Are you looking for natural dog treat options to reward your dog for good behavior while keeping it healthy? Have you ever wondered what makes the best natural dog treats stand out in 2024?
As dog parents become more conscious about what they feed their furry companions, the demand for high-quality, wholesome, healthy snacks has gone up.
With a huge demand for natural dog treats, there are a lot of options out there, too.
In this article, we delve into the world of natural dog treats, exploring the top picks that are not only yummy but also prioritize health and nutrition.
Join us on a journey to discover the very best dog treats you can get in 2024 that your canine friend will absolutely love!
What Are Natural Dog Treats?
The word "natural" means a lot when it comes to dog treats and food. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), if you call dog food or dog treats "natural," it must only use ingredients that come from plants, animals, or the earth and haven’t been processed too much.
This means the ingredients can be chopped, cooked, or purified but can't be made in a lab. Moreover, things like artificial colors, artificial flavors, or artificial vitamins and preservatives don't count as natural.
So, natural dog chews should only have stuff in them that comes from nature or is processed in simple ways.
Pros and Cons of Natural Dog Treats
Let's look at the Pros of natural dog treats -
Pros:
- Natural chews are rich in important nutrients like minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, promoting overall health, supporting the immune system, and aiding in digestion.
- High in nutrient-dense ingredients, natural chews can help decrease the likelihood of digestive upsets and lessen common allergens.
- The air-drying process removes moisture, concentrating the protein and nutrients, making these treats both tasty and nutritionally rewarding.
- Their tougher texture offers a healthier chewing option than rawhide, benefiting dental health.
- Chewing on natural treats meets dogs' instinctual needs, reducing destructive behaviors and promoting a sense of calm by releasing endorphins.
- Regular chewing helps remove plaque and cleans gums, reducing the risk of tooth decay, gum diseases, and bad breath, thus promoting good dental health.
- Some natural treats can help cleanse the digestive system and flush out parasites.
- These treats' healthy fats and Vitamin A contribute to healthier skin and a shinier coat.
- Dogs love the savory taste of natural treats, making snack time highly anticipated and enjoyable.
Cons:
While they have numerous pros, there are a few cons to natural dog chews. These include -
- Natural dog treats tend to be more expensive than their processed counterparts due to the quality of ingredients and manufacturing processes involved.
- Without preservatives, natural treats may have a shorter shelf life. This means they need to be consumed relatively quickly or stored properly to avoid giving your dog spoiled treats.
- Natural dog treats might not be as readily available in every pet store, especially in areas without big pet stores.
- Without certain preservatives, there's a slight increase in the risk of bacterial infections, like salmonella, especially in treats made of raw meat.
- While less common, some dogs might still have allergies or sensitivities to certain natural ingredients, such as specific proteins or grains found in these treats.
- Due to these treats' appealing taste and perceived benefits, there's a risk of overfeeding, which can lead to weight gain or nutritional imbalances in dogs.
10 Best Natural Dog Treats in 2024
Let's look at the 10 best natural dog treats that shine through in natural dog chews.
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Yak chews
Crafted from yak milk high in the Himalayas, these yak chews are among the finest treats for your canine companions.
Crafted from a simple recipe that includes yak milk, cow milk, a bit of salt, and lime juice, these chews are free from any additives or preservatives, ensuring a 100% natural snack.
Depending on your dog's chewing habits, these hard chews can last from several hours to days, making them a fantastic option to keep your pet engaged and entertained. Available in various sizes to cater to different dog breeds, they're designed to meet the needs of any dog.
Yak cheese chews don't just keep dogs occupied; they also play a crucial role in maintaining dental health. The act of gnawing on these chews helps remove plaque and tartar buildup, contributing to fresher breath. Packed with protein and low in fat, they are a nutritious snack.
Suitable for dogs with grain and gluten sensitivities, these delicious chews are both grain-free and gluten-free and support healthy digestion.
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Elk antler chews
Elk chews for dogs come from naturally shed elk antlers. These are a completely natural and ethically gathered option for dog chews.
These durable chews are not only long-lasting, making them ideal for promoting healthy teeth in dogs, but they are also packed with essential nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and sodium.
This nutrient-rich composition supports both the overall health and teeth of dogs.
Elk antlers effectively maintain oral hygiene by removing tartar and plaque buildup, leading to fresher breath for your dog. All types of dogs can enjoy a satisfying chew experience with elk antlers.
Being completely natural, an elk antler chew is a tasty treat free from any artificial preservatives or additives, making them a wholesome and fully digestible choice for your pet’s chewing pleasure.
