If you’re a regular reader here at Proud Dog Mom then you know I’m a huge advocate for making homemade dog treats. Baking your doggy snacks means you can control the ingredients and cater to your dog’s needs/preferences. Plus, it may even save you some money. But that doesn’t mean I don’t also keep some store-bought options on hand. I have a small stash for those times I’m in a pinch and quickly need something to grab/reward. When it comes to store-bought dog treats, I must admit: I’m super picky. The criteria:
- Limited ingredients. Single-ingredient is the best!
- No additives, fillers, or red-flag preservatives
- Sourced and made in the USA
- From a reputable brand (Note: Just because I like one product from a brand, doesn’t mean I will like another. The ingredient list is above all.)
@prouddogmomblog Let’s talk store bought dog treats! #dogtreats #singleingredientdogsnacks #dogmomlife ♬ original sound – ProudDogMomBlog
Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Minnows
Vital Essentials offers a variety of single-ingredient freeze-dried treats, all sourced from suppliers in the United States and packaged in America’s Heartland. These top-rated, freeze-dried minnows go through a slow, 48-hour freeze-drying process to lock in vital nutrients without cooking the raw meat. Not only are these minnows extremely nutritious, but they don’t have any fillers, flavorings, artificial coloring, rendered by-products, or preservatives. Four paws up from us!
PureBites Freeze Dried Salmon
My dogs go nuts for freeze-dried salmon treats, and I love how healthy they are! Salmon is a great source of essential fatty acids, like Omega 3, Omega 6, Magnesium, Zinc, Potassium, and Vitamins A, B12, and D. This nutrient-rich fish is great for heart health, joint health, and skin/coat. These single-ingredient treats are wild-caught and USA-sourced.
The Honest Kitchen Cod & Blueberry Crisps
My dogs have been chowing down on these lately. They’re made from one of my favorite brands – The Honest Kitchen – and only contain cod and blueberry. According to The Honest Kitchen, each treat is made with over 90% cod and loaded with healthy omegas. Plus, blueberries offer plenty of key nutrients that help our dogs thrive! They’re not greasy, are super easy to break into smaller pieces (for tiny dogs), and the pups go nuts for their fishy smell and taste.
Dr. Harvey’s Freeze Dried Chicken Hearts
Organ meats are one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can give to your dog. In addition to quality protein and fat, organ meats tout a variety of key vitamins and minerals. With that said, it’s no wonder these freeze-dried chicken heart treats make the perfect treat. Each yummy piece is 65% pure protein with just 5% fat. Plus, there are no additives, fillers, or preservatives. The only ingredient is USA-sourced chicken hearts.
PureBites Freeze Dried Beef Liver
Here’s another organ meat treat that most dogs go absolutely crazy over! These freeze-dried beef liver bites are made with only one ingredient: Human Grade, Raw USA Beef Liver. The meat goes through a delicate freeze-drying process to remove water, yet preserve nutrients.
Riley’s Slims Chicken Sticks
Chicken jerky takes on a whole new look with these dehydrated chicken strips. Surprisingly, many store-bought chicken jerky dog treats contain fillers and unnecessary ingredients, like sugar. These, on the other hand, are made with just one ingredient: USA-sourced, cage-free chicken breast. They offer a crispy, crunchy texture, and are easy to break into smaller pieces, if you desire.
Dr. Harvey’s Sweet Potatoe’r Chews
Dr. Harvey’s brand is making the list twice! If your pup likes sweet potato treats, you may want to give these a try. They’re made from 100% real dehydrated sweet potatoes, grown and dried in the USA. And the only ingredient? You guessed it – just sweet potatoes. No preservatives, no dyes, no by-products, no added salt or sugar–absolutely nothing artificial.
