Most pet owners like to spoil their dogs with toys and treats, whether to reward good behavior or simply as an afternoon pick-me-up. Dogs love food rewards for many reasons — mainly because they’re a welcome change from their daily food. But if you’ve been giving your pup scraps from your dinner plate, you might want to rethink what (and how much) you’re feeding them. Human food, even in small treat-sized amounts, can take up too many of your pet’s daily calories and quickly add up to extra pounds, experts say.
To help you choose the right treats for your dog, I consulted veterinarians and veterinary technicians about how to shop for the best ones and compiled their recommendations as well as NBC Select staff favorites to consider.
SKIP AHEAD How I chose the best dog treats | The best dog treats | How to shop for dog treats | Why trust NBC Select?
Best training treat$15.91$17.49
How I chose the best dog treats
Treats should only be considered as one part of your dog’s daily diet, which means you should give them out in moderation to avoid going over your pup’s recommended calorie count. Keep in mind:
- Nutritional balance: Look for treats that clearly state the number of calories in each one and include feeding recommendations on the packaging. You can also keep an eye out for the Association of Feed Control Officials’ (AAFCO) nutritional adequacy label on the bag, but unlike dog food, not all treats are required to have that label on their packaging (more on nutritional balance below).
- Ingredients: Avoid ingredients that could potentially irritate your dog’s stomach: artificial sweeteners like xylitol, artificial dyes, excessive salt — which will make them thirstier — and syrups and molasses — which are high in sugar, says Caylee Freels, a licensed veterinary technician at VCA White Lake Animal Hospital. Consider treats that contain dog-safe fruits and vegetables like carrots, green beans, apples and bananas that offer very few calories and have good nutritional value, experts say.
- Size: Choose a treat that’s proportional to your dog’s size. Giving your dog a treat that’s too big or too small for them can turn into a choking hazard, experts say. You can also break up larger biscuits to cut down on the calories per treat, says Dr. Kristen L. Nelson, a board-certified veterinarian author of “Coated With Fur: A Vet’s Life.”
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Best dog treats of 2025
In line with my experts’ guidance, each of the following dog treats features a nutrition label on its packaging that indicates the number of calories and fat content per serving as well as the ingredients. Most of them also come in different sizes (or can be broken up into smaller pieces) to accommodate different size dogs and breeds.
Best overall: Hill’s Natural Baked Light Small Biscuits
- Healthy and low-calorie
- Small size
- Nothing to note at this time
These chicken-flavored, low-calorie dog treats received an NBC Select Best for Your Pet Award because they’re tasty and don’t add extra calories to your pet’s diet. A healthy dog treat alternative to higher-calorie options (which can have negative health impacts over time), these dog biscuits don’t contain corn or artificial colors and flavors, according to the brand. Opting for low-calorie treats like these can keep your pet within the AAFCO-recommended daily nutrition intake, experts say. It comes in two bag sizes: small and medium.
Calories (per treat): 34 kcal | Key ingredients: chicken, rice bran, whole grain wheat, wheat flour | Recommended breed size: all sizes | Recommended life stage: adult and mature
Best treat sticks: SmartBones SmartSticks Beef Chews Dog Treats
- Rawhide-free
- Supports dental health
- Low fat
- Hard to break apart
These beef-flavored, rawhide-free sticks are a favorite of my 15-pound, 6-year-old havanese and bichon frise mix, Bella, who has half of one for breakfast every morning. These sticks are harder than most dog treats, so they keep her entertained while the chewing helps keep her teeth and gums healthy. They’re also made with real beef and enriched with vitamins and minerals that make digesting them easier, according to the brand.
