Read on to find our reviews for these 10 treats, as well as a thorough buying guide to help you choose the perfect one for your pup.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
The 10 Best High-Value Dog Treats
1. Stewart Beef Liver Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats – Best Overall
| Package size: | 12 oz |
| Calories per treat: | 6 kcal |
| Sourced from: | United States |
If you’re looking for the most motivating and best overall high-value dog treat, you need to learn about the Stewart Beef Liver Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats.
These single-ingredient treats are made from 100% pure beef liver and are therefore packed full of protein your dog needs to support their muscles. They also contain coat- and skin-supporting fatty acids and vitamin D. They are freeze-dried to preserve the nutrient integrity and ensure your pup gets the healthiest (and tastiest) reward for their hard work. Stewart manufactures these treats in America in small batches to ensure their freshness. They’re available in several flavor options, so if your dog isn’t wild about the beef liver flavor, you can try chicken liver, salmon, or chicken breast instead.
The size of each treat can vary. Some consumers reported that their treats have been getting progressively smaller every time they order them, while others reported that they’re too big for their dogs.
Pros
- Single-ingredient recipe
- Freeze-dried to preserve nutrients
- Made in small batches
- Available in other flavors
- Chock full of protein and fatty acids
2. Buddy Biscuits Trainers Training Bites Bacon Flavor Dog Treats – Best Value
| Package size: | 10 oz |
| Calories per treat: | 1.5 kcal |
| Sourced from: | United States |
Those on a tight budget want to buy the best high-value dog treat for the money, and the Buddy Biscuits Trainers Training Bites Bacon Flavor Dog Treats provide just that.
These low-calorie treats can be a guilt-free indulgence for your dog as they each contain just 1.5 calories. They’re made without corn, soy, or artificial flavorings and have a natural pork liver base that most dogs go wild for.
The treats are pretty small and best suited for smaller breed dogs.
Pros
- Low calorie
- No corn or soy
- Made with natural pork liver
- Highly palatable
3. Best Bully Sticks Beef Trachea Dog Treats – Premium Choice
| Package size: | 50 count |
| Calories per treat: | 50 kcal per 3 inches |
| Sourced from: | Brazil |
If you’re not working with a strict budget and don’t mind spending a little extra to help ensure the success of your pup’s training, the Best Bully Sticks Beef Trachea Dog Treats are a great pick.
The beef trachea comes in a pack of 50 and is made with 100% free-range, grass-fed cattle. They do not contain any additives or preservatives. The trachea has a naturally grooved texture that may promote dental health by scraping away plaque and tartar. These sticks are a natural source of chondroitin and glucosamine, natural compounds that can support joint function.
The treats may be too large for smaller dogs to eat comfortably.
Pros
- Large package size
- Made with 100% beef trachea
- May promote dental and joint health
Cons
- Not recommended for smaller dogs
4. Zuke’s Mini Naturals Peanut Butter & Oats Recipe Training Dog Treats – Best for Puppies
| Package size: | 6 oz |
| Calories per treat: | 2 kcal |
| Sourced from: | N/A |
Growing puppies need a high-value treat that not only tastes good to get them interested in training but a treat that will promote health, too. Zuke’s Mini Naturals Peanut Butter & Oats Recipe Training Dog Treats are fortified with vitamins and minerals like vitamin E and zinc. These low-calorie treats feature real peanut butter as their first ingredient and are super soft and easy for your puppy to tear into. Your pup may want to keep using these for training sessions well into adulthood, too!
There appears to be some consistency issues with the packaging. Some bags have a poor seal, so when they arrived on the consumer’s doorstep, they were dried out and stale. The packaging is resealable, however, so once you open them, they can be resealed to maintain their freshness.
Pros
- Low-calorie treat
- Soft texture
- Made with real peanut butter
- Great for all life stages
- Resealable bag
Cons
- Poor quality packaging at times
5. pawTree Freeze Dried Duck & Mangoes
| Package size: | 71 grams |
| Calories per treat: | 7 kcal |
| Sourced from: | N/A |
The pawTree Freeze Dried Duck & Mangoes treats are a limited-ingredient option that’s as highly digestible as they are tasty. Their digestibility makes them excellent treats for dogs with sensitive stomachs. They’re high in protein thanks to their single-source protein formula. Since they’re freeze-dried to preserve nutrient integrity and don’t have any fillers or artificial additives, pawTree’s treats are a guilt-free option for health-conscious dog owners.
