What’s the secret to a happy pup? Often, it’s a tasty reward! Every dog owner knows the joy of seeing their furry friend wag their tail for a favorite treat. But when you wander down the pet aisle at Target, that joy can quickly turn into confusion. Shelf after shelf, you face a mountain of choices: crunchy biscuits, soft chews, grain-free options, and flavors ranging from peanut butter to sweet potato.
Choosing the best dog treats from Target shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. You want quality ingredients that your dog loves, but you also need options that fit your budget and address any specific dietary needs. It can be tough figuring out which brands are worth the money and which ones your dog will actually eat.
Don’t worry! This post cuts through the noise. We have dug deep into Target’s best offerings, reviewing popular brands and spotlighting top-rated picks for training, snacking, and dental health. By the time you finish reading, you will know exactly which Target dog treats deserve a spot in your pantry.
Top Dog Treats From Target Recommendations
- FREEZE-DRIED RAW BEEF LIVER DOG TREAT: Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Dog Treats pack more protein than industry standard into every bite to deliver the peak vitality your dog deserves. Our natural freeze-dried raw dog treats are made from responsibly sourced, premium butcher cut beef liver.
- BETTER PROTEIN = BETTER BENEFITS: The best freeze dried dog treats on the market use premium butcher cut raw protein to unlock the benefits of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals in raw muscle and organs, because pets deserve the energetic playtimes, healthy skin, shiny coats, strong teeth, and essential gut health that a high-protein diet delivers.
- PROUDLY AMERICAN CRAFTED: All our dog treats and food are responsibly sourced and humanely harvested to ensure the quality of our proteins. We go above industry standards to preserve flavor and ensure the highest quality of protein and nutrients in every Vital Essentials product.
- MADE WITHOUT: Dog treat additives, fillers, dyes, flavorings, artificial preservatives, grains, or rendered by-products. Vital Essentials also offers the widest variety of single-protein raw dog food and treats on the market—great for picky eaters and dogs with allergies!
- RAW DOG TREATS FREEZE DRIED FOR PEAK FRESHNESS: Our protein is frozen within 45-minutes of harvesting to lock in peak nutrients, flavor, and freshness. A slow-freeze-dry ensures minimal processing, while preserving the vital nutrients that our pets deserve, the way nature intended.
- SHIPMENT CONTAINS: One 3.3 oz resealable pouch of freeze-dried raw lamb liver dog treats, perfect for training or as a healthy reward
- SINGLE INGREDIENT: Made with 100% real lamb liver, these one ingredient dog treats provide a high-protein snack with no unnecessary fillers for your furry friend
- CLEAN FLAVOR: These gently freeze-dried lamb liver treats lock in freshness and flavor that dogs love
- GRAIN-FREE GOODNESS: Crafted without added grain, corn, wheat, soy, potato, or egg for dogs with sensitive stomachs or dietary restrictions
- QUALITY PREPARATION: Gently freeze-dried to lock in freshness and flavor with no added artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- FREEZE-DRIED RAW MINNOWS DOG TREAT: Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Dog Treats pack more protein than industry standard into every bite to deliver the peak vitality your dog deserves. Our natural freeze-dried raw dog treats are made from responsibly sourced premium minnows.
- BETTER PROTEIN = BETTER BENEFITS: The best freeze dried dog treats on the market use premium butcher cut raw protein to unlock the benefits of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals in raw muscle and organs, because pets deserve the energetic playtimes, healthy skin, shiny coats, strong teeth, and essential gut health that a high-protein diet delivers.
- PROUDLY AMERICAN CRAFTED: All our dog treats and food are responsibly sourced and humanely harvested to ensure the quality of our proteins. We go above industry standards to preserve flavor and ensure the highest quality of protein and nutrients in every Vital Essentials product.
- MADE WITHOUT: Dog treat additives, fillers, dyes, flavorings, artificial preservatives, grains, or rendered by-products. Vital Essentials also offers the widest variety of single-protein raw dog food and treats on the market—great for picky eaters and dogs with allergies!
- RAW DOG TREATS FREEZE DRIED FOR PEAK FRESHNESS: Our protein is frozen within 45-minutes of harvesting to lock in peak nutrients, flavor, and freshness. A slow-freeze-dry ensures minimal processing, while preserving the vital nutrients that our pets deserve, the way nature intended.