Calories (per treat): 55 kcal | Key ingredients: corn, chicken, glycerin, sorbitol | Recommended breed size: all breeds | Recommended life stage: all life stages
Best for puppies: Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Dog Treats
- Small size
- Supports skin/coat health
- Good for training
- May be too small for big dogs
These real meat-flavored training treats from Blue Buffalo — which NBC Select social commerce editor Sadhana Daruvuri feeds her 2-year-old maltipoo Bandit — can be great for both puppies and adult dogs. These treats are made with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy. They also don’t contain soy, wheat or artificial flavors and preservatives, according to Blue Buffalo. Plus, they come in a portable bag if you need to take them on the go, says Daruvuri.
Calories (per treat): 4 kcal | Key ingredients: chicken, oatmeal, brown rice, cane sugar, potatoes | Recommended breed size: all breeds | Recommended life stage: all life stages
Best for joint health: Zuke’s Hip Action Hip & Joint Natural Dog Treats
- Supports hip and joint health
- Great for older dogs
- Soft texture
- Not easy to break apart
Another option from Zuke’s, these treats come in both beef and chicken flavors and are good for dogs with joint issues, according to the brand. NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin feeds these to her 12-year-old yellow lab Chance because they contain egg shell membrane, which can help improve hip and joint health, according to Zuke’s. These soft treats also contain antioxidant-rich whole food berries as well as essential vitamins and minerals for dogs.
Calories (per treat): 19 kcal | Key ingredients: chicken, rice, oats, malted barley extract, maple flavored syrup | Recommended breed size: all breeds | Recommended life stage: all life stages
Best variety pack: Old Mother Hubbard Original Mix Oven-Baked Dog Treats
- Variety of flavors
- Crunchy texture
- Multiple sizes
- Nothing to note at this time
Old Mother Hubbard has a variety of tasty treat flavors, including peanut butter and apples and bacon and cheddar cheese. I give this small-sized variety pack to Bella, who loves the diversity of the flavors. This mix comes with the brand’s original flavor, along with chicken, cheddar and Char-Tar (a mixture of oatmeal, apples and carrots).
Calories (per treat): n/a | Key ingredients: whole wheat flour, oatmeal, wheat bran, chicken fat, chicken | Recommended breed size: small breeds | Recommended life stage: all life stages
Best low-calorie: Zuke’s Mini Naturals Chicken Recipe Dog Training Treats
- Multiple flavor options
- Great for training
- Good for sensitive stomachs
- May be too small for big dogs
The Zuke’s Mini Naturals treats are a great training treat option, says Nelson. They come in tiny morsels, so you don’t have to break them up as you’re working with your dog on a new skill. Mini Naturals are wheat-free and corn-free for dogs who may have stomach sensitivities or allergies, and they contain no added animal fat, artificial colors or artificial flavors, according to the brand.
Calories (per treat): 2 kcal | Key ingredients: chicken, rice, oats, glycerin, potatoes | Recommended breed size: small breeds | Recommended life stage: all life stages
Best freeze-dried treats: Maeve Human-Grade Freeze Dried Treats
- Single ingredient
- Small size
- Good for sensitive stomachs
- Strong smell
These freeze-dried dog treats are made from 100% beef liver, and are great for dogs with sensitive stomachs who may need a single-ingredient diet. “They have one ingredient, so they could not be more natural. There are also no filler ingredients, so I love knowing that when I’m going to give my dogs treats, it’s not just ‘junk food,’” says Malin. “Plus, Chance is 12 years old, so I have to watch what he eats.” The brand recommends feeding your pup no more than a small handful of these treats per day.
Calories (per treat): 2 kcal | Key ingredients: beef liver | Recommended breed size: all breeds | Recommended life stage: adult
Best dental treats: Greenies Regular Dog Dental Treats
- Comes in different sizes
- Fresh minty smell
- Available in bulk, multi-pack
- Expensive
These dental treats have a stamp of approval from the Veterinary Oral Health Council, which means a group of veterinary dentists and dental scientists confirmed the treats reduce plaque and tartar build-up in dogs. The treats help maintain gum and dental health as well as help freshen your pup’s breath, experts say. They’re also made with easy-to-digest ingredients, vitamins and minerals, according to the brand. I feed the brand’s Teenie Greenies to my dog, Bella, and they’ve helped avoid any issues with her teeth and gums, which her breed is predisposed to. She also loves the taste of them and gobbles them up quickly.
