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Reaching for a dog treat can be a great way to reward your dog and give them something tasty between meals. However it’s not always easy knowing whether or not your dog's snacks are the healthiest choice.
Whether you're looking for high-value rewards for training or simply a healthy treat 'just because', we sniff out and tested the best the UK market has to offer.
We'll fill you in as best we can how healthy they are, how strong they smell, size, texture and of course value for money. You can then judge for yourself which ones suit you and your four-legged friend best.
Only the best made it to our list, so read on to find out which dog treats will keep those tails wagging ...
FEBRUARY 2024 : UPDATE After a new round of testing, we've added Park Life's range as our top pick for 'Build Your Own Box' dog treats and Incentives Pets as the best Freeze Dried Treats and Walker & Drake Grain-Free Dog Treats |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
4. Best Low Calorie Treat Range - Soopa
Our Top Picks for Dog Treats
1. Best Dog Treats Overall
Pooch & Mutt
These cute little shaped treats from Pooch & Mutt are from their meaty range for dogs.
Not simply yummy treats, designed with vets and nutritionalists, they are formulated with probiotics targeting important areas of canine health which certainly ticked a lot of boxes with our testers.
The hypoallergenic range includes -
⭐️ Shrimp & Coconut for healthy skin & coat
⭐️ Turkey & Hemp for their calming properties
⭐️ Duck & Rosemary for dental health
Perfect for dogs and puppies with sensitive tummies, they're also formulated with no added artificial flavours, colours or preservatives, with no gluten, beef, soy, dairy and non-GM produce.
Pick from flowers, diamonds or hearts, we loved their size and shapes as you can fit loads in your hand for training-on-the-go.
However what's undeniable is they are quite smelly!
So whilst they will entice your dog and should certainly grab their attention, they won't suit all dog lovers especially those with an aversion to strong aromas.
So ultimately, great for training but I'd suggest keeping them in a dog treat bag unless you want super smelly jeans!
In testing, the Shrimp & Coconut diamond-shaped treats were the smallest in the range so worked out slightly better value per treat.
Whilst still on the soft side, they were firmer than the Forthglade range ( featured next) and our testers commented that they didn't crumble in the bag or pocket. If you can't decide which one to buy, they are available in a three bag variety pack.
Our Verdict - Loved the size, shape and texture but be aware that they smell.
If you're looking to save money, consider buying your dog treats direct from Pooch & Mutt. Their Pooch Rewards programme means you earn points which you can then redeem them for money off future orders, free treats or charitable donations.
Key Features |
Size: 120g pouch | Dogs aged: from 12 weeks | Treat Size: Small | Texture: Soft | Price per treat (approx): 4p-8p depending on flavour Feeding Guide: 10-20 daily (10-15kg dog) |
Reasons to Buy + Strong aroma + Soft but don't crumble + Perfect size for a guilt-free treat + Probiotic dog treats |
Reasons to Avoid - If you don't like strong smells |
Buying Options
Save 20% OFF Pooch & Mutt
Enter SMARTBARK20 at checkout
PLUS
for 48 hours - a FREE gift of your choice
2. Best Soft Dog Treats
Forthglade
Featuring an ever-growing selection of flavours, these Forthglade Multi-Functional Soft Bite Treats have recently been awarded Highly Commended in the Best Treat category 2024 voted by readers of Your Dog magazine.
Certainly incredibly soft and easy to swallow, they make the perfect treat for training sessions as you can reward and move on quickly to the next command.
The extensive range has more traditional flavours like Turkey, Lamb and Salmon alongside recipes developed in alliance with the National Trust and multifunctional treats
Cleverly each treat has a central groove to help you break it into two pieces so your treats can last even longer. Softer, semi-moist training treats, they offer a change to the usual crunchy biscuit dog treat.
We particularly liked their 3 multi-functional treats -
⭐️ Digestive Health plus Parsley, Ginger & Chicory
⭐️ Joints & Bones with Salmon oil
⭐️ Rewards with Honey & Banana
Crucially, we preferred these treats when testing due to their size and price. Slightly smaller than the rest of the range, these star and leaf shapes also have that central groove to help break them in half.
