15 Best Dog Treats, According to Experts

One of the greatest dog trainer secrets is this: Dog treats are the perfect reward for pups learning to obey. And these tiny treats, while low in calories, are definitely high reward. You get 450 pieces of freeze-dried treats—choose from beef liver, chicken, rabbit, salmon, and sweet potato—in each bag. They’re the perfect size to help move your pup along in training sessions. “We got our puppy one week ago today, and our mini goldendoodle loves them!” writes Amazon reviewer samsgrammie. “He has learned to sit, lay down, and stand, all with treating him with the Pupford treats.”

Highlights:

• Small size
• Low-calorie
• Excellent for training

Got an anxious pup? These duck-flavored chews from Premium Care are one of the best dog treats for helping Fido feel less frazzled and more at ease. They’re great for everyday use, but you can also use them at times when dog anxiety soars, such as during fireworks or a thunderstorm. Mel, who bought the chews for her hyper ten-month-old husky puppy, says the product did its job. “He needs a good calming for bedtime, car rides, and sometimes going to doggy daycare overnight. Kicks in pretty quickly and lasts through the night!” If you want your pooch to stick to extra clean ingredients, try out these organic dog treats.

Highlights:

• All natural
• Effectively reduces stress

With so many chicken and beef treats out there, a crunchy fish skin is an easy way to switch up your dog treat game. Polkadog delivers with these cod skins, which are made from 100 percent wild-caught, sustainable Alaskan cod. “I have never met a dog that doesn’t go absolutely berserk for these healthy, crunchy, fishy treats,” writes reviewer LilahsMom. “I buy them by the two-bag for my Labbie girl, who gets one every night for her bedtime treat.” As for mealtime, vets say this is the very best diet for dogs.

Highlights:

• Single-ingredient treat
• All natural
• Crunchy texture

“Shameless Pets rescues discarded human food from suppliers and turns [it] into dog treats. Since dogs evolved eating human scraps—and many of these scraps were vegetables and starch—these treats feel like coming full circle,” says Brian Hare, PhD, a Duke University professor and author of The Genius of Dogs. He adds that because they’re soft and chewy, it takes his pups longer to eat them. They’re the best dog treats to use when clipping your pooch’s nails, trimming its fur, or doing another task that requires a distraction.

Highlights:

• Soft and chewy
• All natural
• Contains pea protein

Puppies teethe just like humans, and as you’d expect, it’s not the most comfortable experience. So it pays to buy treats for puppies who could use a bit of soothing. Bonus: Chew toys and treats can stop a puppy from biting you. N-Bone’s teething rings help relieve the discomfort. They boast a pliable texture that’s ideal for tender gums, and they’re super delicious (at least according to the dogs). “I’ve tried literally every single chew toy and treat that I can find, and most only last or keep his attention for a few minutes,” writes reviewer Robin. “As soon as I gave him one of these, he ran over to his blanket, lay down, and chewed for almost an hour! They are his favorite and definitely mine too!”

Highlights:

• Soft
• Relieves teething pain
• Fortified with calcium and omega-3 fatty acids

Peanut butter dog treats come highly recommended by Dr. Katribe, and Bark Bistro’s Buddy Budder is made specifically for your four-legged friend. “It’s a great way to distract our dogs and provide a positive experience when we need to do something they may not enjoy, like nail trims, baths, or veterinary exams,” she says. “Peanut butter can be dispensed from a spoon—and even frozen ahead of time.” Another option is to spread a dollop inside a fillable dog toy, like the Kong Extreme indestructible dog toy. Buddy Butter contains all the stuff that dogs love and none of the stuff they don’t need, such as artificial sweeteners, making it a healthy dog treat you can feel good about giving.

Highlights:

• Packed with protein
• Easy to spread
• Versatile
• Free of unnecessary sweeteners and oils

Our list would be incomplete without Greenies treats, which are sold in packages sized for teensy, small, medium, and large dogs. Paws down, they’re one of the best dog treats out there for dental hygiene. Each tasty treat is packed with nutrients and developed to clean down to the gumline to help fight plaque and tartar and freshen bad breath. They’re also recommended by veterinarians and accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. You’ll still have to brush your dog’s teeth, but these aid in maintenance and tooth health.

Highlights:

• Promotes good dental health
• Available in multiple sizes

xIf you’ve got a big dog who’s determined to chew, this large bone from EcoKind will keep him busy for days to come. It’s a 100 percent grass-fed cattle femur bone that’s been slow-roasted to lock in that yummy, meaty goodness to satisfy your pup. Your furry pal won’t know whether to gnaw on this treat or bury the bone for safekeeping.

Highlights:

• Big
• Easy to digest
• No chemicals or preservatives

As dogs age, they can experience mobility issues. These tasty chews from Zesty Paws are made with glucosamine, an ingredient that may help foster joint health and improve mobility in dogs with arthritis. While research on the supplement’s effect in dogs is still in its infancy, research in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association suggests it can provide a moderate level of comfort, in line with some prescription meds. “When I tell you that these mobility bites have changed my dogs’ lives, I’m not exaggerating one bit,” writes reviewer Nicola. “They all have gotten two bites a day for exactly 14 days now. Our boxer is leaping around, jumping up and down off the couch, chases his favorite soccer ball around, and has reverted to standing on his back legs to give hugs again.”

Highlights:

• Easy to chew
• Fosters joint health
• Improves mobility

Pumpkin is one of those human foods that are good for dogs. It helps address sensitive tummies and alleviate digestive issues. Portland Pet Food Co.’s Pumpkin Biscuits are made with wholesome, 100 percent natural ingredients that your pup will love.

Highlights:

• Fosters good digestion
• Soothes sensitive tummies
• Breaks into smaller pieces

These chicken-wrapped rawhide twists will satisfy Fido’s desire to chew. While gnawing away, he’ll unknowingly remove plaque and tartar from his teeth for improved dental health. Think of each twist like a sidekick to your dog’s toothbrush. Reviewer LisaGee writes, “I have three dogs: small, medium and large. All love these treats—and no gagging like other rawhide strips!”

Highlights:

• Good for dogs of all sizes
• Promotes plaque and tartar reduction

You trust Rachael Ray with human food, and her dog treats are just as tasty. Soup Bones might be a bit spendy, but the savory, long-lasting chews are worth the splurge. Each has a tender, meaty center and is free of artificial flavors. Buy the regular or mini version, depending on your dog breed, and choose from beef and barley, chicken and veggies, or turkey and rice flavors. “My senior husky, in particular, loves these bones because they’re softer on his teeth,” writes reviewer Jill. “He sometimes fumbles around with the harder bones, but with these bones, he eats them with ease.”

Highlights:

• Can be sliced into smaller pieces
• Soft and chewy

With more than 11,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, AFreschi’s Turkey Tendon Chews are one of the best dog treats out there. They’re highly palatable, easy to digest, help clean your pup’s teeth, and are made with all-natural ingredients. “I finally found a treat that my dog likes. I have a 10-year-old pom, and she’s really picky when it comes to treats,” writes reviewer Braddah Donz. “Definitely buying again.”

Highlights:

• All natural
• Helps clean teeth
• Can be broken into smaller pieces