Best Treats For German Shepherd Dogs & Puppies

 

Looking for the best dog treats for your German Shepherd Dog or Puppy is like looking for the best dog food – there’s many options and types to consider and it’s easy to get confused.

Do you get the most popular selling treats, or do you try to make sense of the labels to make sure your are getting quality and safe treats for your GSD?

We’ve saved you a whole heap of time researching and spending time trawling through labels (you should check with your vet though to make sure you’re not giving your dog something they shouldn’t have).

To do this, we’ve put together a top rated list, best german shepherd snacks/treats reviews, and a buyer’s guide for both the healthiest, and most popular dog and puppy treats.

We’ve also identified the best dog treats for training German Shepherds.

Let’s check out the options!

 

(NOTE: this is a general information guide only, and is not professional advice, or a substitute for professional advice. A qualified vet or animal expert is the only person qualified to give you expert advice in regards to your pet/s)

(*Friendly Disclosure – links to retailers or brands on this page may include affiliate links, and we may receive a commission when you purchase through these links)

 

Best Dog Treats For German Shepherd Dogs & Puppies: Healthy Treats, Training Treats, Puppy Treats + More

Our top picks for the best healthy and also popular dog and puppy treats are:

Healthy Dog Treats

 

Other Popular Dog Treats

 

Best Dog Treats For German Shepherd Dogs & Puppies: Reviews

Wellness Puppy Bites Natural Grain Free – Puppy Treats, & Puppy Training Treats

View On Amazon

What’s Good

Good for puppies, and puppy training

Comes in soft lamb and salmon, or crunchy chicken and carrots flavors 

Comes in 3 ounce or 6 ounce packets

Very healthy – premium, all natural ingredients with no meat by-products, corn, wheat-gluten, grain, soy dairy or any artificial colors and flavors

Because there’s no wheat-gluten, corn, soy, grain or dairy – these treats can be better for puppies with allergies

Made with DHA to promote healthy brain development

Contains superfoods like blueberries, veggies, and omega-rich flaxseed

Meats are listed as the first ingredients – this is great

Excellent range of ingredients – good for nutrition

Only 4 calories in each treat

What Could Be Improved

30% moisture content is a little high

Where To Check Them Out

View Wellness Puppy Bites Natural Grain Free Puppy Training Treats (on Amazon) 

 

zuke’s Mini Naturals Dog Treats – Dog Mini Treats, & Dog Training Treats

What’s Good

Comes in 7 different flavors!

Comes in 1, 2 & 3 pack (1lb per pack) options

Less than 3.5 calories per treat

Treats are small – which is good for dog training

Real chicken is the first listed ingredient – good

Made in the USA

Wheat, corn and soy free

Healthy cross section of ingredients including ingredients like wholefood cherries and savory rosemary & turmeric

What Could Be Improved

Slightly high moisture content at 30%

Slightly low crude protein at 10%

 

Wilderness Blue Buffalo Dog Treats – Biscuit Treats

What’s Good

Very affordable

Crunchy treat biscuits

Meat is listed as the first ingredient

Come in a range of flavors like duck, salmon, chicken, turkey and more

Grain free natural ingredients + soy and corn free

No preservatives

At least 30% crude protein

Low moisture content at 11%

Only 16 calories per biscuit

Very healthy range of ingredients

What Could Be Improved

The biscuits can come a bit crumbly/not fully together

 

Supreme Bully Sticks All Natural Dog Treats – Dog Stick Treats

What’s Good

100% natural ingredients

Comes in 6 inch and 12 inch long options

Comes with 25 treats – can feed your dog 1 a day

Good digestibility, fights plaque and tartar on the teeth

100% grass fed beef

Free of any additives, hormones or unhealthy chemicals

Alternative to rawhide

What Could Be Improved

High in protein – 73% crude protein – be careful not to overload your dog’s diet with protein

Slightly smelly

 

Triumph Dog Turkey, Pea, & Berry Grain Free Jerky – Dog Jerky Treats

What’s Good

Comes in 24 and 28 ounce options

You get roughly 25 to 30 pieces in one container – feeding one a day should last you around a month

Turkey is the first listed ingredient

Turkey is pure meat – not meat by product

Grain free

Contains healthy ingredients like cranberries and blueberries

Good overall list of ingredients

40 calories per treat

What Could Be Improved

26% moisture content is slightly higher than average

 

Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Dry Dog Food – Dry Dog Food & Dog Training Treat option

What’s Good

Through August 2016, Rachael’s Rescue has donated more than $14 million dollars to pet charities and other organizations that do good for animals.

