Choosing healthy dog treats is more important than many pet owners realize. Treats should complement your dog's diet, not undermine it. With so many options on the market, knowing what to look for can help you make informed choices that support your dog's health rather than compromise it.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about selecting healthy dog treats, from understanding ingredient lists to avoiding harmful additives. For more dog nutrition information, check out our complete guide to dog nutrition.
Table of Contents
Why Healthy Treats Matter
Treats can account for up to 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake. According to the American Kennel Club's guide to healthy dog treats, choosing nutritious options is essential for maintaining optimal health and weight.
The Impact of Treat Quality
Low-quality treats can negatively affect your dog's health in several ways:
Weight Management
High-calorie, low-nutrient treats contribute to obesity, which affects over 50% of dogs. Obesity increases risk of diabetes, joint problems, and reduces lifespan.
Solution:
- Low-calorie treat options
- Vegetable-based treats
- Proper portion control
Digestive Health
Artificial additives, fillers, and low-quality ingredients can cause digestive upset, allergies, and food intolerances. Healthy treats support gut health.
Solution:
- Limited ingredient treats
- Natural, recognizable ingredients
- Probiotic-containing treats
Dental Health
Some treats promote dental health by reducing plaque and tartar, while others (especially soft, sugary treats) can contribute to dental disease.
Solution:
- Dental chews with VOHC approval
- Textured treats that clean teeth
- Avoid sticky, sugary treats
Nutrient Balance
Treats should provide nutritional value, not just empty calories. Quality treats contain vitamins, minerals, and beneficial compounds that support overall health.
Solution:
- Treats with added vitamins
- Omega-3 enriched treats
- Antioxidant-rich ingredients
Pro Tip
Remember the 10% rule: Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake. For a 50-pound dog needing 1,000 calories daily, that's only 100 calories from treats. For specific breed nutrition needs, check our breed-specific nutrition guide.
Understanding Ingredient Lists
Learning to read and understand pet food labels is crucial for selecting healthy treats. Ingredients are listed by weight, from highest to lowest.
What to Look for in Ingredient Lists
- Named protein sources: "Chicken," "salmon," or "beef" rather than "meat" or "animal protein"
- Whole foods: Recognizable ingredients like sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries
- Limited ingredients: Shorter lists often mean fewer additives and fillers
- Specific fat sources: "Chicken fat" or "salmon oil" rather than "animal fat"
- Natural preservatives: Mixed tocopherols (vitamin E), rosemary extract, ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Red Flags in Ingredient Lists
- Generic terms: "Meat by-products," "animal digest," "animal fat" (unspecified sources)
- Artificial additives: BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, artificial colors (Red 40, Blue 2, Yellow 5)
- Sugar and sweeteners: Corn syrup, sucrose, fructose, propylene glycol
- Excessive fillers: Corn, wheat, soy listed as first ingredients
- Chemical preservatives: Sodium nitrite, potassium sorbate, calcium propionate
Important
Beware of "split ingredients" - when manufacturers list different forms of the same ingredient separately to make it appear lower on the list. For example: "corn, corn gluten meal, corn flour" are all corn but listed separately. For help understanding pet food labels, check the FDA's guide to pet food labels.
Ingredients to Look For
High-quality dog treats contain recognizable, nutrient-dense ingredients that provide health benefits.
Quality Protein Sources
Protein should be the first ingredient in most dog treats, especially for training treats.
- Named meats: Chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, duck, fish (salmon, whitefish)
- Organ meats: Liver, heart, kidney (excellent nutrient sources but use in moderation)
- Single-protein treats: Ideal for dogs with food sensitivities
- Freeze-dried or dehydrated: Preserve nutrients without artificial preservatives
- Avoid: "Meat meal" (unless specific like "chicken meal"), "animal by-products"
Healthy Fats
Fats provide energy and support skin, coat, and brain health.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Anti-inflammatory, support brain health, skin and coat. Sources: salmon, sardines, flaxseed, chia seeds, fish oil.
Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Support skin health, energy. Sources: chicken fat, sunflower oil, safflower oil (balance with omega-3s).
MCT Oil
Quick energy source, supports brain function. Often found in coconut oil-based treats.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid
Supports immune function, weight management. Found in meat and dairy from grass-fed animals.
