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Choosing dog treats: a practical guide to flavour, training and chewing enjoyment

Buying a bag of dog treats seems simple, until you have to choose between soft dog treats, crunchy biscuits, dog treats, dog chews and dental treats for dogs. The packaging often makes plenty of promises, but not every treat is suitable for every dog. A small dog needs different portions from a large breed. A sensitive eater may react differently to grains or beef than a dog without food intolerances.

With this guide, you can compare dog treats by ingredients, size, texture, purpose and nutritional value. This helps you avoid paying for a product that barely gets used at home.

Three common pitfalls when choosing dog treats

1. Mistaking an appealing claim for proven effectiveness

Words such as “dental”, “natural” or “high in protein” do not automatically mean that a treat is suitable for your dog. Always check the ingredients list and analytical constituents. For example, a treat may contain grains, sugars, glycerol or various animal by-products.

Claims about dental care are also no substitute for daily care or a check-up by a vet. If a product says that it helps reduce plaque or tartar, present this as information from the product description or based on the brand’s own research, rather than as a guaranteed result.

2. Choosing the wrong size

A chew suitable for a medium-sized dog may be too large or too hard for a small dog. Conversely, a small treat may be finished quickly by a large dog and provide little chewing enjoyment. Therefore, check the recommended weight range, the size of the pieces and the feeding guidelines.

3. Not including treats in the daily diet

Dog treats are usually complementary food. They do not replace a complete meal. A practical guideline when choosing between several products is that treats should provide no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. If you give lots of rewards during a long training session, you may need to reduce the main meal accordingly, following the feeding instructions.

The key points to check

Ingredients and allergens

Read the ingredients before choosing dog treats with chicken, dog treats with beef or a mixed treat. Pay particular attention to:

  • the animal protein sources listed, such as chicken, beef, lamb or fish;
  • grains and gluten, for example in biscuits;
  • milk, cheese, soya or lupin;
  • added sugars, oils, fats and preservatives;
  • the analytical values for protein, fat, fibre, moisture and ash.

A product listing may state that a treat does not contain one of the 14 major EU allergens. Even so, always check the current label. If your dog has a known allergy, a short ingredients list is often easier to understand than a mixed composition.

Texture: soft, crunchy or for prolonged chewing

Soft dog treats are useful during training because you can give them quickly and divide them into small portions. According to the product information, INABA Fun Bites Chicken Wraps have a soft exterior and a moist filling. The INABA Churu multipack contains at least 90% moisture according to the listing, and can be given straight from the packaging or mixed into food.

Crunchy dog treats, such as g’woon Marrow-Filled Dog Biscuits, combine a hard biscuit layer with a soft marrow filling. Chews and dog chew treats are designed to keep your dog occupied for longer, but supervision remains important. Never leave your dog unattended while eating a treat, and remove small or broken-off pieces.

Portion size, shelf life and storage

Do not just look at the total weight; also check the number of individual portions. A multipack with small sachets is practical for training and remains easier to manage after opening. Moist treats often need to be refrigerated after opening and used within a short time. The product information for INABA Fun Bites and Churu states that an opened pack should be refrigerated and consumed within 24 hours.

Store dry dog treats in a cool, dry place, reseal the packaging and check the use-by date on the label. Do not give your dog a product if the packaging is damaged or its smell, colour or texture has clearly changed.

Recommended dog treats for different situations

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners
g'woon Marrow-Filled Dog Biscuits 500g

g'woon Marrow-Filled Dog Biscuits 500g

Why it suits this profile: A larger pack of crunchy biscuits with a soft marrow filling is practical for everyday rewards or basic training.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information clearly states the texture, the weight of 500 g and the presence of grains containing gluten. This allows you to assess portions and allergens in advance.

Main benefit & advantages

Crunchy outer layer, soft marrow filling and no artificial colourings or flavourings according to the product listing.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for premium quality
INABA Fun Bites Dog Chicken Wraps Chicken with Cheese

INABA Fun Bites Dog Chicken Wraps Chicken with Cheese

Why it suits this profile: Handy for owners who want to combine different textures and small, measured portions with training.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information lists 8 packs of 12 g, 15.6 kcal per pack and a soft texture. This makes portion control more straightforward than with loose treats.

Main benefit & advantages

Chicken wrap with a creamy filling, 72% moisture and no grains, preservatives or carrageenan according to the stated composition.

Suitable for: Specific uses & frequent users
g'woon Dog Dental Sticks Medium 180g

g'woon Dog Dental sticks Medium 180g

Why it suits this profile: Designed for owners of medium-sized dogs who want to establish a consistent daily treat routine.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The pack is intended for medium-sized dogs and the product information recommends one stick per day. This makes its use clearer than that of an unspecified chew.

Main benefit & advantages

According to the product specification, it contains 1% sodium hexametaphosphate, 8% crude protein and 1% fat.

Suitable for: Dogs that enjoy prolonged chewing
Rosewood Dog Trio Sticks Small 10pcs

Rosewood Dog Trio Sticks Small 10pcs

Why it suits this profile: An option for smaller dogs that enjoy spending longer with a chew.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The variant is explicitly labelled as small and contains 10 pieces. Even so, check that your dog can use rawhide safely and supervise them while chewing.

Main benefit & advantages

10 sticks wrapped in beef hide with dried chicken; according to the product description, they contain no added grains, artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives.

Looking for more options?

We have put together a complete, up-to-date list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and the applicable European safety regulations.

Which dog treat is best for training?

For training, choose a small treat that can be eaten quickly. Soft dog treats or strips are usually more practical than large dog chews. INABA Churu Dog Multipack contains 20 portions of 12 g and, according to the product information, can be given as a reward, topping or straight from the tube. For short training sessions, you can also break a biscuit into smaller pieces, provided the texture and size remain safe.

When choosing dog treats with chicken or beef, pay attention to the total amount of animal ingredients. A product with a beef flavour does not always contain beef exclusively, so check the composition for the exact percentages.

Are dental treats for dogs enough to care for their teeth?

No. Dental treats for dogs can add a chewing opportunity, but they are no substitute for suitable dental care. The shape, hardness, chewing time and your dog’s eating behaviour all affect how suitable a product is. Always give a chew under supervision and stop if your dog chokes, appears to be in pain or shows unusual chewing behaviour. If dental problems persist, seek advice from a vet.

How many dog treats can a dog have per day?

This depends on your dog’s weight, age, activity level and the calories per treat. Follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging and, ideally, keep treats below 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. During intensive training, many small rewards can still add up to a significant amount. Only adjust the main meal based on the product information or advice from a professional.

How should you store dog treats after opening?

Dry biscuits, strips and chews should generally be stored in a cool, dry place and kept tightly sealed. Moist dog treats often need to be refrigerated and used within 24 hours. Check the packaging, use-by date and storage instructions for each product. This helps preserve the flavour and texture while maintaining food safety.