Our Dogs World 101

Best Healthy Dog Puppy Treats: Reviews and Our Top Picks

Are you looking for the best healthy dog puppy treats available to buy on the market?
Many dog treats on the market aren’t the best choice for your puppy as they contain
artificial coloring, preservatives, flavors, and more that do more damage in the long
term than good.
You shouldn’t take any risks when it comes to your pooch’s health; after all, you want
him to live a long, healthy, and happy life.
In this blog post, we will go over some of the best dog puppy treats you can buy and
will review them in detail so that you can pick out the best choice for your furry friend.

 

 

 

 

 

So, let’s get started, shall we?

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Why Healthy Dog Treats Are Key, is a Better Choice.

Does your dog use his adorable face and puppy dog eyes to get you to give him
more treats?


Well, most dogs do!
Some breeds, such as Labradors, have an insatiable appetite for treats and will guilt
you into giving them one…or two. So, before we talk about the types of dog treats
available on the market, we need first to address the elephant in the room.

How many treats are too many?

Most vets suggest that your dog shouldn’t get more than 10% of his daily caloric
intake from treats. Giving your dog too many treats may be one of the reasons why
he’s piling on the weight and getting chunkier with time.
So, you’ll have to learn to say no to those cute eyes!

Things To Consider When Buying Treats For Your Dog!

The chances are you love to spoil your pup with yummy foods that help keep them
active and healthy.

And that’s completely fine when you do it in moderation!

Healthy dog treats are an excellent choice for your pooch as they can help improve
your dog’s health and overall well-being.

When it comes to buying a healthy dog
treat, consider the following points:

1. Look for natural ingredients, avoiding artificial colors, artificial flavors,
preservatives, and more.

2. You can always make your dog treats at home and save a ton of money by
doing so–with this, you’ll also be able to keep track of all ingredients used to
make the treats. However, we understand that not everyone has the time to
make dog treats at home!

3. Closely look at the list of ingredients to make sure the treats don’t contain
something your dog may be allergic to. For example, my dog is allergic to
peanut butter, which is something other dogs love.

4. Make sure that the treats aren’t high in sugar or fat content, or else your dog
will start putting on the weight.

Keep in mind that dogs have their own minds, tastes, and preferences. While one of
your dogs may enjoy a certain treat, the other might not care for it at all. So, it’s best
to go for a smaller trial pack to check whether or not your dog fancies it.

Moving on.

Here’s a Quick Look at the Types of Dog Treats You Can Buy.

Dog treats come in all shapes and sizes.
This section of the article will go over nine types of dog treats you can buy for your
pooch. Take a look:

1. Crunchy dog treats
These crunchy treats come in various shapes, sizes, and flavors and are great
for younger dogs as they’re rough on the teeth. This includes hard and
crunchy treats, such as biscuits.

2. Soft treats
These treats are excellent for all dogs–especially older ones. They come in
various flavors and are very yummy to taste—these are fast to eat and digest.

3. Freeze-dried dog treats
These have grown in popularity in recent years and mainly contain a variety of
meats, such as chicken, beef, seafood, etc. They’re one of the healthiest
treats available on the market.

4. Dental dog treats
Does your dog have dental issues?
In that case, dental dog treats are exactly what you should go for. These treats
are soft to chew and highly digestible. Your dog will spend a considerable
amount of time chewing them.

The good thing about these treats is that they help clean your pooch’s teeth
and help maintain dental health. However, it’s always a good idea to keep an
eye on the list of the ingredients.

5. Rawhide treats
Rawhide dog treats are really controversial, but we won’t get into that in this
article.

These dog treats are excellent for chewing and help reduce destructive
behaviors.

However, they contain corn starch, which is why they fall into the
unhealthy spectrum.

Another thing to note about rawhide treats is that they can cause
gastrointestinal obstruction. So, it’s best to steer clear of them.

6. Animal bones
Experts recommend that you don’t offer your dog hooves and bones from
animals as they might end up obstructing your pooch’s GI tract.

These remain
popular in some areas, but people are now learning about their dangers.

