Give Your Dog a Snack with the Leading Jerky Dog Treats
Dog treats are an ideal way to positively reinforce good behavior in your dog. They are an important tool for training your dog, and the right treat will help you train your dog faster and more effectively.
All jerky dog treats are not created equally, and there are several factors you should consider before you purchase some for your pooch. We will discuss the things we recommend considering later in the article.
First, you should read our list of the best-quality jerky dog treats in 2022. We have done a lot of research, so you don’t have to! Cuddle up with your furry best friend and check out our recommendations below!
Top 5 Jerky Dog Treats in 2022
Amazon Brand Solimo Dog Jerky Treats
– Best Overall
Amazon Brand Solimo Dog Jerky Treats are available in different flavors: chicken, duck, sweet potato and chicken, and sweet potato and duck. These treats are the perfect reward for your furry companions.
These treats contain no soy, wheat or gluten, and the main ingredient included is the meat or sweet potato if using a sweet potato treat. Other ingredients include pea protein, glycerin, and salt. Glycerin is a natural ingredient that adds a hint of sweetness to the treat.
Each treat provides 71.5 calories and can be enjoyed as part of a healthy, active lifestyle. In addition, this company offers a full refund within a year of purchase if you are not satisfied with the product.
- Available in different flavors
- Natural ingredients
- Soy, wheat, corn, and gluten-free
- Refund within a year if unsatisfactory
- There is more sweet potato than meat in some treats
Rocco and Roxie Jerky Dog Treats
– Runner Up
Rocco and Roxie Jerky Dog Treats are healthy and natural and contain no soy, corn, and gluten. They are almost as irresistible as your fur baby. These treats are made from high-quality all-American beef.
The beef is smoked for 10 hours to create a delicious flavor your dog will adore. These treats are available in a variety of flavors, including chicken, beef, and turkey. Your dog is bound to love one of these tasty selections.
These treats are the perfect way to reward your beloved pet and motivate them during training. However, if you or your dog isn’t happy with this product, this company offers a money-back guarantee.
- Natural ingredients
- A variety of flavors are available
- Money-back guarantee offered
- This product contains a small amount of garlic which can be toxic to dogs in large amounts
Nudges Jerky Cuts
– Contender
Nudges Jerky Cuts contain chicken, ground rice and other natural flavors. These jerky cuts are slowly oven-dried and easy to tear into smaller pieces. For this reason, they are great for small and large dogs alike.
These jerky bites contain chondroitin and glucosamine to help support joint and bone health. The chicken is sourced from the US, and the jerky contains no animal by-products.
These treats contain a minimum of 25% crude protein, a 9% crude fat, and a 100% of flavor your dog will love. Large dogs can have up to three treats a day, but you can increase the number of times they receive treats by tearing each treat into smaller pieces.
- Made from American sourced chicken
- All-natural ingredients
- Easily torn into smaller pieces
- Suitable for all breed sizes
- The jerky sometimes smells bad
Farmland Traditions Premium Jerky Treats For Dogs
– Worthy Mention
Farmland Traditions Premium Jerky Treats For Dogs are suitable for all dog sizes. This product contains only two ingredients, so you know exactly what is going into your dog’s body. Each pack contains chicken, and vegetable glycerin.
The jerky is easy to break into smaller pieces so small dog breeds can enjoy it as well. This also means your dog can enjoy the same amount of food but spread out longer over the day. This can help with dogs that are being trained.
These treats are made in an FDA-approved facility in Southern California, so if you want to support a homegrown business, consider buying these healthy and delicious treats your pup will behave for.
- Made in an FDA approved facility
- Natural ingredients- predominantly chicken
- Free from soy, corn, and grain
- Suitable for all dog sizes
- Some customers found the jerky was too moist and bendy.
Kingdom Pets Filler Free Chicken Breast Jerky
– Also Consider
These treats are suitable for dogs of all breeds and sizes. The jerky is easy to break into smaller pieces so can be customized for smaller pets. Larger dogs also love the full flavor of these treats and can be given the treats whole.
These treats are free from corn, grain and soy, which are common allergens to dogs. These treats contain only three natural ingredients: chicken, vegetable glycerin, and salt. The chickens used in these treats are farm-raised and filler-free.
Dogs love these treats, and you may be surprised at how well behaved and receptive your pet becomes once these delicious snacks are on the table.
- Contains natural ingredients
- Free from common allergens
- Made from farm-raised and filler-free chickens
- Some customers found this product too thick for their small dogs and had to cut them up
Best Jerky Dog Treats Buying Guide
Now that you’ve checked out our recommended jerky dog treats, you should read the rest of our buying guide so you know exactly what to look for in a product.
Things to Consider When Choosing Jerky Dog Treats
Before you purchase new jerky dog treats for your beloved companion, consider the following factors and features.
