12 Best Dog Treats, According to Dog Parents

How We Chose These Products

Treats are a fun way to bond with your pet and reinforce good behavior. That’s why we rounded up Chewy’s best-selling dog treats and selected only those that have at least a 4-star rating from satisfied Chewy customers. Backed by hundreds of ratings and reviews, each of these bestsellers are beloved by dogs and dog parents alike.

Types of Dog Treats

What type of treat fits your four-legged friend? From puppies to seniors, playtime to bedtime, there’s a biscuit for every bud.

Training

When training, treats are a great way to reward your dog with positive reinforcement, keeping sessions fun and exciting. However, it’s important to keep calories in mind, which is why training treats tend to be small and low-calorie.

Best for: training exercises; situations where multiple treats will be offered

Crunchy

Crunchy biscuits are classics, and they’ll never go out of style. When dogs chew on crunchy treats, the hard texture helps to remove plaque, stimulate the gums and improve dental health, says Dr. Smith. Crunchy treats tend to be lower in calories than soft options, and many pups enjoy the engaging textures.

Best for: dental hygiene; managing weight

Soft

Just like crunchy treats, soft treats offer unique benefits. Pliable and easy to break into smaller pieces, they can be great for portioning out during training sessions. Soft treats can be easier to chew for dogs with missing teeth and also tend to be highly palatable, says Dr. Smith, making them ideal for picky eaters and pets struggling with appetite.

Best for: breaking apart; dogs who have trouble chewing harder textures; dogs with little appetite

Natural

Natural dog treats are made using minimal ingredients, and contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. While every pet can benefit from clean, high-quality ingredients, says Dr. Smith, natural treats are especially helpful for dogs with food sensitivities, as they contain few ingredients.

Best for: pets with food restrictions; ingredient-conscious pet parents

Dental Treats

Dental treats can help keep your pup’s teeth cleaner, gums healthier and breath fresher. Dental chews are shaped to “scrub” plaque away, and have a crumble-resistant texture that prevents new debris from becoming trapped in the teeth and along the gumline. However, Dr. Smith stresses that they’re not a substitute for regular dental care and cleanings.

Best for: dogs who need a dental hygiene assist; freshening breath

Puppy Treats

Treats designed for puppies are small, soft and squishy–just like puppies! The petite portions make them perfect for puppy training, and the soft texture is ideal for dogs still developing jaw strength.

Best for: training puppies

Senior Treats

Senior dog treats are softly textured for aging jaws, and may contain supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and other age-related concerns. These treats also tend to be highly palatable, making them ideal for older dogs who have medical conditions that may affect appetite, such as cancer.

Best for: older dogs; dogs who struggle with appetite and/or jaw strength

Calming Treats

For pups who need help relaxing, calming treats may help manage symptoms of stress. They can be especially helpful during anxiety-producing situations. To help you select the best calming treat for your pet, consult your veterinarian and/or certified dog trainer or animal behaviorist.

Best for: helping dogs manage stressful situations

Tips for Feeding Dogs Treats

Everyone enjoys treat time! However, remember that dog treats are part of your pet’s diet, and should receive the same care and consideration as dog food. With that in mind, consider these tips from Dr. Smith.

• Monitor your pet’s weight. Obesity can have serious effects on your pup’s health, so watch the scale and portion appropriately to ensure treats don’t exceed 10% of your pet’s daily diet. “It’s important to be mindful of portion sizes and incorporate treats into your dog’s daily calorie intake accordingly,” says Dr. Smith. “Always check in with your vet for a recommended daily calorie intake so you can proportion meals and treats appropriately.”
• Be mindful of ingredients. Just like meals, treats should be healthy. “Opt for high-quality treats made with wholesome ingredients to ensure they contribute to your dog’s overall nutrition,” says Dr. Smith.
• Divide larger treats as needed. “When it comes to training, using small, bite-sized treats can be helpful in preventing overfeeding while still providing positive reinforcement,” says Dr. Smith. “You can also break larger treats into smaller pieces to make them last longer during training sessions.”
• Think outside the biscuit box. Food isn’t the only type of reward for good behavior. “Consider using alternative rewards such as praise, toys or playtime to vary the reinforcement and reduce reliance on treats,” says Dr. Smith. “Non-food rewards such as extra attention, walks or games can also be effective in reinforcing positive behaviors without adding extra calories.”
• Substitute dog-safe veggies. To mix things up and conserve calories, consider the produce section. “You can use vegetables like carrots or green beans as low-calorie snacks,” says Dr. Smith. See what other vegetables dogs can eat. (Always check with your vet before feeding human food, or any homemade dog food or treat.)

Talk to Your Veterinarian

Every dog is an individual, and what works best for your dog may not work best for another. Before introducing new pet food or treats to your dog’s diet, talk with your veterinarian about your pet’s health needs, caloric intake and weight concerns. Together, you can make sure treat time is, indeed, a treat.

Dog Treat FAQs

Q: What are high-value treats for dogs?

A: High-value dog treats are exciting snacks that dogs will work extra hard to earn. Helpful for training, these treats tend to be highly palatable, chewy and—sorry, pet parents!—extra smelly.

Q: What ingredients should I look for in healthy dog treats?

A: When shopping for healthy dog treats, look for wholesome, whole-food ingredients such as chicken, salmon or beef, and those that don’t contain fillers, additives, artificial preservatives, colors and flavors. Keeping portion control in mind, and select small treats or treats that can be easily broken apart.

Q: Can you freeze dog treats?

A: Freezing dog treats can help them taste fresher for longer. Keep the treats in the original packaging and place the package in an airtight freezer container. Before giving your dog a treat, allow it to defrost; frozen treats may be too hard and can damage your pet’s teeth. Even when frozen, treats should not be kept past the expiration date on the packaging.

Dog Treats Next Steps

Providing treats is one of the most fun parts of pet parenting. And when you select healthy, high-quality products, it’s even more rewarding. After all, your best friend deserves the best.

Curious to learn more about healthy portion control? Check out our expert guide and discover how much you should be feeding your dog.

Expert input provided by Ashly Smith, DVM, a Lorton, Virginia-based veterinarian at Small Door Veterinary.

This content was medically reviewed by a veterinarian.