In theory, these treats are one of the healthiest options available for your dog,
but the cons outweigh the pros.

7. Human food
Raise your hand if you’ve ever given in to that innocent loom on your dog’s
face and let him have a bite of your food.

I, myself, am guilty of this!

While most human foods are safe for your pet, some common food items can
be downright poisonous for your pooch. These include chocolate, raisins,
grapes, etc.

So, you might want to do a quick Google search before offering your dog a
bite from your plate.

I have written an in-depth article on What Food Is Not Good For Dogs which you can read here.

8. Diet treats
Has your dog been putting on weight?

In that case, diet treats may be the right choice for your pooch. These treats
are low in fat and carbohydrate content and can help your dog lose a few
pounds.

You can read our article on Doggie Diet Tips here.

9. Pig ears
These fatty yet delicious treats are among the safest dog treats available on
the market as they contain minimal additives.

However, they aren’t the best choice if your dog is overweight or obese.

Best Healthy Dog Puppy Treats: Reviews and Our Top Picks

This section of the article will go over some of the best healthy dog puppy treats you
can buy for your pooch.

At a Glance: Healthy Treats for Your Pooch!
Before we go into the in-depth reviews, we’ll take a quick look at some of these dog
treats so that you can save time and quickly compare them.

Here’s a quick look.

Best Healthy Dog Puppy TreatsImportant PointsOur RatingPrice
Nutro Crunchy Natural Biscuit Dog Treats●     Excellent for all breeds and sizes.

●     Come in various flavors, such as apple, banana, chicken and carrot, peanut butter, and mixed berries.

●     Use non-GMO ingredients.

●     Don’t contain any artificial coloring, preservatives, and flavors.

5 StarsCheck now
Wellness Grain-Free Crunchy Puppy Bites●     Good for all breeds and sizes.

●     Come in three flavors–Lamb & Salmon, Chicken & Carrots, and Soft & Crunchy Variety Pack.

●     Grain-free and don’t contain any meat by-products.

●     Made in the United States.

4.9 StarsCheck now
Full Moon Organic Human Grade Training Treats for Dogs●     Suitable for all breeds and sizes.

●     Come in four flavors–Chicken Training, Chicken Savory, Duck Training, and Duck Savory.

●     Use human-grade meat.

●     All-natural and high-quality ingredients.

●     Made with US-sourced chicken.

4.7 StarsCheck now
Zuke’s Puppy Naturals Training Dog Treats●     A good choice for all dog breeds and sizes.

●     Come in three varieties, that is, Lamb, Pork, and Salmon.

●     Tender and nutrient-rich treats.

●     Crafted in the United States with high-quality ingredients.

4.5 StarsCheck now

In-Depth Ratings and Reviews: The Best Dog Treats for Your Pooch

We hope that the table shared above helped you in making your decision.

In this section of the article, we will take a closer look at each of the healthy dog treats on the market and help you figure out which one is the right choice for your pooch.

Let’s get started!

1.   Nutro Crunchy Natural Biscuit Dog Treats

Nutro is one of the most reliable dog food brands on the market. The brand has been around since 1931 and specializes in cat and dog food. It is

well-reputed and is one of the biggest players.

Let’s take a closer look at these treats!

  • These treats are rich in nutrients and flavorful, making them an excellent pick.
  • They’re low in calories at 5kcal per treat.
  • The brand uses high-quality ingredients to create the treats.
  • The recipe doesn’t contain GMO ingredients. No artificial preservatives, coloring, or flavors are used.

All in all, these treats are an excellent pick for your pooch and definitely worth a  try. They’re highly nutritious and excellent for training.

2.   Wellness Grain-Free Crunchy Puppy Bites

You’re bound to come across Wellness Pet Food in the pet food aisle at your local supermarket. The brand has been around since 1926 and is one of the safest pet food brands out there.

Here’s what you need to know about these treats.

  • They use a grain-free recipe, making them a good pick for dogs with grain allergies.
  • These treats are yummy to taste and come packed with
  • They’re free from meat by-products, artificial colors, flavors, and
  • They contain a natural source for DHA, making them good for your pup’s brain and eye development.