Like Pooch & Mutt, if you simply can't decide, Forthglade offer a treat multipack so you can try one bag of each of their multi-functional soft bites.
Our testers commented on the fresh smell of the Calming and Fresh Breath treats. If you have an aversion to strong meaty smells these could work well for you.
Be aware though that soft treats can be a 'double edged' sword. Whilst they are easy to swallow and digest keeping your dog focused, they do tend to leave more crumbs behind so a treat bag is a must.
If you prefer a firmer dog treat, take a look at Forthglade's range of hand-baked crunchy treats.
Our verdict - We loved the wide selection of soft bite treats and the ease with which they broke into bite-sized pieces for training or alternatively offered whole 'just because'. We weren't so keen on the crumbs they left behind but that's a trade off for the soft texture.
Key Features |
Size: 90g pouch | Dogs aged: 2 months | Treat Size: Medium | Texture: Soft | Price per treat (approx): 4p-8p |
Reasons to Buy + Wide range of flavours + Soft baked + Easy to break into pieces |
Reasons to Avoid - Can leave crumbs |
Buying Options
For 15% OFF
enter SMARTBARK15 at checkout
PLUS
For a limited time, get
20% OFF Wet Dog Food Variety Packs
enter VARIETY20 at checkout
3. Best Freeze Dried Treats
Incentives Pets
Hot off the press are these new and original Boosts from Incentives Pets. Delicately freeze-dried to help preserve the goodness and flavour, they are a super- nutritionally dense dog treat that really packs a punch.
Available in three flavours : 🐟 Salmon, 🥚 Egg Yolk and 🫐 Yoghurt Berry
The first thing to be said about these Boosts is that they are a premium dog treat and come with a premium price tag.
In testing, we found them small and surprisingly light as all the water has been removed, making them ideal to pop in a treat bag or grab a handful for training.
Our overall favourite in testing were the Egg Yolk Boosts. These little gems are the ultimate superfood for your dog. Eggs are among the most nutritious snacks you can offer your dog providing virtually all the essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals your dog needs and they contain unique antioxidants.
These freeze dried boosts are a hassle-free way of adding some egg to your dog's diet. With 180 pieces of varying sizes in a tub, they're ideal as a hand fed treat or could be used with a puzzle toy. Plus the tiny pieces and crumbs are perfect for sprinkling on food.
The Salmon Boosts are very small with over 200 in a tub. If you have a super picky pup, these could be the treats for you. They're 100% salmon and unsurprisingly, smell extremely fishy so are very enticing.
Single ingredient treats like these Salmon & Egg Yolk Boosts are ideal if your dog suffers with sensitivities and allergies as they minimise the risk of allergic reactions. Basically, you know exactly what you're giving your dog.
Lastly are the Yoghurt Berry Boosts. Larger cube-shaped treats, these contain a combination of blueberries, yoghurt and chicken. Blueberries are a great source of probiotics which help to support your dog's immune system and a healthy gut flora. So essentially, you'll be offering a treat and a supplement at the same time.
It's worth mentioning that there are fewer treats in a tub (we counted 48), so work out more expensive per treat than the Salmon or Egg Boosts.
The only flaw we found in testing is because they are so light and delicate, they aren't an ideal treat for stuffing in your pocket or treat bag for a dog walk. We'd suggest keeping them in the tub and using them at home.
Incentives Pets Boosts are available individually or in a money-saving Power Pack Bundle of all three varieties.
Our Verdict - The bottom line is that Incentives Pets Boosts are pricey but they are also highly nutritious with no padding and 100% free from all nasties. What we really like about these Boosts is that they aren't simply a dog treat. These Boosts are a great option if you are looking to elevate your dog's daily nutritional intake.
Key Features |
Size : Tubs Yoghurt Berry 50g, Salmon 60g, Egg Yolk 120g | Dogs aged : from 12 weeks | Treat Size : Small/Tiny | Texture: Crumbly | Price per treat (approx) : 6p – 27p depending on type | Feeding Guide: small handful daily |
Reasons to Buy + Single ingredient options + Freeze dried + Nutritionally dense + Salmon & Egg Boosts ideal for dogs with allergies |
Reasons to Avoid + Maybe too small for large breeds |
Buying Options
4. Best Low Calorie Treat Range
Soopa
According to PDSA, a national vet charity for pets in need, veterinary professionals estimate that nearly half of dogs in the UK are overweight. Dog obesity is clearly a major issue and the truth is that it's incredibly easy to over feed your dog with highly processed dog treats.
