The Top Dog Jerky Treats for Your Pup

Dogs love food, but just like with human snacks, it’s too easy to end up with a dog treat that is full of sugar and chemicals. Many jerky treats have added sugar or fillers like grains or potato flour. On the other hand, quality jerky treats are dried meat with a few other ingredients at most. They are healthier for your pup and support a clean diet.

The problem for dog lovers is that there are thousands of jerky treats for dogs on the market, and not all of them are very pure. Even a 100% meat snack can be unhealthy if the source of meat isn’t good quality. This is why we’ve sorted through the options to bring you some of the best.

A-Z Animals Top Picks for Dog Jerky Treats for Your Pup

#1 Overall Best: Fruitables Whole Jerky Grilled Bison Strips

In our review, the overall best dog jerky treats are Fruitables Whole Jerky Grilled Bison Strips for their big slices of jerky and simple ingredients. Since these jerky strips are free of common allergens like beef, chicken, and grains, it’s also a good treat for pets with sensitive digestion.

The Fruitables Whole Jerky Grilled Bison Strips are made with 100% bison meat from the USA, which has a sweet taste and more protein than other red meats. It is also more nutrient-dense than other snack choices and offers a rich meaty flavor that dogs crave. The Fruitables Whole Jerky Strips are gluten and grain-free and have no by-products, fillers, or artificial ingredients. 

The jerky pieces from this product are not as tough as you might expect. Instead, they are large and can be easily snapped in half or into thirds. However, a few customers reported that the jerky pieces can break and crumble during shipping, making them difficult to give as a treat to dogs.

Pros and Cons of the Fruitables Whole Jerky Grilled Bison Strips

Overall Best

Fruitables Whole Jerky Strips

• Free of common allergens
• Rich meaty flavor
• Gluten and grain-free
• No artificial ingredients

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2. Best For Poultry Lovers: Cloud Star Wag More Bark Less Duck & Apple Recipe

Real duck sourced from France, chicken from the USA, and apples are the first ingredients in the Cloud Star Wag More Bark Less Jerky Treats. With these treats, you know you’re feeding your pup quality snacks.

These carefully-crafted jerky treats are air-dried in small batches so they are not too dry or brittle. The recipe is also grain-free and gluten-free, so as long as your dog tolerates chicken well you can use these for pups with food sensitivities. In addition, these treats are free of corn, soy, animal by-products, and artificial colors and flavors, delivering a treat you feel as good about giving your dog as they do eating it.

However, these treats are a bit more pricey than some of the other options. In addition, customers reported that the pieces are larger and may have to be broken up for some dogs.

Pros and Cons of the Cloud Star Wag More Bark Less Duck & Apple Recipe

Best For Poultry Lovers

Cloud Star Wag More Bark Less Duck & Apple Jerky Dog Treats

• Contains real duck and chicken
• Air-dried in small batches
• No corn, soy, or artificial colors
• Suitable for all life stages

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3. Best for Chewers: Best Bully Sticks Jerky Dog Treats

The Best Bully Sticks Jerky Dog Treats are thin strips made with beef gullets from free-range, grass-fed beef. They have some of the texture that bully sticks typically have, but they are not nearly as long-lasting.

With one single ingredient, you know there is nothing artificial or harmful in the treat. There are no chemicals, additives, or preservatives in these treats, just 100% all-natural beef. The beef gullet is rich in protein and nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin, which are good for hip and joint health.

Dogs love beef, and the texture of these jerky treats promotes dental health by scraping away tartar and plaque. Some dogs will chew these longer than others — and some will chomp right through them. Luckily, there are 25 sticks in each bag. These are also a great alternative to giving your dog rawhide, as these treats are digestible and do not splinter, so they are safe for your dog.

However, customers did report that the size of the jerky sticks can vary from package to package, and some may be thicker or thinner than others.

Pros and Cons of the Best Bully Sticks Jerky Dog Treats

Best for Chewers

Best Bully Sticks 6" Joint Jerky Dog Treats

• Rich in protein and nutrients
• Promotes dental health
• Made from beef gullets
• Very safe for dogs, doesn't splinter

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4. Best Fish Jerky: Blue Ridge Naturals Alaskan Salmon Jerky Dog Treats

Made with real smoked Alaskan salmon, the Blue Ridge Naturals Alaskan Salmon Jerky Dog Treats is a great option for dogs who love the taste of fish. These all-natural, wheat-free dog treats provide a delicious and safe jerky snack that is easy on your dog’s gums.

The Blue Ridge Naturals Alaskan Salmon Jerky Dog Treats have a nice texture that your dog will enjoy chewing on, making them a healthy alternative to rawhide. They are also an excellent source of vital omegas and fatty acids, which promote cardiovascular and joint health and nourish your dog’s skin and coat. Each treat contains approximately 80 milligrams of Omega-3 and 65 milligrams of Omega-6.

Salmon is the very first ingredient, and these treats are made with wild-caught salmon whenever possible. However, when wild-caught salmon is not available, they may also be made with farm-raised salmon from the Pacific Northwest. In addition, the recipe does contain sugar, corn syrup, and liquid smoke flavoring to add to the treats’ taste.