3.   Full Moon Organic Human Grade Training Treats for Dogs

Full Moon Organic is a relatively new dog food company. What it lacks in experience, it makes up for in its quality. The brand uses human-grade ingredients to make the treats in the United States.

You can judge them for yourself:

  • The best thing about these treats is that they contain human-grade ingredients that meet USDA consumption standards.
  • They contain organic, cage-free chicken from the United States and other high-quality ingredients like flax seeds and paprika.
  • Slow-cooked and made in small batches to retain freshness, nutrients, and
  • They don’t contain any filler ingredients.

So, we feel that these treats are an excellent choice for your pup, especially if you want to buy healthy and preservative-free treats for your pup that come from ethical sources.

4. Zuke’s Puppy Naturals Training Dog Treats

Zuke’s Pet Food has been around since 1995 and has gained a good reputation in the pet food industry. The brand creates human-grade and healthy food for dogs to nourish them from the inside out.

So, here’s the deal with these dog treats:

  • These dog treats are made in the United States and don’t contain filler ingredients like soy, wheat, corn, etc.
  • They’re designed for minimum absorption, digestion, and nutrient
  • The treats contain DHA and EPA for your puppy’s brain
  • The tender treats are great for your dog’s

We believe that these dog treats are some of the best healthy dog puppy treats you can buy on the market. They are high-quality, easy on the teeth, and low in calories.

5.  Pet ‘n Shape Chik ‘n Sweet Potato Stix

Pet ‘n Shape is a relatively new pet food brand and came into existence in 2005. The brand is best known for its natural dog treats sold in mom-and-pop shops across the United States.

Let’s take a closer look:

  • These dog treats are made in the United States with ingredients sourced from the US.
  • They’re excellent for training and naturally delicious.
  • The treats don’t contain filler ingredients, such as wheat, corn, or soy, which is excellent.
  • They are savory and overall health for your dog.

All in all, the Pet ‘n Shape Chick‘s Sweet Potato sticks are a healthy and wholesome choice for your pooch.

And Now, Let’s Look at Some Natural Treats for Your Dog!

We thought about adding a bonus section to this blog post to share some cheap, fresh, and healthy dog puppy treats for your furry friend.

Let’s get started!

  • Apples: An apple a day doesn’t necessarily keep the veterinarian away, but apples do make a juicy treat for your pooch. They’re packed with nutrients and extremely healthy for your dog.
  • Green Peas: Some dogs love them, while others hate them! But sweet and crispy green peas make an excellent and oh-so-yummy treat for your pooch!
  • Watermelon: Come summer, fresh watermelon makes an incredibly yummy treat for your It’s also a good choice if your dog is overweight or obese as it is mainly water and contains essential micronutrients.
  • Carrots: Carrots are loaded with vitamins and beta carotene and make a yummy treat for your pup!

In addition to that, peanut butter, bananas, blueberries, sweet potatoes, etc., also make great treats for your dog however, check if your peanut butter contains Xylitol as this can be extremely harmful to dogs and is covered in our article What Food Is Not Good For Dogs.

All in All: Best Healthy Dog Puppy Treat.

So, what is a healthy dog treat?

 When it comes to making dog treats, it is vital to think about your dog’s needs. If you are a dog owner, you should know that not all dog treats are the same.

The healthy puppy treats we listed in this blog post will provide your dog with all of the necessary nutrition he needs for him to grow and stay healthy and full for long, without putting any negative impact on his health in the long term.

If you have the time to spare, you can also make dog treats at home. However, it isn’t the best idea for people who already have a lot on their plate.

Check this out if you are looking for some Healthy Dental Dog Treats.

Would you like us to share some dog treat recipes with you? Let us know in the comments, and that’ll be our next blog post!

