Top 10 Healthy Dog Treats for Training, Chewing & Everyday Rewards

We all know the importance of good dog food, but what about treats? When you put a ton of effort into your dog’s diet, the last thing you want to do is ruin it with unhealthy treats. The right ones can even add to your dog’s nutrition! 

From training treats for puppies to grain-free snacks for sensitive stomachs, let’s take a look at our top ten healthy dog treats, taste-tested and approved by vets. Speaking of nutrition, make sure you also check out our piece on salmon oil for dogs if you missed it! 

Top Picks

• Our Top Pick – Ollie Jerky Strips
• Runner-Up – Zuke’s Mini Naturals Training Treats
• Best Puppy Pick – Wellness Soft Puppy Bites
• Best Training Treats – Jinx Chicken Dog Training Treats
• Best Freeze-Dried – Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Minnow Dog Treats
• Best Plant-Based – Fruitables Skinny Mini Dog Treats
• Best Fish Pick – The Honest Kitchen Ocean Chews
• Best Dental Treats – Get Naked Grain Super Antioxidant Dental Chew Sticks
• Best Grain-Inclusive – Charlee Bear Dogs Training Treats
• Best Grain-Free – Plato Pet Treats Small Bites

Our Top Pick: Ollie Jerky Strips

Ollie’s Jerky Strips are our top overall pick for freshness, flavor, quality, and value, with three regular flavors to choose from, plus a dental chew for healthy teeth and gums!

Key features:

• Three regular flavors  
• Uniquely shaped dental option
• Wild-caught, sustainable salmon and coconut
• Beef and sweet potato 
• Chicken and apple
• Dental chew with cinnamon and parsley
• Fresh and wholesome ingredients
• Human-grade and minimally processed
• Highly digestible oats 
• No additives or fillers
• Made in the USA

What we like:

The three regular flavors are certified sustainable, wild-caught salmon with coconut, beef with sweet potatoes, and chicken with apples. All of them are made with human-grade and wholesome ingredients like highly digestible oats. 

The dental chews are uniquely shaped to encourage chewing, with cinnamon and parsley to freshen breath and boost oral health. All of the treats are minimally processed and made in the USA with the highest quality ingredients, and no fillers or additives. 

What to consider:

They can only be ordered as part of a subscription meal plan, which won’t be for everyone, but Ollie is an amazing service that truly tailors your dog’s diet to their needs. 

Runner-Up: Zuke’s Mini Naturals Training Treats

Zuke’s Mini Naturals Training Treats are our runner-up pick, with soft, chewy, bite-sized pieces, perfect for training and taking on the go! 

Key features:

• All-natural with real chicken 
• Oats, cherry, and turmeric 
• Added vitamins and minerals
• Bite-sized, soft, and chewy
• Only two calories per treat
• No artificial additives 
• Made in the USA

What we like:

They’re all-natural, made with real chicken and other tasty, wholesome ingredients like oats, cherries, and turmeric, plus added vitamins and minerals, at only two calories per treat. 

What to consider:

Allergy-prone dogs beware, they contain gluten! When buying on Amazon, you also want to make sure that you’re getting it from Zuke’s itself and not a third-party seller. I’ve never had issues, but I’ve seen complaints about the treats being hard, which usually happens if someone is selling an old bag.

Best Puppy Pick: Wellness Soft Puppy Bites

The Wellness Soft Puppy Bites are our top pick for growing pups.

Key features:

• Bite-sized 
• Soft and delicious
• Come in two flavors
• Only six calories per treat
• Protein-first with real meat and fish
• Natural DHA for brain development 
• Boost of antioxidants from fruits and veggies
• Gut-supporting flaxseed
• No grains, soy, additives, or byproducts
• Made in the USA

What we like:

Small and soft for developing mouths, they come in two reward-worthy flavors, lamb with salmon and chicken with carrots. Both have protein-first recipes from real meat and fish, with natural brain-boosting DHA to help with learning and training. 

They also contain antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies like apples and blueberries, plus gut-supporting flaxseed at only six calories per treat, and no grains, soy, additives, or fillers. 

