6 Best Jerky Treats For Dogs For Snacktime Fun
Updated on June 20, 2024
In 2023, the pet snacks and treats market was valued at over $37.5 billion and expected to grow to north of $89 billion by 2030. The growth has been driven mainly by pet parents more interested in pampering their pets than ever before and an overabundance of new treat formats available.
Of the burgeoning treats on the market today, jerky treats for dogs have become an increasingly appealing option for pet parents, growing in popularity thanks to their distinct flavor profiles, purported benefits, and convenience as a treat. These treats, however, are not without their detractors, who have linked the prevalence of dog jerky treats to some illnesses in pets.
Here, we take a deeper look at dog jerky treats and provide a few recommendations for pet parents to consider.
Our Top Picks
All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.
- Best Overall Dog Jerky Treat: Rocco & Roxie Jerky Sticks
- Best Chicken Jerky Dog Treats: Wag Chewy Whole Muscle American Chicken Jerky Dog Treats
- Best Beef Jerky Dog Treats: Bocce’s Bakery Jerky Stick Dog Treats
- Best Duck Jerky Dog Treats: I and Love and You Nice Chicken + Duck Soft Grain Free Dog Treats
- Best Salmon Jerky Dog Treats: Blue Ridge Naturals Oven Baked Salmon Jerky Dog Treats
- Best Lamb Jerky Dog Treats: Dogswell Gut Health Jerky Treats, Lamb
Best Overall Dog Jerky Treat
Our Pick: Rocco & Roxie Jerky Sticks
Rocco & Roxie’s slow-roasted jerky treats are a solid go-to option for pet parents with dogs of all ages who are looking to explore dog jerky treats. Sourced with ingredients from the USA and available across multiple flavors, these treats feature a softer texture that most dogs will find appealing over traditional jerkies.
Highlights:
- Softer texture
- Ingredients sourced in the USA
- Available in multiple flavors, including chicken, beef, and turkey
Things to Consider:
- No fish option
- May not be suitable for pets with stomach sensitivites
Best Chicken Jerky Dog Treat
Our Pick: Wag Chewy Whole Muscle American Chicken Jerky Dog Treats
Wag is made and distributed by Amazon, which may raise some eyebrows. But their treats are widely well-reviewed, affordable, and sourced using ingredients solely from the USA. There are only two ingredients in each bag, and they contain zero grains.
Highlights:
- Affordably priced
- Crafted using whole-muscle chicken breast
- No added grain, corn, soy, wheat, or other colors or artificial flavors
Things to Consider:
- Pet parents may raise eyebrows that this is an Amazon brand
Best Beef Jerky Dog Treats
Our Pick: Bocce’s Bakery Jerky Stick Dog Treats
These High-protein, all-natural jerky sticks are made in the USA with five simple ingredients. Pet parents will appreciate that these treats are made without added salt or sugar. Bocce’s Bakery offers three flavors to satisfy any dog’s palate – beef and carrot, chicken and pumpkin, or turkey and sweet potato.
Highlights:
- A more “traditional” beef jerky offering for pets
- Ideal for pets with food sensitivities or sensitive tummies
- Free of corn, soy, wheat, artificial colors, or artificial flavors
Things to Consider:
- Available in a four-ounce bag, which may not last long in a multidog household
Best Duck Jerky Dog Treats
Our Pick: I and Love and You Nice Chicken + Duck Soft Grain Free Dog Treats
I and Love and You’s Nice chicken & duck jerky treat option provides pet parents a nice alternative to traditional chicken or turkey jerky, which is widely available. They provide an excellent source of protein and are free from grain, soy, and corn. Also available in Beef and Lamb or Chicken and Salmon.
Highlights:
- Free of fillers, like grain, soy, or corn.
- Made with ingredients in the USA
- Smaller size makes it a great training treat
Things to Consider:
- Not all dogs will love duck flavor
Best Salmon Jerky Dog Treats
Our Pick: Blue Ridge Naturals Oven Baked Salmon Jerky Dog Treats
Blue Ridge Naturals has been a staple pet food treat brand. Their salmon jerky treats – sourced using only Alaskan salmon in the U.S. – provide pet parents an excellent alternative to traditional beef and chicken-based jerky.
