Your dbs.obsessed Guide to Dog Treats

After putting Alfie through what I imagine has been a very enjoyable testing period, I have finally come up with a full-blown review on dog treats that are worth sharing. I have spared you the losers. Here goes:

1. Full Moon Chicken Jerky - Yes. Great treat that is from a very high quality company. All treats are human-grade. While they are expensive, for a small dog these are ok, because you can (and should) break each piece of jerky into about 3 pieces. Grade: A+
2. My Doggy Soft Bakes Cookies - Another great company that came our way via BarkBox. Alfie had the Cheddar flavor and likes them a lot, but I can't say he goes WILD for them as he does with other treats. Grade: B+
3. Nylabone Nutri Dent - I can't give these to Alfie all of the time, because he tires of them. I think he knows they are good for him, or something. But, if I keep them to about 2 times per week, he gets pretty stoked about them, and I feel great about giving them to him! They are very small, so I feel like they may be a bit of a risk in that regard, but we have seen no problems. Grade: A
4. Boots & Barkley Beef Flavored Rawhide Twists - As with any chewy like this, it is not quite the same as a treat, so it will typically not elicit the same excitement from the little guy. For me, the way to tell if a chewy is good for Alfie is not how he reacts when I give it to him, but if he finds it in his toy bin when he is looking for a chew, and quietly goes to town. He does with these and they are long-lasting, with a great price for how many you get. Grade: A
5. Vita Bone Chewy- Alfie LOVES these. However, I think the name 'Chewy' is a misnomer, as these are more like a pepperoni stick in their consistency, and eaten quickly as a treat. Alfie loves all of the flavors, but I would suggest breaking into a number of pieces if you are working on keeping your dog trim. Grade: A-
6. Milk-Bone Brushing Chews - There was a time when Alfie loved these, but that time has passed. He will have nothing to do with them, which is a major bummer for me, because they are mess-free, take some time to eat, affordable and serve a purpose. All that being said, OF COURSE he is not interested... that would be too easy. Anyway, I can't really give them a grade as they apply to my dog, but if your dog likes them, I think they are an A+ for sure.
   
7. Full Moon Turkey Sausage Bites- First of all, these will always hold a special place in my heard, because my dad, who is markedly less fussy that I am when it comes to pets, bought these for Alfie. He saw 'Human Grade' and knew I would approve of my fur baby consuming them, which was just about the cutest thing ever (he is cringing if he is reading this). I also love these because Alfie is #AlfieObsessed with them (let's make that a thing?), and cannot get enough of them. I can break one into 4 pieces for him and he is beyond thrilled. I put them inside of his Kong Genius and don't see him again until they are all out of the toy. They are semi-spendy, but for a little dog, the bag lasts a long time. Grade: A++
8. Busy Bone Hearty Hide - Same goes here for basis of grade, as with Boots + Barkley Rawhide Twists. He constantly goes back to these, which take him weeks to finish, but he actually does want to finish them, which is rarely the case. Great for getting the chewing out of his system, and they do not make a huge mess, which makes me a happy dog-mother. Grade: A+
9. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Treats, Sweet Potato and Bison - I wanted to find something lower in fat and calories, with which to stuff his toys, because after more than about 2-3 Full Moon Turkey Sausages, Alfie is a less than ideal companion for those with a functional sense of smell. I was directed to these by someone at Pet Food Express, and they are perfect for this use. I have not tried giving them to him on their own, but he likes them just enough to stay interested, but I think they are lower reward than the treats that have more moisture. Grade: A
10. Yeti Chew Golden Nuggets - As seen on Shark Tank, these pieces of solidified Himalayan Yaks Milk are amazing. While you can also purchase large pieces for chewing, these smaller pieces are preferred by Alfie. Warning, they are messy, so have your Dust Buster at the ready. You actually microwave these and they become like a large puffed up and crumbly piece of popcorn that dogs love to chew on. The grade deduction comes only from mess and the fact that you have to take the time to nuke them. Grade: B
    
11. Busy Bone Rollhide + Chewnola - Again, these are two that Alfie has not been able to get into, but I think for a bigger dog, they are wonderful options. They take a lot of time for them to destroy, and are affordable options.  I have been able to get Alfie to spend some time with the Rollhide, but no dice with the Chewnola, which can be a bit messy. Grade : B-
12. C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews - Like the Nutri Dent chews, these are not something the dog is going to be thrilled about ALL the time, but it is a very effective tooth cleaner that, when given on occasion, is one Alfie will actually finish. A great price for a no-frills chew that cleans teeth and mouth well. Grade: A
13. Digesteez - As the owner of a small dog with an even smaller little digestive system, I am often left to deal with the aftermath of the smallest thing upsetting his stomach. These are fabulous in that in that regard and Alfie has been thrilled with the varieties he has tried.  Not just for one product, but for this whole line, my grade is A+.