesn’t contain any rawhide and won’t splinter like many other tough dog treats, which means less work for cleanup and fewer of the downsides that come with rawhides. The snack is also designed to be easy to digest, so your pet won’t have a sick stomach after he or she has a couple of dog treats. The best balance between what your dog loves and what you know that he or she needs, these dog treats will quickly become a big part of your day. For all of these reasons and more, we’ve ranked these chews from SmartBones as today’s best dog treats.

American Journey Peanut Butter Recipe Grain-Free Oven Baked Crunchy Biscuit

If your dog loves nut butter, you are probably more than aware that there are several different training treats on the market that can replicate that taste. The problem, though, is that many of these treats dogs love only use a faux-peanut flavoring to entice your dog. While this isn’t a big deal in and of itself, it might be a problem for those dog owners who are looking for something that’s a little healthier for their animals. That’s where these excellent grain-free training treats from American Journey comes in, with both the taste your dog loves and the natural ingredients that your dog needs. Better yet, they’re made in the USA.

Unlike many other brands that have nut butter flavoring, this healthy dog treat actually contains peanuts. The roasted peanuts in the mix give the snack a nut butter flavor without having to take any shortcuts, which helps to ensure that your dog isn’t ingesting anything for which you are not familiar. In fact, the entire ingredient list is very wholesome – not only are they made with largely all-natural ingredients, but there are no fillers like wheat or soy in these healthy dog treats. While your dog will love the taste of these training treats, dog owners will likely love that this product is actually pretty healthy. 

The other big thing to note about this treat is the size. Unlike many other crunchy healthy dog chews, this one is pretty small. That not only means that the snack is best fit for smaller dogs, but that it’s a rare crunchy snack that can be a good fit for those who are still training their pups. It’s very easy to throw a few of these treats in your pocket when you go out on a walk or you’re trying to teach a new trick, especially when you know that your dog will respond to the flavor of the product by following your commands. 

Greenies Regular Dental Dog Treats

Let’s be honest – it’s a pretty big pain to try to keep your dog’s teeth clean. Even if you are the kind of pet owner who frequently brushes his or her dog’s teeth, you are still going to have to deal with plaque, tartar, and bad breath even after brushing. Instead of spending all of your time trying to brush this away, you can let your dog do most of the work by investing in the right kind of treats. If you’re tired of brushing, you’ll be happy to know that Greenies really can help. 

These treats are specifically dental dog treats, formulated to help deal with problems like bad breath and shaped to ensure that tartar is broken down. The snack is really designed with your dog’s oral health in mind and adding some of them to your dog’s daily diet can work wonders. Even if it’s not a full replacement for dental cleaning, this product is a great choice for those who are looking to keep their dogs’ breath fresh in between vet visits.

Despite the fact that these treats have a very solid dental purpose, it’s also a snack that dogs love to eat. It has an interesting texture, something that’s going to keep your dog engaged and happy. The snack also has a great flavor that’s going to get your dog excited any time you bring the treats out, which will in turn help to ensure that your dog is able to keep enjoying better dental health. If you want your dog to have better breath and fewer dental problems, you’ll want to give these Greenies a try. 

American Journey Beef Recipe Grain-Free Soft & Chewy Training Bits

Training a dog takes a lot of patience and often requires a number of tools. Even if you aren’t going to spend much time with a clicker, you’re going to want to learn how to positively reinforce certain behaviors in your dog. Early on, doing this generally means having the right kind of treat on hand. The best treats taste good enough to excite your dog, but they’re not so unhealthy that giving your dog the treats is going to hurt him or her. Fortunately, American Journey has managed to walk a fine line between the two sides with this fantastic, healthy dog treat (made in the USA!).

One of the big problems with most dog training treats is that they really aren’t made for the kind of frequent usage that training requires. Dog treats are just that – treats – and they are generally made to be given out once or twice a day at most. Since you don’t want to put your dog’s health at risk while you are training, you’ll be happy to know that each one of these treats only has four calories. That means you can safely reward your pet without having to worry about what you’re doing to his or her diet.