Calories (per treat): 91 kcal | Key ingredients: wheat flour, glycerin, wheat gluten, gelatin, water | Recommended breed size: medium breeds | Recommended life stage: adult and mature
Best soft treats: Kong Easy Treat
- Packed with flavor
- Freezable
- May upset sensitive stomachs
This semi-soft peanut butter-flavored treat from Kong — which makes some of our experts’ favorite dog toys — comes in a dispenser that works like spray cheese, so you can put it inside of a chew toy to keep your dog entertained. You can also place a treat-filled toy in the freezer before handing it to your pup to make it last longer, according to the brand.
Calories: 3,000 kcal total | Key ingredients: milk, water, soybean oil, whey, sodium phosphate | Recommended breed size: all breeds | Recommended life stage: adult
Best for large dogs: Milk-Bone Original Dog Treats Biscuits
- Great for large breeds
- Crunchy texture
- Supports dental health
- Need to break for small dogs
These are the largest classic bone-shaped dog biscuits on this list, and they are a great option if the smaller treats just don’t cut it for your large breed pup. My family dogs have included medium to large breeds like doberman pinschers and golden retrievers, and these biscuits were always a staple in my house. The crunchy treats are beef-flavored and help reduce tartar build-up on their teeth, according to the brand. They also come in a large, 10-pound box, so you won’t have to worry about running out any time soon.
Calories (per treat): 125 kcal | Key ingredients: wheat flour, ground whole wheat flour, meat and bone meal | Recommended breed size: large and giant | Recommended life stage: all life stages
Best for training: Pet Botanics Training Reward Bacon-Flavored Dog Treats
- Great for training
- Low-calorie
- Small size
- Nothing to note at this time
These Pet Botanics dog treats — which are three calories each — are made with real pork liver, according to the brand. I give Bella these tasty treats when teaching her new commands and to reward good behavior. She loves the bacon flavor and since they come as small, low-calorie pellets, I can give her multiple treats at a time while still keeping track of her nutritional intake for the day.
Calories (per treat): 3 kcal | Key ingredients: pork liver, pea flour, potatoes, dried whole eggs, glycerin, flaxseed, brown rice | Recommended breed size: all breeds | Recommended life stage: all life stages
Best long-lasting: Pupford Thick Bully Sticks Dog Treat
- Keeps dogs busy
- Supports dental health
- Lasts a long time
- Lacks flavor variety
These rawhide-free bully sticks are great if you need a long-lasting treat to occupy your dog when they’re home alone or in stressful situations, like if they’re in a car or around lots of people. I give Bella the skinny version of these Pupford bully sticks (which are made for small dogs) when we’re traveling because they last for hours and keep her entertained, especially on an airplane. The sticks help clean her teeth and scrape away plaque as she chews, too. The brand also has other long-lasting treats, including dog chews in flavors like elk antler and beef tendon, and beef jerky treats.
Calories (per treat): 75 kcal | Key ingredients: beef | Recommended breed size: all breeds | Recommended life stage: all life stages
Best beef-flavored: Rachael Ray Nutrish Burger Bites
- Fun to eat
- Soft texture
- Grain-free
- May upset sensitive stomachs
These beef-flavored Rachel Ray Nutrish dog treats are a favorite of Daruvuri’s Bandit, who also loves the roasted chicken-flavored ones from the brand. The treats are soft enough to break apart easily for smaller dogs and are made without artificial flavors or meat by-products for sensitive stomachs, according to the brand.