Taste
Your dog will have their preferences when it comes to food the same way people do. However, most dogs prefer the most natural meaty flavors you can find. Sometimes discovering your dog's preference can be a matter of trial and error.
If you are not sure of your dog’s preferences, you could contact the manufacturer and see if they provide taster samples.
Single limited ingredient treats
Sometimes, simple is best. Look for jerky dog treats with limited ingredients. When giving a dog a new treat, limited ingredients mean you can easily pinpoint any allergies the dog possesses if they react to the food.
Size
Treats should be small enough to fit in a treat pouch, so you can use them as positive reinforcement when you are walking your dog. The treat size also needs to match the size of your dog. You want the treat to be small enough for your dog to be able to chew on them.
If you have a large dog, you need to purchase treats large enough to encourage them to chew before attempting to swallow. Some large dogs will try and swallow a small treat whole, and this is a choking hazard.
Many dog treats are labeled for what size dog they are intended for. However, it is always advisable to follow the recommendations given by the manufacturer of the product.
Tearable
If your dog is between dog sizes, or even if they are not, you should consider buying dog treats that are easily torn into smaller portions. Tearable dog treats can be customized to suit your dog’s size.
Tearable treats also allow you to split the recommended amount of treats over a day. For example, if three treats are recommended, you can tear these in half and make your dog feel like they are receiving six treats.
Texture
Different textures are available for treats, even within the umbrella of jerky dog treats. Your dog will have their own preference. Ensure the treats you give them do not splinter and aren’t too hard on their teeth.
Moisture
When reading the ingredients of the dog jerky treats, look for the maximum moisture content. Some moisture is necessary and inevitable. However, you do not want a dog treat that has more than 40% moisture; after all, you are not paying for water.
However, moisture in a dog treat will not cause any harm, and if your dog is fond of a water-filled treat, there is no reason not to give it to them.
Crude protein
18-25% of an adult dog’s diet should come from crude protein. Puppies need at least 29%. When looking for a treat, it is good to purchase a product that also fits these percentages. Remember, this is a minimum amount, so any treats with a higher percentage of crude protein are preferable.
Crude Fat
A dog needs at least 5.5% of its diet to come from fats. Some dogs cannot handle high-fat diets and will suffer from diarrhea. It is usually ok to give your dog a treat high in fat as part of a balanced diet, including healthier sources of their main food. The important thing to count is the dog's calorie intake.
Calories
It is recommended that a dog gets 10% of its recommended calories from treats. Many jerky dog treats have the number of treats you should give certain sized dogs on the packaging. However, if your dog is trying to lose weight or gain weight, it is best to count the calories.
Some dog jerky treats will provide more calories with less quantity and vice versa. Consider what is best for your dog before purchasing any treats.
Ingredients to avoid
There are several ingredients that are unfortunately common in dog treats that you should avoid. These include:
- Sugars
Like humans, sugar is not great for your pet. It can damage their teeth and cause diabetes and obesity.
- Corn, gluten, soy
Corn, gluten, and soy are all known allergens and could make your dog unwell. There is no point in adding them to the treat, so do not buy any treats containing them.
- BHT, BHA, and ethoxyquin
These ingredients are used to preserve the treats and extend their shelf life. However, it is believed these ingredients can be harmful to dogs after long periods of ingestion and exposure.
- Propyl gallate
Propyl gallate is a known carcinogen and can cause breathing difficulties, stomach pain, and allergic reactions in dogs. Avoid avoid avoid!
Well treated animals
When choosing jerky dog treats, try and find a product made from free-range and well-cared-for meat. It is a small kindness that makes a massive difference to all the animals involved.
Customer reviews
When you have found a product you like the look of, read the accompanying customer reviews. Customer reviews will let you know if the product is as advertised. It will also tell you a little about how the company selling the product resolves any issues.
With so many dog jerky treats on the market, you can afford to choose a product with plenty of glowing reviews.
How We Choose Quality Jerky Dog Treats
To choose the leading dog treats, we consider if the ingredients are natural and well-sourced. We also judge how much a panel of dogs likes the treats. The treats must have a good balance of crude proteins and fats to make our list and be good value-for-money. We also check many customer reviews and only recommend products that are tried and tested and popular.
Jerky Dog Treats FAQ
A: It is not recommended you feed your dog beef jerky. Beef jerky is very high in salt, and the sodium levels can seriously damage your dog's health. Some beef jerky can have about five times the recommended amount of sodium for a medium-sized dog. As much as your dog may give you its best puppy dog eyes, do not share your beef jerky with them.
A: Although not proven, some customers believe Golden Rewards chicken jerky treats made their dogs ill and, in some cases, caused their death.
A: Yes, you can purchase vegetarian jerky dog treats. These are mostly made from pea protein, and because dogs are omnivores, they are perfectly safe to feed your fur babies. However, you should still check vegetarian products for any harmful ingredients to avoid, as we mentioned earlier.
