Dog Treats Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Treats

Choosing the right treat for your dog? It can be overwhelming. Between the colourful packaging and marketing promises, it's hard to know what's best. As product experts at Joybuy, our mission is to decode the labels for you. This guide gets straight to the point: helping you avoid the pitfalls and find the perfect reward for your companion.

The 3 Pitfalls to Avoid When Buying Treats

The treat aisle is a jungle of appealing packages, but the ingredients are often disappointing. Here are the 3 most common traps to watch out for:

1. The "100% Natural" Mirage: This unregulated term is often a marketing gimmick. A treat can be "natural" yet still contain low-quality animal by-products, hidden sugars (like glucose syrup or molasses), or a mountain of grains that only serve as fillers.
2. Empty Dental Health Promises: Many treats claim to be good for teeth. The problem? If they're packed with sugars or starch, they actually feed dental plaque. The effect is the opposite of what's intended, despite the chewing action.
3. Vague Ingredient Lists: Avoid unclear formulas like "meat and animal derivatives," which are meaningless. An honest label specifies the type of meat (chicken, beef, etc.) and its exact percentage in the recipe.

Key Criteria for an Informed Choice

To make the right choice, ignore the slogans and focus on what really matters.

1. How to Read the Label

The ingredient list, ordered by weight, is your best tool. Here's how to decipher it:

• Look for short, clear lists: The first ingredient should be a clearly identified animal protein (chicken, duck, beef, etc.).
• Seek out true natural dog treats: Prioritise dog jerky or minimalist recipes without artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives.
• Is "grain-free" a real bonus?Grain-free treats are ideal for sensitive or allergic dogs. For others, they are often a sign of a recipe that is higher in quality protein and more digestible.

2. A Treat for Every Occasion

You wouldn't choose the same treat for a training session as you would for a relaxing moment.

• For training: You need small, low-calorie, but very tasty dog training treats. The goal is to reward frequently without racking up the calories.
• For enjoyment: The occasional dog reward can be more generous. This is the time to pull out all the stops with a gourmet, high-quality treat.
• To keep them busy (and for their teeth): A dog chew toy or a long-lasting chew treat is perfect for channelling their energy. The bonus? The chewing action helps fight tartar buildup.

3. Adapting to Your Dog's Age and Size

A puppy doesn't have the same needs as a Great Dane.

• For puppies: Their teeth and jaws are delicate. Opt for soft, small-sized puppy treats to prevent any risk of choking or injury.
• For adults and seniors: The size and hardness should match their jaw strength. A Jack Russell won't tackle the same treat as a German Shepherd.

Top Treat and Toy Picks

Here is our selection of products that check all the boxes for specific needs.

IDEAL FOR: TRAINING SESSIONS

INABA Fun Bites Dog Chicken wraps Chicken with Cheese.

Why we chose it: Tender, small, and ultra-palatable with their chicken-and-cheese duo, these bites are perfect for rewarding your dog frequently during training without piling on the calories.

The verdict on pitfalls

The ingredient list is crystal clear, with real chicken as the #1 ingredient. No false promises, just a reward that works.

Its key strength

Their soft texture and high moisture content make them easy to chew and especially motivating.

IDEAL FOR: SENSITIVE STOMACHS

MeatyWay Chicken Jerky Tender Dog Treats

Why we chose it: Perfect for owners looking for an ultra-simple and healthy recipe. These treats are made with real chicken, with no grains, additives, or preservatives. A guarantee of digestibility for most dogs.

The verdict on pitfalls

It avoids the vague "natural" trap with an ultra-minimalist and transparent recipe: just chicken, and that's it. A true dog jerky.

Its key strength

High in protein (over 30%), a grain-free recipe, and a tender texture that's easy to cut into smaller pieces if needed.

IDEAL FOR: TEETHING PUPPIES

Nylabone puppy chew toy kit <11 kg chicken flavour

Why we chose it: Note, this isn't a treat but a kit of puppy chew toys. It's designed to follow the stages of teething, with bones of increasing hardness to soothe gums and calm the irresistible urge to chew.

The verdict on pitfalls

It satisfies the need to chew without the calories and unnecessary ingredients. It thus avoids the trap of sugary "dental" treats by relying entirely on mechanical action.

Its key strength

A progressive kit with 3 hardness levels to support the growth of baby teeth, then permanent teeth. All made from ultra-durable nylon.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many treats should I give my dog each day?

The golden rule: treats should never make up more than 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake. If you give treats, remember to slightly reduce their kibble portion to prevent weight gain. And of course, always follow the instructions on the packaging.

Are grain-free treats really better?

For a dog with allergies or sensitivity to grains, the answer is a big yes. For others, it's not mandatory, but it's often a good indicator. A grain-free treat is generally higher in quality protein and more digestible. The most important thing is still to have a good meat source as the first ingredient.

How can a treat actually clean a dog's teeth?

It all comes down to mechanical action, a bit like natural brushing. By chewing on a hard treat or a suitable toy, your dog "scrubs" the surface of their teeth, which helps dislodge dental plaque and massages their gums. For this to work, the treat must be durable enough to last and, most importantly, contain no added sugar.