Extremely healthy and good cross section of ingredients – lots of vegetables

U.S. farm-raised chicken is the first listed ingredient

No poultry by-product meal, fillers, wheat or wheat gluten

Natural prebiotics help support healthy digestion

No artificial flavors or artificial preservatives

Comes in a range of sizes from 3 to 40 lbs

Comes in a range of meat flavors like chicken, beef and turkey

26% crude protein is good

Instructions for dog food transitioning are provided

What Could Be Improved

Does contain whole grain corn and soybean meal – some dogs might be allergic to these ingredients

 

Milk-Bone Soft & Chewy Dog Treats/Snacks – Soft Dog Treats

What’s Good

Comes in both beef, and chicken options

5, and 25 ounce options available

Contains good range of vitamins

Real Meats are the first listed ingredients

Good balance of vitamins – 12 in total

95 calories in each Large treat – you would only be wanting to give your dog one of these per day

What Could Be Improved

Contains soy

Contains preservatives

22% moisture content is not bad, but not ideal

 

Milk-Bone Marosnacks – Crunchy Dog Treats

What’s Good

Comes in a range of sizes from 10 ounce to over 50 ounces

Comes with with options for both large and small dogs

12% moisture is not bad

Comes with bone marrow in the treats

What Could Be Improved

Wheat Flour, Meat and Bone Meal, Sugar are the first listed ingredients – not the most wholesome or nutritious ingredients

Contains corn starch and preservatives – not ideal

 

GREENIES Original Dental Dog Treats – Dental Chews

What’s Good

Comes in 4 sizes for dogs of all sizes – Teenie (5-15lbs dogs), Petite (12-25lbs dogs), Regular (25-50lbs dogs) & Large (50-100lbs dogs)

The large size packet is best for most adults GSDs – comes with 24 treats 

Good digestibility,fights plaque and tartar on the teeth, freshens breath

Veterinarian recommended and accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)

Grain free

15% moisture is not bad

Contains 30% crude protein

Good balance of vitamins

95 calories in each Large treat – you would only be wanting to give your dog one of these per day

What Could Be Improved

First listed ingredients are wheat flour and wheat protein isolate – not bad, but not ideal for dogs. Flour is a carbohydrate, and meat is a preference for dogs over carbs.

If your dog has any issues with wheat flour – you’ll need to steer clear of these dental chews

 

GREENIES PILL POCKETS Treats for Dogs – Tablet & Capsule Treats

What’s Good

Made to help you give medicine – capsules and tablets/pills to your dog

Comes in three flavors – Chicken, Hickory and Peanut Butter

Come as treats for concealing either tablets, or capsules

Come in different sized packs – comes as either 30 count or 60 count packs

To use – you simply insert the capsule or tablet, pinch over the treat and give it to your dog

Only 9 calories per treat

Rehydrated chicken is listed as the first ingredient in the chicken flavor

What Could Be Improved

Contains wheat flour and wheat gluten – check if your dog has any issues with these ingredients

31% moisture content is getting high

Not the most nutritionally balanced treats – limited ingredients

 

PEDIGREE DENTASTIX Large Dog Fresh & Original Chew Treats – Dental Chews

What’s Good

Popular and dog’s find them tasty

Comes in sizes for small, medium and large dogs

Come in an original (no minty fresh), and fresh treats (mint added for fresh breath)

The large size packet is best for most adults GSDs – comes with 28 treats

Fights plaque and tartar on the teeth, freshens breath

Good balance of vitamins

18% moisture is not bad

Only 65 calories in each Large treat – you would only be wanting to give your dog one of these per day

What Could Be Improved

Not Veterinarian recommended and accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)

Don’t carry a grain free guarantee on the label

Contains only 8% crude protein

First listed ingredients are rice flour and wheat starch – not bad, but not ideal for dogs. Flour is a carbohydrate, and meat is a preference for dogs over carbs.

If your dog has any issues with grains and wheat starch – you’ll need to steer clear of these dental chews

 

Best Dog Treats For German Shepherd Dogs & Puppies: Buyer’s Guide

What Are Dog Treats – Types Of Dog Treats?

Firstly, there are puppy treats which are just for puppies (specially, and adult or all ages treats which are for all dogs.