Natural dog treats like the range from Soopa are very low calorie, so you can treat without the guilt!
But the benefits don't stop there ! Offering plant-based dog treats helps reduce your pup's carbon pawprint. So they're a great choice for your pup and the planet.
Soopa offer an extensive range of dog treats, chews and dental sticks in gorgeous sounding, dog friendly recipe combinations -
🍌 Banana & Peanut Butter
🍎 Apple & Blueberry
🎃 Carrot & Pumpkin
🥬 Kale & Apple
🥥 Coconut & Chia Seed
🍠 Cranberry & Sweet Potato
Each pack of their Healthy Bites (pictured above) contains 50 superfood bites. In testing we loved that you can hide several in your hand if you using them for reward-based training.
We would recommend Soopa Healthy Bites for small to medium sized dogs. Alternatively, if you're looking for a treat for a large dog or a longer lasting treat, then we'd recommend looking at their range of Natural Chews.
Soopa offer a selection of three 100% natural chews - Coconut, Papaya and Sweet Potato. A great alternative to rawhide, these air-dried chews have a whole range of health benefits as well as being super scrummy.
In testing we found that the chews were a bit 'hit and miss'. We loved them all especially the smell but only the Coconut chew went down well.
Our fussy Cockapoo left the Sweet Potato and Papaya. But like all things canine, it will depend on your dog. They also work out quite expensive per chew but you could break them in half.
A note of caution, these chews are vacuum packed with a silica gel moisture absorbent sachet. Please remove and dispose of it before letting your dog sample the chews.
Both the Healthy Bites and the Chews are available in individual packs or mixed bundles.
Our verdict -
We love the planet friendly credentials of the Soopa plant-based treat range. The truth is they smell nice (that can't be said about most dog treats) and offer a low calorie and healthy alternative to meat based treats!
Size: 50g Healthy Bites & 100g/85g Chew Pouches | Dogs aged: 6 months | Treat Size: Various | Texture: Various | Price per treat (approx): Various |
Reasons to Buy + Plant-based + Natural dog treats + Selection of chews and treats + Range of flavours |
Reasons to Avoid - Not the cheapest |
Buying Options
5. Best 'Build Your Own Box'
Park Life
Let's be honest, dog treats can be useful in a variety of scenarios across the week. Small bite-sized treats for training and recall on a walk, relaxing, calming treats before bed, long-lasting chews for enrichment and dental sticks to keep on top of oral hygiene.
What we absolutely love about dog treat brand Park Life, is not only do they offer all these dog treat options, but better still you can even build your own box !
They call it Pick 'n' Bix, and you can pick any 10 treats from their extensive range and save a whopping 20%.
OK, so to be honest we found the range a bit confusing initially, there's the 3 varieties of Chill Bix, Fris Bix, Love Bix, then there's Gravy Bix in small and medium sizes both available in chicken or beef gravy flavours.
It doesn't end there, the Disney Mickey range offers three further treats in chicken, bacon and cheese flavours. Oh! plus there's a wide variety of dental sticks and long lasting milk chews.
Most importantly, what ever you select you're safe in the knowledge that the Park Life range is free from fillers, artificial flavours, preservatives and colours.
These crunchy biscuits are made from a few simple ingredients, sunflower seeds, peas, potatoes, coconut oil and apple juice with added herbs, berries and super seeds depending on the variety.
They come in largish fun bite-sized shapes but can be snapped into smaller pieces for training-sized treats.
The softer Gravy Bix are available in two sizes, medium and mini, so perfect for small or large dogs and easy to break into smaller pieces. In testing the mini Gravy-Bix were an ideal size for repetitive training rewards. Available in Chicken or Beef Gravy flavour.
Lastly their Disney range comes in these totally adorable Mickey Mouse shaped treats. Trust us, not only will your dog love these but your children will love to give them.
The Mickey Bix are available in Cheese, Bacon or Chicken varieties.