What to consider:

Although they’re puppy treats, the brand says they’re okay for dogs of all ages. The biggest issue is that they’re very soft (which obviously is good for your puppy) so they can fall apart if you’re storing them in a treat drawer with other stuff stacked on top of them.

Best Training Treats: Jinx Chicken Dog Training Treats

If you’re looking for a high-value, low-calorie training treat, Jinx Chicken Dog Training Treats are our top pick. 

Key features:

• Tiny star-shaped bites
• Only two calories per treat
• Cage-free chicken is the first ingredient
• Whole-body nourishing bone broth
• Potassium-rich banana 
• Highly digestible sweet potato
• Slow-cooked, soft, and savory
• Free from corn, wheat, and soy
• Made in the USA
• Satisfaction guarantee 

What we like:

They’re teeny tiny for taking on walks and training sessions, and slow-smoked to soft, savory perfection in adorable star-shaped bites. Real, cage-free chicken is the first listed ingredient, with potassium-rich banana, ultra-nourishing bone broth, and gut-boosting sweet potato. 

What to consider:

There’s not much to consider here, but if your dog is a treat snatcher, be careful of your fingers with such small snacks! 

Best Freeze-Dried: Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Minnow Dog Treats

If you’re looking to add some raw nutrition to your dog’s routine or complete their already raw diet with some treats, the Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Minnow Dog Treats are our top pick. 

Key features:

• 100% freeze-dried raw
• Eight flavors to choose from 
• Single-ingredient and butcher’s cut
• Freeze-dried within minutes of harvesting
• Minimally processed for easy digestion
• Perfect for allergies and sensitivities
• Satisfying crunch cleans teeth and gums
• Supports lean muscles and high energy
• Strict safety protocols
• No additives or fillers
• Made in the USA 

What we like:

With eight kinds to choose from: minnows, beef liver, bully sticks, chicken, chicken hearts, chicken necks, duck hearts, and turkey giblets – your pup is spoilt for choice! They’re all single-ingredient with butcher’s cut protein, and expertly freeze-dried within minutes of harvesting to lock in nutrients and flavor.  

The satisfying crunch cleans teeth and gums, whilst the lean, high-quality protein boosts energy and supports strong, healthy muscles. They’re great for allergies as sensitive tummies, and they’re minimally processed for easy digestion. They’re also crafted in the USA with strict safety protocols for top-tier quality.

What to consider:

They’re on the pricier side, but it’s worth it for the quality. 

Best Plant-Based: Fruitables Skinny Mini Dog Treats

If you’re looking for a plant-based treat, the Fruitables Skinny Mini Dog Treats are our top pick. 

Key features:

• 100% natural and plant-based
• Oven-baked to crunchy perfection
• Under eight calories per treat
• Limited ingredient formula 
• Superfoods like pumpkin and banana
• Naturally sweet from vanilla and cinnamon
• Contains fiber, vitamins, potassium, and antioxidants 
• No additives, wheat, corn, or soy 
• Made in the USA

What we like:

At less than 8 calories per treat, they’re an amazing snack for the calorie-conscious. They’re also made with limited ingredients for sensitive tummies, but packed full of nutrition from pumpkin and banana. 

Pumpkin is rich in dietary fiber and essential vitamins and antioxidants, whilst banana is an awesome source of potassium. They’re also naturally sweetened with vanilla and cinnamon for mouth-drooling deliciousness, and baked to crunchy perfection in the USA.

What to consider:

It’s not the one for you if you’re looking for a protein-packed snack! 

Best Fish Pick: The Honest Kitchen Ocean Chews

If you’ve got a fish lover or you’re looking for a safer alternative to rawhide, The Honest Kitchen’s Ocean Chews are a great choice.

Key features:

• 100% dehydrated wolffish skin
• Wild-caught and sustainably sourced
• Naturally rich in Omega-3 
• Supports skin, coat, and joint health
• Safer alternative to rawhide 
• Chewy and long-lasting
• Minimally processed and easy to digest 
• Human-grade quality and safety
• No GMOs, fillers, grains, preservatives
• Comes in small and large sizes

What we like:

They’re 100% natural and made with one ingredient, dehydrated wolffish skins. The fish used is wild-caught and sustainably sourced, as well as minimally processed with human-grade quality and safety. 

