13 Best Dog Treats in 2025, Recommended by Vets
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All products in this article have been reviewed by our trusted vets and experts. PetMD is owned by Chewy.
Finding the best dog treats can be challenging, with so many brands and varieties available. Ingredients, size, texture, and purpose all play a role when choosing a dog treat for your individual pet.
On top of that, treats should not exceed 10% of a dog’s overall diet, so calories count too.
To keep it stress-free and simple, our team of veterinary experts dug through all the options to pick the best treats for dogs.
Below are 13 top-rated dog treats they personally recommend—and, in many cases, even feed to their own pets.
What To Look For When Buying Dog Treats
Ingredients
The ingredients on the back of the package are listed in order of volume, with the first ingredient being the main one. Look for treats with high-quality proteins, simple ingredients, and without added artificial colors and flavorings.
And, very important, choose treats with your dog’s favorite flavors that are tasty enough that your dog will do anything for them—this might take some trial and error.
You’ll also need to take into account any food sensitivities or dietary concerns. For example, dog treats can range from around 3 calories per treat to the high hundreds per treat. If your dog is overweight, check the packaging for calories per treat and choose a lower-calorie treat.
Many of today’s treats focus on specific health benefits, such as tartar control for teeth, glucosamine for arthritis, or melatonin to promote calming. Your veterinarian might recommend treats with beneficial ingredients to help your dog’s physical or mental health.
Texture
Treats come in a variety of textures: soft, hard, chewy, creamy. The right texture for your dog depends on their preference and health concerns.
For example, your dog might love hard treats as a younger adult but prefer softer treats that are easier on their gums and teeth as a senior.
Not sure which texture your dog prefers? Let them choose. Buy treats in a variety of textures and offer them to your dog throughout the week. You’ll soon know their preference.
Or ask your veterinarian if they have a suggestion. Your vet may recommend a harder treat to help with oral health or may suggest a softer treat if your pet has had teeth removed due to dental disease.
Size
Size does matter when it comes to dog treats. Smaller is typically better when you’re watching your dog’s calorie intake. Larger treats that can break into smaller pieces work too, particularly when used for training.
Treat size should be appropriate for the weight of your dog. Treat packaging typically includes a weight chart on the back to guide dog parents.
If you give your dog a treat that is too small for their size (small enough to swallow it whole) or too large (they struggle to chew or bite off manageable pieces before swallowing), it could create a choking hazard.
Purpose
There are many reasons pet parents might want to give their dog a treat: as rewards for training, to distract their dog, for calming purposes, or as an enrichment tool. Match up the right treat for the right purpose.
Depending upon the purpose, the size and texture of the treat you offer might change.
Training treats, for example, need to be non-crumbly, low-calorie, and bite-size. Distraction treats, on the other hand, should take longer to gnaw or lick. And health-support treats need to be tasty enough that your dog will actually eat them.
How We Selected the Best Dog Treats
This list of the best dog treats was meticulously curated by a panel of veterinarians and vet techs who are employed by Chewy, the publisher of PetMD. They were asked to choose the best dog treats, in their honest opinion, across multiple categories based on the following:
- Their knowledge and practical experience
- Review of information published by the manufacturers
- Attributes such as:
- Ingredients
- Price
- Texture
- Size
- Trusted source
- Appropriateness for intended purpose
Opinions and product recommendations in this article belong solely to the review panel of vets and animal health experts. Manufacturers and vendors cannot buy placement in Vet Verified content or exert influence on our panelists as they evaluate products.
Our sole goal with this program is to provide pet parents with the information they need to make the best decision for their pets.
Dog Treats FAQs
Q: Can you freeze dog treats?
A: Yes, you can freeze dog treats to keep them fresh for longer. How long they’ll stay fresh depends on the ingredients in the treats, particularly the protein. Keeping treats in the freezer for two to three months is generally fine. You can defrost the treats as needed.
Contact the manufacturer to find the exact length of time recommended or ask your veterinarian.
Q: What are high-value dog treats?
