6 Top-Rated Dog Treats for a Healthier Pup
Many of us think of dental care for our dogs as an annual vet visit, but daily habits make the biggest difference. Unfortunately, many so-called "dental chews" are part of the problem. While searches for the top rated dog treats 2022 often feature these products, a closer look reveals they are packed with starches and sugars that feed the very plaque they claim to fight. True dental health comes from the mechanical action of chewing on a tough, durable surface. This guide will explain why ingredient quality is paramount for dental hygiene and show you how to choose treats that actually clean teeth, supporting your dog’s systemic health from the ground up.
Key Takeaways
- Read the label, not the marketing: The best treats have short, recognizable ingredient lists, ideally with just one protein. Always avoid starches (like corn, wheat, and potato), fillers, and artificial additives that offer no nutritional benefit.
- Choose treats with a purpose: Think about why you are giving the treat. Use small, high-value pieces for training rewards and durable, single-ingredient chews to support dental health through mechanical cleaning.
- Invest in quality and treat in moderation: A higher price often reflects better ingredients and processing, which supports your dog's long-term health. Remember to follow the 10% rule, ensuring treats are a healthy supplement to their diet, not a source of empty calories.
How to Spot a High-Quality Dog Treat
Walking down the treat aisle can feel overwhelming. With so many colorful bags and bold claims, how do you choose what’s genuinely good for your dog? The secret is to ignore the flashy marketing on the front and turn the bag over. Learning to read an ingredient label is the single most important skill you can develop as a pet parent. The treats you give your dog are more than just rewards; they are part of their daily nutrition and have a direct impact on their overall health and longevity. Let's break down what to look for, and what to leave on the shelf.
The Good Stuff: What to Look For
A high-quality treat starts with a simple, recognizable ingredient list. Ideally, you’re looking for a single-ingredient product, like an air-dried beef chew. This ensures you know exactly what your dog is consuming without any hidden extras. If the treat has multiple ingredients, the list should still be short and easy to understand. Look for a high-quality, named protein like "beef" or "chicken" as the very first ingredient. Vague terms like "meat meal" are a red flag. Minimally processed treats, such as those that are air-dried or freeze-dried, retain more of their natural nutrients compared to those baked at high temperatures. The goal is to find treats that are as close to their natural state as possible.
The Bad Stuff: Starches, Fillers, and Artificial Additives to Avoid
Many popular dog treats are packed with ingredients that offer little to no nutritional value. Common culprits include starches like corn, wheat, rice, and potato starch. These are often used as cheap binders, but they are essentially sugars that can feed the bad bacteria responsible for plaque and tartar buildup. You should also avoid treats containing glycerin, a sweetener used to keep treats soft and moist, along with artificial colors, flavors, and chemical preservatives like BHA and BHT. These additives serve no purpose for your dog’s health and can sometimes contribute to sensitivities. When you pay for a treat, you should be paying for quality nutrition, not inexpensive fillers and artificial ingredients.
Identifying Common Allergens and Sensitivities
If your dog experiences itchy skin, chronic ear infections, or digestive upset, a food sensitivity could be the cause. The most common food allergens in dogs include proteins like beef and chicken, as well as dairy, wheat, and soy. This is another reason why treats with limited ingredients are so beneficial. When a treat contains only one or two ingredients, it’s much easier to identify and eliminate potential triggers. If you suspect your dog is sensitive to a common protein like chicken, you can easily switch to a single-ingredient treat made from a different protein, such as fish or duck, to see if their symptoms improve. This simple approach helps you take control of your dog's diet and well-being.
Our Criteria for Choosing the Best Treats
Choosing the right treat can feel overwhelming, but it gets a lot simpler when you have a clear set of standards. We evaluate treats based on what’s inside them, how they function, and the role they play in a dog’s overall wellness routine. Think of it less like picking a snack and more like choosing a supplement for your own health. By focusing on a few key areas, you can easily sort the high-value options from the junk food fillers on the shelf.
