10 Best Healthy Dog Treats in 2022 (Veterinary Technician-Reviewed)

Choosing the type of dog treats, understanding the ingredient lists, and knowing your dog's favorite flavors are important factors to consider when looking for the right healthy treat for your dog.

Bone and meat treats are high in protein and require more chewing than other types of treats. There are three main types: jerky, bully sticks, and rawhide bones, and they differ in textures and ingredients.

Jerky treats are packed with protein because they're made from real meats like beef, chicken, or turkey. Natural jerky treats are safe for most dogs, but you should pay attention to artificial flavoring, preservatives, as well as seasonings and salt content. The less artificial flavoring and preservatives, the better!

Bully sticks are made from one pure ingredient: bull penises. They have a soft texture and are easy and digest. The simple ingredient content makes them a safe treat for dogs who may struggle with allergies.

Bully sticks tend to require more chewing time than dental treats, so they are not used for treat training. Instead, they are good treats for dogs with destructive behavior.

Rawhide bones are one of the most popular types of dog treats. In general, they have a thicker size and are more durable than jerky treats and bully sticks. 

These treats can be tough for your dog to digest. They can also be a choking hazard for aggressive chewers who might swallow overly large chunks. If your dog is a heavy chewer, it’s better to avoid rawhide and give them different treats instead.

Still, as rawhide bones are durable and provide dental benefits by scraping the tartar off of your dog's teeth, they can be great treats if your dog doesn't chew too aggressively. They also keep active dogs busy expending energy on such a delicious treat!

Treats that target specific issues in your dog's health can be great. Whether your dog has dental issues, needs extra nutrients, or just needs some incentive to be trained, there are a variety of treats to choose from.

Natural treats, sometimes called vegetable chips, are made from vegetables, fruits, and soluble ingredients. They are generally high in fiber, which helps to maintain bowel health. You also can find products with a mix of greens and meats to improve the smell and flavor, too!

Dental treats help clean your dog's teeth by gently scraping off tartar and plaque as your dog chews. They may also contain antibacterial properties, which will help your dog's breath smell better and make things safer for you as well. There are more than a hundred types of bacteria and parasites found in the saliva of dogs, and a few of them can even infect humans.

Dental care is essential to promoting good quality of life as your dog ages. While you should still brush your dog's teeth as regularly as possible, dental treats provide a good addition to ensuring your pup won't suffer from gum or tooth diseases later on in life. 

The most important thing for choosing a healthy treat is carefully reading food labels to avoid unnecessary ingredients and toxic chemicals that are harmful to your dogs. 

Some dog treats contain one protein source while others add high-protein vegetables like corn, soy, or grains to act as fillers. Unlike meats, corn is difficult to digest, while soy can cause bloating and grains may cause skin irritation. That's why we recommend you choose real meats as protein sources in your pet's treats.

It's also important to avoid meat byproducts when possible, as they may come from parts of the animal that are more difficult to digest. A healthy dog treat will have a whole meat listed early in the ingredient list; avoid meat byproducts entirely or, if that isn't possible, try to pick a treat that has byproducts listed further down on its ingredient list. 

It is best to follow the feeding instructions on the packaging to ensure you don't overfeed your dog. This is especially important for biscuits, jerky, dry kibbles, dental treats. These usually suggest how many treats you should give your dog based on its weight.

Even a healthy dog treat can cause weight gain in your pup if it isn't given in moderation. There are plenty of health risks associated with obesity in dogs, so please follow the label instructions to ensure a happy, healthy experience for your pet. 

Sugars, natural and processed, are additives that you should avoid. As with humans, excessive consumption of sugars can cause many health issues in dogs, such as obesity or diabetes. 

Similarly, salt is considered dangerous to dogs when given in large amounts. It can cause depression, seizures, vomiting, and even kidney problems. 

Since the amount of sugar and salt is not always written on the packaging, you might consider avoiding these ingredients altogether or at least finding treats that place these ingredients towards the end of the list rather than the beginning. 

Some artificial sweeteners like stevia, corn syrup, and fructose are safe for dogs if consumed in small amounts, but consuming them in larger amounts can cause a spike in blood sugars and other health problems like diarrhea. 

Xylitol, which is a common artificial sweetener in human foods, is actually toxic to dogs and should never be introduced as a treat. It's better for your dog's safety and health to avoid giving human foods as a treat for this reason, and to steer clear of sugary dog treats when possible. 

The same can be said for sugar alcohols, which are sometimes introduced to dog treats for palatability or preservation purposes. Sugar alcohols can have the same harmful effects as xylitol, and xylitol itself is sometimes given the name "sugar alcohol." 

We recommend avoiding these additives and opting instead for products with natural ingredients. Natural ingredients like cranberries and other fruits will give your pup a sweet treat without any added sugar or sugar lookalikes. 

BPA, mercury, lead, and cadmium are some of the possible contaminants in dog treats. It can be difficult to know which products are free from heavy metals, but there's one way that you can try to avoid them.

Some studies have found that fish and grains have high amounts of heavy metal contamination, while turkey meat contains the lowest amount of heavy metals. If you’re concerned about this, you may want to choose products that are made from turkey over fish and grains.

Dogs' taste buds have a similar sensory makeup to our own. They can detect salty, sweet, bitter, and sour flavors. While each dog has its unique taste, they generally prefer savory over sweet. So, when it comes to dog treats, it’s better to choose ones with meaty flavor. 

We've read the reviews and found the most recommended treats for all dogs out there. Check them out on this list of the best healthy dog treats!

*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Cheyenne Williams. For more on our selection process, check out our content policy. Prices were gathered from respective EC sites on October 18, 2022.

In addition to checking our buying guide for accuracy, Cheyenne took the time to answer some commonly asked questions about healthy dog treats.

"Zuke's Puppy Naturals Training Dog Treats are great for training your puppy! This salmon and chickpea snack is made from a mix of ingredients. The nutrient-dense delights are high in DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), which aid in brain development," Explains Cheyenne.

Cheyenne says, "Peanut butter is a common, tasty component of homemade dog treats for many dogs. Give these peanut butter snacks from Eileen Anderson a try if your dog enjoys the nutty taste."

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• ½ cup peanut butter powder
• ½ cup white flour
• ½ cup tapioca flour
• ½ cup water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Mix the ingredients until smooth. Pour the mixture into the pan. Bake for 12 minutes or until the treats are soft, but still drawing away from the side of the pan. Once cooled, stretch the pan and dump the treats out.

Feeding your dogs properly and keeping them happy are the key factors to making them healthy. In addition to healthy treats, you might want to consider other dog care products and dog toys. 

Author: Apinya Masuda

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