Joybuy Insights

Choosing Dog Treats: Practical Tips and Popular Choices for Every Dog

Buying a bag of dog treats might seem straightforward – until you have to choose between dog biscuits, chews for dogs, soft dog treats and training treats for dogs. Some packaging focuses heavily on flavour or eye-catching claims, while important details about size, ingredients and usage are less prominent.

Watch out for these three common pitfalls:

  • A large multipack isn’t automatically better value. A lower price per pack doesn’t help much if your dog doesn’t like the taste or if the treats need to be used quickly after opening.
  • “With chicken” doesn’t always tell you how much chicken is actually in it. Always check the ingredients list and the analytical constituents. Some products only mention a chicken flavouring, without a high percentage of chicken.
  • A chew treat is not the same as complete dental care. According to a brand’s own research or product claims, a certain texture may help reduce plaque or tartar. However, this is no substitute for daily checks, tooth brushing or advice from your vet.

Which Dog Treats Suit Your Needs?

The right choice depends on when you’re giving the treat. For training, small, soft pieces are handy. A dog that enjoys chewing for longer will benefit more from a firm chew. For on-the-go use, hygienic portions and resealable packaging matter most.

1. Size and Texture

Choose the size based on your dog’s size. A large chew stick can be awkward for a small dog, while tiny treats for a large dog will be gone in no time. Also pay attention to texture:

  • Soft dog treats: easy to break into small pieces and ideal for training.
  • Crunchy biscuits: practical as a reward, but check the recommended amount.
  • Chews for dogs: designed for longer chewing; always supervise to prevent choking.
  • Liquid or moist treats: suitable as a topper or reward, but often have a limited shelf life once opened.

A small treat isn’t automatically low in calories. So check the energy content if it’s listed on the packaging, and adjust the main meal accordingly.

2. Ingredients and Nutritional Value

Dog treats are usually complementary pet food. This means they don’t replace a complete meal. At the very least, check:

  1. The first ingredients in the composition.
  2. The levels of protein, fat, moisture and ash.
  3. Any grains, beef, chicken or other ingredients your dog may be sensitive to.
  4. Added sugars, colourings, preservatives and flavourings.
  5. The recommended daily or weekly amount.

As a practical guideline, treats should provide no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. The exact amount depends on weight, age, activity level and body condition.

With a product that has a high moisture content, such as INABA Churu, the protein or fat percentage may appear lower than that of a dry biscuit. So don’t compare percentages without taking the product form into account.

3. Storage, Opening and Portioning

An opened pack needs extra attention. Some moist dog treats must be refrigerated and used within 24 hours. Other treats remain usable for, say, 14 days after opening if stored tightly sealed and in a dry place.

Also keep in mind:

  • Always provide fresh drinking water.
  • Supervise your dog with hard treats and sticks.
  • Don’t give any product that smells musty or looks visibly different.
  • Store treats out of reach of children and other pets.
  • Reduce the main meal if you’re giving several rewards a day.

Our Recommendations by User Profile

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners
INABA Bites Dog Multipack 4 Chicken Varieties 16 pcs.

INABA Bites Dog Multipack 4 Chicken Varieties 16 pcs.

Why this fits the profile: Four chicken varieties in one pack let you switch up flavours without buying several separate bags. The small pieces are practical for training or as an in-between reward.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The packaging states the number of pieces, the net weight of 64 g and four varieties. This lets you assess the contents more accurately than with a pack that only mentions the weight.

Key benefit & highlights

16 portions, four chicken varieties and 82% moisture. Use within three days of opening.

Suitable for: Shoppers seeking top quality
INABA Fun Bites Dog Chicken Wraps Chicken with Cheese 12g x 8 Packs

INABA Fun Bites Dog Chicken Wraps Chicken with Cheese 12g x 8 Packs

Why this fits the profile: The combination of a soft outer layer and creamy filling offers more texture than a standard training treat. The portion packs are handy when you want to keep treats fresh.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The pack contains eight individual portions of 12 g each. This limits exposure to air after opening, although an opened portion should be refrigerated and used as soon as possible according to the product information.

Key benefit & highlights

96 g total, 8 portions and 22% crude protein according to the product data.

Suitable for: Specific use & intensive users
Pedigree Dog Dental Chews Small Dogs

Pedigree Dog Dental Chews Small Dogs

Why this fits the profile: This is a daily dental care dog treat for small dogs weighing 5 to 10 kg and from 4 months old. The X-shape and recommended dosage make usage straightforward.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product is clearly linked to a weight category. According to Pedigree’s own research, daily use can reduce tartar formation by up to 80%; this remains a brand claim and not a guarantee for every dog.

Key benefit & highlights

1 stick per day for dogs weighing 5–10 kg; 1.3% fat according to the stated analysis.

Suitable for: Medium-sized dogs with a daily chew routine
g'woon Dog Dental sticks Medium 180g

g'woon Dog Dental sticks Medium 180g

Why this fits the profile: These sticks are designed for medium-sized dogs and can be given as a daily reward. The ingredients include grains, vegetable protein extracts and 1% sodium hexametaphosphate.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The target group and frequency of use are clearly stated. This treat isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution: choose a different variant if your dog is small or cannot tolerate grains.

Key benefit & highlights

180 g pack, suitable for medium-sized dogs and 1% crude fat according to the product information.

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 guidelines on the packaging and, ideally, keep treats to under 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. An active large dog may need a different amount than a small, older dog. Reduce the main meal if you’re giving several treats.

Which dog treats are suitable for training?

Small, soft dog treats that you can give quickly are usually the most practical. INABA Bites come in small pieces and several flavours. Only break larger treats into smaller pieces if the texture allows it safely. Also check the fat and calorie content if you’re training frequently.

How long do opened dog treats stay fresh?

This varies by product. Moist INABA treats should, according to the product information, be refrigerated after opening and used within 24 hours or three days, depending on the variant. Dry Pedigree and g'woon treats should be stored in a dry, well-sealed container. Always check the packaging for the exact shelf life.