These treats may be hard to find in stores or online and are higher priced than some of the other options on our list.
Pros
- Single-source protein formula
- Great for dogs with sensitive stomachs
- Highly digestible
- High in protein
Cons
- Can be hard to find
- Expensive
6. Vital Essentials Chicken Hearts Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats
| Package size: | 1.9 oz |
| Calories per treat: | 107 kcal per oz |
| Sourced from: | United States |
Vital Essentials Chicken Hearts Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats are a single-ingredient option, offering a preservative-free treat for your hardworking pup. The treats are frozen at peak freshness, so you always have a tasty, fresh treat on hand for your pup’s training sessions. They’re naturally abrasive in texture, which may promote teeth and gum health. The treats are low in calories and high in protein. Because they’re made with chicken hearts, they offer a good source of micronutrients like zinc, iron, and B vitamins.
The treats may be too crunchy for some dogs, and since they’re pretty small, they may not be suitable for larger breeds.
Pros
- High in protein
- Single-ingredient formulation
- Frozen at peak freshness
- Low in calories
- Good source of micronutrients
Cons
- May be too crunchy
- Too small for larger breeds
7. Dr. Marty Tilly’s Treasures Beef Liver Dog Treat
| Package size: | 4 oz |
| Calories per treat: | 186 kcal per cup |
| Sourced from: | N/A |
Dr.Marty Tilly’s Treasures Beef Liver Dog Treat is a freeze-dried raw beef liver treat great for owners looking for high-quality nutrition wrapped up in a tasty package. These bites contain just one ingredient and are chock full of nutrients like protein, iron, and vitamins A and B.
There is no per-treat calorie count available. Owners whose pups are on a diet may need to reach out to the company directly to find out how many calories are in each treat. Additionally, they are priced relatively high, which may make them inaccessible for some dog owners.
Pros
- Single-ingredient treat
- High in protein
- Good source of vitamins A and B
Cons
- Expensive
- No caloric information
8. Stella & Chewy’s Chicken Hearts Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats
| Package size: | 3 oz |
| Calories per treat: | 119 kcal per oz |
| Sourced from: | Various |
Stella & Chewy’s Chicken Hearts Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats are another single-ingredient treat fantastic for pups with food sensitivities. These 100% freeze-dried raw chicken hearts offer your pup a hefty dose of zinc, iron, and B vitamins. They’re made without any artificial ingredients and are easily digestible. Though the source is not named, the company says their meats are all responsibly sourced and do not contain added hormones or antibiotics.
The treats may be too big right out of the bag and may need to be chopped up before your training sessions. Some consumers reported the treats can be dusty and flaky.
Pros
- Offers a good dose of zinc and iron
- No artificial ingredients
- Easily digestible
- Single-ingredient formulation
Cons
- May need to be cut up
- Flaky and dusty
- Unclear where meat is sourced from
9. Pet Botanics Training Reward Bacon Flavor Dog Treats
| Package size: | 567 g |
| Calories per treat: | 3 kcal |
| Sourced from: | N/A |
The Pet Botanics Training Reward Bacon Flavor Dog Treats are a low-calorie, high-value treat that’s perfectly sized for repetitive rewards. The packaging is easy to carry in your pocket, and the treats’ moist texture makes them easy to eat and chew. The treats are made from real pork liver and enhanced with vitamins and the manufacturer’s BotaniFits™, a proprietary blend of botanicals like chamomile and rosemary. No artificial flavors or colors were added to this product.
The ingredient list is quite long, which may be off-putting for some dog owners and pups with allergies. Additionally, they do contain added sugar to help maintain their texture.
