Healthy dog treats aren’t just about quality ingredients and low calories – they should also align with your dog’s preferences, dietary needs, age, and activity level. The pet industry is a billion-dollar sector, and dog treats are a huge part of that number. By the numbers, at least $4 billion was spent on dog treats in the United States in 2024 (1). 

When picking a healthy dog treat, always look at the ingredient list. Can you pronounce the ingredients? Do they sound familiar, or does it look more like a list from a science lab? Avoiding treats that have artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors is a start. But here’s what you really need to know about choosing healthy dog treats for your pup. 

What Exactly Are Healthy Dog Treats?

Healthy is a word that gets tossed around like a dog toy. In the context of dog treats, healthy generally means:

• Nutritionally beneficial
• Free of harmful additives and preservatives 
• Low-calorie count
• Allergen-friendly for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies
• Made with wholesome, natural, recognizable ingredients 
• No toxic ingredients 
• Made for your dog’s life stage and size (i.e., puppy, adult, senior, etc.)

Your dog needs to like the treat no matter how healthy it claims to be. Healthy treats ensure your dog’s digestive system is properly cared for. It also matters that your dog eats a high-quality diet, such as Elevate Pet Provisions air-dried, human-grade dog food. 

Here’s what to look for before purchasing another bag of treats for your dogs.

Ingredient List Close Inspection

Forego the happy dog who looks healthy and joyful on the cover of any treat packaging. Instead, flip the container or bag around and read the ingredients closely. 

According to Caldwell Animal Hospital (2), this means treats without:

• Sugar
• Fat
• Extra calories
• Preservatives
• Dyes
• Artificial colors
• Artificial flavors

Some dog treat ingredients are akin to junk food labels on human snacks. Dogs do not need the ingredients listed above. Dogs process food and treats much differently than humans do. 

Certifications and Quality Standards

Try to purchase treats that receive certifications such as non-GMO or high-quality standards. If a manufacturer has been awarded a certification or praise, it generally makes it known on its packaging or website. 

Other quality standards include being made in a country with strict manufacturing standards, such as the United States or Canada.

Calorie Count

Unless specified by your veterinarian, treats should account for no more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily diet. You can portion treats off in a bag for the day. Your dog gets no more treats that day when the bag is empty. Make sure all family members are aware of this agreement. 

Protein Source Check

Beef is a lot different than beef meal, as chicken is completely different than chicken meal. If you see the name of a protein, such as beef, listed first, the manufacturer is guaranteeing actual meat was used to make the treats. However, beef meal is a concentrated form of meat protein and not true beef. 

The quality of beef meal or chicken meal varies by source. Some treats may include meal products that contain skin or bones, which have a much lower nutritional value than pure meat. 

Choosing Functional Treats with Added Benefits

These days, dog treat manufacturers often go the extra mile with treats that offer additional benefits. These include dental health, joint support, and digestive health.

Your dog’s mouth and body size are very important when dispensing treats. You never want to give a dog a treat or biscuit that is too big or small to chew on and ingest. 

Always supervise your dog when it eats treats to ensure they do not choke. Remove small pieces so your dog does not get anything stuck in its mouth, throat, or stomach.  

Consider Elevate Pet Provisions Healthy Dog Treats

Elevate Pet Provisions takes the manufacture of healthy dog treats seriously. They work with small farmers and own the production and manufacturing process in the United States. 

Elevate’s Trail Treats contain nine simple ingredients pet parents can pronounce: Grass-fed ground beef, beef heart, beef liver, Sweet Potato, Apple, Spinach, Cod liver oil, Calcium supplement, and Celery Extract. 

They contain no grains or seed oil and are synthetic-free. At 64 calories per treat, you can serve one as is or break it into smaller pieces for all-day rewards and goodness. They are available in a 25-pack, 10-pack, or 5-pack to accommodate every dog household. 

Make Dog Treats at Home

Some pet parents prefer to make healthy treats for dogs at home. This can be a rewarding way to give your dog a nutritious snack while being in control of the ingredients they eat.

Some of the more common ingredients used in homemade dog treat recipes include:

• Proteins: Chicken, beef, fish, turkey, eggs
• Carbs: Brown rice, oats, sweet potatoes, pumpkin (canned, not pumpkin pie mix)
• Fruits: Blueberries, bananas, apples without seeds, strawberries
• Vegetables: Carrots, green beans, peas
• Healthy fats: Coconut oil or flaxseed oil

Never put ingredients that may harm your dog into treats. These include chocolate, grapes, raisins, and salt.

If you prefer to follow a recipe for homemade dog treats, talk to your veterinarian if you are unfamiliar with certain ingredients and if they are safe for dogs. 

Prioritize Your Dog’s Health

Treats are a great way to enhance the human-animal bond while rewarding your dog for being awesome. Over-treating, however, can lead to weight gain, obesity, and unwanted health problems. Prioritize your dog’s health by:

• Introducing new ingredients gradually to make sure your dog can tolerate them
• Monitor treat portion sizes to prevent overfeeding
• Tailoring treats to your dog’s mouth and body size along with life stage 
• Considering dental health: For example, dogs with very few teeth will have difficulty with very crunchy treats
• Offer dog-safe vegetables to save calories (green beans, carrots)

Your dog depends on you to be their best friend and advocate. While your dog would prefer free reign over the treat supply, it’s up to you to ensure those treats are healthy, safe, and fed in moderation.