Ingredient Quality and Sourcing
The best treats have the shortest, most recognizable ingredient lists. If you can’t pronounce it, your dog probably shouldn’t be eating it. We look for single-ingredient or minimally processed treats without artificial colors, flavors, or chemical preservatives. It’s also critical to avoid starches and fillers like corn, wheat, and soy, which offer little nutritional value and can feed bad bacteria. Knowing where ingredients come from is just as important. We prioritize companies that are transparent about their sourcing practices, as this reflects a deeper commitment to quality and safety from farm to bowl.
Texture and Chewing Mechanics
A treat’s texture determines its purpose. Softer treats are great for older dogs or for quick training rewards, while harder chews provide mental enrichment and play a key role in dental hygiene. The mechanical action of gnawing on a firm, durable chew helps scrape plaque off the tooth’s surface, essentially acting like a toothbrush. This is why we favor sturdy, air-dried chews that encourage vigorous chewing. The right texture not only makes the treat more enjoyable for your dog but also contributes directly to their dental health and well-being.
Nutritional Value
Treats should complement a healthy diet, not detract from it. A good rule of thumb is the 10% rule: treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. To stick to this, we look for treats that are nutrient-dense rather than just calorie-dense. This means avoiding "empty" calories from sugars, starches, and fillers. Instead, every ingredient should serve a purpose, providing protein, vitamins, or minerals that support your dog’s body. Always check the calorie count on the package to ensure you’re treating your dog responsibly. You can learn more by reading our FAQ page.
Intended Purpose
Before you give your dog a treat, ask yourself: what is this for? The answer changes which treat is the best fit for the moment. Are you rewarding a new skill during a training session? You’ll want something small, low-calorie, and easy to swallow quickly. Are you trying to keep your dog occupied while you’re on a work call? A long-lasting chew is a much better choice. Understanding the "why" behind the treat helps you make more intentional choices that support your dog’s health, behavior, and happiness. This simple mindset shift is a cornerstone of building a thoughtful daily wellness ritual.
Our Picks for the Best Dog Treats
Finding the right treat can feel overwhelming, but our philosophy is simple: the best treats are made from real, recognizable ingredients. We looked for options that are minimally processed, biologically appropriate, and free from the starches, fillers, and artificial additives common in the pet food aisle. Our picks focus on what a treat should be, a clean, functional, and delicious part of your dog’s daily wellness routine. We’ve chosen treats that serve a purpose, whether it’s cleaning teeth, rewarding good behavior, or supporting their body.
1. NAVAN Dental Chews (Best Overall)
Most chews marketed for “dental health” are packed with starches, grains, and sugars, ingredients that actually feed the bad bacteria responsible for plaque. NAVAN is different. Our single-ingredient beef pizzle chews are designed to work with your dog’s biology, not against it. The tough, fibrous texture mechanically scrubs teeth clean as your dog chews, helping to scrape away plaque buildup without any harmful additives.
Because they are pure, air-dried beef, they are a high-value reward that supports a healthy diet. Think of it less as a "treat" and more as a daily tool for proactive dental care. Integrating a NAVAN chew into your dog’s routine is a simple, effective way to support their dental hygiene, which is directly linked to their overall health and longevity.
2. Best Single-Ingredient Meat Treats
When it comes to rewarding your dog, you can’t beat the simplicity and nutritional value of single-ingredient meat treats. Options like air-dried or freeze-dried beef liver, lamb lung, or chicken hearts are packed with flavor and nutrients. Dogs are naturally drawn to these organ meats, which are a dense source of vitamins and minerals essential for their health.
These treats are incredibly versatile. You can give them whole as a special reward or easily break them into smaller pieces for training. Because they contain nothing but meat, you can be confident you’re giving your dog a clean, high-value snack that aligns with their carnivorous needs. Reading the label is easy; if it says "beef liver," that's all you should find in the bag.
