Even if you don’t own a dog, you have probably noticed that more and more people are adopting a grain free diet. That got people wondering if they should switch to grain free dog food and dog treats as well. There may or may not be benefits to grain free dog treats and dog food, but one thing is for sure: Dogs are okay with it! When it comes to your average dog treat, most people don’t even know what’s in them. The movement of people becoming more health-conscious, and therefore more ingredient-conscious, has lots of folks checking the labels of their dog food and treats as well. Limited ingredient dog treats are becoming more popular for their simplicity and health value. These days lots of dog owners are leaning towards grain-free dog treats for their pups for all sorts of reasons. Grain free dog treats have been around for a while, so we have had some time to try all sorts of grain free treats and tell you what some of our favorites are.
In this post, we will explore why grain-free dog treats are taking the market by storm and why you should opt for it. Additionally, we will go into specifics as to what grain-free products are the best.
Why Should You Choose Grain-Free Dog Treats?
As the name implies, grain-free dog treats are free of any form of grain ingredients, such as corn, wheat, or soy—which can cause food allergies to your pup. Most grain-free dog treats only have a short list of healthy ingredients, animal protein being the first and top priority. The best grain free dog treats will have a short list of all-natural ingredients that are easy to digest and healthy for all dogs. Different dogs love different textured treats, so it could take a while to find the perfect grain free dog treat that fits into your pet’s diet. These products are made of healthy, nutritious and high-quality ingredients. That means no artificial flavors, artificial preservatives, or artificial additives, which helps reduce the risks of allergic reactions.
So, if you’ll be shopping for grain-free dog treats, these are the qualities that you should look for: a short ingredient list, healthy ingredients, and no fillers. Some grain-free products may contain fillers, chemicals or ingredients that are tough as old boots for your pup to digest. If you have older dogs or small dogs, make sure that you take treat size into account. You also need to watch out for added sugar to create sweet flavors- sweet potatoes are acceptable, but not corn syrup. And rolled oats are often used as a grain substitute. While not bad for dogs, it’s a carbohydrate that is used the same way grain is, to help create a chewy texture. And remember that real chicken is obviously preferable to something like chicken meal. Read that label carefully!
Similarly, if you have senior dogs, watch out for your dog’s teeth and make sure you get soft, chewy dog treats. There are grain free options for bigger dogs, smaller dogs, and every size in between. Some people call them human grade treats, but we don’t suggest you test that out on your own…
Best Grain-Free Dog Treats
We’ve gathered our trusted testers (our dogs) and tried out all the most popular grain-free dog treats our there. Your dog deserves to have their good behavior rewarded, so try out some grain free dog treats and see how your pup likes them.
After much deliberation, these are the ones that our dogs decided are the best grain free dog treats:
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats are a USA made product which is a delicious, crunchy high-protein treat for your pup. It comes in several different flavors, such as salmon, duck, turkey, chicken, bison, venison and red meat. Aside from being free of grain ingredients, like wheat and corn, they are also free of soy and meat by-products—as well as artificial flavors and preservatives. You can be rest assured that the product is made with natural, pure ingredients, boosting its nutritional value. In addition, it contains flaxseed which is an excellent source of omega 3 & 6 fatty acids with antioxidants.
This grain-free dog treat is ideal for picky meat-loving dogs. Their tails could all go wagging in excitement by feeding this to them. In any case, you can use this during your dog’s training or just for a treat.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Treats
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Treats offer a satisfying, healthy experience for your pup, savory until the last bite. These delicious, crispy biscuit treats are only made with a short list of important ingredients which is ideal for dogs with issues of multiple allergies or intolerance to certain ingredients. It comes in several different sets of flavors, such as sweet potato/bison, sweet potato/fish, brown rice/lamb and potato and duck—where each recipe may contain 10 ingredients or even less. The product is free of any grain ingredients and is completely made with natural, pure ingredients only. It is extremely chewable and will certainly not cause any indigestion problems, teeth fragmentation or even choking incidents.
It is safe for consumption for your dogs as they have been widely tested and proven by experts and pet owners.
Merrick Grain-Free Power Bites Dog Treats
Merrick Grain-Free Power Bites Dog Treats are a USA-made product and is another great addition to your list of grain-free products, expanding your options. It comes in several different flavors, such as cowboy cookout, grammy’s pot pie, turducken, wingalings and brauts-n-tots. What makes these crunchy treats pull many dog owners into buying them is because the product is made with real meat of chicken, turkey, beef and other high-quality ingredients. Your dog will enjoy the taste these treats offer, and you will be happy with the nutritional content they have.
Wellness Natural Pet Food Petite Treats
Wellness Natural Pet Food Petite Treats are particularly intended for small, petite dogs. These bite-sized treats are low in calories but high in protein. It also contains flaxseed which promotes a healthy coat and fur for your pup. It is made with natural, pure ingredients of turkey, chicken and lamb and other high-quality ingredients, like pomegranate, cherries and apples. It comes in several different sets of flavors, such as turkey (with pomegranate and ginger), chicken (with cherries and spearmint) and lamb (with apples and cinnamon). These treats may have a chewy or crispy texture, depending on which flavor, and can be the perfect snacks or rewards for your small adult dogs and puppies. Being just the right size of a treat for your pup, you can be rest assured it won’t cause any digestion problems.
However, picky dogs tend not to like these very much. So if your dog is an especially picky eater, this may not be the ideal option.
Zuke’s Mini Naturals Grain-Free Dog Treats
Zuke’s Mini Naturals Grain-Free Dog Treats are a popular grain-free product that’s free of meat by-products, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. It is made with natural, pure meat ingredients with some added fruity and veggie ingredients, like apple, carrot and potatoes. It comes in several different apple-based flavors, such as chicken, duck, pork and rabbit. These treats are safe for consumption for dogs of all sizes—as well as puppies.
Cloud Star Tricky Trainers
Cloud Star Tricky Trainers are popular among dog owners who are looking for grain-free products. They are completely free of any grain ingredients, like wheat, corn or soy. It is also free of meat by-products, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. It comes in several different flavors, such as lamb, duck, chicken, salmon and peanut butter. These crunchy, delicious biscuit treats have a short list of ingredients, which count to six only—including chickpeas, peas and peanut butter. Even so, you can be rest assured that the product is made with natural, pure ingredients only, boosting its nutritional value.
These treats are safe for consumption for dogs of all sizes—as well as puppies. In any case, you can certainly use this as a treat when your dog is being trained since it is small and low in calories at the same time.
Three Dog Bakery Grain-Free Dog Treats
Three Dog Bakery Dog Treats are a sweet delicious snack that is free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. These bone-shaped treats are somewhat crunchy but yet light and airy. You won’t have any problem with your dog choking on these treats since these will melt straight in their mouth. It comes in several different flavors, such as pumpkin, sweet potato and peanut butter and banana. It is a great alternative if your dog is already dissatisfied or for a start, does not enjoy meat-flavored treats. However, it contains ingredients, such as potato flour, egg, milk and cinnamon. So, you should keep these ingredients in mind, especially if your dog is allergic to any of these.
The Final Bark on Grain-Free Dog Treats
For most dog owners, grain-free is their go-to dog food for their pup’s nourishment and dietary needs. However, you should still consult with your trusted vet to make sure that grain-free is fine for your pup. At the end of the day, we all want what is best for our dogs. A healthy, all-natural grain free dog treat is a great way to give your dog a high-protein treat. But before switching to a full grain free diet, always consult your vet! It’s probably a good idea to ask your vet and find out if your dog’s breed is predisposed to any particular food allergies. Simple and healthy ingredients are our top priority, and they should be yours as well!
