The Best Dog Treat Brands

Want to pamper your pup with a tasty treat? There are plenty of dog treat brands out there that dogs love and owners like to feed them. With choices ideal for puppies, senior dogs, dental health, and dogs with allergies, there is a treat for every doggie palate. Treats can also help you train your puppy or even adult dog with positive reinforcement.

There are soft treats, crunchy treats, and even rawhide treats that allow your dog to chew and gnaw to their heart’s content. Part of picking the best treat is knowing your dog’s individual preferences. If you are trying a new treat, consider giving them a few flavors and textures to see which they like the best.

When choosing the best dog treat, it’s helpful to know more about the brands that make them. Some have just one or two special treats available while others have a whole line. You can also opt for a dog treat that pairs well with the food that you feed your dog. We’ve compiled our list of the best dog treat brands for your pampered pup.

A-Z-Animals’ Top Picks for the Best Dog Treat Brands

#1 Best Overall Dog Treat Brand: Good’N’Fun Triple Flavored Rawhide Kabobs

In our review, the best dog treat brand is Good’N’Fun and their partner brand, Good’N’Tasty. These treats are dog-approved for flavor and texture. They are also interactive and provide stimulation beyond just eating a treat. There are multiple options for your dog to chew. One of their most popular treats is the rawhide kabob. It includes five different types of rawhide in one kabob-style chew.

They also have treats that are soft on the exterior and crunchy on the inside. This can be fun for many dogs to explore multiple textures within one treat. They are a bit more expensive than some other treat options but are such a favorite among dogs that many owners are more than happy to pay a little bit more for these treats. They also last longer than smaller treats and provide stimulation along with the great flavor.

“My picky 4-year-old poodle Chihuahua mix is obsessed with these. This is the only treat he’ll eat,” said one reviewer of the rawhide kabobs. “We have tried bits of steak, chicken, peanut butter, other treats etc. etc. He ignores it until you offer one of these.”

Some reviewers said that these kabobs are smaller than they used to be.

Pros and Cons of Good’N’Fun Triple Flavored Rawhide Kabobs

Overall Best

Good ‘n’ Fun Triple Flavor Ribs Dog Treats

• Dogs love the flavor of Good'N'Fun and their partner brand, Good'N'Tasty products
• The product line includes a variety of flavors and textures
• They last longer than smaller treats
• Treats are interactive
• Provide stimulation

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2. Best for Puppies: Wellness Puppy Bites Lamb & Salmon Dog Treats

Many owners turn to treats like Wellness Puppy Bites Lamb & Salmon Dog Treats as positive reinforcement when training their puppies. Wellness Puppy Bites are designed to help with this process as well as work with the Wellness line of puppy food. There are soft and crunchy puppy bites that are both formulated for a puppy’s nutritional needs.

We recommend getting both the soft and crunchy bites to let your puppy decide which style they prefer. It is a great way to get to know more about your puppy as well as give them exposure to different textures and flavors. Fortunately, there are bundle options that provide a great value for both packs when purchased together. If your puppy really loves them, consider looking for a subscription option that saves even more money. As your puppy grows, you can easily transition to the adult variety.

A few reviewers said that their puppies didn’t like these treats. Several pet parents reported that their puppies got diarrhea after eating these treats.

Pros and Cons of Wellness Puppy Bites Lamb & Salmon Dog Treats

Best for Puppies

Bundle: Wellness Soft Puppy Bites

• Great for positive reinforcement training
• Soft and crunchy
• Formulated for your puppy's nutritional needs
• Bundle options provide great value
• Subscription option will save you even more

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3. Best for Dental Health: Greenies Dental Treats for Dogs

Greenies Dental Treats for Dogs are a great way to target plaque and buildup on your dog’s teeth. Greenies dental treats are designed to brush away the bad stuff and give your dog needed nutrients, all while tasting great for your dog. They are even shaped like little toothbrushes! There are options for all dogs, including original, grain-free, and petite. You can shop by size as well as by need.

Greenies also has pill pockets. If you want to have treats on hand to help your dog stay healthy, these are good options. They are especially great for aging dogs or dogs who don’t like to have their teeth brushed. “As she got older, her teeth became stained,” said one reviewer with an older dog. “She really hates it when I brush her teeth. I can do it, but it is always a struggle. So last year, I started giving her one Greenie every day, and the stains have mostly disappeared from her teeth. An older dog’s quality of life can be very much affected by tooth decay, so I am glad to have found that Greenies work so well to clean her teeth.”

