Become a credit card member today!BEST-SELLING* Dog Treats of 2023
Everybody deserves a little treat sometimes, especially our dogs. Discover some of best dog treats to help keep your pup happy and encourage good behavior.
What to look for in dog treats
There are several situations where you might want to use dog treats. As a reward, to encourage good behavior, for training and sometimes, just for fun! We have dog treats in a wide variety of flavors, shapes, sizes, nutritional ingredients and price range. And the best dog treats will have the right combination of features that work for you and your dog.
Shape and Size
You’ll want to choose a dog treat that is the right shape and size appropriate for your dog. Additionally, the size can help determine how best to use the treat, whether it’s to allow your dog to chew on a bone for an hour or two as a reward, or to give a small treat every time your dog performs the right behavior during training.
Ingredients and Taste
Each dog has unique nutritional and health needs specific to both their breed, age, stage and health conditions. Choose treats with wholesome ingredients that will not only provide your pup with benefits that work for them, but with a taste they’ll love and crave.
Quality and Value
Dog treats should have high-quality ingredients, the perfect flavor for your dog, store well and a price you feel comfortable paying.
Pet parent faves
Petco knows dog treats. Here are some of the best dog training treats and some of the best healthy dog treats, most popular with Petco pet parents.
Compare All
Best Puppy Treats
Best Treat That Helps Clean Teeth
Best Treat with Real Beef
Best Savory Snack with Breakfast Flavors
Best Yogurt Treat
Best Treat with The Savory Taste of Grilled Steak
Best Chicken Training Treats
Best Treat with a Unique Flavor
Best Peanut Butter Treats
| Dog Treats | First Ingredient | Life Stage | Form | Flavor | Grain Free? | Average Customer Review* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellness Complete Health Natural Grain Free Lamb and Salmon Recipe Soft Puppy Bites | Lamb | Puppy | Soft Chews | Lamb & salmon | Yes | 4.6/5 |
| Greenies Original Regular Natural Dog Dental Care Chews | Wheat flour | Adult | Chew | Original | no | 4.6/5 |
| Merrick Power Bites Real Beef Recipe Dog Treats | Deboned beef | Adult | Soft & chewy | Beef | No | 4.7/5 |
| Blue Buffalo Blue Health Bars with Bacon, Egg & Cheese Dog Treats | Oatmeal | All life stages | Biscuit | Bacon | No | 4.6/5 |
| WholeHearted Grain Free Blueberry/Yogurt Dog Treats | Pea flour | All life stages | Crunchy | Berry | Yes | 4.7/5 |
| True Chews Premium Grillers Made with Real Steak Natural Dog Treats | Beef including sirloin steak | All life stages | Chew | Grilled Steak | Yes | 4.8/5 |
| Crazy Dog Train-Me! Mini Training Reward Chicken Dog Treats | Pork liver | Adult | Soft training treat | Chicken | No | 4.7/5 |
| Merrick Power Bites Real Rabbit Dog Treats | Deboned rabbit | Adult | Soft & chewy | Rabbit | Yes | 4.8/5 |
| Hill's Natural Soft Savory Dog Treats with Peanut Butter & Banana | Potatoes | Adult | Soft treat | Peanut butter | No | 4.6/5 |
*Ratings as of September 23, 2022
Best Puppy Treats
Wellness Complete Health Natural Grain Free Lamb and Salmon Recipe Soft Puppy Bites
These puppy treats are made specifically for young, growing dogs and can be some of the best dog treats for small dogs. They’re designed to be delicious and easy to chew with top-notch ingredients. Plus, you can rest assured that your new pup will get a good dose of protein with each bite.
- Available in 3 oz. and 8 oz. bags
- Grain-free with two types of meat
- Includes superfood ingredients, like blueberries and sweet potatoes
- Crude protein of at least 12%
- Good size to use as training rewards
“We use these as a high value reward because my dog goes crazy for them. The pieces are on the larger size if using these as a training treat so I sometimes break them in half. Definitely buy these!” –Jennxoxo
Pros
- Formulated for puppies
Cons
- May not be suitable as a regular snack for adult or senior dogs
Best Treat That Helps Clean Teeth
Greenies Original Regular Natural Dog Dental Care Chews
Brushing your dog’s teeth isn’t always easy. Turn to one of the best dental dog treats for dogs. These treats help fight the germs that can damage your dog’s gums and teeth while offering a fun reward for good behavior.