Our testers also commented that they loved that the Park Life packaging clearly displays the treat size so it's easy to choose the size best suited to your dog.
Our Verdict-
We think that Park Life offer an extensive range of healthy dog treats to choose from. We love their great value variety packs and original Build Your Own Box options.
If you want to test-drive the treats before you buy a larger bundle, then they are available individually or in great value boxes and multipacks on Amazon as well as direct from Park Life.
Key Features |
Size: Various including 120g pouches 300g boxes | Dogs aged: 2 months | Treat Size: Various | Texture: Various | Price per treat (approx): Various |
Reasons to Buy + Wide range + Build Your Own Box + Selection of chews and treats + Range of flavours |
Reasons to Avoid - If your looking for added supplements |
6. Best Grain-Free Dog Treats
Walker & Drake
Another good option for training are these dog treats from Walker & Drake. Better known for their innovative cold-pressed dry dog food, Walker & Drake also offer 4 varieties of dog treats.
Grain-free and made with simple, natural ingredients, these soft treats are suitable for dogs with food sensitivities.
Of course, the first thing to be said about Walker & Drake is their eye-catching packaging. It stand out due to it's bold, stylish and modern design but more importantly because it's 100% recyclable.
The styling doesn't end with the packaging. We were delighted to find that the treats were paw-shaped and perfectly sized for rewarding.
They offer 4 treat varieties -
⭐️ Lamb with Mint & Parsley
⭐️ Chicken with Carrot & Kale
⭐️ Peanut Butter & Blueberry
⭐️ Beef with Gravy & Sweet Potato
In terms of that all important aroma, we could definitely smell the trace of mint and blueberries in the treats. The three meat-based varieties obviously smelled meaty, but weren't as whiffy as some other treats we've tested.
Free from artificial flavours, colours and with no added sugar, they're baked to offer a soft dog treat which is easy to eat and can be broken in half if you want to offer a smaller treat.
So we think they'd be a good option for quick repeat-reward training as your dog doesn't need to crunch their way through them.
You can opt to buy the packs individually, in money-saving 4 or 8 multipacks or mixed variety packs so your dog can sample all four recipes.
Our Verdict
We think that Walker & Drake treats are a healthy, grain-free, high quality option and they're all made right here in the UK.
Key Features |
Size: 100g resealable pouches | Dogs aged: 2 months + | Treat Size: 2.5cm x 2.5cm | Texture: Soft | Price per treat (approx): 8p |
Reasons to Buy + Grain Free + Soft + No nasties + Recyclable packaging |
Reasons to Avoid - If your prefer a crunchy biscuit treat |
7. Best Meat Treats
Naturaw
If you are looking for sustainable and natural dog treats made with British meat, then we would recommend taking a look at the Louis & Ada range from Naturaw.
If you haven't come across Naturaw, they are a high quality raw dog food company leading the way with their commitment to sustainability.
From planting trees to generating their own solar power and of course their plastic free packaging, Yorkshire based Naturaw are an ethical choice for dog food and dog treats.
We loved that Naturaw use minimal ingredients which are gently dried to create the ultimate high-value treat. It's worth mentioning that these treats are suitable for raw feeding and BARF traditionalists.
Their Louis & Ada range includes :-
🐾 Beef, Rosehip & Nettle
🐾 Free range Chicken & Fenugreek
🐾 Venison & Blackberry
🐾 Lamb, Mint & Kelp
🐾 A Little Fishy
🐾 Venison Salami
Healthy and sustainable, not only are they 100% natural with no artificial ingredients or dreaded fillers, but they are packaged in plastic free, resealable pouches.
Ultimately though, what our testers and their four-legged friends appreciated most about the Louis & Ada treat selection was the range of treat sizes on offer.
Some, like A Little Fishy are small so you can hide lots of them in your hand for training.
Whilst others like the Lamb Mint & Kelp are larger sticks which can be broken into smaller pieces as you choose. You could even offer your lucky pup a whole stick !
Essentially they've developed a treat range suitable for dogs of any size.
From Labradors that seem to inhale smaller treats to picky pups that need something to entice them, Naturaw's Louis & Ada range have a treat to suit.
You can opt to buy individual packs, money-saving bundles or try a mixed bundle.
