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Jan 17, 2024

12 Best Organic Dog Treats of 2023

Organic food isn't just for people. In recent years, pet food companies have

Organic food isn't just for people. In recent years, pet food companies have been rolling out organic grub, including some of the best organic dog treats. That may be in response to consumer demand, especially as people become more environmentally conscious, something a report from Future Markets Insights notes.

But there's something more that may be fueling interest in organic treats for dogs. According to Dr. Nancy Welborn, associate professor and service chief of community practice at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, consumers who assume that organic food is safer or more nutritious may seek out these treats.

The question is, though, do these treats, which are often pricier, have a nutritional edge over their conventional counterparts? It's possible. "Organic foods have been shown to have small increases in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants when compared with their non-organic counterparts," says Dr. Kasey Aona, medical director and owner of GoodVets in Columbus, Ohio. "That said, though, there haven't been any studies to prove the nutritional benefits of feeding organic treats over non-organic ones in dogs."

Although there are fewer organic than conventional dog treats, the options are growing. To help you narrow down the best organic dog treats, we looked at dozens of brands and flavors and made our picks based on the criteria veterinarians shared.

Certified organic dog treats have a USDA Organic Seal printed on their package. The seal signifies that at least 95% of the ingredients are certified organic; the remaining 5% have been organically produced, though some exceptions exist.

Our top picks carry the USDA Organic Seal, and their size is appropriate for most dogs. They come in flavors most dogs like, including sweet potato, chicken, and pumpkin. In addition, we selected treats that consist mainly of whole foods, based on the recommendation of Dr. Antonio DeMarco, chief medical and mentorship officer at GoodVets in Lee's Summit, Missouri. "Although fresh vegetables and fruits are my first choice, there are some good options in local pet stores," he says.

These treats are loaded with whole foods like sweet potatoes, lentils, cinnamon, and flaxseed — and prepared in a zero-waste bakery. They have a little crunch to them. Each treat bar has three squares, so be sure to break a square off for individual treating. (13 calories/square)

Organic chicken is the first ingredient in these soft treats that can be given whole or broken into smaller pieces. They also have added flavor from pumpkin and rosemary extract. (14 calories/treat)

Training treats are smaller, making them easier to stuff into pockets and training pouches. Just be careful: It's great to provide positive reinforcement with treats, but calories can add up fast. "Training treats can look innocent because they're typically small, which makes it easy to overdo them," says Bullen.

Another rule of thumb when choosing a training treat: Make sure it's something the dog really loves. "Having a high-value treat that a pet is truly excited about is helpful, although that can vary from pet to pet," says Welborn.

Organic chicken is the first ingredient in these soft treats with a hickory-smoked flavor. They're small enough to fit several in your hands at once. (3 calories/treat)

These soft sweet potato treats include molasses, cinnamon, and ginger for enticing flavor. The low-calorie treats will last you through many fun training sessions. They also come in peanut butter flavor to mix things up. (1 calorie/treat)

Small dogs have smaller mouths than larger dogs, so buying them appropriately sized treats makes sense. "Smaller dogs who eat treats made for larger dogs have the potential to choke on that treat," says Kara Burns, a licensed veterinary technician specializing in nutrition and editor-in-chief of Today's Veterinary Nurse.

Calories are another concern. Too many calories can lead to excess weight, which can cause several health issues ranging from heart disease to diabetes. As of 2018, 56% of dogs were overweight or obese, according to a clinical survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. No matter a dog's size, treats should account for no more than 10% of their total caloric intake. If possible, Aona recommends keeping it closer to 5%.

In addition to peanut butter, these crunchy treats contain bananas and get an extra flavor boost from cinnamon. Each bag contains 100 treats and is sure to last a while. (7.8 calories/treat)

These treats are part of the company's Little Rewards line, ideal for small breeds. The soft treats combine strawberries and blueberries and get an extra flavor boost from peanut butter. (6.6 calories/treat)

Even with large dogs, you still need to keep an eye on calories when it comes to treats. The same guidelines for small dogs apply: Treats should compose no more than 10% of total caloric intake. There's a little more leeway when it comes to the size of the treat, though this varies with each dog. For this reason, it's best to give larger treats sparingly.

Suppose your dog inhales treats like a vacuum cleaner. In that case, it's possible they could aspirate on super small treats if you're not monitoring them, says Dr. Lindsey E. Bullen, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist with Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, DC. Other large dogs, however, might eat small pieces of food in a slow and controlled manner. Ultimately, it comes down to knowing how your dog eats while also considering their texture and flavor preferences.

