12 Best Dog Treats For Picky Eaters
Are you a dog owner who is unable to find treats for their dog? Picky dogs are more common that you might think. It can be difficult to find dog food your dog will eat. Picky dogs can make it difficult to buy dog food and train your dog. You might also have trouble finding dog treats that motivate learning.
This guide will share our top tips for picking dog treats that are suitable for picky eaters, as well as recommendations for high-quality treats that even the pickiest dog owners can’t resist.
How to Choose the Right Treats for Picky Dogs
Some dogs can be a bottomless pit and will eat anything that is offered to them. Others may need some convincing. There are some universal truths that dogs love: strong smells, protein, and human food.
High-Value Dog Treats
Dogs will almost do anything to get high-value treats! These treats can be very smelly and often contain a small number of ingredients. High-value treats for dogs are usually reserved for special situations and training. High-value dog treats may be all that is available to picky dogs.
You can tell if a dog treat is high-value by its few ingredients and strong smell. They are also dried, dehydrated or made into chewy treats.
Single Ingredient Dog Treats
Single-ingredient treats are often the best for picky eaters. Because there is no filler, treats with fewer ingredients have a stronger flavor. Below are a few single-ingredient options for dog treats.
Human Food Mimics
Sometimes, picky dogs will choose human food over dog food or treats. Dog treats that look like human food may be enough to convince these dogs to eat! The Dog Bakery offers a variety of dog-safe baked goods, including cookies, pastries, cakes, etc. Our treats will delight your dog if they are always asking for food.
12 Best Treats For Picky Dogs
Are you ready to find high-value treats for your dog that your dog will actually love? Let’s take a look at our top 12 picks.
1. Beef Jerky Strips
Our beef jerky strips and beef jerky treats are highly sought after by dogs. You can choose from many nutritional combinations like immunity and digestive to keep your dog happy and healthy while they enjoy the treats.
$24.99
2. Cod Skin Treatments
The skin of cod is a great source for natural omega-3 fatty acid and, when dried, makes a delicious treat for your dog. These cod skin dog treats, made by Open Farm, are 100% cod skin. They have been dehydrated to give your dog the perfect texture to enjoy.
These treats can be proudly fed to your dog because they are made with traceable ingredients and sustainable manufacturing techniques. These are hands down the best dog treats available on Amazon.
$12.99
3. Freeze-Dried Beef Tripe Treats
Tripe is one the most obnoxious proteins you can give your dog. This is why it is so great for dogs with sensitive stomachs. These treats are scrumptious and will delight your dog from the moment you open them. These treats only contain one ingredient and are crunchy. They can also be used as a topping for dogs who don’t like dog food.
$14.99
4. Beef & Cheddar Training Treats
Bocce’s Bakery training treats are great for dogs who love chewy treats. Picky dogs will love the “Say Moo”, a beef and cheddar recipe that comes in many flavors. Have you ever seen a dog that doesn’t love cheese? We didn’t believe so.
These treats are small and easy to train and reinforce desired behavior. They also work well for dogs with missing teeth or smaller dogs.
$7.50
5. Chicken Jerky Strips
The Dog Bakery’s Chicken Jerky Strips are made from just a few ingredients. They come in a variety formulas that include added nutrients to make them as delicious as they are healthy. You can choose from the “skin and coat” formula which moisturizes your dog’s skin for itching and dry skin.
$24.99
6. Freeze-Dried Rabbit Treats from Farm-Raised Rabbits
Is your dog allergic to something? Give your dog high-value treats made with novel proteins such as rabbit. Front of the Pack has created this recipe that focuses on rabbits from farms. It is then gently frozen dried to make a delicious, crunchy treat. These treats are ideal for dogs with sensitive GI tracts as rabbits are less likely than other animals to cause allergic reactions.
$14.99
7. Air-Dried Lamb Training Treats
Ziwi’s lamb treats are a great choice if you want a high-value treat for training but your dog doesn’t like jerky. Ziwi’s lamb recipe treats come in small, bite-sized pieces and are made with 96% of the meat. They have been gently air dried to preserve their flavor and nutritional values. Ziwi’s treats can be used as positive reinforcement training.
$11.78
8. Mini Carrot Cakes For Dogs
Order a mini carrot cake at The Dog Bakery to celebrate your dog’s birthday, or give them a special treat. Each carrot cake comes in packs of 6, 12 or 12. They are handcrafted using only natural, dog-friendly ingredients.
$16.99
9. Freeze-Dried Wild Alaskan Salmon Treats
Front of the Pack’s wild Alaskan salmon dog treats are limited in ingredients and packed with omega-3s to support healthy skin, hair, joints, immunity, and much more!
$14.99
10. Minnows that have been frozen dried
VitalEssentials creates natural treats for dogs with only one ingredient. These freeze-dried minnows are great for picky dogs. They smell amazing the second you open the bag and your dog will love them.
If your dog is picky about food, minnows or other freeze-dried treats make great food toppings.
$17.49
11. Good Dog Pumpkin Chews
These chews offer a unique texture experience for your dog. These chews are flexible and can be cut in half, thirds, or broken into smaller pieces. They are also more durable than standard chews, so they last longer. These chews promote good oral hygiene, and the pumpkin is great to digest.
$14.99
12. Soft & Chewy Salmon Power Bites
These tasty, grain-free Merrick power bites are ever so slightly chewy and packed with healthy salmon. They make a great training treat. These tiny treats are small but packed full of flavor and dogs love them. You can keep them handy for obedience training sessions.
$7.98
How to make homemade dog treats for picky dogs
Source: Proud Dog Mom
This super-simple recipe makes crispy sardine treats for dogs who won’t eat store-bought dog treats. Sardines have a strong, oily taste that dogs love. This recipe is simple enough to make them every day.
Sardines are a pungent and tasty treat that dogs love to eat. Because a can of sardines costs between $2 and $5, this is one of the most affordable dog treats.
Ingredients:
1 can boneless, skinless and unseasoned sardines in water
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Drain the sardines well and then take them out of the can. Cut the sardines in half along their length. Each filet will be two long flat files. You don’t have to worry if the sardines split. They can still be used but they won’t look as good. Each sardine should be patted dry using a paper towel. Then, transfer the sardines to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake the sardines at 400° for 25-30 minutes, or until they are crispy. Let cool completely before serving. Keep in an airtight container for at least 4 days.
FAQs for Picky Dogs
Are you curious about why your dog behaves the way they do? These are the most common questions that picky dogs have to ask.
What is the reason my dog is picky about treats?
Dogs, like humans, have their own preferences and they can be ruled by them! Most dogs are happy to eat any treats offered, but some dogs are more picky about what they eat. Most dogs are not picky. It is a personal quirk.
Do you have any tips on what to give your dog that doesn’t love treats?
You can give your dog one of these single-ingredient treats if they refuse to eat any other dog treat. Dogs that are picky about dog treats will often resist bland fillers.
What are the most high-quality treats for picky dogs that you can recommend?
Picky dogs will love single-ingredient treats. They taste exactly like the ingredients.