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Beef skin dog chews
Beef skin dog chews are a type of rawhide chew made from the inner layer of cattle skin. These chews undergo a drying and dehydration process to transform the cattle skin into durable chews suitable for dogs.
These chews are renowned for their long-lasting nature. They are attained through the drying and dehydration of cattle skin, resulting in tough chews that dogs can enjoy for a long time.
They are a rich source of protein, gelatin, and collagen while also being low in fat, making them a nutritious option for your pet.
In addition to their nutritional benefits, free from artificial additives and preservatives, beef skin chews contribute to healthy teeth by helping clean dogs' teeth and gums, promoting oral hygiene.
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Pig ears dog chews
Pig ears dog chews are rawhide chews crafted from the cartilage of pig ears, suitable for dogs of all sizes and breeds.
These chews provide a firm texture and a satisfying chewing experience, although they are not as tough as natural chews like yak chews or antlers. They are best suited for dogs that are not aggressive chewers.
Pig ear chews contribute positively to dogs' dental health and are suitable for dogs with allergies due to their natural composition. They are rich in Omega 3, which supports healthy bone development, and are grain and gluten-free.
However, pig ear chews are high in fat, which may not be ideal for your furry friend on a diet or with sensitive stomachs.
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Beef trachea dog chews
Beef trachea dog chew treats are made from the windpipe of cows and are considered one of the safest chew options for dogs due to their rubbery texture while being chewed.
These chews are generally long-lasting, although not as durable as yak chews or antlers. They are rich in chondroitin and glucosamine, making them beneficial for treating arthritis in dogs.
Beef trachea chews contribute to oral health, are easily digestible, and are low in fat. They are good for dogs with sensitive stomachs and are also beneficial for joints due to their high chondroitin, glucosamine, and collagen content.
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Sweet potato dog chews
Sweet potato slices are among the healthiest natural chew options for dogs and can easily be made at home by dehydrating or baking sweet potatoes.
These chews offer several health benefits for dogs, being low in fat, nutritious, easily digestible, and packed with essential vitamins like A, C, and B6, along with fiber.
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Tendon dog chews
Tendon dog chews are made from tissue connected to bones, offering a tough yet flexible texture that keeps dogs engaged for extended periods.
Rich in protein and low in fat, tendon chews are easily digestible and free from added preservatives or chemicals, maintaining their all-natural composition.
They contribute positively to dogs' dental health by helping remove tartar, plaque, and food debris from the mouth.
Depending on dogs ' chewing habits, these chews typically last between one to two hours and suit dogs of all sizes and breeds.
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Bully sticks
Bully sticks are a popular type of all-natural dog chew made from the bull's pizzle. These chews are single-ingredient treats, yet they are both nutritious and completely natural.
They are available in various shapes and sizes to suit different dog sizes and weights, and they are packed with amino acids and proteins, offering health benefits to dogs.
Despite their nutritional value, bully sticks may not be preferred by humans due to their strong odor and messiness. However, they are tough and long-lasting chews that can provide hours of chewing enjoyment for dogs, keeping them busy and engaged.
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Beef tripe dog chews
Beef tripe dog chews are crafted from cows' stomachs and are commonly given to dogs to enhance gut health and dental hygiene.
These chews come with essential nutrients like vitamin B12, selenium, zinc, manganese, and niacin, which promote gut health in dogs.
Additionally, beef tripe chews aid in maintaining dogs' oral health, although they may not last as long as other chews such as yak chews, antlers, or bully sticks. Dogs typically finish these chews within an hour. They are also easily digestible, making them suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
However, the notable downside of beef tripe chews is their strong odor, which may not appeal to humans but is a natural characteristic of these chews.
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Beef cheek roll dog chews
Beef cheek roll dog chews are natural treats crafted from the entire cheek of a cow, dried and rolled for dogs to enjoy.
These chews are durable and can last for hours, even with aggressive chewers. They are packed with vitamins C and B, iron, and collagen, contributing to dogs' immune health and joint support.
With a low-fat and high-protein composition, beef cheek roll chews are easily digested and offer a healthy dog snack option.
Final Words
Natural dog chews offer a wide range of benefits with healthy ingredients for our canine companions. From promoting dental health and providing essential nutrients to keeping dogs engaged and entertained, these chews are vital to their well-being.
Whether it's the long-lasting durability of yak chews or the nutritional richness of sweet potato chews, each type brings something unique to the table. And these are better alternatives to beef liver and brown rice chews.
However, it's important to consider factors like digestibility, odor, and suitability for each dog when choosing the best treats for your dog. Healthy ingredients are also important.