3. Best Freeze-Dried Whole-Food Treats
Freeze-drying is an excellent way to preserve the nutritional integrity of raw ingredients without high-heat processing. This method removes moisture while keeping the vitamins, minerals, and enzymes intact, resulting in a lightweight, shelf-stable, and incredibly nutritious treat. Many trainers and owners find that dogs go wild for the concentrated flavor of freeze-dried meat.
When shopping for these, look for products that are truly single-ingredient. Some brands add starches or binders to their freeze-dried products, so always double-check the ingredient panel. A quality freeze-dried treat should contain nothing but the animal protein itself. This makes them a fantastic choice for a pure, nutrient-dense reward that supports your dog’s well-being.
4. Best Treats for Training
Effective training often requires frequent rewards, so it’s important to use treats that are small, motivating, and healthy. Instead of buying highly processed, soft "training bites" that are often full of glycerin and fillers, consider making your own. Simply take a high-quality, single-ingredient freeze-dried treat, like beef liver or salmon, and break it into tiny, pea-sized pieces.
This approach gives you complete control over the ingredients while providing the high-value reward needed to keep your dog focused and engaged. The strong, natural aroma of real meat is far more motivating for most dogs than the artificial flavors found in conventional training treats. This ensures you’re reinforcing good behavior with good nutrition.
5. Best Treats for Dogs with Allergies
If your dog has food allergies, the goal is to find treats that won’t trigger a reaction. The best strategy is to use single-ingredient treats made from a novel protein, which is a protein your dog has likely never eaten before. Common culprits for allergies include chicken and beef, so exploring other options can provide relief.
Look for air-dried or freeze-dried treats made from proteins like rabbit, duck, venison, or lamb. This approach allows you to carefully control what your dog consumes and helps you pinpoint specific sensitivities. A limited-ingredient diet is one of the most effective ways to manage food allergies, and using novel protein treats is a key part of that process.
6. Best Treats for Joint Support
You can support your dog’s mobility and joint health through functional chews that naturally contain glucosamine and chondroitin. Instead of looking for treats with synthetic supplements added, choose chews where these compounds occur naturally. Air-dried beef trachea, chicken feet, and beef gullet are all excellent choices.
These chews provide a satisfying chewing experience while delivering the building blocks for healthy cartilage and joint fluid. The chewing action itself also helps keep your dog’s jaw strong and teeth clean. This whole-food approach to joint support is a great way to integrate wellness into your dog’s daily routine, turning treat time into a moment that benefits their entire body.
Matching Treats to Specific Health Needs
Choosing the right treat isn't just about finding what your dog enjoys; it's an opportunity to support their overall health. The best treats serve a purpose beyond being a simple reward. They can be a core part of your dog's daily wellness ritual, helping to clean their teeth, reinforce good behavior, or provide targeted nutritional support. By thinking about your dog's specific needs, you can turn treat time into a powerful tool for their well-being.
For example, a dog's dental hygiene is directly linked to their longevity and systemic health. A daily chew that mechanically scrapes away plaque is far more beneficial than a sugary, processed biscuit. Similarly, a dog with a sensitive stomach might thrive with a single-ingredient treat, which makes it easy to avoid potential irritants. By matching the treat to the need, you’re not just giving your dog something tasty; you’re making a conscious choice for their health. Let's explore how to select treats for some of the most common health goals.
For Dental Health
Effective dental care for dogs relies on the mechanical action of chewing. A firm, durable chew physically scrapes away plaque and tartar as your dog gnaws on it. Unfortunately, many popular "dental" treats are packed with starches and grains, which are carbohydrates that can actually feed the bad bacteria responsible for plaque. Instead of cleaning teeth, they can contribute to the problem they claim to solve. For true dental support, look for single-ingredient, starch-free chews. A quality air-dried chew provides the abrasive texture needed to clean teeth down to the gumline without any counterproductive fillers or sugars.
