Joybuy Insights

Choosing Dog Treats: Practical Tips on Taste, Safety and Size

Buying a bag of dog treats might seem straightforward, until you have to choose between soft dog treats, chews for dogs, training treats for dogs and dental dog treats. The packaging often promises a lot, but not every treat suits every dog. A small dog needs different portions and sizes than a large dog. Age, chewing strength, allergies and daily diet also play a part.

Common Pitfalls with Dog Treats

1. An Appealing Taste Doesn't Tell You Much About the Ingredients

"With chicken" doesn't automatically mean chicken is the main ingredient. Check the ingredients list and pay attention to the order: ingredients are usually listed by weight. In some dog treats, chicken or chicken flavouring is only mentioned as part of a broader recipe.

For example, a treat containing cereals, vegetable by-products and animal by-products may include chicken, but it isn't necessarily the largest component. If your dog has a food sensitivity, don't just look at the flavour on the front; check the full ingredients and allergen information.

2. A Chew Treat Isn't Automatically Suitable for Every Dog

A hard treat can be appealing for a dog that loves to chew for a long time, but a small breed, a senior dog or a dog with less chewing strength may be better off with a soft or semi-moist option. A piece that is too large can also be difficult to handle.

Always give chew treats under supervision. Also check whether the treat is intended for small dogs, medium dogs or large dogs. The recommended weight limits on the packaging are more important than just the breed.

3. "Dental Care" Doesn't Replace Full Dental Hygiene

Some products are developed, according to the brand's product information, to help reduce plaque or tartar during chewing. That is a product claim and not a guarantee for every animal. Pedigree, for example, states that Dentastix can help reduce tartar formation by up to 80% with daily use. This claim comes from Pedigree's product information.

Therefore, see dental dog treats as a supplement. They do not replace brushing your dog's teeth or a check-up with the vet if you notice red gums, bad breath or pain while eating.

Important Features to Check

1. Texture and Size

Choose the texture based on your dog's eating habits:

  • Soft dog treats: practical for training, senior dogs and dogs that prefer not to chew for long.
  • Semi-moist treats: easy to break and often suitable as a daily reward.
  • Chews for dogs: intended for longer chewing, but always give under supervision.
  • Dental treats: check that the size matches your dog's weight.

A treat for small dogs must be small enough to eat safely. For large dogs, a treat that is too small can be swallowed quickly, limiting the chewing effect.

2. Ingredients and Analytical Constituents

Alongside the ingredients, also look at the analytical constituents, such as crude protein, fat, crude fibre, ash and moisture. A high moisture content often makes a treat softer. INABA Fun Bites Dog Chicken Wraps Chicken with Sweet Potato, for example, states 82% moisture and a soft texture in a pouch.

A single-ingredient recipe can be useful when you want to keep the diet simple. MeatyWay Chicken Tenders lists chicken as the only ingredient, with at least 70% crude protein and a maximum of 18% moisture according to the product description. Always check the actual packaging, as labelling and nutritional information can vary between variants.

3. Feeding Advice and Storage

Dog treats are complementary food and not a replacement for a complete meal. As a general guideline, many products state that treats should make up no more than 10% of daily calorie intake. If necessary, reduce the main meal.

Also pay attention to shelf life after opening:

  • Store dry treats in a cool, dry place and seal the packaging well.
  • Store moist treats in the fridge after opening if the packaging advises this.
  • INABA recommends storing the opened pouch in the fridge and using within 24 hours.
  • G'woon Dog Pate recommends storing unused portions in the fridge and consuming within 48 hours.
  • For some Pedigree products, allow for a usage period of 14 days after opening.

Our Recommendations by Use Case

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners
g'woon Dog Chew Bones Box 500g

g'woon Dog Chew Bones Box 500g

Why this fits the profile: The 500-gram pack is practical for dog owners who want to give a chew treat regularly. According to the product description, the treat is suitable for dogs of all breeds.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The ingredients list includes cereals, oils and fats, and animal by-products, including chicken. This means you can check the composition rather than relying solely on the flavour variant.

Key benefit & highlights

500-gram content; according to the product information, no artificial colours or flavourings. Give the treat under supervision and adjust the amount to suit your dog.

Suitable for: Shoppers seeking top quality
MeatyWay Chicken Tenders 100g

MeatyWay Chicken Tenders 100g

Why this fits the profile: A single-ingredient chicken treat with a soft jerky texture suits owners who want a short, clear ingredients list.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product description lists only chicken as an ingredient. This makes it easier to assess the treat when you want to avoid different animal protein sources.

Key benefit & highlights

100% chicken according to the product information; easy to break into smaller portions for training and rewards.

Suitable for: Specific use & intensive users
Pedigree Dentastix Medium Multipack 56-Pack 1.44 kg

Pedigree Dentastix Medium Multipack 56-Pack 1.44 kg

Why this fits the profile: The multipack is intended for medium dogs weighing 10–25 kg and fits a regular daily treat routine.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The size is linked to a clear weight category. The stated effect against tartar remains a claim from Pedigree's product information; therefore, use the treat as a supplement.

Key benefit & highlights

56 pieces for medium dogs; no added sugar and, according to the product information, no artificial colours or flavourings.

Looking for more options?

We've put together a full, up-to-date list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and comply with current European safety regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Treats

How many dog treats can a dog have per day?

Follow the feeding advice on the packaging and keep treats below 10% of daily calorie intake where possible. Give smaller portions for training treats and adjust the main meal if you give several treats a day.

Which treats are suitable for small dogs?

Choose treats with a size and feeding advice that matches your dog's weight. Pedigree Dentastix Small Dogs is intended for dogs weighing 5–10 kg according to the product information. For very small dogs, a soft treat that you can break may be more practical. Always supervise your dog while eating.

How long do opened dog treats stay fresh?

This varies by product. Dry dog treats usually last longer when stored in a cool, dry place and kept well sealed. Soft or moist dog treats often need to be refrigerated and used up quickly. Always follow the storage and shelf-life information on the packaging.