- Available in 3 oz., 6 oz., 12 oz., 27 oz., 36 oz., 54 oz. and 72 oz. bags
- One treat a day helps fight tartar, plaque and freshen breath with each bite
- Texture allows the treats to clean all the way down to the gumline
- Accepted by the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council)
- Includes poultry flavor
- Has minimum 30% crude protein
- Made with natural, easy-to-digest ingredients
“Dogs love these and it does take bad breath away. I have found that my dogs prefer this brand over others. I got this with vital care and picked it up at store discount. Then, I used my pal rewards, so I got a great deal!!” –LICD
Pros
- This treats your dog and helps remove harmful plaque all in one.
Cons
- May not be suitable for puppies or older dogs—consult a vet
Best Treat with Real Beef
Merrick Power Bites Real Beef Recipe Dog Treats
They’re gluten-free, taste like beef and your dog will love them. As one of the best dog treats for pups of all ages, these soft and chewy natural treats can be ideal to use as training rewards. And your dog might be quick to behave well when these treats are on the line.
- Available in 6 oz. bags
- Top ingredient is real deboned beef
- Includes potatoes and peas
- Good for dogs at all life stages
- Poultry-free
- Chewy and easy to eat
- Cooked in the USA
“Great treats! My two dogs love their bites, I give them one each day before I leave for work and they are happy.” –Lorena G
Pros
- Very few dogs can resist the temptation of real beef
Cons
- May not be suitable for puppies
Best Savory Snack with Breakfast Flavors
Blue Buffalo Blue Health Bars with Bacon, Egg & Cheese Dog Treats
These bite-size goodies can be great for training or just a snack, and they’re popular with dogs for their delectable flavor and crunchy textures. Plus, they’re made with wholesome whole grains and nutritious vegetables.
- Available in 16 oz. bags
- Contains enticing flavors like chicken and bacon
- Source of Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants
- Ideal for all life stages
- Oven-baked
- No corn, wheat or soy used
- Ingredients can help your dog maintain an optimal immune system
"My dog loves them. Every time we go to Petco I have to grab one or two bags because my dog loves them!" –LIshP
Pros
- This is a good-sized treat that is fortified with extra vitamins
- For all life stages
Cons
- This biscuit is not grain-free
Best Yogurt Treat
WholeHearted Grain Free Blueberry/Yogurt Dog Treats
These breakfast flavors of yogurt and real blueberries are a big hit with dogs of all ages and sizes. These can be great for pets who love to bite into a crispy texture, and parents can break apart for smart portioning or serve whole to reward extra good behavior.
- Available in 10 oz. and 20 oz. bags
- Crunchy texture in a form that can break apart easily or served whole
- Pet parents can break them in half for portion control
- Grain-free, made with real blueberries and yogurt flavors
- No artificial flavors or colors
- 13% crude protein
“Yummy treats! Another favorite from Wholehearted! Pups also love Bacon & Cheese and Peanut Butter, too!” –DogLove123
Pros
- The unique clover shape of these treats allows you to easily separate them for training
Cons
- Not meat flavored
Best Treat with The Savory Taste of Grilled Steak
True Chews Premium Grillers Made with Real Steak Natural Dog Treats
These dog treats are 100% natural steak griller treats with 17% crude protein. They contain real USA-sourced beef and don’t contain any corn, wheat, soy, animal by-products, artificial flavors or preservatives. True Chews Premium Grillers are made for dogs of all ages.
- Available in 10 oz. and 20 oz. bags
- Made with real steak
- Ground potatoes and vegetables
- Made in USA
- No corn, wheat, soy or animal by-products
- 100% natural with no artificial flavors or preservatives
“Great product. The only brand our picky Lab Shep mix will eat. Soft enough for her 13 year old teeth to chew and she dances for them daily.” –Beadgirl1955
Pros
- Soft textures and grilled flavor mimic the taste of real steak
Cons
- Soft texture doesn’t help clean teeth
Best Chicken Training Treats
Crazy Dog Train-Me! Mini Training Reward Chicken Dog Treats
These treats are made specifically for training. They’re bite size and super tasty, so they help motivate your canine family members to stay in line and learn fast. Crazy Dog training treats are most suitable for adult dogs.
- Available in 4 oz. bags
- Contains 12% crude protein
- Primary flavor is chicken
- Low calorie for dogs on a strict diet
- No corn or soy used
- Bag is easy to reseal for long-term use
“LOVE these - rather, my pug loves these. And - has trained me to give him several on our walks. They are also low in kcals (calories) which is So important for a greedy pug. I panic when all the Petco stores are out of this!!!” –raezeal
Pros
- These training treats are low in calories
Cons
- For dogs in the adult lifestage
Best Treat with a Unique Flavor
Merrick Power Bites Real Rabbit Dog Treats
Dogs will feel like they’re out on a hunting trip with these rabbit-flavored treats. Power Bites are also packed with protein and other ingredients that can help boost your dog’s energy and motivate positive behavior.