Pros
- Low calorie
- Made with real pork liver
- Small, easy-to-carry packaging
Cons
- Long ingredient list
- Contains added sugar
10. Pupford Beef Liver Training Freeze-Dried Dog Treats
| Package size: | 4 oz |
| Calories per treat: | 1 kcal |
| Sourced from: | United States |
The Pupford Beef Liver Training Freeze-Dried Dog Treats are freeze-dried and made in the USA. They contain beef liver and beef heart to offer a protein- and vitamin-rich treat that’s as healthy as it is tasty. They don’t contain any chemicals, colors, or fillers, and each treat contains one calorie or less, so you can feel good about giving them to your pup.
These treats may be too hard and small for some dogs to eat. Additionally, they’re pretty expensive for the size of the bag.
Pros
- Made with real beef liver and heart
- High in protein
- No chemicals or fillers
Cons
- May be too hard and small for some breeds
- A little on the expensive
Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best High-Value Dog Treats
What Are High-Value Treats?
High-value dog treats are any food or treat that your dog loves but doesn’t get very often. They’re something your pup goes wild for and will do almost anything for. Essentially, high-value treats are extremely valuable because they’re special and occasional. It is imperative not to give them to your dog too often; otherwise, they’ll lose their value.
Factors to Consider When Shopping for High-Value Dog Treats
Flavor
The flavor of your dog’s treats will be a huge deciding factor in which you choose. You know your dog and their preferences best, so choose a flavor they’ve already expressed interest in. If you don’t know which your pup prefers just yet, accept that you may need to do some trial and error to see which they prefer.
Nutrients
When we think about treats for ourselves, our minds typically first go to things like cookies and ice cream or otherwise delicious and calorically dense foods. However, our dogs don’t need these kinds of foods that are lacking in nutrients. That’s why the treats on our list aren’t chock full of unnecessary fillers or preservatives and instead focus primarily on optimizing your pup’s tradition.
That said, some of the treats on our list are more nutrient-dense options than others, particularly those that are made with just one ingredient. But don’t let “nutrient-dense” trick you into thinking these treats are less tasty and won’t be as rewarding for your pup.
Smell
A dog’s sense of smell is incredibly strong. As a result, you may find your pup more interested in treats with an odorous, meaty scent. The stronger smelling your treats are, the more motivated your dog will be to perform as you want them to.
Please note that you may find that the treats smell incredibly offensive, but remember, these are for your dog and not you.
Texture
Some of the training treats on our list are hard, while others are soft and moist. The texture you choose will depend on what type your pup prefers.
The treat’s texture can also determine how easy it is to deliver them. Some of the options above are nice and moist, which makes breaking them in two super easy to do while you’re on the go. Others are hard and may require cutting beforehand if you need to break them down for your smaller dog to eat safely.
Size
Not all training treats are the same size or consistency, so consider your pup’s breed before deciding which treats to try. In our reviews, we mentioned that some may be too small for larger breeds or too big for smaller breeds, so keep that in mind before you buy.
When to Use a High-Value Treat
High-value treats should be reserved to reward good behavior and reinforce your training sessions.
Some examples of perfect times to offer high-value treats include:
- When your dog is in a highly distracting environment (e.g. when training recall outdoors)
- When teaching them a new command
- During exposure training for puppies
- When introducing new behaviors
- When responding to a cue quickly
What Are Other High-Value Treat Options?
If you don’t want to buy dog treats to use as high-value rewards, there are plenty of other foods you can offer your pup to reinforce the behaviors you’re seeking. In many cases, dogs are highly motivated by human food.
Some of the most popular high-value human foods include:
- Cheese
- Plain, roasted chicken
- Scrambled eggs
- Beef jerky (unsalted and unseasoned)
- Peanut butter
- Salmon jerky (unsalted and unseasoned)
- Apples
- Carrots
Conclusion
For the best overall high-value dog treat, Stewart’s Beef Liver Freeze-Dried Treats are great for their freshness, nutritional integrity, and single-ingredient recipe. Folks looking for a budget-friendly option should consider Buddy Biscuits Trainers Training Bites for their affordability and low-calorie count.
We hope our reviews have helped you find the best training treat for your pup. Remember, to amplify your training success, reserve these treats for outstanding behavior only. Offering them too often will lessen their “sparkle.”
Featured Image Credit: Lepale, Pixabay