rabbit.reviews

The Best Dog Treats

Updated April 2026·Experts: Good Housekeeping, CNET · Community: dogs, Bernedoodles, DogFood

Best Overall

If you only buy one bag of dog treats, make it Zuke's. Vets love them, trainers swear by them, and Reddit recommends them constantly, that's a rare trifecta.

What holds up

  • Only 2 calories per treat, won't spoil appetite or cause weight gain
  • Soft texture breaks easily into smaller pieces for precise portioning
  • Strong smell that appeals to dogs and keeps them motivated during training
  • Available in multiple flavors including chicken and peanut butter

What to know

  • Zip-top bag seal can be faulty, may need to transfer to a separate container
  • Soft texture means they can crumble in warm pockets
  • Not ideal as a long-lasting chew, purely a training/reward treat
Expert verdict
Our experts noted that these have a strong smell that appeals to dogs, spurring them to be on good behavior to get their reward.
Good HousekeepingView source
Expert verdict
I like these soft treats that you can easily break up into even smaller pieces. That way it's easy to limit the amount you give while you're training or rewarding your pup.
Good Housekeeping (Dr. Megan Conrad, veterinarian)View source
From the community
Zuke's minis are often recommended on Reddit forum, and there are other flavors such as a chicken variety and one with peanut butter.
r/dogsView source
Best Single-Ingredient

If your dog has a sensitive stomach or you're tired of reading a paragraph of ingredients, PureBites is the answer. Single-ingredient treats are the gold standard, and freeze-dried liver is crack for dogs.

What holds up

  • Single ingredient (beef liver), ideal for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs
  • Easy to break into small pieces for training or crush as a meal topper
  • All-natural with no additives, fillers, or preservatives
  • Highly palatable, even picky dogs tend to love freeze-dried liver

What to know

  • Pricier per ounce than multi-ingredient treats
  • Strong smell that some owners find unpleasant
  • Crumbly texture can be messy in pockets or treat pouches
Expert verdict
Fans of PureBites like that they're easy to break into small pieces for training and that you can even crush them up as a meal topper to make regular dog kibble more enticing.
Good HousekeepingView source
From the community
I use Stewart freeze dried beef liver treats for training. They come in a big tub (last a long time) and are high value.
r/BernedoodlesView source
From the community
meat organ treats of different proteins (often freeze-dried): kidney, lung, heart, etc., Just trying to figure out the most price-effective option at the moment!
r/DogFoodView source
Best for Puppies & Small Dogs

New puppy owners, stop overthinking it, grab Wellness Soft Puppy Bites. They're cheap, soft, and actually designed for the tiny mouths and developing digestive systems of puppies.

What holds up

  • Specifically formulated for puppies with soft texture gentle on developing teeth
  • Small size easy to break into even tinier pieces for tiny breeds
  • Budget-friendly at around $10 for a bag
  • High-value enough to motivate puppies during training sessions

What to know

  • Less appealing to large or older dogs, not a universal treat
  • Small 3 oz bag goes quickly
  • Not as widely available as some other brands
Expert verdict
Puppies are the trainees most in need of treat rewards, and these low-cost goodies from Wellness are made especially to be soft on puppy teeth.
Good HousekeepingView source
Expert verdict
We spoke to pet parents who confirmed these are a great incentive for young pups learning tricks and basic house rules.
Good Housekeeping (pet parents surveyed)View source
Best Long-Lasting Chew

If your dog is a power chewer who blows through every treat in seconds, beef cheek rolls are the move. Reddit dog owners are obsessed with these for good reason, nothing else comes close for lasting power.

What holds up

  • Lasts 90+ minutes for most dogs, multiple sessions possible from one roll
  • Works for large, aggressive chewers including Labs and Rottweilers
  • Natural single-protein chew with no artificial additives
  • Softens as it gets wet, reducing choking risk compared to hard chews

What to know

  • Can get slimy and smelly as the dog chews, messy experience
  • Requires supervision and should be put away when small enough to swallow
  • Higher calorie count than training treats, factor into daily intake
From the community
Beef cheek roll(large) works well for my girl. She's a Rottweiler and she was gnawing on it for about 90 minutes earlier and barely got halfway through.
r/dogsView source
From the community
Also came to say beef cheek rolls! I have a super chewer and these last days!
r/dogsView source
Best Healthy Treat

Bocce's hits the sweet spot between healthy and genuinely exciting for dogs. The short ingredient list satisfies health-conscious owners, and the creative flavors mean your dog will actually go crazy for them.

What holds up

  • Under 10 ingredients, some varieties have as few as 4
  • Soft texture easy to break into small training-sized pieces
  • Creative flavors dogs love including peanut butter-bacon and burger-and-fries
  • Recommended by both vet experts and CNET editors

What to know

  • 6 oz bag goes quickly, especially for larger dogs
  • Slightly pricier per ounce than basic training treats
  • Not as widely available in physical stores as mainstream brands
Expert verdict
They fit Dr. Conrad's criteria of being treats that are soft and easy to break up and dole out as you're training or rewarding your dog.
Good HousekeepingView source
Expert verdict
Bocce's has some of the most inventive dog biscuit flavors with creations including peanut butter and banana, burgers and fries and even a pumpk'n spice for fall. No matter which bag of Bocce's I bring home, my pup devours them.
CNETView source