The actual types of treats are:

Hard treats

Provides a crunchy texture for your dog 

 

Soft treats

Little chewing involved for your dog

 

Freeze dried and jerky treats

Come in many meat flavors. Slightly chewy

 

Dental Chews

Chewable treats that are supposed deal with bad breath, clean teeth and clean plaque and tartar buildup

 

Stick Treats

Dog treats that are similar to a bone but stick shaped and usually composed heavily of protein

 

Tablet & Capsule Treats

Pocket type treats that are made so you can conceal tablets and medicine capsules inside the treats and give them to your dog > makes giving medicine to your dog easier

 

Animal Bones & Chews

Generally, feeding your GSD raw uncooked meaty bones is safe, but check that your particular dog will be safe. Can entertain your GSD for hours and be great for chewers. Be careful of contamination and bacteria

 

Pig Ears

Can be a chewy and last a few minutes or a few hours

 

Rawhide

Made rom cow or horse hides. Good for chewers. Be careful of contamination and bacteria

 

Human Food Treats

Generally not encouraged, as most people don’t know what foods are good or harmful for dogs. You also want to discourage your dog from expecting human food when it’s around.

 

Homemade Treats

Can be a super healthy alternative if you get them approved by your vet, but sometimes expensive.

 

Special Diet Treats

Usually made in conjunction with your vet – for dog’s with special diet requirements as a result of physical conditions

 

When Should You Give Your Dog Treats?

It’s generally acceptable to give your dog treats in the following scenarios:

During dog training

To encourage good behavior around the house, or in situations like travelling, going to the vet etc.

To supplement some of your dog’s existing diet

 

It is generally not recommended to give dogs treats just because you love them or they are begging.

Sticking to normal feeding routines is the best way to make sure your dog doesn’t get picky with food or start to misbehave because you aren’t being disciplined in your leadership approach.

 

How Many Treats Should You Feed Your Dog?

It is best to read the feeding guidelines on the packaging of the dog treats you buy, and determine how many treats to feed your dog + when, taking into consideration your vet’s advice and your dog’s existing diet.

But, a good rule of thumb to stick by can be to look at the size of the portions you are giving your dog as a part of their normal meals, and only give them 10% of that in treats.

So for example, if you are feeding a full grown 90 or 100lbs adult German Shepherd dog 5 cups of food a day, you would only want to give them half a cup of treats a day, and the treats replace the portion of the usual feeding routine you have for your dog.

Something else to note is to be aware of how many calories are in each treat, and factor that into how many treats you feed your GSD.

If you are replacing 10% of your GSD’s normal food intake on a particular day with treats, it would make sense that those treats only make up the calories that the food would have provided.

If you buy a dry dog food which you plan to use as treats, make sure you read instructions about how to wean/transition your dog from their current food to the new one.

 

Are There Any Types Of Treats That Are Good For Your Dog?

We provided some great informational guidelines on feeding your German Shepherd in our guide of dog food

The ideal dog diet might include meats, vegetables, fruits and other whole foods.

Meats should be the primary ingredients followed by carbohydrates and healthy fats.

Treats that are might be better for your GSD might:

Be balanced in proteins, omega fats/oils, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates and water

Have meat listed as the first ingredient + contain real mean and not just meat by product

Be high quality/nutrition and highly digestible

Have natural preservatives like Vitamin A, Vitamin C and plant based preservatives

Have mostly organic and natural ingredients, and include bonus ingredients such as superfoods like fruits, vegetables and other natural ingredients that promote the health of the dog

Be approved by vets, and vet food regulation bodies

 

Are There Any Types Of Treats That Are Bad For Your Dog?

We provided some great informational guidelines on feeding your German Shepherd in our guide of dog food

Treats that are might be worse for your GSD might:

Have processed and inorganic ingredients

Have bad meats that don’t pass human inspection, are meat substitutes, or are more prone to bacterial disease

Have a higher concentration of greasy fats

Have a higher concentration of  soy and/or dairy

Have a higher concentration of grain and gluten

Have artificial preservatives and food coloring

 

Dog Treats & Dog Toys

Some people put dog treats in a toy like a rubber KONG.

However, we’ve found that they can fall out of KONGs pretty easily.

The treat dispenser dog toys tend to be better, or the interactive puzzle toys where your dog can slide the panels to reveal the treats underneath.

You can read more about dog toys in this guide.

 

 

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