The low-calorie treat itself is also formulated for those who really do care about their dogs’ diets. It doesn’t have any preservatives or by-products, nor does it have any grain or soy. In fact, this treat’s first ingredient is real meat. Your dog is going to love the natural taste of the healthy dog treat, while you’re going to love not feeling guilty by using them during training. This is one training treat that really does feel like a win for everyone, so make sure to give it a shot when you’re training your dog. 

Milk-Bone Original Large Biscuit Dog Treats

There’s something to be said for the classics, even when it comes to dog treats. If you’ve ever owned a dog, there’s probably a good chance that you already know about Milk-Bone. The byword for crunchy dog treats for decades, this is precisely the kind of snack that millions of dog owners have bought their animals without a second thought. If you’re a fan of the classics, you’ll be happy to know that this is one snack that really has been able to stand the test of time through a combination of great ingredients and the best benefits for your dog.

When most people think of Milk-Bone, they probably don’t think about what’s actually in the product. The truth, though, is that this is a fairly healthy treat compared to most of the similar products on the market today. Fortified with a variety of vitamins and minerals, it’s an ideal choice for those who want to give their dogs treats that will also help them to stay healthy and strong. Even the texture of the treats is quite helpful, as chewing on the treats will help to improve your dog’s dental health and keep your dog’s breath a little bit fresher.

If your goal is just to find something that your dog will love to eat, though, you’ll still like this product. The classic bone shape makes the treat an interesting chew, while the ingredients ensure that your dog will never really get enough of this snack. It’s one of the best combinations of what your dog wants and what your dog needs, all wrapped up in a package that’s stood the test of time. If you want to give your dog a snack that’s been tested by time, this might be the best choice for you. 

Greenies Pill Pockets Canine Chicken Flavor Dog Treats

If you’ve ever had to give your dog medication before for joint health or otherwise, you know that the process isn’t necessarily all that easy. While a very small number of dogs will take a pill without a fuss, many other dogs need a lot of motivation to let a pill get anywhere near their mouths. While you can try to hide the pill in nut butter or cheese, doing so can take a lot of effort and leave behind a big mess. An alternative that tends to be touted by both vets and trainers are the Greenies Pill Pockets, which make the work of hiding your dog’s medication quite a bit easier.

The simple design of these pill pockets will make you wonder why more dog snack makers haven’t made something similar. It’s very easy to pick a pill of virtually any size and to hide it inside, with a quick pinch being all you need to seal things back up. Once you’ve got the pill in place, you can give it to your dog without worrying about him or her discovering the medication. This will stop you from wasting pills on dogs who are too clever to be fooled by other methods of hiding them and give you a chance to ensure that your dog will actually get the medication that he or she needs. 

While the subterfuge is helpful to you, this wouldn’t be the best treat if your dog wasn’t already excited to see it. The best news is that the chicken flavor of the pill pockets is so attractive to dogs that you can easily give your dog this snack even if there is no medication inside. In fact, it might even be best to start your dog with these treats before medication so that your dog isn’t put off by the change later on. If you need a great way to help your dog stay healthy without a big mess, you’ll love these pill pockets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best treats for dogs?

The best treats for dogs will certainly vary by dogs, but most have a few things in common. They tend to do something good for your dog, be it through health or improving your dog’s mood. These treats also tend to avoid doing harm by packing on extra calories or by being dangerous to eat. The best treats for your dog also tend to be those that are going to help your dog to stay engaged and content throughout the eating process. 

What are the worst treats for dogs?

There are sadly an awful lot of treats on the market for dogs right now that aren’t the best for them. Some of these treats are packed full of empty calories – they will definitely fill your dog up, but they’ll be dangerous for his or her long-term health. Other treats might actually be dangerous to eat because they tend to splinter in ways that can hurt your dog’s mouth. There are even others that might go through a poor safety process, leading to the potential for upset stomachs or even serious illness. 

What brand of dog treats is killing dogs?

At the moment, there are no specific brands of dog treats that are killing dogs. Several brands have had quality-control issues that have led to tragedies, but there are no specific companies that specifically produce treats that will harm your dog. Instead of focusing on what brands have made mistakes in the past, try to focus on making sure that you make safe choices for your dog in the future. Talk to your vet about the treats he or she recommends and stay away from anything that doesn’t look trustworthy. 