Our verdict - We particularly loved the selection of treat sizes on offer. Admittedly they aren't the cheapest dog treats on the market, but they are 100% natural and one of the few dog food companies that have sustainability at their core.
Key Features |
Size: 90g & 100g pouches | Dogs aged: 2 months | Treat Size: Various | Texture: Various | Price per treat (approx): Various |
Reasons to Buy + Range of flavours + Natural dog treats + Selection of sizes + Plastic free packaging |
Reasons to Avoid - Not the cheapest |
Buying Options
Read our review of Whimzees Dog Dental Sticks
8. Best Plant Based Soft Treats
Scrumbles
Here at Smart Bark we're big fans of Scrumbles dog treats and their fab names !
Their range includes Dental Gnashers, Calming Nibbles, Salmon & Chicken Chonks and 3 different flavours of Softies training treats - Chicken & Duck, Salmon and Plant Based.
The first thing to say is that their range of Softies treats are ideal for puppies softer mouths and they are gently baked to give a soft bite so are incredibly easy to chew and digest. We rated them highly in our Top 5 Puppy Training Treats article.
But Softies are a great treat for dogs of all ages, so we put them to the test.
Both the meat and plant based treat varieties went down well with the canine testers, but most were generally keener on the meaty treats in a side-by-side test. The Softies range aroma also received the thumbs-up from our testers with no lingering smell.
One tester commented that for training sessions with her younger dog, she broke the treats in half and they didn't leave dreaded crumbs behind in her pocket, which is always a plus.
It's worth noting that all Scrumbles treat packaging is 100% recyclable, using eco-friendly materials.
Our Verdict - Scrumbles Softies are a low cal (so guilt free) soft dog treat, ideal for training sessions and younger pups.
Key Features |
Size: 90g eco-friendly pouch | Dogs aged: 2 months | Treat Size: Medium | Texture: Soft | Price per treat (approx): 6p |
Reasons to Buy + Eco-friendly packaging + Soft bite + Plant-based option |
Reasons to Avoid - Plant based weren't as enticing as meat based |
Buying Options
To save 15% off the Scrumbles range, simply enter the code SCRUMBLESBARK at checkout
Buy individually or 8 x 90g pouches direct from Scrumbles
9. Best Eco-friendly Dog Treats
Mr Bug - Bug Bites
If you're looking for a treat that's not only great for your dog but great for the planet as well, then why not take a look at Mr Bug's Bug Bites.
Mr Bug is the only insect based pet food company that farms their own bugs right here in the UK. So they are sustainable, ethically farmed and have a super low carbon paw-print.
Yep! You read it correctly, Mr Bug's dog treats are formulated with insect protein in place of traditional proteins like beef or chicken.
They combine the mealworm protein with plant-based ingredients to create low-calorie dog treats which are ideal for dogs suffering from sensitivity or allergies.
We wouldn't recommend anything we hadn't tried ourselves (well our dogs), so what did we think ?
Firstly Mr Bug's Bug Bites look like any other dog treat. With no real aroma they have the consistency of a small biscuit and snap easily into smaller pieces.
They are available in 4 different flavours -
🐛 The Nutty One
🐛 The Veggie One
🐛 The Fruity One
🐛 The Cheesy One
Inside each cardboard outer is a resealable inner bag to keep the treats fresh. Cleverly they offer a sample pack if you want to make sure that your dog loves the taste or you can opt for a larger variety pack of their four flavours.
Our verdict - Admittedly, Mr Bug dog treats work out slightly more expensive than some of the other treats tested, but we totally love the concept and Freddie loved the taste. For the ultimate guilt free treat we'd recommend taking a look at Mr Bug. Keep an open mind, you know the saying - don't knock it until you've tried it.
Key Features |
Size: 80g pouch | Dogs aged: all ages | Treat Size: Medium | Texture: Crunchy | Price per treat (approx): 7p |
Reasons to Buy + Eco-friendly + Low carbon, clean protein + Ideal for sensitive tummies |
Reasons to Avoid - If you're looking for a strong aroma |
Buying Options
You might be interested in our article exploring Insect dog foods -
10. Best Long-Lasting Treats
Fetch Club
Looking for a reward for your dog that'll last a bit longer ? Natural dog treats are a great option. As they are dried snacks, they have the benefit of being convenient with a long shelf life, without compromising on the health benefits.
