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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 ...
🎄🎁 If you're looking to spoil your dog this Christmas, checkout our Best Festive Treats & Advent Calendars review. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Our Top Picks for Dog Treats
1. Best Dog Treats Overall
Pooch & Mutt
When it comes to dog treats, Pooch & Mutt's Meaty range takes the top spot. They're not just cute, they're packed with flavour and won't break the bank.
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 -
Pooch & Mutt Treats: A Winner for Training - We loved the size, shape, and texture of these treats, making them perfect for rewarding good behaviour during training. While they have a strong scent, that can actually be an advantage for grabbing your dog's attention.
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
with Pooch & Mutt discount code SMARTBARK20
2. Best Soft Dog Treats
Forthglade
Featuring an ever-growing selection of flavours ( and new packaging), 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.
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.
Their 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 multi-functional treats -
⭐️ Digestive Health plus Parsley, Ginger & Chicory
⭐️ Joints & Bones with Salmon oil
⭐️ Rewards with Honey & Banana
⭐️ Fresh Breath with Peppermint & Parsley
Like Pooch & Mutt, if you simply can't decide, Forthglade offer a treat multipack so you can try one bag of each of their soft bite dog treats.
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 meatier dog treat, take a look at Forthglade's range of meaty 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
First time customers use discount code
SMARTBARK40 for a massive 40% OFF
OR
Existing customers use discount code SMARTBARK15
for 15% OFF
3. 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
4. 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 |
5. 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 |
6. Best Eco-friendly Dog Treats
BrewBix
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 BrewBix.
BrewBix, a new UK company, is revolutionising dog treats with their upcycled biscuits. Made from leftover ingredients from craft breweries, these treats are not only delicious for your pup, but also kind to the environment. Treats with a Green Paw Print!
Containing just 5 simple ingredients - brewers spent grain, brewers yeast, wholemeal flour, linseed and peanut butter, these biscuits are vegan too.
We love the idea of creating delicious dog treats from the yeast and spent grain byproducts from a micro brewery rather than farming other ingredients.
High in fibre they promote a healthy gut and can help firm up your dog's poo. The linseed helps maintain a shiny coat along with their skin and eyes. Lastly they're designed to be crunchy which helps your dog release happy hormones and stay calm.
BrewBix treats are packed with flavour, despite having a subtle aroma. In testing we thought they had the satisfying crunch of a small biscuit and could be easily broken into bite-sized pieces, perfect for training or rewarding good behaviour. And the most important test? Our furry taste testers absolutely loved them!
Any thing else you should know ? They aren't the cheapest dog treat, but there are savings if your Subscribe and Save or order larger quantities.
Our Verdict -
We love that BrewBix are super healthy for your dog and the planet. Upcycled from brewery leftovers, these treats minimise waste and reduce their environmental impact, and dogs love them.
Key Features |
Size: 100g box | Dogs aged: all ages | Treat Size: Medium | Texture: Crunchy | Price per treat (approx): 20p |
Reasons to Buy + Eco-friendly + Vegan + Great for tummies, skin & coat |
Reasons to Avoid - If you're looking for a grain free treat |
Buying Options
7. 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.
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.
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
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Our Verdict
The Verdict: No One-Size-Fits-All Treat
Choosing the "perfect" dog treat can be tricky because, well, every dog is different! The vast variety of treats available in the UK market reflects this very fact.
Just like devoted dog owners have their own favorite pup-pleasing snacks, we've developed our own preferences throughout this review.
We've explained what makes each treat stand out, while also acknowledging any potential drawbacks to consider.
Our aim was to showcase a diverse range of options to suit all sorts of furry friends and their loving humans.
Pooch & Mutt Treats: Top Dog for Overall Value
That being said, Pooch & Mutt Treats earned our top spot for overall value. They offer a wide variety of flavours and textures, can be easily broken into smaller pieces for training, and prioritise healthy, nutritious ingredients – all at a budget-friendly price.
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
