Raw feeding is becoming more and more popular for pet owners, and with good reason! We are all learning that a diet of raw meat and bones provides all the nutrients our dogs need without any of the fillers or artificial ingredients found in most commercial pet foods.
But what about treats? Can you give your raw fed dog a treat without compromising their hard-earned diet? You betcha!
In fact, there are many healthy, natural treats you can give your pup. Here are our top picks for the best natural dog treats for raw fed dogs.
Why Natural Dog Treats Are Best
If you have already made the switch to a raw diet for your dog, you are undoubtedly aware of all of the benefits. A raw diet is packed with nutrients and is much closer to what dogs would eat in the wild. You may also be aware of all of the harmful ingredients that are found in many commercial dog foods.
Things like artificial flavors, preservatives, by-products, and fillers can all be detrimental to your dog’s health. That’s why it’s so important to choose the best possible treats for your raw fed dog. Treats that are made with natural, whole ingredients and that are free from artificial additives are the best possible option for your pup.
The Benefits Of Feeding Your Dog Single-Ingredient Treats
Single-ingredient dog treats are easier for your dog to digest and are easily found without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. And can easily be made at home! But if you are a busy dog mom like me, or you simply prefer to not make treats yourself, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
9 Best Treats For Raw Fed Dogs
If you are new to raw feeding, you probably feel a little overwhelmed choosing the best treats for your dog. I’m here to tell you, it doesn’t have to complicated. You can feed straight from your own kitchen. But, when that is not an option, we have gathered some great treats to have on hand. These can easily be purchased online (I’ve linked these for you) and delivered right to your door!
1. Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Liver
Beef liver is high in protein and vitamin A. It’s also a good source of vitamin B12, iron, and zinc.
2. Anchovies Dehydrated Dog Treat
Anchovies are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are a great add-in to your dog’s diet as they help improve joint health, reduce inflammation, and improve cognitive function.
3. Freeze-Dried Wild Alaskan Salmon
Same as Anchovies, this healthy treat is rich in omega-3s making this a great option for dogs with skin allergies or problems with coat quality. By the way, did you know that poor coat quality is usually a sign of a nutrient deficiency?
4. Dehydrated Chicken or Turkey Necks
Keep this one as an occasional treat and consider the bone content when calculating your dog’s daily calcium requirement. Too much and you can cause constipation in your pup.
5. Freeze-Dried Beef Heart
Beef heart is a great source of vitamin A, B12, Niacin, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.
6. Chicken Jerky
I understand feeding raw chicken as a treat is not always an option. But chicken jerky is a great single-ingredient treat for dogs fed raw diets. Quality-sourced chicken is packed with vitamins and minerals essential for your dog. And if you have a dehydrated, it’s so easy to make at home!
7. Cod Skin
Aside from their omega-3 content also found in the salmon and anchovy treats above, cod skins contain protein and are a yummy and nutritious snack for your pet.
8. Freeze-Dried Beef Tripe
Tripe is full of vitamins and minerals including B6, B12, iron, zinc, and magnesium. Not the best smelling treat for humans, but loved by dogs!
9. Freeze-Dried Minnows
Minnows are another fish in the lineup. We have used these as training treats for our own two dogs. These are small, easy to feed and carry with you during training sessions.
You are probably noticing that all the dog treats I’m recommending are either freeze-dried or dehydrated and that is because neither needs added preservatives to keep their shelf life.
There are instances when feeding soft treats makes more sense, like during training session for example. That’s usually because you are giving your dog a large amount of treats in a short amount of time. In those instances, feeding soft, high-value treats make more sense.
Lucky for you, high-value dog treats can usually be found in your fridge!
Types Of Dog Treats
Soft Dog Treats
As mentioned above, these are great training treats. They are tasty and are easier for dogs to swallow during training sessions. When feeding soft treats, please feed them fresh and in bite sized pieces. Things like fresh meat, cheese, ham, berries, and chicken are great options and can be found in every kitchen.
Crunchy Dog Treats
These are great quick chews for your dog. Most of the freeze-dried and dehydrated ones above fall in this category.
Hard Dog Treats
Hard chews help with dental hygiene by scraping the tartar from your dog’s teeth. If you feed raw, this includes raw meaty bones. Another great option is yak cheese. These are single ingredient dog treats, cheese, (made with skim milk, citrus juice, salt, and enzymes) and can last a while. Our favorites are made by Himalayan Pet Supply.
Let’s Talk Value
When training your dog, choosing a dog treat with a higher value matters. High-value dog treats are important because they help keep your dog’s attention focused on you allowing you to reward them for good behavior. This can help to create a stronger bond between you and your dog, and can make training easier.
There are a few things that make a dog treat high value. One is that they are special, something that your dog doesn’t get all the time and two, it should be delicious and something your dog really enjoys. This can be anything from pieces of cooked chicken to tiny bits of cheese.
What Ingredients To Avoid In Your “Natural” Dog Treats
Nothing bothers me more than seeing a dog treat being labeled natural and then reading the ingredient list and finding it full of chemicals and artificial flavors. I really don’t understand why companies think it’s okay to put those kinds of things into our dog’s food. It’s not healthy for them, and it’s certainly not natural.
Ingredients to avoid
If you can’t pronounce it, it’s best to avoid it. Other things include:
Meat by-products
Sugar (any type)
Soy
Corn (in any way: cornstarch, corn syrup, etc.)
Grains (rice, barley, wheat, oat, etc)
Dyes
Preservatives
Ideas On How to Feed Natural Treats To Your Dog
If feeding berries, especially during summer, you can freeze them making them a yummy and refreshing treat.
What to keep your dog entertained for a while? Try using a Lickimat.
You can smear your Lickimat with yogurt, add crumbs of your dogs’ favorite treat, and place it in the freezer. Feed it frozen for a cooling and enriching treat.
I hope this was helpful in providing you with options of some pre-made, healthy treats for your dog. And remember, when looking for treats, simply stick with simple, single-ingredients without wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, artificial colors or flavors. And if you can find a local source or make these yourself – even better!