Calories (per treat): 19 kcal | Key ingredients: beef, dried potatoes, vegetable glycerin, sugar, bison | Recommended breed size: all breeds | Recommended life stage: all life stages
Best salmon-flavored: Badlands Ranch Superfood Bites Salmon
- Single ingredient
- Good for sensitive stomachs
- Freeze dried
- Expensive
- Strong smell
These freeze-dried treats are a favorite of NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez’s 8-year-old pitbull Baylor. “My dog’s a picky eater with a sensitive stomach, so I’m usually nervous to introduce new dog food or treats to her. Since these only have one ingredient — freeze-dried wild salmon — I took the risk, and luckily it paid off,” says Alvarez. “She’s been loving them, listening more and I haven’t noticed any stomach problems since introducing them into her routine.”
Calories: 190 kcal per cup | Key ingredients: raw wild salmon | Recommended breed size: all breeds | Recommended life stage: all life stages
Best flavor-packed: Pup-Peroni Rounds Beef Brisket Dog Treats
- Easy to tear
- Smells great
- Nothing to note at this time
Former NBC Select manager of editorial operations Shari Uyehara feeds her 3-year-old cavalier King Charles spaniel, Loki, these beef brisket treats, and she says he loves the flavor and texture. These treats are made with real beef and come in a fun, round shape to resemble real human-grade pepperoni. The treats contain no artificial flavors, fillers or added grains, according to the brand.
Calories (per treat): n/a | Key ingredients: beef, meat by-products, soy grits, liver | Recommended breed size: all breeds | Recommended life stage: all life stages
Best turkey-flavored: Spot Farms Turkey Meatball Recipe With Cranberries
- Can break them up
- High in fiber
- Unique flavors
- Larger in size
These treats from Spot Farms contain a blend of turkey (the first ingredient), high-fiber rolled oats, honey and cranberries. Free from fillers, artificial flavors, preservatives and colors, you can give these treats to your dog whole or split them up into small training-sized treats to give throughout the day, according to the brand. They’re also highly rated, with a 4.6-star average rating from over 1,100 reviews on Amazon.
Calories (per treat): 34 kcal | Key ingredients: turkey, rolled oats, honey, glycerin, rice bran, cranberries, potato starch | Recommended breed size: all breeds | Recommended life stage: all life stages
Best stuffed treats: SmartBones Pork Stuffed Twistz
- Stuffed with extra flavor
- Rawhide-free
- Multiple flavor options
- Not for small dogs
These rawhide-free treats from NBC Select staff-favorite brand Smartbones are filled with a pork-flavored chew center to add a surprise boost of palatability for your canine friend. They’re also made with real chicken and vegetables, according to the brand. Smartbones also has a peanut butter option with a pork-flavored center, as well as beef and chicken-flavored options. If you have a smaller dog, you may want to consider the brand’s mini treats, instead — these chew sticks could be hard for them to break into pieces.
Calories (per treat): 90 kcal | Key ingredients: corn, chicken, rice, glycerin, sorbitol, peanut butter | Recommended breed size: all breeds | Recommended life stage: all life stages
Best for pet cameras: Petcube Pops
- Unique protein sources
- Compatible with pet camera
- Square shape
- May need to ease into diet
These square-shaped biscuits are compatible with the treat-launching Petcube Bites 2 Lite, which won an NBC Select Pet Award for the best stationary pet camera. You can place the Petcube Pops inside of the dispenser and toss the treats to your pet when you’re not home. The treats come in three flavor options — duck, rabbit, and pumpkin — and are packed with vitamins C and E to help maintain their immune system and a healthy coat, according to the brand.
Calories (per treat): 2 kcal | Key ingredients: rabbit, egg yolk, salmon oil, chlorella powder, soybean lecithin | Recommended breed size: all breeds | Recommended life stage: all life stages
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How to shop for dog treats
Treats should only be given in moderation, which may mean your dog shouldn’t get them on a daily basis. “Too many treats can interfere with the balance of your pet’s core diet — it’s recommended that treats make up no more than 10% of a pet’s daily calorie intake,” says Dr. Lori Teller, a board-certified veterinarian and former president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
To determine what treats are best for your dog, our pet experts recommend looking at the ingredients, size and calorie count of each treat. They also discussed other types of treats — like dental treats and grain-free options — and whether they can benefit your dog’s health.