Remember, “May Your Home Be Filled With Love And Dog Hair”

Mark

Founder of Our Dogs World 101

12 thoughts on “Best Healthy Dog Puppy Treats: Reviews and Our Top Picks”

  1. We are all such suckers for ‘Puppy eyes’ and honestly it is so hard to resist. But we have to! I’m so aware of keeping my little guy in good health, not too heavy and happy. Your article gave me lots of treat choices and I liked the idea of the pig’s ear but he has a habit of burying anything I give him. So recently I found freeze-dried beef treats which are great. I can break them up to give him just a few pieces after his meal (he thinks it’s ice cream I’m sure). We always make him wait until we have eaten and don’t feed him from our plates. My husband is more generous with his meals so over time he gets a little chunky and my husband feeds him a little less.

    Treats are a great way to train your dog to do all sorts of things, even tricks. 😉

    Reply
    • Hi Lily,

      Yes, even as a professional dog trainer my dogs still give me those puppy eyes knowing that every now and again I will give in!

      Pig ears are a great treat, however if hubby is fond of giving out extra treats this may not be an option due to the higher fat content.

      Mark

      Reply
  2. I love treats. And I know that my dog puppy does so too. However, I have been taking him to receive classes, and the instructor told me 2 things. First, I should not give him treats all the time. He must do something to deserve them. And second, too many treats are making my dog heavy and unhealthy. So, I will have to switch to healthy treats! I like the idea! Let me see if I can help my dog puppy become a champion.

    Reply
    • Hi Ann,

      I have to agree with your trainer. My dogs only get treats as part of a reward and recognition process.

      I must admit though I do occasionally give them the odd treat just for being them!

      Mark

      Reply
  3. Hey, 

    My hands are raised. I am one of those guilty of sharing my food with dog. Although my wife has cautioned severally, but I honestly do it out of love. Not knowing some food could hurt my them. Thank you for bring this up in your work. I will stop and if I have to share my food or fruit, then I will search like you adviced. Thank you once again on the advice 

    Reply
    • Hi,

      I dont think you are alone in sharing your food with your dog.

      While some human food is ok you still need to be careful to ensure they dont have any hidden nasty ingredients.

      Thanks for visiting and commenting on this post.

      Mark

      Reply
  4. I am always on the lookout for healthy treats for our dogs, so it is good to find this comprehensive list of choices. We have never fed our dogs while we are eating as we cannot stand dogs begging at the table, so we trained them from a young age that they get food in a different area. Generally speaking we have used treats as a reward, but it is difficult not to give in to those “puppy eyes”. Thanks for sharing all the great ieas.

    Reply
    • Hi Line,

      Great practice in not feeding dogs while at the table as this can become a bad habit especially when you have friends around.

      Treats are best used for training purposes but I have to admit even as a dog trainer I have been known to give in occasionally with my two!

      Thanks again for visiting my site and leaving a great comment.

      Mark

      Reply
  5. Wow, I did not know that that was that many dog treats, it is good to know that we can give our furry friends these kinds of treats because dogs are some of the most loyal animals that you can find and will be by your side no matter what. I believe that we should give our dogs these treats, give them what is best for them and what will promote their health, especially as a reward.

    Reply
  6. Very nice looking website, with cute doggy pictures and clean layout!

    We love our besties so much that we are too tempted to spoil them with treats throughout the day! How can you even think resisting those cute eyes?! Of course we understand it is healthier for the dog to eat less treats and more of the good food. Same with people, we just find our excuses and reasons to have one more treat ourselves 🙂

    There are also so many snack you can give to your dog, even pig ears? I had no idea. I do not own a dog myself (yet) but certainly some research and reading ourdogsworld101 goes into it in order to keep our furry friends healthy and happy. 

    Do dogs really like the apples and carrots as treats?

    Tatiana

    Reply
    • Hi Tatiana,

      Thanks for your comments and visiting our site.

      Dogs will love anything as long as it is introduced to them early enough.

      As a owner of dogs for over 50 years and having trained dogs for half of that I have always used carrots and apples as treats if I start the training at puppy stage.

      With older dogs it is a little more difficult, however when they finally realize that this is now the new and only type of treat moving forward they soon come to enjoy it.

      Thanks

      Mark

      Reply

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