Pros and Cons of Blue Ridge Naturals Alaskan Salmon Jerky Dog Treats

Best Fish Jerky

Blue Ridge Naturals Alaskan Salmon Jerky Dog Treats

• Made with real smoked Alaskan salmon
• An excellent source of vital omegas and fatty acids for cardiovascular, joint, skin, and coat health
• Wheat-free
• Healthy alternative to rawhide

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5. Best From Pride Grade USDA Beef: Nature’s Logic Beef Lung Dehydrated Dog Treats

Nature’s Logic Beef Lung Dehydrated Dog Treats contains nothing except dehydrated beef lung from Midwest cattle graded USDA Prime. Dogs love meat, but to stay healthy, they also need to eat the organs as well as the meat of animals. Organ meats, like lungs, contain extra concentrations of vitamins and minerals that help dogs maintain a healthy heart, strong muscles, and a shiny coat. 

Organ meat doesn’t need synthetic vitamins or minerals because it’s rich in natural ones already. This jerky is made without any extra fillers or additives, just 100% natural beef. This delivers a satisfying and healthy treat your dog will crave.

The chewiness of these treats also supports your dog’s dental hygiene and the simple formula is suitable for dogs who have allergies and sensitivities — as long as they can eat beef. Customers continually report that their dogs cannot get enough of these beef treats! However, they are a bit more expensive up front (although they do come in a larger, 1-pound bag), and a few customers said that on occasion the pieces were broken into small bits during shipping.

Pros and Cons of Nature’s Logic Beef Lung Dehydrated Dog Treats

Best From Pride Grade USDA Beef

Nature's Logic Beef Lung Dehydrated Dog Treats

• Contain extra vitamins and minerals
• Made from dehydrated beef lung
• Satisfying meat treat
• No extra fillers or additives

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6. Best Raw Food Jerky Treat: Stella & Chewy’s Beef Heart Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats

Stella & Chewy’s Beef Heart Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats contain 100% pure freeze-dried pieces of beef heart, which is another nutrient-rich organ meat that dogs love. And that is the only ingredient! Plus, these healthy, high-value morsels are made without artificial ingredients and are crafted in the USA for added assurance of quality.

Proponents of raw treats say they maintain a higher concentration of natural nutrients and are good for dogs whose natural diet would traditionally not include cooked meat. Healthy omega fatty acids help promote strong teeth and gums, as well as vibrant skin and coats. These treats also support strong teeth, healthy digestion, stamina, and vitality.

With only one ingredient, you can be confident you’re giving your dog a healthy and nutrient-rich dog food and not junk food or filler. Naturally, beef hearts are grain- and gluten-free. They are perfect for dogs with food sensitivities, allergies, or limited-ingredient diets and can still eat beef.

However, customers have reported that these treats do come with a strong meaty smell, which is great for your pooch but perhaps not as much for you. In addition, since they are freeze-dried, the consistency can vary. For example, you might get a batch that is very hard to break or cut up, but then you may get another batch that is soft and crumbly.

Pros and Cons of Stella & Chewy’s Beef Heart Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats

Best Raw Food Jerky Treat

Stella & Chewy's Beef Heart Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats

• Freeze-dried raw heart
• More natural nutrients
• Supports strong teeth and healthy digestion
• Grain and gluten-free

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Choosing the Best Dog Jerky Treats for Your Pup: What to Look For

When choosing the best dog jerky treat, there are a few important factors you will want to consider: the brand, flavor, purity of ingredients, and source of the meat.

Reputable Brand

When it comes to finding treats for your dog, transparency is key. Research the ingredients, recalls, and manufacturing processes used by the brand you’re looking at. If there isn’t much information available, move on to a company with a better reputation. Be sure to avoid brands that have multiple open recalls. You can also read reviews and check out lists like this one to make sure the treats are healthy and nutritious for your pup.

Flavor

Finding treats that your pup enjoys is just as important as making sure they are healthy. If you’re introducing a new brand or a new type of treat to your dog, start with a small package. That way you can see if your pup likes it before spending a lot. Each individual dog has their own preferences when it comes to taste and texture, so don’t be discouraged if the treat isn’t a hit! Just try a different flavor or type.

The Purity of Ingredients

If you browse many of the jerky treats available at the grocery store or online, you may be astonished at how many include things like sugar, potato flour, wheat, and other unhealthy and unnecessary fillers.

Treats are for training, rewards, and giving your dog suitable food to distract them from your dinner. Dogs may love a sugar-filled treat, but you’re giving them something that can slowly erode their health and is not part of a healthy diet.

Look for jerky treats with the fewest possible ingredients, and make sure the first one is high-quality meat.

Source of the Meat

Some chicken treats are made in China, and if you read the reviews, users claim that the treats killed their dogs because the chicken was of such low quality. Now, that may not be the whole story, but if even a couple of owners suspect that tainted meat in a treat damaged their dog’s health, it’s worth paying a little more to know that your treats are made from quality and reputable sources.

Don’t assume that your treats are sourced from quality meat sources because it’s a recognizable brand — always double-check before you buy.

The Different Types of Jerky Dog Treats: Pros and Cons Compared

Jerky is pretty simple food. The jerky humans eat is usually simply dried or smoked meat with spices. Dog jerky treats actually have more variety, but there are three main types. You can choose between single-ingredient, mixed-ingredient, and freeze-dried raw. Here are some pros and cons of each type.

Single-Ingredient

Mixed-Ingredient

Freeze-Dried Raw

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