It’s hard to tell who loves dog treats more: the pampered pups or the adoring pet parents.
It’s true: Everyone loves giving a Good Boy or Good Girl a snack! Additionally, treats can make training more exciting and rewarding. However, not all dog treats are created equal. As part of your dog’s diet, treats should be high-quality, wholesome and tailored to your individual pet’s needs. But remember, treats should never make up more than 10% of your furry friend's diet.
Looking for the best dog treats for your best friend? You’re in luck! We rounded up our most-loved dog treats—as chosen by pet parents like you—as well as expert advice for smart snacking.
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Best Dog Treat OverallAmerican Journey Oven Baked Peanut Butter Biscuit Dog Treats, 8-oz bag $4 on Chewy
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Best Dog Training TreatZuke's Mini Naturals Peanut Butter & Oats Training Dog Treats, 6-oz bag $6 on Chewy
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Best Dog Treats for a PuppyWellness Soft Puppy Bites Lamb & Salmon Dog Treats, 8-oz pouch $10 on Chewy
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Best Crunchy Dog TreatBlue Buffalo Health Bars Baked with Bacon, Egg & Cheese Dog Treats, 16-oz bag $5 on Chewy
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Best Calming Treat for DogsPetHonesty Calming Hemp Chicken Flavored Dog Treats, 90 count $28 on Chewy
How to Find the Best Dog Treats
Dog treats have come a long way since one-size-fits-all biscuits. Not sure where to start? Here, Ashly Smith, DVM, a Lorton, Virginia-based veterinarian at Small Door Veterinary, shares what to consider when shopping for your four-legged friend:
- Your veterinarian’s advice: When making changes to your dog’s diet, it’s always a good idea to consult your veterinarian. They can recommend trusted treats that are ideal for your pup’s needs.
- Your reason for treating: Why are you giving your dog a treat? Select a treat that’s appropriate for the purpose. For example, when training, choose small treats that you can give multiple times; for dental hygiene, select treats designed to help keep teeth clean.
- Your dog’s size: Make sure to purchase treats that are appropriate for your dog’s size and jaw strength.
- Your dog’s health needs: Consider your dog’s overall health when selecting treats, including food sensitivities, digestive issues and dental concerns. Remember, treats are part of your dog’s diet and should be selected as carefully as the main meal.
- Your pet’s caloric needs: Treats should not exceed 10% of your dog’s daily calories. If you are unsure about your pet’s caloric needs, consult your veterinarian. “Owners should always check in with their vet for a recommended daily calorie intake so they can proportion their meals and treats appropriately,” Dr. Smith says.
12 Best Dog Treats
Below are the best dog treats as tested and approved by Chewy customers. These top-selling, top-rated dog treats get two paws up from dog parents like you.
Best Dog Treat Overall
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Dog approved treat!
My furry girl just gobbled the cookie right up. It agreed with her digestion and now it's a "go to" treat.
Best Dog Training Treat
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Peanut butter is the best
My Kia just goes berserk for these little nuggets! She loves peanut butter and this is one Safeway for her to enjoy it without tons calories! They are motivating and they work great for our daily work when she guides me.
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LOVE Zukes's treats!
I have two toy class dogs, one without any teeth, so they love these! Love that they come in different flavors - all are loved!
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Great Value with Zuke's
My dog loves every flavor of Zuke's Mini Training treats! They are just the right size and texture for my small dog.
Best Dog Treats for a Puppy
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It is a great training tool.
My dog loves this treat. I break down into smaller pieces and put into a toy too for crate training!
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Customer service
Assisted me with the replacement of every contamination. One of the sprays wasn't sealed and was all over toys and entire contents. Thank you.
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Good RewardTreat
Pup has been getting these since we were introduced to them at her obedience school when she was very young. We still use them for fine tuning her training to this day. I like them because you can break them up into smaller pieces so they last a little longer. They do have a very strong fish smell but that’s okay because I’m not the one eating it (lol ;))- the dog seems to love them!
Best Crunchy Dog Treat
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Breakfast in a biscuit
Scratch. Scratch. Hey Grams! Is it time for our before-breakfast breakfast? Woof! Ah-ooo! Did you forget us? Pleeeease get up!! These hearty treats have elevated the early morning begging to new heights. Must be delicious!
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Great treat for my Lab
Toby loves his bacon,egg & cheese after he goes outside to do his business!! Always tries to get another one
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All my dogs love these
My dogs love these treats! They get them when they come in from outside so of course they try and go out every 15 minutes. They love all the flavors but these are their favorites.