- Available in 6 oz. bags
- First ingredient is deboned rabbit
- Grain-free and gluten-free
- Includes sweet potatoes and peas
- At least 15% crude protein
- Cooked in the USA
“10/10 paws! The pups absolutely love these. They smell great, super meaty and smoky, and both the Aussie and the Chihuahua mix loved them! They're their special snack. Absolutely would recommend.” –Katiekatstyle
Pros
- The rich flavor of rabbit adds something new to your pet’s palate
Cons
- Some dogs prefer simple flavors
Best Peanut Butter Treats
Hill's Natural Soft Savory Dog Treats with Peanut Butter & Banana
Soft, savory and tastes like some of the human food your dog craves. These treats are made with potato as the primary ingredient, and they also include peanut butter and banana. Hill’s natural dog treats are ideal for adult dogs and made to be delicious satisfying training treats or as an addition to your dog’s wet or dry dog food diet.
- Available in 8 oz. bags
- Soft texture for easy chewing
- Contains real peanut butter, banana, peas, dried milk and more
- No artificial flavors or preservatives
- Natural dog snacks help provide balance between flavor and nutrition
- Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust
“Our Rescue Pup LOVES these soft treats! We will definitely continue purchasing Hill's Natural Soft Savory Dog Treats!” –Cocobambi
Pros
- This allows your dog to enjoy the savory taste of peanut butter without the mess
Cons
- This treat is not grain-free
*Based on petco.com sales data.
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Learn More About Dog Treats
The best dog treats can help your dog stay calm, behave themselves and stay happier overall. Real flavors combined with a robust protein profile can help your dog stay healthy as they enjoy the flavor explosion. Use treats as a reward for physical activity to help create a good balance of exercise and calories and combat weight gain in your pet.
Always remember that the best dog treats are fed in combination with the best puppy food and adult dog food as a part of a balanced diet. Sometimes a treat between meals just encourages routine. Tasty treats can help tide your dog over between meals, so they’re not constantly begging. Plus, treats are a yummy end to a daily walk. Routine can help pets and pet parents avoid anxiety.
If it was up to your dog, they would eat treats endlessly. But even the healthiest and best dog treats are meant to be a supplement to a greater nutrition plan. And it is recommended that dog treats only constitute about 10% of your pet’s daily calories.
How exactly do you calculate this? Begin by checking out how many calories are in each cup of your dog’s dry food. Let’s say they get 6 cups per day at 200 calories per cup. That translates to 1,200 calories per day. Try not to exceed 120 calories of treats per day. Slight variation might not be a problem, but too many treats can quickly lead to weight gain and other issues. And consult your veterinarian if you have specific questions about your dog’s diet plan.
Whether you’re looking for the best natural dog treats to help with weight gain or just to give your dog the best nutrition, Petco has many options. When choosing the best natural dog treats for your pup, look for treats that clearly state the calories contained in each treat so you can properly portion for your pet. You’ll also want to look for the ingredients, avoiding potential allergens or artificial sweeteners like xylitol.
Check out our selection of dog training treats and chews. The smell and sight of dog treats can often help guide your dog toward on-demand behavior, such as heeling and sitting. When used as an incentive in training, the best dog treats should be given judiciously. In other words—only give treats in response to proper behavior, not begging. Some of the best training treats will be tiny morsels so you can continue working with your dog to build new skills without over-feeding them or risk leading to weight gain while learning together.
You can also use some of the best calming treats for dogs to help train your dog through new situations that may be causing them stress or anxiety. Treats may help keep your pup calm during travel, when you move homes, while company is staying over and during other stressful times. They may also help with separation anxiety. Check with your vet to make sure the treats you choose are right for your dog.
While there’s no substitute for an annual teeth cleaning and routine toothbrushing for your dog, there are many choices for dog dental treats that can help fight plaque buildup and bad breath in your pup. Most dogs are innate chewers, and dental chew for dogs can help satisfy that instinct. And the longer your dog chews on the treat, the greater the chances of it helping to remove plaque and tartar buildup. Look for dental treats and chews that are designed to last a long period of chewing. You’ll also want to find one that’s the right size for your dog’s breed and has quality ingredients.