Based in Bedfordshire, Fetch Club are a dog training and walking company with vast experience in dealing with dogs and puppies with an array of behavioural problems.
Their online shop only stocks products which have been tried and tested to obtain the coveted Fetch Club stamp of approval.
From ever-popular Yak bars to rabbit ears, duck feet and lamb shoulder strips, their shop offers a curated range of natural and highly nutritious dog treats all sourced right here in the UK.
You have the choice of buying individual products or a Snacker Treat Box with a hand-selected range of treats.
We tested and reviewed their Mini Natural Treat Box. An interesting combination of both long lasting treats for your dog to enjoy whilst lounging in the kitchen, alongside dog treats that could be cut up and used as high-value rewards whilst training.
Our Verdict - We highly recommend their range of natural and healthy dog treats. Ultimately whether you decide to buy the products individually or dip your toe in the water and try a natural treat box, is up to you.
If you would like to read more about what we thought of Fetch Club's Treat Boxes, check out our deep-dive review - Natural Dog Treats Review : Fetch Club
Key Features |
Size: Varied | Dogs aged: from 12 weeks | Treat Size: Large | Texture: Crunchy | Price per treat (approx) : Varied | Feeding Guide: 2-3 times a week |
Reasons to Buy + Dried natural treats + One ingredient + Exceptionally healthy + Ideal for sensitive tummies + Perfect for raw fed dogs |
Reasons to Avoid - Hygiene considerations - If you prefer your dog treats less real ! |
Buying Options
For 10% off the entire range at FETCH CLUB, enter coupon code SMARTBARK at checkout.
You might be interested ... |
We take a look at the four Best Dog Walking Bags for 2024. They all offer a lot more than a normal bag, including customised pockets for poo bags, treats, your phone, shoulder straps, waist straps and they can all deal with the British weather! |
Our Verdict
Every dog is different, so testing and analysing dog treats is particularly difficult. If there was a perfect dog treat, then there certainly wouldn't be such a variety of dog treats on the UK market.
All dog lovers have their favourite treats and we're no different. So we've tried throughout this review to explain our reasons behind why we love each dog treat in turn and highlighted any flaws for you to consider.
Hopefully we've managed to cover a wide range of treats to suit different breeds of dogs and their dog loving families.
We consider Pooch & Mutt Meaty Treats to be the best dog treats overall because they offer a wide selection, can easily be broken into smaller pieces, are healthy, nutritious and extremely good value for money.
You of course, may have other ideas !
Meet Our Four-legged Testers
As no two dogs are alike we roped in several dogs to put the dog treat ranges through their paces -
🐾 Hudley is a gorgeous German Short Haired Pointer who originally tested our Puppy Training Treats as a young pup (he's grown a bit since then!)
🐾 Otis a loveable Labrador and a veteran Smart Bark tester
Our first time testers :-
🐾 Lulu a beautiful older cocker spaniel
🐾 Smudge a Shoodle ( Shih Tzu/Toy Poodle cross)
🐾 Hetty a Yorkiepoo
🐾 Daisy a 9 yr old Great Dane
🐾 Murphy a 14 month old Collie/ German Shepherd/ Terrier Cross
And of course Freddie, our 5 year old Cockapoo who loves treats and enjoys testing anything and everything he can for Smart Bark.
How We Chose the Best Dog Treats
We decided to begin our search for the best dog treats by identifying dog treats that were suitable for training. They needed to be relatively small, healthy (with no harmful additives) as well as being kind to your pocket.
We also ensured that we included some single ingredient treats suitable for those dogs with allergies.
Next we considered treat texture and of course that all important aroma. We looked for the best treats aimed specifically at small and large breeds alongside treats suitable for raw fed dogs.
Lastly we explored ranges of dog treats for those times when you are looking for something healthy to reward your dog simply because you couldn't imagine life without them. These could be larger, longer lasting treats.
As a general rule, vets suggest that your dog should receive a minimum of 90% of their daily calorie intake from their actual food, and 10% or less from treats.
Thanks for dropping by and reading our review of the Best Dog Treats in the UK: 2024 Edition