Highlights:
- Sourced using U.S. ingredients – Alaskan salmon
- Oven-baked and wheat-free
- Promotes cardiac health
- Salmon may provide benefits for pets with stomach sensitivities
Things to Consider:
- Pets who are picky eaters may not appreciate the salmon flavor
Best Lamb Jerky Dog Treats
Our Pick: Dogswell Gut Health Jerky Treats, Lamb
Dogswell promotes pet treats that provide health benefits for dogs. Their lamb jerky treats are formulated to help promote gut health and are suitable for dogs with stomach sensitivities. The lamb flavor profile combined with pumpkin and ginger offers a unique flavor.
Highlights:
- Lamb flavor option
- Suitable for pets with stomach sensitivities
- Formulated using ingredients in the USA
Things to Consider:
- A little expensive at nearly $20 for a 10-oz bag
What Are Jerky Treats For Dogs?
Jerky is animal protein – typically beef, chicken, other poultry, or fish – that is preserved by removing all water from it and drying it out to prevent it from spoiling. The dehydration process changes the meat’s look, feel, and weight, transforming it into a relatively light treat with a long shelf life. This can be accomplished by dry curing, lethality treatment, or other methods of drying/dehydration.
Jerky Treats for Dogs: Pros and Cons
Dog jerky treats have become increasingly popular among pet parents for various reasons. Some benefits of jerky treats include:
- If high-quality meat is used, jerky treats can be rich in vitamins and nutrients, providing a premium protein source.
- Many jerky products are single-ingredient, making them ideal for dogs needing dietary monitoring due to stomach sensitivities.
- Jerky treats are tough and chewy, making them a good option for dogs who need to chew, contributing to positive dental health.
Pet parents should know, however, that not all jerky treats are high-quality and that some have been linked to illnesses in the past. This is especially true in dog jerky treats made from multiple ingredients (as opposed to single ingredients) and which come from overseas.
“In 2014, there were many jerky recalls due to contaminated ingredients from China,” says Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ.
Additionally, while dog jerky treats can benefit some, other dogs won’t benefit from the high sodium content that is typical of these treats, which can exacerbate other pre-existing health conditions.
“If your dog has any health problems, especially heart or kidney disease, talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog jerky treats because they tend to be high in salt,” says Dr. Wooten.
Dog Jerky Treats Buyer’s Guide
As pet parents shop around for dog jerky treats and ponder jerky as a treat for their pet, they should consider the following.
- Avoid jerky treats from overseas. Dog jerky treats from overseas, particularly China, have been linked to illnesses in the past. Jerky treats sourced with ingredients from the United States are always preferable.
- Read labels carefully and look for dog jerky treats with a simple ingredient list. Dog Jerky treats with a single ingredient without additives or preservatives are preferable. Additionally, pet parents will want to be on the lookout to ensure their jerky treats are formulated with pure muscle meat and are free of meat by-products.
- Consider your pet’s health and dietary needs. As Dr. Wooten reminds us, dog jerky treats aren’t suitable for all dogs. Dogs with heart conditions or kidney disease should not have jerky due to its high sodium content.
- Check for recalls before you buy. “You can go to the FDA website and see if the product you are looking at has had any recalls.”
As with all treats, moderation is key. Dog jerky treats should not be a dog’s primary diet and used as a treat, not a meal.
Dog Jerky Treats FAQs
As pet parents consider dog jerky treats, they may be asking themselves some of these common questions:
“Jerky treats that are made in the U.S.A. and sourced from stateside ingredients are safe in moderation because they are tightly regulated,” says Dr. Wooten. However, dog jerky treats sourced from overseas ingredients should be scrutinized more heavily and largely avoided.
“Puppies can have jerky treats, but they should have them only occasionally, as they need most of their calories from their regular diet for healthy growth,“ says Dr. Wooten.
“The simpler and shorter the ingredient list, the better,” says Dr. Wooten. “Typical ingredients include an animal protein source (beef, chicken), sugar, salt, vinegar, natural preservatives, like tocopherols. Sometimes they may have a carbohydrate source like chickpeas or potatoes.”