- HUMAN-GRADE: If you wouldn’t eat it, why would you feed it? From the ingredients they’re made with to the kitchens they’re made in, our treats meet strict USDA standards fit for human consumption
- ALL NATURAL: Our kitchen-crafted Essential Beef Savory Bites are made from quality, 100% all natural ingredients and free range beef raised on family farms; Tear open a bag for lots of doggy kisses!
- HIGH QUALITY INGREDIENTS: Truth is our first ingredient; We carefully cook our natural Essential Beef Savory Bites in small batches using honest ingredients like free range beef, cassava root, ground celery, and rosemary extract—never any by-products or waste
- NO GLYCERIN, GRAINS, CORN, WHEAT OR SOY: Our all natural treats are made from wholesome, healthy recipes; Every bite is free from fillers, artificial flavors, preservatives, and colors and chock full of real meat flavor
- U.S-GROWN BEEF: Full Moon treats are proudly made in the United States using regionally sourced ingredients, including USDA approved free range beef
- BITE SIZED TREATS: These all natural bite-sized crunchy treats come in an assortment of chicken, liver, and vegetable flavors for a treat your dog will love
- Perfect for Training or Frequent Treating: These bite sized crunchy snacks make a great training treat with only 2 calories per treat!
- Made in North America using only the finest globally sourced ingredients and no added artififcial preservatives
- Try all of our mouthwatering biscuits in a variety of flavors and sizes to build your dog's perfect snack pantry!
- Classic great taste since 1926: Each biscuit is slowly oven-baked to preserve the natural flavors in all the varieties dogs love to catch, chew and eat.
- Puppy love at first bite! These Soft & Chewy treats bring all the feels - sweet, playful, and made to make your pup fall head over paws in love!
- These soft-baked 'B's are every doggy's favorite - from puppies, to picky eaters, to seniors with sensitive mouths, too! We baked a softer cookie with limited, natural ingredients perfect for pups looking for a chewier bite.
- Perfect for Everyday Treating: With just 10 ingredients (like oat flour, peanut butter, vanilla and rolled oats!) and only 14 calories per treat, you can feel good treating your favorite pup to this yummy recipe.
- Proudly Baked in the USA: We start each recipe with the highest quality (tastiest!) ingredients, sourced in the USA local to our bakeries.
- Our Promise: Wheat, corn, and soy-free recipes - and never, ever any artificial ingredients or preservatives. We keep our ingredient lists short, our batches small, and our ovens toasty.
- Chicken First: Pur Luv dog chicken jerky treats are made with only whole proteins, featuring 100% Real Chicken as the very first ingredient
- Satisfying Treat: The chicken dog treats help to satisfy your dog’s natural instinct to chew
- Limited Ingredients: Pur Luv chicken treats for dogs feature limited ingredient decks so you know exactly what you’re feeding your dog
- Healthy Snack: The Pur Luv Chicken Jerky for dogs is a high protein and low fat snack with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Pur Luv Chicken dog jerky treats satisfy your dog’s craving for real chicken and their natural desire to chew; dogs love chicken jerky treats and the flavor that comes from the real whole protein chicken breast, which makes Pur Luv treats so special
- REAL CHICKEN FIRST: Baby BLUE Training Treats are made with delicious real chicken as the first ingredient, plus DHA for cognitive development, making them the ideal reward for your puppy’s best behavior
- MEATY TRAINING TREATS: For puppies that love a meaty treat, Baby BLUE training dog treats are tender, bite-sized morsels that make them perfect for training
- WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: These dog treats contain NO chicken (or poultry) by-product meals and are free of corn, wheat and soy; Plus, they’re free of artificial preservatives and colors
- HEALTHY DOG TREATS: Blue Buffalo natural dog treats feature the healthy, wholesome ingredients you’ll love feeding as much as they’ll love eating
- Contains One (1) 4-oz bag of Blue Buffalo Baby BLUE Training Treats Natural Puppy Soft Dog Treats, Savory Chicken
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Finding the Best Dog Treats at Target
Target is a fantastic place to shop for your furry friend. They offer a huge variety of dog treats. Choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This guide will help you pick the best snacks for your dog.
