Joybuy Insights

Choosing dog treats: practical tips for training, rewards and everyday use

Buying a bag of dog treats sounds simple, until you have to choose between dog biscuits, dog sticks, soft dog treats and natural dog treats. Marketing terms such as “grain-free”, “high protein” and “easy to digest” may sound appealing, but they do not always tell you enough about the ingredients, portion size or suitability for your dog.

Use these checks to compare dog treats based on the information shown on the label or in the product description. This helps you avoid buying a product that proves impractical during training, is too large for your dog or needs to be thrown away soon after opening.

Three common pitfalls when choosing dog treats

1. “Natural” without a clear ingredients list

The term natural dog treats is not automatically a guarantee of a simple recipe. Always check which ingredients are actually listed. For example, a product with chicken as its first ingredient may have a very different composition from a treat containing several animal by-products, oils or additives.

Also pay attention to the difference between a complementary treat and complete food. Complementary dog treats are intended as rewards or snacks between meals and should not replace a complete meal.

2. Grain-free is confused with suitable for every dog

Grain-free dog treats do not contain grains, but that does not automatically mean they are suitable for every dog with sensitivities. Check the full ingredients list and consider whether your dog has previously reacted to ingredients such as chicken, duck or fish.

“Easy to digest” is also a product claim. According to information provided by the MeatyWay brand, certain jerky treats are made without grains, fillers or preservatives. Assess for yourself whether the ingredients and nutritional values are suitable for your dog.

3. A larger pack is not always better value

A multipack of dog treats may seem attractive in terms of price per gram, but only if you use the pack in good time and store the treats properly. Soft products often have a shorter shelf life after opening. INABA states that opened Churu products should be refrigerated and used within 24 hours.

So do not compare the price alone. Also consider:

  • the total weight;
  • the number of portions;
  • the recommended daily amount;
  • how long the product lasts after opening;
  • whether the treat can be broken into smaller pieces.

Which features should you check?

Texture and size

Small, soft pieces are practical as training treats for dogs. You can reward your dog quickly without interrupting the exercise for too long. A soft jerky or pâté texture can also be useful for dogs that struggle with hard treats.

For larger dogs, check whether the treat provides enough chewing activity. For small breeds, you should be able to control the portion or break the treat into smaller pieces. Always supervise your dog while eating, especially when introducing a new treat.

Moisture content and nutritional values

A high moisture content makes a treat softer and can make the product appear relatively low in fat per 100 grams. However, always check the full analysis. For example, the INABA Churu Dog Multipack 2 Chicken Seafood Varieties lists a minimum of 90% moisture, 9.5% crude protein and 0.6% crude fat. The variety with two chicken recipes lists approximately 88% moisture, 9% crude protein and 0.4% crude fat.

Dry or semi-soft dog biscuits may contain less moisture, meaning their nutrients are more concentrated per gram. If a product is labelled “high protein”, it is therefore best compared using the listed analytical constituents rather than just the claims on the front of the packaging.

Ingredients and feeding advice

Check whether the treat is intended as:

  • a reward during training;
  • a topper for normal food;
  • a snack between meals;
  • a chew treat;
  • an occasional treat.

The daily amount should be adjusted to your dog’s weight, activity level and body condition. Treats should never replace a complete meal. G'woon also states that treats should account for no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. If exact calorie information is not available, take extra care with portion sizes.

Our recommendations for different types of dog owner

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners
INABA Fun Bites Dog Chicken Wraps Chicken with Sweet Potato

INABA Fun Bites Dog Chicken Wraps Chicken with Sweet Potato

Why it suits this profile: The soft texture and pouch size make this a practical first choice as a reward or snack between meals. The product information states that each pack contains 40 grams and has an 82% moisture content.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The ingredients specifically list chicken, chicken broth and sweet potato. This makes the choice easier to assess than a treat with an unclear flavour description.

Key benefit & highlights

Soft treat with chicken and sweet potato, containing 11.5% crude protein and 2.2% crude fat according to the product details.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for premium quality
MeatyWay Chicken Jerky Tender Dog Treats

MeatyWay Chicken Jerky Tender Dog Treats

Why it suits this profile: These chicken dog treats are aimed at shoppers looking for a simple ingredients list and a larger supply. The bag contains 454 grams.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product details list chicken as an ingredient and provide specific values: a minimum of 30% crude protein, a minimum of 15% crude fat, a maximum of 18% moisture and a maximum of 1% crude fibre.

Key benefit & highlights

Grain-free jerky with a soft texture that, according to the product description, can be divided into smaller pieces for training.

Suitable for: Specific uses & intensive training
INABA Churu Dog Multipack 2 Chicken Varieties 20 pcs

INABA Churu Dog Multipack 2 Chicken Varieties 20 pcs.

Why it suits this profile: The tubes are easy to carry and dispense straight away during intensive training sessions. You can also mix the treat into your dog’s usual food.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The multipack contains 20 individual 12-gram portions. This helps you avoid opening large quantities at once.

Key benefit & highlights

Two chicken varieties, approximately 88% moisture, 0.4% crude fat and clear guidance of 1–2 sticks per day depending on the dog’s size.

Suitable for: Dogs that prefer a soft bite
G'woon Dog Pâté Chicken Dog Treats

G'woon Dog Pâté Chicken Dog Treats

Why it suits this profile: The pâté-like texture is suitable when hard dog sticks or firm jerky are less practical. According to the product information, this treat is intended for adult dogs.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product description mentions a soft pâté texture, chicken as an ingredient and a maximum storage period of 48 hours after opening in the fridge.

Key benefit & highlights

Soft texture, convenient packaging and, according to the stated product information, no 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.

How to use dog treats responsibly

Use a treat as part of your dog’s daily diet, not as a replacement for it. Take your dog’s size into account and adjust their normal meal if necessary when you give rewards regularly. Always provide fresh drinking water.

Storage is particularly important for soft treats and tubes:

  1. Seal the packaging securely.
  2. Refrigerate opened moist treats according to the label.
  3. Use the product within the stated period.
  4. Do not give your dog a treat if its smell, colour or texture has clearly changed.
  5. Supervise your dog while eating and break larger pieces up for small dogs.

Frequently asked questions about dog treats

Which dog treats are suitable for training?

Small, soft dog treats that you can give quickly are usually practical for training. Jerky can be broken into smaller pieces. Tubes such as INABA Churu can be dispensed straight away. Choose a size that makes it easy to keep track of the total amount you give your dog.

Are grain-free dog treats always better?

No. Grain-free simply means that the recipe contains no grains. It does not automatically tell you anything about the fat content, overall nutritional value or suitability for a specific sensitivity. Compare the full ingredients list and consult a vet if your dog has ongoing dietary problems.

How long do soft dog treats last after opening?

This varies from product to product. INABA states that the moist treats mentioned above should be refrigerated after opening and used within 24 hours. G'woon specifies a period of 48 hours. Always check the packaging, as that information takes precedence.