A: High-value dog treats are treats that capture your dog’s attention and can help get them to stop doing certain problematic behaviors. In other words, they’re treats that your dog would stop in their tracks to get.
You should only use high-value treats as training rewards to help ensure training success.
What constitutes a high-value treat depends on your dog’s personal preference, but treats that have a strong smell and high palatability are usually favorites.
Our vets recommend rotating through different high-value treats to help keep dogs interested.
Q: What treats should you use when dog training?
A: Use chewy or soft low-calorie, bite-size treats that have high value to your pup for dog training. Because you might need to give your pup a lot of these rewards during training, low-calorie treats will help keep them trim. And small, soft, or chewy treats are easier for your dog to swallow on the go.
Our Vet Pick: Best in Show
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Digestive Health Bites soft treats include beneficial ingredients; a soft, chewy texture; and hickory flavoring to give them high marks in palatability, which is why our expert panel spotlights this dog treat as Best in Show.
The fact that these treats come from a brand with a long history of research-backed products by board-certified veterinary nutritionists makes them appeal to our vets.
They also approve because the treats are only seven calories each and can still be portioned into smaller pieces for an even lower calorie count.
“I like that this treat ‘works’ for you and your dog with prebiotics for digestive health and vitamins C and E for immune support,” says Veronica Higgs, DVM.
- Soft texture
- Low calorie count
- Chicken as the first ingredient
- Natural prebiotic fiber and vitamins
- Free of artificial colors and flavors
- Made in the U.S.
Our Vet Pick: Best Calming Treat for Dogs
For pups who need help with travel, separation anxiety, or noise sensitivity, our veterinarian experts single out Nutramax Solliquin Behavioral Health Soft Calming Chews for the best calming treat for dogs.
They appreciate that these soft chews support relaxation but not sedation and that they have undergone clinical trials to prove their effectiveness.
“[This product] contains ingredients that help promote calm in pets—L-theanine, magnolia, and phellodendron—which can be helpful to decrease fears, noise phobias, and anxiety,” says Jo Cornett, DVM. “It also contains whey protein, which can help dogs relax.”
Another expert uses this calming treat for their personal pets and finds it to be a palatable treat that they will consistently eat.
However, our panel notes that pet parents should also seek behavioral therapy and modification along with medical treatment and care for conditions that cause anxiety.
- Soft texture
- Relaxes, doesn’t sedate
- Clinically proven
- Give to dogs with anxiety issues, not as a regular treat
- Dosage depends on weight
Our Vet Pick: Best Dog Training Treat
Our panel of experts select Hill’s Natural Training Soft & Chewy Treats as the top training treat due to their soft texture, low calorie count, and chicken protein.
The soft texture makes the treats easy to chew, while chicken is a lean yet high-value protein that dogs want to eat.
Our veterinary panel also finds the small size of the treats appealing.
“Since training treats are fed more frequently and at a higher volume than regular treats, finding an option like Hill’s Natural is helpful, because they are low in calories and small in size, and can be broken into even tinier pieces,” says panelist Tara Hansen, DVM.
- Soft and chewy texture
- Low calorie count
- Chicken as first ingredient
- No artificial colors or flavors
- Higher price point
- For puppies 9 weeks and older up to mature adult dogs
Our Vet Pick: Best Dog Dental Treat
Looking for an easy and healthy way to freshen your dog’s breath and reduce plaque and tartar? Our expert veterinary panel gives high marks to Virbac’s C.E.T. VeggieDent Fr3sh Dental Chews for those reasons and more.
They all appreciate how dogs can easily grasp the dental treat due to its Z-shape. They also like that the chews are plant-based with a highly palatable taste.
But the most important quality was the treat’s VOHC seal, representing endorsement from the Veterinary Oral Health Council regarding quality, effectiveness, and safety. “I would not recommend a dental treat without them,” says panelist Katherine Klast, LVT.
When giving your dog a chew of any kind, our vets recommend using a chew guard, like the Himalayan Pet Supply Bonehead Chew Guardian, to help prevent choking.