Are Milk Bones good for dogs?

Milk Bones are such a classic and well-loved dog treat that one would assume something must be wrong with them, but these treats are actually great for many dogs. While they may not be all organic ingredients, Milk Bones tend to have quality ingredients and aren’t too high in calories. Even better, Milk Bones are great for helping your dog to maintain the best oral health. There are certainly trendier treats out there and treats that have a much greater overall health focus, but you really can’t go wrong if you choose to buy Milk Bones. 

Dog Treat Buying Guide

Picking out the right treats for your four-legged friend is a harder process than you might think. So many of the old standbys are little more than junk food for dogs, but every dog wants something that still tastes great. As you start looking for dog treats, there are definitely some factors that you will want to keep in mind. If you’re ready to make the right choice for your canine companion, you’ll want to pay attention to all of the factors listed in this dog treat buying guide. 

Purpose

Why are you buying this treat for your dog? Is this something that’s just going to be given as a snack from time to time, or is it meant to do something more? Some treats are meant to be used as a training aid (like for not biting or barking or using their training pads, or even just using their crate) while others might be meant to improve your dog’s breath, so you need to stop and think about why you’re buying a specific kind of treats before you start shopping. Remember, a snack that is perfect for one need isn’t necessarily going to be best for every need. 

With that said, it’s fine to look for treats that can do it all. There are some real classics out there that are perfect for snacking and that are great with your dog’s dental health, while other treats might be the best training tool that can also function as a nice general reward. Keep your primary purpose in mind while you shop so that you can find a dog treat that’s going to keep both you and your dog happy. That’s the best way to ensure that you’re not trying to give your dog something that’s just not right for either of you. 

Size

Size is really important when it comes to dog treats. If you’re familiar with traditional biscuits, you know that most come in sizes meant for specific sizes of dogs. Small breed dog treats not only tend to be much smaller than large breed treats, but they also tend to be much easier for the dog to chew. Likewise, puppy treats tend to belittle and packed with calories, two things that you might not necessarily want if you are looking to find the perfect snack for an older large breed dog. 

It’s also important to remember that size is going to play a role in how you use your treats. If you are looking to get a product that is going to keep your dog occupied for some time, bigger is generally better. If you are looking for a training treat, though, you’ll want to make sure that the product is small enough that multiple treats can be carried around at one time. Always ensure that the size of the treat that you choose is not only suitable for your dog’s mouth, but for the usage that you’re looking to get out of the product. 

Composition

What’s your dog’s treat made of? This is usually one of the most important questions for health-conscious dog owners and it’s definitely something that should be addressed before you pick up a treat. Your goal should always be to find something that’s at least reasonably healthy, though that doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be some kind of prescription-only product. Instead, you simply need to make sure that you’re giving your dog something that isn’t going to cause him or her harm when you choose to give your dog a treat. Most treats are fine on this score, though some dog owners will obviously want to look a little closer.

Be careful when choosing treats if your dog has any kind of medical issues. Plenty of treats include fillers, wheat, or byproducts, all of which can be problems if your dog has a sensitive stomach. Some of the cuter treats on the market also have issues with artificial dyes and flavors, both of which can be hard on a dog’s digestive system. It’s great if you can find a product with organic ingredients, but truly organic ingredients are hard to come by in treats. That said, do what you can to find treats that are mostly full of natural ingredients, with a preference towards those natural dog treats that eschew as many fillers or artificial extras as possible.

Taste

Finally, try to think about what your dog actually likes to eat. You might think that bacon-flavored bone looks great, but it’s not going to do much for a dog that traditionally likes bacon flavor. Likewise, the best mix of flavors can actually give your dog a little bit of stimulation, something that will help to keep his or her cognitive functions at top shape for a longer period of time. 

You owe it to your dog to find natural dog treats that tastes the best, so do a little experimentation with flavors. Dogs don’t always like faux-flavors as much as they like the real thing, so don’t be surprised when your nut butter loving dog turns his or her nose up at fake flavoring. Give your dog the real thing when you can so that your dog gets a fantastic treat when he or she has had the best day.