1. Key Features to Look For
When you grab a bag of treats, check these things first. These features tell you a lot about the treat’s value.
- Size and Shape: Treats come in many sizes. Small, soft treats work well for training. Harder biscuits last longer for casual snacking. Make sure the size fits your dog’s mouth safely.
- Texture: Do you need chewy treats for older dogs with sensitive teeth? Or maybe crunchy treats for a good dental clean? Pick the texture that suits your dog’s chewing style.
- Portion Control: Look for treats meant for specific purposes, like dental chews or training rewards. These often have calorie counts listed clearly.
2. Important Ingredients and Materials
What’s inside the treat matters most. Good ingredients make for a healthy snack. Poor ingredients can cause tummy trouble.
Protein Sources:
The best treats list a real meat source first. Chicken, beef, salmon, or lamb are excellent choices. Avoid treats where “meat by-products” are the main ingredient. High-quality protein fuels your dog.
Avoid Fillers:
Check the ingredient list for unnecessary fillers. Things like corn, wheat, or soy are often used to bulk up treats. Some dogs are sensitive to these. If your dog has allergies, look for grain-free options.
Natural Additives:
Look for beneficial additions. Ingredients like sweet potato, pumpkin, or blueberries add vitamins and fiber. These natural additions boost the treat’s quality.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
A treat’s quality changes based on how it is made and what it contains.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Limited Ingredients: Treats with a short ingredient list are often higher quality. This means fewer chances for allergens.
- Real Food First: When the first ingredient is recognizable meat or vegetable, the quality is usually high.
- Made in the USA or Trusted Countries: Treats made under strict quality controls tend to be safer.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Artificial Colors and Flavors: These offer no nutritional benefit. They only make the treat look appealing to you, not your dog.
- Excessive Preservatives: While some preservatives keep food safe, too many artificial ones can reduce the overall health value.
- High Sugar Content: Treats should not be loaded with sugar or artificial sweeteners.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the treat changes what you should buy. Think about when and why you give snacks.
Training Rewards:
For quick training sessions, you need small, soft, and smelly treats. Target carries many soft-baked options. These are easy for dogs to chew quickly so training keeps moving fast.
Long-Lasting Chews:
If you need to keep your dog busy while you work, choose harder chews or jerky sticks. These take more time to consume. Always supervise your dog with long-lasting chews.
Dental Health:
Target stocks dental chews designed to scrape plaque. These are best used as part of a regular routine, along with brushing. They work best right after a meal.
Remember to always introduce new treats slowly. Watch your dog for any digestive upset. Happy shopping at Target!
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Target Dog Treats
Q: Where can I find the healthiest treats at Target?
A: Look in the dedicated “natural” or “organic” sections, often near the premium food brands. Check the first five ingredients for real meat.
Q: Are Target’s store-brand treats (like Boots & Barkley) good quality?
A: Boots & Barkley offers many options ranging from basic to premium. You must read the label, as quality varies by specific product line within that brand.
Q: Can I buy treats suitable for puppies at Target?
A: Yes. Look for bags specifically labeled “Puppy Formula.” These treats are softer and have nutrient balances right for growing dogs.
Q: What should I do if my dog gets an upset stomach from a new Target treat?
A: Stop giving the treat immediately. If vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than a day, call your veterinarian. You can try giving only bland food for a short time.
Q: Are the large bags of treats a better value?
A: Usually, yes. Buying larger bags often lowers the cost per ounce. However, only buy large if your dog eats them quickly enough before they spoil.
Q: What are “limited ingredient” treats?
A: These treats use very few ingredients, often just one or two main components. They are great for dogs with many known food sensitivities.
Q: Do Target treats contain rawhide?
A: Some long-lasting chews might contain rawhide or similar products. If you prefer to avoid rawhide, choose jerky or dental chews instead.
Q: How often should I give my dog treats?
A: Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Use them sparingly, especially during training.
Q: Are Target treats generally affordable?
A: Target offers treats across many price points, making them generally affordable. You can find budget-friendly options and higher-end specialty items.
Q: Should I buy hard biscuits or soft chews?
A: Soft chews are better for seniors or dogs learning to eat fast. Hard biscuits help clean teeth slightly and keep dogs busy longer.