For Training
Training requires treats that are small, delicious, and easy to deliver quickly. The goal is a high-value reward that keeps your dog focused without filling them up with junk calories. The best options are single-ingredient, freeze-dried meat or organ treats. You can easily break them into tiny, pea-sized pieces, making them perfect for rewarding good behavior during a training session. This approach ensures you’re giving your dog pure, species-appropriate nutrition, not a snack loaded with grains, glycerin, or artificial flavors. It’s a simple way to keep your training sessions both effective and healthy.
For Sensitive Stomachs
If your dog has a sensitive stomach or food allergies, the key is ingredient simplicity. Many digestive issues are triggered by common proteins like chicken or beef. Instead of turning to plant-based treats, which can be difficult for dogs to digest, consider a novel protein. A single-ingredient treat made from a protein your dog hasn't had before, such as rabbit or lamb, can make all the difference. This approach allows you to easily pinpoint and eliminate any ingredients that cause irritation, providing a safe and satisfying reward that won't upset their system.
For Joint and Body Support
As dogs age, their joints can benefit from extra support. While many treats have synthetic glucosamine added, you can provide this support through whole-food sources. Chews made from cartilage, like beef trachea or chicken feet, are excellent choices. These treats are a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, the building blocks of healthy joint tissue. This is a great example of how a simple, minimally processed chew can serve a dual purpose, satisfying your dog's need to chew while also contributing to their long-term mobility and comfort.
How to Choose the Right Treat for Your Dog
Choosing the right treat can feel like a big decision, and it should be. What you give your dog between meals is just as important as their main diet. It's not just about finding a flavor they love; it's about selecting a treat that supports their overall health and fits into their daily wellness routine. By considering a few key factors, you can confidently pick treats that are both delicious and beneficial for your furry family member.
Consider Your Dog's Age, Size, and Health
A treat that’s perfect for a Great Dane puppy could be a hazard for a senior Chihuahua. When selecting treats, it's essential to consider your dog's age, size, and any specific health needs. The size of the treat should match your dog's weight to prevent it from becoming a choking risk or being too difficult to chew. Puppies may need softer textures for their developing teeth, while seniors might benefit from chews that are gentle on older gums. If your dog has health issues like pancreatitis or allergies, you’ll need to be even more selective. Always check the packaging for guidance on the appropriate size for your dog.
Define the Treat's Purpose
Before you grab a bag of treats, think about why you're giving them. Are you rewarding a 'sit' during a training session, or are you looking for something to support their dental hygiene? Understanding the purpose helps you choose the right option. For training, you’ll want small, low-calorie, high-value rewards that won’t fill them up too quickly. For a daily wellness ritual, a functional chew that cleans teeth through mechanical abrasion is a fantastic choice. Thinking about the treat’s job, whether it's for training, distraction, or health support, ensures you’re always making a purposeful choice for their well-being. Our dental chews are designed specifically for this daily wellness purpose.
Follow the 10% Rule for Calories
Treats are a wonderful part of your dog’s life, but they should be given in moderation. A good guideline to follow is the 10% rule: treats should not make up more than 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake. This is especially important for maintaining a healthy weight, as extra calories can add up fast. Always check the calorie count on the package. If you're unsure how many calories your dog needs per day, you can use an online calculator as a starting point and confirm the amount with your veterinarian. This simple step helps ensure that treats remain a healthy supplement to a balanced diet, not a source of unwanted weight gain.
Is a More Expensive Treat Really Better?
When you’re standing in the pet aisle or browsing online, the price difference between dog treats can be significant. It’s easy to wonder if a higher price tag actually means a better product. The short answer is that it often does, but the price itself isn’t the point. The real difference lies in the ingredients, the processing, and the company’s philosophy. A higher price often reflects a commitment to quality that cheap, mass-produced treats simply can’t match. Instead of focusing on the cost per bag, it’s more helpful to think about the value per treat and what you’re actually paying for.