Dogs don’t go as crazy for these treats as some of the other more savory options. But they do like them more than having their teeth brushed and look forward to getting Greenies. Most pet owners use them periodically rather than as an everyday treat.

Some reviewers said that they are too expensive.

Pros and Cons of Greenies Dental Treats for Dogs

Best for Dental Health

Greenies Regular Dental Dog Treats

• Targets plaque buildup on your dog's teeth
• Provides necessary nutrients
• Tastes great
• Options include original, grain-free, and petite
• Shaped like little toothbrushes

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4. Best to Pair with Food: Blue Buffalo BLUE Bits Natural Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats

We love the Blue Buffalo line of dog food so we jumped at the chance to recommend their Blue Buffalo BLUE Bits Natural Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats. One of the things that we love about their food also makes their treats such a great option. There are so many choices! With dry treats, jerky treats, wet treats, and specialty treats like grain-free, there is a treat for every pup and their needs.

If your dog likes a certain type of Blue Buffalo food, consider getting a similar flavor and texture for their treats. Treats are often a bit richer than kibble or even wet food. But you can sprinkle some over their food for something special. You can also use these treats to help train your dog. Using a coordinated food and treat combo can help dogs with sensitivities or allergens reduce their exposure to unknown ingredients. Once you find something that your dog likes, it’s easy to stick with the same flavor profile with Blue Buffalo.

Several verified reviewers said that the treats they received were stale.

Pros and Cons of Blue Buffalo BLUE Bits Natural Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats

Best to Pair with Food

Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Tender Beef Dog Treats

• Designed for training
• For dogs of all sizes
• Includes DHA to support cognitive development
• Free from by-product meals, corn, wheat, and soy
• Also free from artificial dyes and colors

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

When deciding between the seemingly endless supply of dog treat brands on the market, it’s important to consider a few factors. Look for a dog treat brand that is reputable, uses safe ingredients, and is doggy taste bud-approved.

Reputable Brand

Look for a brand that is transparent about its ingredients, recalls, and how its treats are made. If you can’t find very much about the brand, it’s best to skip on to something that has a better reputation. Brands that have multiple open recalls may not be the best choice either. Read reviews (and lists like this one!) to make sure that the treats that you are feeding your dog are good for them.

Safe Ingredients

Treats that have nutritious ingredients are great for your dog’s taste buds and their bodies. Treats can sometimes be filled with things like corn or soy. These don’t do much for your dog’s health and may even cause issues later. Do plenty of research to find out what ingredients are in the treats and if they are good for your dog.

Some treats are designed to help your dog’s dental health. The ingredients in these treats often don’t differ too much from other treat options but they do have a much crunchier texture. When trying out new treats, it can be helpful to consider both taste and texture. Dogs with gum and teeth issues may have a hard time chewing crunchy or rawhide treats.

Dog-Approved

Even the best treat isn’t a good choice if your dog won’t eat it. Look for treats that get rave reviews from dogs as well as their owners. You can always try a smaller package from a brand that is new to your dog. Once you know that your dog likes them, you can purchase in bulk. Remember that dogs are sensitive to both taste and texture. Even if your dog doesn’t like a particular treat from a specific brand, you may just need to try a different flavor or type of treat.

The Different Types of Dog Treat Brands: Pros and Cons Compared

Dog food and dog treats can be divided up into mainstream products and specialty products. Each has its pros and cons, compared here.

Mainstream Dog Treat Brands

Specialty Dog Treat Brands

Verified Review: User Experience

Good’N’Fun treats get so many top reviews that it’s hard to pick out just what makes them so great. Most reviewers comment on just how much their dogs love these treats. “My dog loves these,” said one reviewer. “Like absolutely goes insane when she sees the bag. She gobbles them up quicker than I’d like, but they make a great treat for her.”

Criticism often focused on how expensive they were compared to other treats. “These bones are very expensive, but it’s because they are a high-quality luxury,” wrote one reviewer. “They are for special occasions.” Most pet owners used them as an occasional treat rather than an everyday indulgence, although there were a few who gave their lucky dog one each day. 

Wellness treats also got great marks, especially for those working to train their puppy or dog. “I have levels of treats for training and these are the highest level and will get my dog motivated to learn any new trick,” said one reviewer. “She loves them cause they are yummy and I love them cause they are also healthy for her. They are also super soft and easy to pinch off a bit at a time.”