The best dog treats review

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I’ve spent numerous hours researching different types and brands of best dog treats to find the options that offer the most nutritional value, have the fewest calories per serving, and provide canines with additional vitamins and minerals to support their overall health and well-being. This research was performed online through many different websites, and I’ve compiled information from dog treat manufacturers, consumers, and experts in the pet and human food industry.

There are thousands of dog treats available for pet parents and finding the best dog treats was not easy. These choices were based on their nutritional offerings and their appeal to dogs. Through my research I found many best treats for dogs that offered great nutritional benefits, but pet parents noted that their pets would not eat them. To make my list of the best dog treats, these treats for dogs needed to appeal to pet parents as much as they needed to accommodate their canine companions.

The Best Dog Treats

Rocco & Roxie’s Jerky Treats Review

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Many pet parents have been leery about feeding their dog jerky treats in recent months because of all the recalls and problems with treats that are made and sourced in China. Unfortunately, jerky treats are usually a favorite of most dogs. They love the smell, texture, and taste of jerky treats because they are so similar to the meat that dogs naturally crave.

One of my own dogs is very particular about the dog treats that she eats and she will not eat biscuit treats at all. Typically when given a new brand of treat, she’ll immediately drop it on the floor to sniff and inspect it before she decides whether she wants to eat it or not. Our picky eater loved these treats for dogs, and to be honest, I thought about trying one myself.

The first thing you’ll notice when opening a bag of Rocco & Roxie Jerky Treats is their smell. If you’re a fan of beef jerky, you may consider eating one too. The bag does specifically state that the treats are not for human consumption, which is what kept me from trying one. They smell exactly like human quality beef jerky. It’s a very rich aroma of beef and you can detect a hint of spices too. High-quality, all-American beef is the first ingredient in these best dog treats, and you can smell the natural, smokey flavor.

The treats are made in small batches and are slow-smoked for 15 hours. This gives them a great soft texture that you can feel as soon as you pull one out of the bag. Unlike other jerky treats that are rubbery and obviously not made with real meat, these treats from Rocco & Roxie are so tender that you can easily rip them into smaller pieces with your fingers. I usually put two 7-inch strips in my pocket when training our puppy and rip small bits off each time I need to reward her. An added bonus is that these best dog treats don’t have a funky smell like other jerky treats for dogs. My pockets don’t carry that disgusting odor after a training session, and my hands don’t smell gross either.

These jerky treats are also wheat, corn, and soy free, and the company doesn’t use any gluten fillers either. The ingredients include (in order): beef, rice protein, spices, salt, sugar, garlic powder, and sodium nitrite. I had questions about the sodium nitrite, but after further research I found that it is a naturally-occurring mineral that is used to prevent any possibility of food-borne illness or botulism in meat.

I’m also aware that the opinion on feeding garlic to dogs is split. First of all, garlic only makes up 1% of these treats. Second of all, according to Andrea Partee, author and natural healthcare coach for dogs:

“The primary reason AVMA is against feeding garlic is that it contains thiosulphate, which can cause hemolytic anemia, liver damage and death. However garlic only contains very small traces of thiosulphate and a dog would have to consume a huge quantity to suffer any negative effects. Using Tylenol (acetaminophen) or benzocaine topical ointments to stop itching are far more likely to cause anemia in dogs.”

Each 7-inch treat contains 25 calories, which is a lot for one treat, but as I mentioned they can be easily ripped into smaller pieces. If you rip each treat into 5 sections (which is still over 1-inch per piece), each piece would only have 5 calories. This cuts down on your pet’s calorie intake and also makes one 16 ounce bag of treats last a long time. We’ve had ours for about 5 weeks and I use them almost daily. We still have about 8 ounces of treats left.

Runner-up

Rocco & Roxie Jerky Treats are a little more expensive than other best dog treats on the market. If they don’t fit into your budget, there are other treats that you can use which are also excellent choices for your dog’s health and well-being. Like people, every dog has their own taste preferences, so you may need to try two or three of these best treats for dogs before you find one that your Fido enjoys.

It’s also a good idea to have more than one type of treat on hand. Dogs don’t always like eating the same things over and over again. Giving your dog a little variety will add some additional flavors to his diet and increase his overall quality of life. Not to mention, different treats offer different benefits. Mixing and matching treats for pets will allow your dog to have all the different benefits each treat offers incorporated into his diet.

If dental hygiene is a concern for your pet, Greenies Dental Dog Treats can be used to help clean his teeth in between regular vet visits. These pet treats come in five different sizes depending on your dog’s weight. They also come in a special blend for weight management and they are offered in a grain free variety as well. You can also choose from freshmint or blueberry flavors.

Dental hygiene is extremely important for your pet’s overall health and well-being. Certain health problems can lead to dental issues, and dental issues can lead to many other more serious health problems if they aren’t taken care of properly. The best thing you can do is take your dog for regular cleanings and dental exams at your veterinarian’s office. Dry kibble, raw bones, and many types of dog toys can help clean your pet’s teeth in between visits, and brushing your pet’s teeth regularly will help too.

Greenies Dental Chews are one of the best dog treats for keeping your pet’s mouth healthy. They are available in many veterinary offices and they are commonly recommended by vets as a great and easy way to care for your dog’s teeth. Although they feel strange and don’t seem like something that your dog should be ingesting, these treats are actually made from soluble, natural ingredients that break down quickly for easy digestion.

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These treats for dogs are also low in fat and nutritionally complete for adult dogs. Puppies under 6 months old should not be given Greenies, even if they are within the weight guidelines. I would be sure to check with my veterinarian before feeding these treats to any dog less than 1 year of age, just to be safe. They are designed for daily treating, and if they aren’t given as directed the benefits are not guaranteed.