- VOHC seal of acceptance
- Plant-based
- Chewy consistency
- Freshens breath and cleans gums
- Available in XS–L to match the appropriate-size dog
Our Vet Pick: Best Dog Treats for a Puppy
For the best puppy treats, our veterinarians like Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Lamb & Salmon Recipe, which are specially formulated for dogs under 1 year old.
Their beneficial ingredients, such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, their softness, and their small size meet important criteria for puppies.
One vet appreciates that these treats contain salmon and flax—two sources of DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid.
“DHA is important in brain development and can also help with training, learning, and memory,” says Dr. Cornett.
The small size and low-calorie count (six per treat) make these treats especially well-suited for training puppies.
“You can help train and reward your puppy with less worry about causing tummy upset or weight gain,” says Molly Price, DVM.
- Soft texture
- Small size
- Low calorie count
- Beneficial ingredients
- No grain, corn, wheat-gluten, soy, dairy, or artificial colors or flavors
- Made in the U.S.
- Formulated for dogs under 1 year of age
Our Vet Pick: Best Crunchy Dog Treat
For dogs who love the crunch, our veterinarian panel singles out Charlee Bear Natural Bear Crunch Grain-Free Crunch Bacon & Blueberry Dog Treats as the best.
Perfect for on-the-go training, these little dog biscuits won’t stain or leave smells or crumbles in your pocket.
“Their crunch can also help to remove some plaque or tartar from the teeth by the chewing actions needed to ingest them,” says Barri Morrison, DVM.
Vets also appreciate the lack of artificial colors or flavors and the fact that the treats are low in calories (2.1 calories per treat).
- Crunchy texture
- Low calorie count
- No artificial colors or flavors
- Made in the U.S.
- Large and giant breeds may try to swallow treats whole (due to small treat size)
Our Vet Pick: Best Natural Dog Treat
With their crunchy texture, single protein, and lack of added fillers, flavoring, or by-products, Vital Essentials Minnows Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats swam to the top for the best natural dog treat.
Being freeze-dried gives these treats their crunchy texture and locks in nutrients that are otherwise removed by cooking.
Though freeze-dried treats have their benefits, they do come with some safety concerns, because not all bacteria are killed during the freeze-drying process.
As with raw meat, pet parents should wash their hands before and after handling and keep the treats separated from other foods. It is best to ask your vet if these are a good option for your pet and keep them away from small children who might put the treat in their mouths.
Made with a single-source protein, these treats make a great limited-ingredient treat for pets with grain, gluten, poultry, beef, or pork sensitivities, but they might not be ideal for pets with kidney issues who shouldn’t eat high-protein treats.
“I feed them personally to my dogs, because they are small dogs who can be a little picky about their treats, but they consistently love these minnows,” says Dr. Higgs, who notes that the treats do have a strong smell and slightly jarring appearance as they are, in fact, whole minnows.
This might turn off some pet parents but might also be why her dogs love them.
- Crunchy texture
- High protein from a single protein source
- Freeze-dried raw treat. Use caution with certain pets and clinical diseases.
- Grain- and gluten-free, with no added hormones or antibiotics
- Not for dogs on low-protein diets, such as those with kidney disease
- Made in the U.S.
- Fully intact minnows and strong smell might be unappealing for some pet parents
Our Vet Pick: Best Soft Dog Treat
Dogs and pet parents love bananas and peanut butter, which helps make Hill’s Natural Soft Savories With Peanut Butter & Banana a favorite with our veterinarian panel.
Peanut butter is the first ingredient in these treats, which feature a soft texture that’s perfect for active puppies over 9 weeks, as well as adult and mature dogs.
Given that they are 27 calories per treat, our veterinarians appreciate that you can easily break these treats into smaller pieces for weight management.
“This is the best soft treat due to the nutritious ingredients, great taste, and high-quality name brand,” says Teresa Manucy, DVM.
- Soft texture
- Peanut butter as first ingredient
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Made in the U.S.