Whole Grains and Vegetables
Contrary to some trends, whole grains can be healthy for most dogs, providing fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- Whole grains: Oats, brown rice, barley, quinoa (for dogs without grain sensitivities)
- Vegetables: Sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, green beans, pumpkin (excellent fiber sources)
- Fruits: Blueberries (antioxidants), apples (fiber), bananas (potassium) - remove seeds/pits
- Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas (good protein and fiber sources in moderation)
- Avoid: Onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts (toxic to dogs)
Grain-Free Consideration
While grain-free diets became popular, recent FDA investigations found potential links between certain grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. Unless your dog has a diagnosed grain allergy, whole grains can be part of a healthy diet. For dogs with allergies, consider hypoallergenic treat options.
Ingredients to Avoid
Some ingredients offer no nutritional value and may even be harmful to your dog's health.
Top Ingredients to Avoid
Artificial Preservatives
BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin - linked to cancer and organ damage in some studies. Choose treats preserved with vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) or vitamin C instead.
Artificial Colors
Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2 - added for human appeal only. Dogs don't care about color! Linked to hyperactivity and allergic reactions in sensitive dogs.
Sugar & Sweeteners
Corn syrup, sucrose, molasses - contribute to obesity, diabetes, dental problems. Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs (causes hypoglycemia and liver failure).
Unspecified Meat
"Meat by-products," "animal digest," "animal fat" - low-quality, unspecified sources. Can include diseased animals, beaks, hooves, and other undesirable parts.
Other Problematic Ingredients
- Propylene glycol: Used to maintain moisture, but banned in cat food due to toxicity concerns
- Sodium hexametaphosphate: Dental additive that can be harsh on kidneys in large amounts
- Cellulose: Wood pulp used as filler with no nutritional value
- Excessive salt: Can lead to dehydration and kidney strain
- Corn, wheat, soy: Common allergens and often genetically modified (unless organic)
Xylitol Warning
Xylitol is EXTREMELY toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. It causes rapid insulin release leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and can cause liver failure. Check all treat labels, especially peanut butter treats, as xylitol is increasingly used in human products..
Types of Healthy Treats
Different treats serve different purposes. Having a variety can address various needs.
Training Treats
- Size: Small, pea-sized for rapid reward during training sessions
- Texture: Soft and quickly consumed so training isn't interrupted
- Calorie content: Very low calorie (3-5 calories each) to allow multiple rewards
- Examples: Freeze-dried liver bits, small soft training treats, chopped vegetables
- Best ingredients: Single protein source, minimal additives
Dental Chews
Look for products with the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal, indicating proven effectiveness.
- Mechanism: Mechanical scraping action and/or enzymatic plaque reduction
- Texture: Firm enough to require chewing but not so hard as to risk tooth fracture
- Size appropriate: Should match your dog's size and chewing style
- Calorie conscious: Account for these in daily calorie totals
- Monitor: Always supervise chewing and discard small pieces to prevent choking
Long-Lasting Chews
Provide mental stimulation and satisfy natural chewing instincts.
Natural Chews
Bully sticks, raw bones, antlers, hooves. Choose appropriate size and supervise. Some can be high in calories and fat.
Vegetable-Based
Sweet potato chews, dehydrated vegetables. Lower calorie, high fiber. Good for weight management.
Puzzle Treats
Treats designed for puzzle toys. Should be small enough to fit in toy compartments and enticing enough to motivate problem-solving.
Frozen Treats
Great for hot days. Make your own with yogurt, peanut butter (xylitol-free), and fruit. Commercial options available too.
Portion Control and Frequency
Even healthy treats can contribute to weight gain if given in excessive amounts.
Calculating Treat Allowance
- Determine your dog's daily caloric needs (consult your vet or use online calculators)
- Calculate 10% of that number - this is the maximum treat calories per day
- Check treat package for calorie information (usually per piece or per ounce)
- Divide daily treat allowance by treat calorie count to determine how many treats per day
- Adjust main meal size if giving higher-calorie treats
Healthy Treat Alternatives
Sometimes the healthiest "treats" aren't treats at all:
- Vegetables: Carrot sticks, green beans, cucumber slices (low calorie, high fiber)
- Fruits: Apple slices (no seeds), blueberries, banana slices (in moderation due to sugar)
- Ice cubes: Plain or with a bit of low-sodium broth frozen inside
- Non-food rewards: Extra playtime, new toy, belly rubs, praise
- Part of regular meal: Use portion of kibble as training treats
Homemade Treat Options
Making your own dog treats ensures complete control over ingredients and quality.
Final Thought
Choosing healthy dog treats is an important aspect of responsible pet ownership. By reading labels carefully, selecting treats with wholesome ingredients, and practicing proper portion control, you can use treats to strengthen your bond with your dog while supporting their overall health. Remember that treats should complement a balanced diet, not replace it. For all your dog's nutritional needs, explore our selection of healthy dog treats or check our blog for more dog nutrition articles.