Best Calming Treat for Dogs
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Sample
I received this as a sample, and ended up purchasing. Seems to work better than one my vet recommended. The sample was enough for about a week, so hopefully it will continue to ease my senior pup's anxiety!
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She requests these almost every night!
My 11 yr old dog requests her calming hemp chews practically every night. She whines for them first, then patiently waits for her "nitey nights" before going to her bed. She sleeps thru the night.
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Natural
I have a high strung Doberman. I give her one in the evening and she sleeps all night. Instructions say 3 for her weight but 1 does the job. They are also great for long car rides. So much better than vet prescriptions.
Best Dog Dental Treat
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My dog loves Greenies above all things.
Not only do they help keep her teeth clean, she'll do anything to get one. We can't get along without our Greenies!
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Pups love them
The pups, Pomeranians, love them. They eat them so quickly, makes me wonder if they work. My vet says their teeth look great.
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Chicken Greenies Dental Treats
Both dogs love these. Oliver never chewed on anything, which is probably why he's had to have 3 dentals. Since I got Rosie and give her these, he enjoys them too. Oliver has never been a chewer even when he was only a year old.
Best Dog Treats for Small Dogs
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these are niced sized could be a bit smaller for training treats
great smell, gets all the other dogs in class sniffing! smells like blueberries! Dog loves them as does his friends in class. could be smaller for training but the dog is not complaining.
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Perfect for very small dogs.
Our dog lives all the flavors. The treats are soft and can be broken for training rewards. Not high protein so good for dogs with kidney issues.
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excellent for behavior training
I use these with my 14lb corgi mix to redirect her resource guarding behavior with our other dogs. I keep a small pouch on me at all times and they've helped reinforce her attention to me as well as been useful for teaching sit, wait, foot (shake), etc.. She is now 3 and has had these since she was a baby and still highly values them, so I'd say they're a winner.
Best Dog Treats for Large Dogs
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Dogs love them!
I’ve gotten old Mother Hubbard before and my 3 dogs love them. But I goofed this time and ordered the large. I have to smash up to give to my dogs! They also love the assorted flavors of smaller biscuits. Will pay attention with this month’s order.
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Super quality!
Thought we would try these for our 2 Border Collies. Wyatt is 2yr Annie is 5mo. Annie has a sensitive tummy, the natural ingredients in these are awesome. Wyatt can tolerate eating iron, lol But these are wonderful on our little Annie's tummy and Wyatt enjoys them too..
Best Natural Dog Treat
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One of Tucker and Roo’s Favorite Special Treats
We use the chews as extra special treats occasionally when dad is heading out to work. We only use one and break it into for sections so they both get two. The jerky treats are real waggers! When we first used them we gave them each one, Roo (42 lbs) handle chewed it at all (she loved it) so we stared giving them both the pieces and it works fine.
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Chicken Jerky Treats
These are a special treat for my boy! I can get him to do almost anything for this tasty treat!
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My dogs preference to them.
NOTE: How often I purchase them. And now my grand-dog gets the pleasure of enjoyment. A new grand-dog, 8 weeks old, will enjoy them soon enough. Few months down the road.
Best Dog Treats for Sensitive Stomachs
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Customer Service
The Hypo Crunchy Dog Treats are easy for my dog to digest, and she looks forward to receiving one after her dinner.
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My dog loves these!
My sweet boy loves the flavor and gets excited everytime we give them to him. I love that they are apart of his diet plan line and don't upset his very sensitive stomach.
Best Dog Treats for Senior Dogs
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Our dog loves these!
I repeat this order - she loves the soft Biteables, and I like that they are small so I feed our elder dog a little less.
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my picky poodles love it!
Get Naked Biteables are the perfect size for training treats and my toy poodles both love them. It's a bonus that they have healthy ingredients.
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Senior best, smells better too
Some other soft treats smell terrible and my pets finally eat them. Certainly can understand why. These look and smell tasty.
Best Soft Dog Treats
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Easy to Break Up
We received these treats for free as part of a promotion Chewy was running with our dog food. Sergeant loves them! What we love about them is they are easy to break-up into smaller pieces, so we can use them for training or as rewards when we are doing our at home grooming.
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Treats and Chewy are the best!
I have three dachshunds and they absolutely love the flavor. I get them to come inside and saying “hamburger!” And they come running. Also, Chewy is the best company with fantastic customer service and such fast service/delivery. Thank you Chewy for making my fur babies lives so enriched.
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Dogs love them!
My dogs love these as treats. I break em half for treats when they don't potty on the floor while I'm gone.
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.
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