What Determines the Price of a Treat?
The price of a dog treat is a direct reflection of what’s inside it. High-quality, single-ingredient treats made from responsibly sourced protein will naturally cost more than treats bulked up with cheap fillers like corn, wheat, and soy. Many popular treats use these starches and fillers to keep production costs low, meaning you’re paying for ingredients that offer little nutritional value. A study on pet food purchasing decisions found that informed owners prioritize health and nutrition, quality, and ingredients over price. When you choose a premium treat, you’re paying for quality sourcing, minimal processing that preserves nutrients, and a formulation that actively supports your dog’s health, rather than just providing empty calories.
Why Quality Ingredients Are Worth It
Choosing treats with high-quality, simple ingredients is one of the best things you can do for your dog’s long-term health. As veterinarians often advise, you should always look for a good quality protein as the first ingredient and steer clear of artificial additives. Simple, recognizable ingredient lists mean you know exactly what your dog is consuming. This is especially important for dogs with sensitivities, as common food allergens like wheat, soy, and dairy are frequently used as fillers in lower-quality treats. By avoiding starches that feed bad oral bacteria and artificial ingredients that can cause inflammation, you’re investing in your dog’s daily wellness and potentially avoiding health issues down the road.
Where to Find the Best Treats
Finding the best treats means becoming a savvy label-reader. The best options aren't always found in the main aisle of a big-box store. Often, the most thoughtfully formulated products come from brands that sell directly to consumers online. These companies tend to be more transparent about their ingredient sourcing and production methods. When you’re evaluating a brand, look for a clear philosophy on their website. Do they explain where their ingredients come from? Do they prioritize whole-food ingredients over synthetic additives? A truly high-quality brand will be proud to share the details of their products and what makes them different. This transparency is the clearest sign you’ve found a treat worth your investment.
Related Articles
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are starches like corn, rice, and potato so bad in dog treats? Think of starches as sugar. When your dog eats a treat full of corn, wheat, or potato starch, those carbohydrates break down into sugars in their mouth. This sugar becomes food for the bad bacteria that create plaque and tartar. So, while you think you're giving a reward, you might actually be contributing to poor dental health. A high-quality treat should be made of protein and fat, not cheap, starchy fillers.
My dog has food allergies. What's the safest treat to give them? When dealing with allergies, simplicity is your best friend. The most effective approach is to choose a single-ingredient treat made from a protein your dog has likely never had before. We call this a "novel protein." For example, if your dog typically eats chicken-based food, try a treat made only from rabbit, duck, or lamb. This makes it much easier to avoid triggering a reaction and helps you pinpoint exactly what your dog is sensitive to.
How can a chew actually clean my dog's teeth? A good dental chew works through simple friction. Imagine trying to scrub a dirty dish with a soft sponge versus a tough scourer. A firm, fibrous chew, like an air-dried beef pizzle, acts like that scourer. As your dog gnaws and chews, the durable texture physically scrapes plaque and food debris off the surface of their teeth, especially near the gumline. It’s this mechanical action, not a magic ingredient, that provides the cleaning power.
Are "grain-free" treats automatically a healthier choice? Not necessarily. "Grain-free" has become a popular marketing term, but it doesn't always mean a treat is healthy or low in starch. Many companies simply replace grains like corn and wheat with other starches like potatoes, peas, or tapioca. These ingredients still function as sugars in your dog's body. The key is to ignore the claims on the front of the bag and read the entire ingredient list on the back. Look for treats that are free of all starches, not just grains.
How do I know how many treats are too many? A great guideline to follow is the 10% rule, which states that treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's total daily calories. Giving too many treats, even healthy ones, can lead to weight gain and unbalance their diet. Check the calorie information on the package and think of treats as a supplement to a healthy meal, not a replacement for one. This helps you keep treat time a special and healthy part of your dog's day.