The skins are naturally rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for the joints, skin, and coat. They’re also super chewy for a longer-lasting treat and easy to digest, with no GMOs or preservatives.

What to consider:

As you can imagine, they’re pretty stinky – which your dog will love, but you may not! To save carpets and rugs, serve them up on a towel or outside instead. 

Best Dental Treats: Get Naked Grain Super Antioxidant Dental Chew Sticks

If you want something that will clean your dog’s teeth, the Get Naked Grain Super Antioxidant Dental Chew Sticks are our top pick! 

Key features:

• Small dental chew sticks 
• Only twenty-six calories per treat
• Cleans teeth and supports oral health
• Rich in antioxidants for strong immunity
• With real chicken, cranberries, and carrots
• Fortified with vitamins C and E
• Free from grains 
• Made in the USA

What we like: Not only are they great for cleaning the teeth and boosting oral health, but they’re also rich in antioxidants for a strong immune system. At only 26 calories per treat, they’re made with yummy chicken, cranberries, and carrots, and fortified with vitamins C and E. They’re also free from grains and made in the USA. 

What to consider: They’re small treats for small mouths, so they’re not a good idea for big dogs. 

Best Grain-Inclusive: Charlee Bear Dogs Training Treats

If you’re looking for a grain-inclusive option for some high-fiber snacking, the crunchy Charlee Bear Dogs Training Treats are our top pick. 

Key features:

• Five flavors, including turkey liver with cranberry 
• Contains high-fiber wheat flour
• With real meat, fruits, and veggies
• All natural and crunchy 
• Only three calories per treat 
• No artificial additives 
• Made in the USA

What we like: It comes in five fun flavors: cheese and egg, liver, chicken liver, chicken soup with garden veggies, and turkey liver with cranberry. All of them are made in the USA with only natural ingredients, at only three calories per bite, with fibrous wheat flour and no artificial additives. 

What to consider: Avoid if your dog has gluten allergies! 

Best Grain-Free: Plato Pet Treats Small Bites

Plato Pet Treats Small Bites are our top pick for grain-free feeding. The moist and meaty bites are made with limited ingredients and a single protein source for simple, scrumptious goodness.

Key features:

• Moist and meaty small bites
• Organic chicken, duck, lamb, and salmon flavors
• Limited ingredient and single protein source formulas
• High-quality and responsibly sourced 
• Whole foods like sweet potato and cranberry
• Fortified with vitamins and minerals
• Gently air-dried in small batches 
• Highly digestible and naturally preserved 
• No grains, fillers, additives, byproducts, dairy, or soy
• Suitable for all dog breeds and ages
• Made in a family-owned facility in California 
• Satisfaction guarantee

What we like:

It comes in four protein-rich flavors: duck, lamb, salmon, and organic chicken. All of them are gently air-dried in small batches in a family-owned facility in California, with high-quality, responsibly sourced meats and fish, and a few other wholesome ingredients like sweet potato and cranberry. 

They’re fortified with essential vitamins and minerals to keep your dog feeling great, with no grains or fillers. They’re also easy to digest and naturally preserved with no artificial additives. 

What to consider:

If you’re looking for something to help supplement your dog’s skin, coat, and joints, the salmon bites are a great choice. 

FAQs 

What makes a dog treat healthy? 

What makes a dog treat healthy is being high in protein, low in fat, and minimally processed with natural ingredients like real meats, fruits, and veggies.  

How many treats should I give my dog? 

It depends on the size, age, and activity level of your pup, as well as the treats you’re giving them, but they say treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories.  

Which treats are bad for dogs?

You should avoid dog treats that are high in fat, salt, and sugar, with artificial additives and fillers.  

Final Thoughts

Those are our top ten dog treats for health-conscious owners! What do you think of our top picks? Let us know in the comments down below, and if you’d rather make something yourself, check out our delicious, healthy homemade recipe for peanut butter and banana dog treats!