Determine nutritional balance
Keep in mind that treats aren’t typically designed to be nutritionally balanced. Deciding how to add treats into your dog’s diet is the biggest consideration when it comes to your own research: “If you start feeding your dog a lot of treats and cut back on their kibble, you start running into nutrient deficiencies,” says Dr. Joe Wakshlag, professor of clinical nutrition and sports medicine and rehabilitation at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine.
Too many treats can also result in diarrhea and occasional vomiting, so it’s important to choose brands that clearly state the calories contained in each treat and include feeding recommendations on the back of the packaging, says Freels. If you’re in doubt, The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center also offers a handy daily calorie calculator for pets.
If you want to be extra sure the treats you’re feeding your dog are healthy, look for the AAFCO nutritional adequacy label (which is usually in small print on the bag). However, unlike dog food, treats don’t have to have the AAFCO label on their packaging — the association says it recognizes that treat products don’t meet the nutritional adequacy requirements for a complete and balanced meal, which is why they must clearly display the terms “snack” or “treat” on the front label.
Analyze good (and bad) ingredients
Dog owners should avoid artificial sweeteners like xylitol in the dog treats they buy, says Freels. Other things to avoid include artificial colors, excessive salt (which will increase thirst) and syrups and molasses (which are high in sugar). Be mindful of foods like grapes or raisins, which can be healthy for people but toxic to dogs, says Nelson. If you’re not sure about a certain food, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) maintains a list of foods that can be harmful to your pet.
If you want to reduce their calorie intake, dog-safe fruits and vegetables — including bell pepper, carrots, green beans, apples and bananas, to name a few — offer very few calories and have some good nutrition to them, according to Wakshlag. “And it’s not diluting down the calories that they get from their food — those are things you can get a lot more of as treats than commercial treats or pieces of steak that are going to be calorie dense,” he says.
Find the right size
While watching a puppy struggle with an oversized bone looks adorable, giving a dog a treat that’s too big or too small for them can be dangerous. “The size of the treat should be proportional to the size of your dog. Very small dogs shouldn’t have large treats and [vice versa],” says Nelson. Keep an eye on your dog while they’re chewing larger treats like rawhide chews that can break apart and turn into choking hazards, and break up big biscuits to cut down on the calories per treat, too, she says.
Size also depends on what you are using the treat for: training versus mental stimulation or enrichment. Training treats are going to be very small, which means more can be given as a reward for positive behavior. Regular treats, on the other hand, are larger, such as bully sticks, bones and dog chews, and should be used only for enrichment or mental stimulation, according to Freels. Too much of a large treat can cause GI Issues, so these enrichment treats should be given less regularly. If you’re using treats for training, “very small treats — the size of a thumbnail — are going to be best so more can be given without causing any GI indiscretion,” says Freels.
Meet our experts
At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Caylee Freels is a licensed veterinary technician at VCA White Lake Animal Hospital.
- Dr. Kristen Nelson is a board-certified veterinarian author of “Coated With Fur: A Vet’s Life.”
- Dr. Lori Teller is a board-certified veterinarian and the former president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
- Dr. Joe Wakshlag is a professor of clinical nutrition and sports medicine and rehabilitation at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Dr. Brian Roberts is a board-certified veterinarian and regional medical director in the Mid-Atlantic region with VCA Animal Hospitals.
Why trust NBC Select?
I am an editor at NBC Select who covers a variety of pet essentials, including dog food, travel carriers and shampoos. For this article, I spoke to five veterinarians and dog experts about how to shop for the best treats for your dog, including health considerations and nutritional value. I also compiled their recommendations for the best dog treats to consider, as well as options that NBC Select staff give their own dogs.
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