If you’ve ever tried to brush your dog’s teeth, it probably hasn’t gone very well – at least not for the first few tries. Although these aren’t a substitute for brushing, Greenies uses your dog’s natural chewing action to wipe tartar buildup and plaque off the surface of his teeth. They even have The Veterinary Oral Health Council Seal of Acceptance for plaque and tartar control. This is something you should always look for on treat packages that claim to be good for canine dental health.

One thing to note about these treats is that they have an estimated 95 calories in each one! That’s a lot! Since your dog needs to chew the entire treat and should have one each day to reap the benefits that they offer, you’ll need to adjust his diet accordingly to compensate for the extra calories he’s ingesting every day. Greenies are also available in almost every pet store, so they are much easier to find than the Rocco & Roxie Jerky Treats.

One of the most popular and best dog treats are Zuke’s Mini Naturals. They are probably most commonly used as training treats because of their very small size. They are similar in size to a pencil eraser. Because of their small size they contain less than 3.5 calories per treat (each recipe has a different calorie count), which also makes them a great choice for dogs on a weight management diet.

This is another product that is made in the United States, and they have no wheat, corn, or soy fillers. These are a great treat to have on hand as an alternative to Rocco & Roxie Jerky Treats. Zuke’s Mini Naturals offer a flavor variety, as they are made with your choice of chicken (3.19 calories each), duck (3.0 calories each), pork (3.0 calories each), rabbit (2.81 calories each), salmon (2.87 calories each), or peanut butter (3.13 calories each) as the number one ingredient, and they are also full of whole food antioxidants.

Whole foods are foods that have not been processed in any way, like fruits and vegetables. Not only are they an important addition that should be incorporated into your pet’s diet, but antioxidants can benefit your dog’s overall health and well-being in many ways.

If you’ve never researched antioxidants and how they can benefit animals of all species, do yourself a favor and take some time to read about them. Antioxidants reduce the cellular damage done by free radicals and can help animals suffering from skin problems, cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, immune disorders, failing vision, cataracts, and many general problems associated with aging.

Each blend of Zuke’s Mini Naturals is made with nutrient-rich rosemary, cherries, and turmeric and an overwhelming majority of pet owners who use these treats rave about their palatability. If you use treat dispensing toys for your dog, these treats are perfect. Their small size and low calorie count make them ideal for use with these types of toys. You could even cut them in half to make your dog feel like he’s getting more, while keeping his calorie intake the same.

More choices of natural dog treats

As more information is released about the dangerous additives in pet foods and treats, more and more pet owners are understandably looking for natural products and natural dog treats. Wellness WellBites are a great choice and are certainly one of the best dog treats on the commercial market. They are soft and chewy, which is very appealing to dogs of any age or size, but also specifically to senior dogs or dogs with oral health issues.

I love that these dog treats are made with real fruits and veggies that you can actually see in each treat. You can see real chunks of carrots, sweet potatoes, blueberries, apples, and other fruits and vegetables in each little square treat. Wellness WellBites only have all-natural preservatives and do not include any wheat, corn, soy, or artificial flavors or colors. No wonder they are rated as one of the best dog treats on the market!

When you feel how malleable and soft these best dog treats are you’ll be impressed. They don’t’ snap or crumble. You can easily tear these moist treats into pieces if you want to split them in half. It was difficult to find any negative consumer remarks about these treats. Dogs seem to love them, and pet parents are impressed with the healthy, natural, whole food ingredients used to make them.

Another alternative that is great for all around health is Natural Balance L.I.T. Limited Ingredient Dog Treats. When they say limited ingredients, they mean it. The Potato and Duck formula is made with: dried potatoes, duck, potato protein, cane molasses, canola oil, natural flavor, natural mixed tocopherols (a natural preservative), naturally hickory smoke flavor, citric acid, and rosemary extract.

Every formula of these best dog treats contains a single source animal protein and limited carbohydrate sources. Natural Balance L.I.T. Limited Ingredient Dog Treats are actually developed by a team of veterinarians and animal nutritionists to be beneficial to dogs of all ages from puppies through adults. These treats contain 30 calories each, which certainly isn’t terrible, but you shouldn’t be giving your dog multiple treats each day.

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Natural Balance L.I.T. Limited Ingredient Dog Treats are grain free, so they’d be a great choice for dogs suffering from allergies or digestion sensitivities. If your dog prefers a crunchy treat, these are a great option as all of the other top five best dog treats are soft and moist. The company does offer a satisfaction guarantee, so if you have a picky eater like we do, you won’t be out the money if your pet doesn’t eat them.

Table of Contents

1. What you should know before buying
2. What do I know about dog treats
3. Can dog treats improve your dog’s health
4. Who should buy these best dog treats
5. How I chose these best treats for dogs
6. How I researched and evaluated each brand of dog treats
7. My number one pick
8. Flaws but not deal breakers
9. The runner-up: A pick for dog’s dental health
10. If my top picks of best dog treats aren’t available
11. What to look forward to
12. Wrapping it up
13. Full list of top ten best dog treats in order

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What you should know before buying these dog treats

Before you make a decision on which type of dog treat to buy for your Fido, you should realize that you’re going to get what you pay for. You can go to a big box store and spend $2 for a bag of dog treats, but they’ll be full of artificial ingredients, fillers, and other harmful additives that aren’t good for your dog. Cheap treats usually provide your dog with little, if any, health benefits and they are typically high in calories as well.

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