Permission is granted to spoil your puppy with these dog-friendly fries. You can easily chop or break them with your hands. (25 calories/treat)

Apples, bananas, and blueberries are the fruits that make up these crunchy O-shaped treats. Extra flavor comes from molasses and rosemary. (14.2 calories/treat)

Whether you're showing your puppy some love or doing some training, keep any treats you give puppies small in size and calories. Check the fronts of packages, which often specify what life stage they're for, or opt for training treats. Burns says that larger-sized treats could pose a choking hazard.

Training treats are also great to add to your pantry. "They're small in size, making them a great option to reinforce positive behaviors without worrying too much about overfeeding," says DeMarco. The treats should also be soft enough to break them apart with your fingers. "If they're too hard, they could damage fragile puppy teeth," he adds.

Oats, strawberries, apples, peanut butter, beets, and rosemary extract are the only ingredients in these crunchy treats. Made with puppies in mind, they are bite-sized. (4 calories/treat)

These bone-shaped meatless treats are crunchy, which makes it easy to stuff them into pockets without getting smooshed. Bonus? The company donates five meals to shelter dogs for every purchase. (5 calories/treat)

It's tempting to treat senior dogs with anything they want. They've earned it, right? Yet consider treats with omega-3 fatty acids or a joint health supplement, many of which come in a soft-chew version. "Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation related to arthritis and promote brain and skin health," says DeMarco. It's important to note that not all supplements are created equal — your veterinarian can tell you what's best for your dog.

And, of course, don't forget that you can support your dog's cognitive function and provide a source of enrichment for meals and treats by using a puzzle feeder, DeMarco says. Just make sure you start slowly by offering a relatively easy puzzle feeder at first so your dog doesn't get frustrated.

Nutritious whole foods like peanut butter, oats, flaxseed, honey, coconut, and dates are packed into this treat, but the star ingredient is turmeric. Its anti-inflammatory properties make this a worthy pick for seniors with hip or other joint issues. Because this treat is higher in calories, be sure to break it up. (19.9 calories/treat)

These crunchy treats come with a bonus, namely omega-3 fatty acids for joint and immune system support. The biscuits are designed so you can conveniently break them into three pieces for lower-calorie treating. (30 calories/treat)

Here are some points to keep in mind when shopping for organic dog treats:

We searched for treats that met USDA Organic standards. We also considered the ingredients in the treat, opting for treats with fewer ingredients overall and more ingredients from whole foods. Finally, we consulted with canine experts to discuss the potential benefits of organic treats and what dog guardians should look for when choosing them. We also relied on customer reviews and the preferences of our tasters, an 8-year-old golden retriever/lab mix and 8-month-old golden retriever puppy.

The data is inconclusive at this point. Yet there's nothing wrong with giving your dog organic treats, especially if eating organic aligns with your personal beliefs. Just know that you may be paying more for organic versus non-organic treats, and you'll have to weigh whether the difference is worth it. "It's hard to say this increase in cost is justified without a demonstrated benefit," says Aona. "However, for pet parents who feel strongly about feeding organic and aren't deterred by the price, organic treats are not a wrong choice."

Fruits and vegetables are often the healthiest treats, Aona says. You can also make your vegetable chews in a dehydrator or bake your own dog biscuits. Just avoid added sugars and artificial sweeteners, like xylitol, which are toxic to dogs. If your dog is a chewer, Aona recommends filling rubber toys with a thin layer of peanut butter, as you don't run the risk of cracking teeth as you might with hard bones and antlers. Keep treats to around 10% of your dog's diet, although Aona advises pet parents to get that number closer to 5%. If, however, your dog is already overweight or obese, treats should be restricted or avoided.

The USDA hasn't yet set standards for organic pet foods, according to The Ohio State University). Look for the USDA Organic Seal on the label, which means the treats follow the standards for organic human food and their ingredients consist of at least 95% organic ingredients by weight. You might also see "made with organic," which means at least 70% of the treat's ingredients are organic.

Whether organic or not, the safest treats have limited ingredients with names you can pronounce, Aona says. "When in doubt, reach for raw vegetables and fruits like carrots and green beans," she says. Just remember that some foods like onion, garlic, and grapes can be toxic to dogs. Find a list of human foods to avoid at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.