Five best dog treats that will have your pet drooling

These veterinarian-approved healthy treats will impress even the pickiest of pups.

If you’ve got a food-motivated pup or are looking for a little incentive during training, the right dog treats can make a huge difference, along with the right dog toys. While the main thing to keep in mind is to make sure you pay attention to your dog’s personal dietary restrictions, a lot comes into play when picking out the right munchies for your pooch. Though you may be used to handing over small nibbles of your own meals to your pets as treats, this can be dangerous, especially if you’re not well-versed in which food products are potentially harmful to dogs.

The Good Housekeeping Institute regularly tests pet products to recommend only the best ones that keep your furry friends interested and happy. In finding the best dog treats, our product experts sifted through countless five-star options, chatted with real pet parents and spoke to expert Megan Conrad, a veterinarian at Hello Ralphie and an associate vet at WellHaven Pet Health. While picking our favorites, we consider flavor, ingredients, price, brand and more. No matter what type of dog you have or the dog’s flavor preferences, we’ve found treats that will totally wow them. Our picks are made up of our experts’ favorites, plus ones with rave reviews from real pet parents and vets. Here are the best dog treats, according to vets and reviewers.

BEST OVERALL DOG TREATS: Mini Naturals Peanut Butter Training Dog Treats, by Zuke’s

Something about these treats entices pups of all sizes and breeds. While reviewing the product, our experts found that these treats are great for training and rewards as a result of their strong smell and small size (two things Conrad recommends when it comes to training). The treats are easy to toss as a reward and can be chowed down on by pets of all sizes because the treats are soft, chewy and small. Plus, you don’t have to worry about overfeeding a pup since you are unlikely to give your pet enough of these that they will be too much.

BEST VALUE DOG TREATS: Bac’n Nutty Treats, by Bocce’s Bakery

Bocce’s Bakery has a huge variety of snacks for your pup, so you won’t have any trouble finding a flavor your furry friend likes. This treat is made with bacon and peanut butter, so all the tastiest food groups are included. We spoke to two pet parents whose pups adore these snacks. “My dog goes crazy for these treats,” one said. They’re soft and chewy, so older pets or those who don’t like the crunch will appreciate the treats. However, if you have smaller dogs, these treats come in one size, so you’ll need to manually break them up for your pet to safely consume them.

BEST DOG TREAT FOR TRAINING: Beef Meat Roll, by Happy Howie’s

These meat rolls are a favorite of our experts and the dog trainers who work with their pups. The treat comes in one large roll, so it’s easy to cut off the correct amount for training before use, and that means you can personalize the size of the treats to your pet. They’re soft and chewy, which Conrad explained is an important aspect of treats for training because your pup can choke on anything too large or hard while they’re excitedly chomping down. These treats are a great highvalue option for pups that may have a hard time focusing while in a training environment or other places with lots of distractions. But if your pet has a sensitive stomach, this is one treat you may want to avoid.

BEST DOG TREAT FOR JOINT HEALTH: Dasuquin Soft Chews Joint Supplement for Dogs, by Nutramax

If you’ve got a slightly older furry friend, these treats do double duty by rewarding your pup and potentially helping its joints. “My dog loves these, and I love them, too,” said one pet parent. “They’re great for joint health, which gives me peace of mind, as she has a knee issue.” Unfortunately, unlike some other treats, their smell and flavor are not as enticing, so they might not be exciting for your pup. But these supplements are designed for older dogs that may not be as spry as they once were and are soft enough that you don’t need to worry about dogs choking, even if they don’t have all their working teeth.

BEST SINGLE-INGREDIENT DOG TREAT: Pet Center Lamb Crunchys Dog Treats, by Pet Center

These single-ingredient snacks are especially good for picky pets (or picky pet parents). Dehydrated lamb lungs are a great option for pet parents who prefer treats with fewer ingredients, Conrad said. These crunchy treats come in different bag sizes and are great for pups on very specific diets. While these treats are not ideal for training and can be troublesome for smaller pups because of the treats’ larger size and crunchiness, they are good for everyday rewards and “just because.”