- For active puppies over 9 weeks to senior dogs
Our Vet Pick: Best Dog Treats for Sensitive Stomachs
Our experts gave top scores to Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers for the best treat for dogs with sensitive tummies. Purina specially crafted these crunchy bites using hydrolyzed proteins to make them easier for dogs to digest.
As Tiffany Tupler, DVM, explains, hydrolyzed proteins are so small that the immune system doesn’t even detect them.
Filled with vitamins—such as D3, K, B1, B6, and B12—these treats are a healthy choice.
Dr. Price shares that they keep Gentle Snackers in the lobby and exam rooms at her animal hospital as a treat for their dog patients.
“Even dogs who are on strict hypoallergenic diets can eat Gentle Snackers, and they are low-fat and low-calorie, only 6 calories per crunchy treat,” she says.
- Low calorie count
- Soft texture
- Beneficial vitamins
- Hydrolyzed protein
- Good for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies
Our Vet Pick: Best Dog Treats for Small Dogs
For the best treats for small dogs, our vet experts pick Hill’s Natural Jerky Mini Strips With Real Chicken.
The enticing smell, chicken as the first ingredient, and the soft yet chewy texture meet with veterinarians’ approval as well as that of pickier small dogs.
The jerky strips don’t have artificial colors or preservatives and are specifically made for small dog breeds.
“These chewy treats can be torn into portions for easier feeding and for calorie management but still have a satisfying texture and flavor,” Dr. Hansen says about the jerky mini strips, which have 16 calories each.
- Soft and chewy texture
- Chicken as first ingredient
- No artificial colors, or artificial flavors
- Good for picky eaters
- For small breeds
Our Vet Pick: Best Dog Treats for Large Dogs
Our experts agree that Purina’s DentaLife Daily Oral Care Large Dental Dog Treats deliver when it comes to beneficial, long-lasting treats for big dogs.
The chewy treats take time for large dogs to gnaw on, which is good for enrichment and for removing tartar and plaque. Dogs love the tasty chicken flavor, and vets appreciate the ridges that clean hard-to-reach teeth down to the gumline.
The VOHC seal of acceptance was a must for the panel, along with the chews’ large size.
“Large-breed dogs have a high risk of swallowing treats whole, which can cause blockage of the airway and GI tract,” Dr. Tupler explains. “It’s always good to have something they can chew without breaking.”
- Porous, chewy texture
- Reduces tartar and freshens breath
- No artificial colors or flavors
- VOHC seal of acceptance
- Long-lasting
- Made specifically for large and giant dogs
- Made in the U.S.
Our Vet Pick: Best Dog Treats for Senior Dogs
For our gray-muzzle friends, our veterinarians choose Hill’s Natural Flexi-Stix Jerky Dog Treats for the top spot.
Starring beef as the No. 1 ingredient, these tasty jerky sticks are formulated to help give senior dogs a boost with beneficial ingredients.
“These treats are great for senior pups, as they provide natural glucosamine and chondroitin, which are essential for joint health,” Dr. Morrison says.
Our experts also like the softer chewy texture for older dogs’ sensitive mouths and the fact that you can break the 29-calorie treats into smaller pieces.
- Beef as the first ingredient
- Glucosamine and chondroitin to support joints
- For adult and mature dogs
- No artificial ingredients
- Made in the U.S.
Our Vet Pick: Best Budget Dog Treat
Our expert veterinarians know that dogs deserve nutritious treats pet parents can afford, which is why they select Blue Buffalo’s Health Bars Baked With Apples & Yogurt as the best budget dog treats.
Oven baking allows for a big crunch, and these treats are fortified with omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Our experts also appreciate that the 63-calorie biscuits can be broken into pieces for a lower-calorie treat.
“This treat is great for pet parents on a budget, since the bars contain natural ingredients and provide excellent protein in a crunchy treat,” says Dr. Manucy, pointing out that the bars cost just under $5 for a 16-ounce bag.
- Crunchy texture
- No artificial preservatives, colors, corn, wheat, or soy
- Low price, large quantity