Dog Treats Buying Guide: How to Choose Healthy Options

Finding the perfect treat for your dog can sometimes be a real challenge. With an overwhelming number of shapes, flavours, and ingredients, it's easy to get lost. Whether it's a reward during training, a little something to strengthen your bond, or a simple indulgence, every treat has its moment. This guide is here to provide clear, objective benchmarks and help you choose products that are genuinely suited to your companion's needs, cutting through the marketing noise.

How to Choose the Right Treats for Your Dog?

Before you buy, a few criteria deserve your attention. The goal is to find a treat that is not only delicious but also beneficial to your pet's health.

1. Decoding the Ingredients: The Key to Well-being

The ingredients list is the first thing you should check to judge a treat's quality. Opting for natural dog treats is often a good starting point. Look for short, clear lists where the protein source (meat or fish) is listed first.

Grain-free dog treats are also popular, and for good reason. They are an excellent option for pets with digestive sensitivities or allergies to wheat, corn, or soy. As a general rule, they are more digestible and rely on ingredients that a dog's system can process more easily.

2. A Treat for Every Purpose

• For Dental Hygiene: Dental dog treats, like chew sticks, have a specific texture and shape that, through mechanical action, help clean teeth and reduce tartar buildup.
• For Training: Training treats should be small, low in calories, and highly palatable to capture your pet's attention without unbalancing their diet.
• For Weight Management: If your dog is prone to weight gain, opt for low-calorie treats. They allow you to indulge your pet without sabotaging their weight goals.

3. Matching Size and Texture to Their Jaw

The size of the treat must be appropriate for your dog's build to prevent any choking hazards. Similarly, a puppy or a senior dog will appreciate a softer texture, while a healthy adult will enjoy harder treats that are ideal for encouraging chewing.

Our Recommended Dog Treats

To help you see more clearly, we have selected products that meet different needs, based on objective criteria.

INABA Bites: The Dual-Texture Treat, Minus the Calories

Why it stands out: These bites surprise with their unique texture: a soft, baked chicken exterior that encloses a creamy, savoury filling. At only 15 to 18?kcal per tube, they are the perfect option for rewarding your dog without racking up the calories. Their high-moisture formula (68%) is also a bonus for daily hydration.

Highlights:

• Rich in Meat: Each bite contains between 55.7% and 57% chicken.
• A Healthy Recipe: Grain-free, with no preservatives, carrageenan, or artificial colours.
• Enriched with Nutrients: Contains Vitamin E and green tea extract.
• Versatile: Can be hand-fed, mixed with kibble, or even used to hide medication.

Who is it for? Ideal for owners of dogs of all sizes looking for fun, low-calorie treats. Their small size also makes them excellent training treats.

Pedigree DENTASTIX: The Classic for Oral Hygiene

Why it stands out: These chew sticks are specifically designed for dental hygiene. Their unique X-shape and slightly abrasive texture are engineered to clean teeth thoroughly, even those that are hard to reach. According to the brand, one stick a day can help reduce tartar buildup by up to 80%.

Highlights:

• Mechanical Action: Chewing actively helps to clean teeth.
• A Controlled Formula: Low in fat, with no added sugars, artificial colours, or flavours.
• For Daily Use: Designed to be given at a rate of one stick per day.
• Suited for Large Dogs: This version is specifically formulated for dogs over 25 kg.

Who is it for? For owners of large dogs who are concerned about their pet's oral hygiene and are looking to incorporate a simple and effective care routine.

MeatyWay Chicken Jerky: 100% Chicken, Simple and Natural

Why it stands out: The main advantage of these treats? Their simplicity. They are made from 100% real chicken, with no grains, additives, or fillers. Their tender texture makes them easy for most dogs to chew.

Highlights:

• A Single Star Ingredient: Chicken, and that's (almost) it!
• A Clean Recipe: Grain-free, with no additives or preservatives, this is the very definition of a natural dog treat.
• Rich in Protein: With a minimum of 30% crude protein, they help maintain muscle mass.
• Easy to Portion: Their tender texture allows them to be easily broken into smaller pieces for training or for small dogs.

Who is it for? Perfect for owners who favour a simple and natural diet. These chicken treats are particularly suitable for pets with sensitive stomachs and are an excellent reward for positive reinforcement.

Does Your Dog Swear by Chicken?

If your dog is a big fan of poultry, explore other options! From dried fillets to soft bites, there is a huge variety of textures and recipes to satisfy the most discerning palates.

Discover our complete selection of chicken treats for dogs

Dog Treats: Your Frequently Asked Questions

How many treats should I give my dog each day?

The golden rule: treats should not make up more than 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake. This amount, of course, varies depending on their size, age, and activity level. Always refer to the instructions on the packaging and, if in doubt, ask your veterinarian for advice.

Are grain-free treats really better for my dog?

Grain-free treats are an excellent solution for dogs with allergies or intolerances to certain grains (like wheat or corn). For a healthy dog that digests them well, the benefit is not automatic. The most important thing remains the overall quality of the ingredients and the nutritional balance of their diet.

How should I use treats for training?

For training, choose small, highly palatable, and low-calorie treats. This allows you to give several without derailing their diet. The reward must be given instantly after the correct behaviour for your dog to make the association. Remember: short, positive training sessions are always more effective.