NBC Select gathered veterinarian and veterinary technician recommendations to identify the best dog treats for 2025-2026, combining clinical guidance with staff favorites.

https://www.tiktok.com/@nbcselect

The list matters because treats can affect a pet’s nutrition, behavior and health: experts the outlet consulted prioritized clear ingredient lists, sensible portioning and limits on added sugars and artificial additives. Contributors included licensed technicians and board-certified veterinarians who evaluated treats for factors such as calorie content, ingredient safety and suitability for training or dental health. Treats should comprise no more than 10% of a dog’s daily caloric intake, with over 90% of calories coming from a complete and balanced diet to promote overall health.

Among those consulted was Caylee Freels, a licensed veterinary technician at VCA White Lake Animal Hospital, who warned owners to screen ingredient panels closely: “Avoid ingredients that could potentially irritate your dog’s stomach: artificial sweeteners like xylitol, artificial dyes, excessive salt—which will make them thirstier—and syrups and molasses—which are high in sugar,” she said. Her affiliation is listed with VCA White Lake Animal Hospital. Additionally, it’s critical for pet owners to steer clear of toxic ingredients such as grapes, raisins, chocolate, caffeine, and high-fat items to ensure their dog’s well-being.

Veterinarians on the list offered complementary guidance on how treats should fit into a dog’s overall diet. “Too many treats can interfere with the balance of your pet’s core diet—it’s recommended that treats make up no more than 10% of a pet’s daily calorie intake,” said Dr. Lori Teller, board-certified veterinarian and former president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. As the pet treat market continues to grow, the focus on health-centric options highlights the increasing awareness among pet owners regarding their pets’ dietary choices. Dog Treats Market Growth Analysis and Industry Statistics 2035

Practical considerations were part of editors’ picks as well. Dr. Kristen L. Nelson, a board-certified veterinarian, advised owners to match treat size to dog size: “Choose a treat that’s proportional to your dog’s size,” she said, underscoring choices for both training and casual rewards. When introducing new treats to a dog’s diet, it’s essential to start with small amounts of single- or limited-ingredient options, ideally no more than three ingredients, to monitor for any adverse reactions. When Can Puppies Have Treats & What to Give Them – Beco Pets

Nutrition specialists on the panel flagged longer-term risks of replacing balanced food with treats. Dr. Joe Wakshlag, professor of clinical nutrition and sports medicine and rehabilitation at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, noted that shifting calories from complete food to treats can create gaps: “If you start feeding your dog a lot of treats and cut back on their kibble, you start running into nutrient deficiencies.” Dr. Brian Roberts, board-certified veterinarian and regional medical director with VCA Animal Hospitals, added a caution on dietary trends: “The grain-free phenomenon is a fad from human nutrition.” Both doctors appear among the consulted experts and are identified by their affiliations in the recommendations.

The roundup includes vet-approved choices across use cases such as training rewards, dental chews and calming options. NBC Select also noted specific product details and editor favorites, including beef-flavored, rawhide-free sticks described as ideal for small-breed mixes and freeze-dried single-ingredient liver treats recommended for sensitive stomachs.

The piece points owners to tools for managing treat calories, including a daily calorie calculator referenced from The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center, to help keep treats within the recommended portion of overall intake. Nutrition guidelines cited alongside the recommendations stress recognizable ingredients and low-calorie formulations; one linked resource used in vet discussions aligns with AAHA-AVMA canine preventive healthcare guidelines on treats and caloric limits for dogs.

The result is a practical, veterinarian-informed list intended to help owners choose treats that support training, dental health and overall nutrition without displacing a balanced diet. Experts on the list combined clinical perspective with real-world testing to weigh ingredient quality, palatability and portion control.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.