Selecting the Healthiest Dog Treats for Your Furry Friend

If you’re searching for healthy dog treats, you want what’s best for your dog, and you know that not just any treats will do. You probably think you already have your dog on healthy dog food, but did you know that dogs fed a nutritionally complete species-appropriate raw diet tend to live longer than kibble-fed dogs?

Keep reading for more information on not just healthy treats for dogs, but also to learn more about raw dog food and why it’s best for your pup.

Essential Factors to Consider When Selecting Healthy Dog Treats

First, let’s take a look at what makes for a healthy dog treat and what you should look for in your search for the healthiest dog treats.

Nutritional Content

Studies have shown that dogs lose more weight on high-protein diets than on high-carb diets, so it follows that carbs likely contribute to obesity in dogs. High-protein single-ingredient dehydrated treats like our Nice-N-Bison Chips and Porktein Chips are the healthiest dog treats you can find because they don’t contain any obesity-causing carbs.

At the same time, kibble contains an average of 60% carbohydrates, while We Feed Raw is naturally carb-free and protein-rich.

Ingredients

What ingredients are in the dog treats, and where do they come from? Not only can some low-quality ingredients impact your dog’s overall health and well-being, but in 2006 and 2007, the largest pet food and treat recall in United States history impacted 180 brands of pet foods and treats made by 12 different manufacturers due to intentionally contaminated rice protein and wheat gluten from two different Chinese companies.

When possible, you should choose dog food and treats made in the United States with ingredients sourced from the USA or other reputable places such as New Zealand, Canada, Australia, or Europe.

At We Feed Raw, we source the meat for our treats from reputable farms in the United States, and the meat for our food comes from sources we trust in the United States and New Zealand.

Size and Texture

You don’t just want healthy dog treats; you want treats that are appropriate for your dog’s size and the purpose of the treats. Small treats (or treats that can easily be broken into smaller pieces) are ideal for training, while larger chews can keep dogs busy and out of trouble when they’re left home alone or distract them during storms.

You can feed our Porktein Chips and Nice-N-Bison Chips whole to larger dogs or easily break them into smaller pieces for training or for smaller dog breeds.

Speaking of size and texture, our food contains finely ground muscle meat, organ meat, and bone and is easy for dogs of all shapes and sizes to eat. Even toothless dogs can get the benefits of bone in a food that’s easy to chew.

Allergies or Dietary Restrictions

If you’re hunting for healthy treats for dogs, don’t forget to keep your dog’s allergies or dietary restrictions in mind. Some treats have very long ingredient lists where allergens can hide. Our single-ingredient treats are made entirely from either Bison or Pork, with no hidden ingredients that could affect sensitive dogs.

Our food recipes are made from one or two animal sources only, making our food a great choice for dogs with allergies or food sensitivities. You can find the ingredients for each recipe by clicking on the protein you’re interested in on our bulk page.

Why Choose We Feed Raw's Dehydrated Dog Treats?

Rich in animal protein and containing no carbs, our single-ingredient dehydrated Nice-N-Bison Chips and Porktein Chips are the healthiest dog treats available. Be sure to add some to your next order of We Feed Raw!

Benefits of Healthy Dog Treats

When you choose healthy dog treats like our Porktein Chips or Nice-N-Bison Chips, your dog could experience a variety of benefits, including things like improved dental health, an easier time with training, and bonus nutrients.

Improved Dental Health

Did you know that a carb-rich diet contributes to plaque and tartar formation and poor dental health in dogs? That’s why raw-fed dogs tend to have better oral health than dogs fed a kibble diet. Dog treats can be a hidden source of carbohydrates, so choosing dehydrated single-ingredient treats in conjunction with a raw diet can help your dog have healthier teeth and less dog breath.

Supporting Training

While some dogs are motivated enough by praise to be trained without treats, most dogs benefit from small food rewards to inspire them to listen to their owners and do what they’re being asked. Delicious dehydrated treats are easy to break into small pieces for training and smell good enough to keep dogs focused on what you ask of them.

Providing Additional Nutrients

We Feed Raw is nutritionally complete and balanced for dogs of all life stages, including the growth of large-breed puppies, so they don’t need any additional nutrients. However, a little more high-quality protein and bonus nutrients from healthy dog treats can only improve your pup’s quality of life.

Have You Ever Considered Raw Dog Food?

Healthy dog treats and a species-appropriate raw diet go hand in hand. Even if you can’t afford a fully raw diet, adding some premium complete and balanced raw food to your dog’s kibble can help decrease obesity, improve digestion, contribute to a shinier coat, and help them live longer.

Want to learn more? You can check out our FAQs, read our reviews, peruse our blog, or email hello@wefeedraw.com with any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a dog treat healthy?

A healthy dog treat should be free of obesity-causing carbs, come from a reputable company, contain high-quality ingredients, and be made in the United States.

Are dehydrated dog treats healthy?

Yes! Dehydrated dog treats are healthy, delicious, and convenient.

What should I consider when buying dog treats?

When buying healthy dog treats, you should look at the ingredients, check for a low carb content, and find out where they were made.

What benefits can my dog get from healthy treats?

Some of the benefits your dog may get from healthy dog treats include better oral health, improved digestion, healthier skin and coat, and much more.

How can treats support dog training?

Dogs tend to be food motivated, so treats can help dogs pay attention to training and learn what you do and don’t want them to do.

Why should I choose We Feed Raw's dehydrated dog treats?

We Feed Raw’s Nice-N-Bison Chips and Porktein Chips are single-ingredient dehydrated treats that are rich in protein, easy to feed, and delicious!

Can all dogs eat dehydrated treats?

Most dogs can eat dehydrated treats. Dogs with dental problems might struggle to chew them, and people with dogs on special diets should consult with their veterinarian before giving their pup dehydrated treats (or anything outside their regular diet).