Dog owners everywhere know how important it is to feed their dogs the most high-quality and well-balanced diet possible. While dog food takes up the majority of a canine’s diet, it’s important to remember that treats are also fed regularly, so you want to make sure they live up to those standards, too.
Freeze-dried dog treats have been growing in popularity in recent years because they have limited ingredients, are usually lower in calories, and are highly nutritious because the freeze-drying process allows for optimal nutrient retention.
If you’ve already shopped around, you’ve probably realized there are plenty of freeze-dried treat options out there. So, how do you choose the right one? We’ve done all that digging for you. Not only have we scoured the customer reviews but we’ve also looked the ingredients up and down to bring you the best freeze-dried dog treats on the market today.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Stella & Chewy’s Carnivore Crunch
Nutritious and full of protein
Only 3 calories per treat
Reasonably priced
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Best Value
Whole Life Just One Ingredient
Affordably priced
Many recipe options apart from beef
Recipe is made with only pure beef
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Premium Choice
ORIJEN Free-Run Duck Formula
7 total flavor varieties
Made of 99 percent animal protein
Lightweight and easy to chew
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Best for Puppies
Pupford Chicken Training
Low calorie
Small in size
Great for training puppies
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Life Essentials Wild Alaskan Salmon
Great for those with allergies or sensitivities
Rich in protein and omega-fatty acids
Crafted for cats and dogs
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The 10 Best Freeze-Dried Dog Treats
We have picked Stella & Chewy’s Carnivore Crunch as our best overall pick for freeze-dried dog treats. We have featured their Cage-Free Turkey recipe because it is well-suited for most dogs, even those that suffer from certain protein allergies, like beef and chicken.
Key Ingredients: Turkey with Ground Bone, Turkey Liver, Turkey Gizzard, Pumpkin Seed, Fenugreek Seed, Tocopherols (Preservative)
Size: 3.25 oz.
Calories: 3.0 kcal/nugget
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Stella & Chewy’s Carnivore Crunch also comes in several other tasty recipes including Grass-Fed Beef, Cage-Free Chicken, and Cage-Free Duck. All of which are made right here in the United States. These treats are free from artificial preservatives, colors, or fillers.
These treats are grain and gluten-free and full of raw nutrition at a reasonable price. They offer up a nice protein boost and with less than 3 calories per treat, they make a great additive to your dog treat arsenal.
Some pet owners complained about the morsels being too big, even for larger dogs. There were also some reports of stomach upset, though rare.
Pros
Nutritious and full of protein
Only 3 calories per treat
Reasonably priced
Several flavor choices available
Cons
Treats too big for some
May cause GI upset
If you are looking for the best freeze-dried treats for your money, consider Whole Life Just One Ingredient Freeze-Dried Dog Treats. This recipe is made of 100 percent beef liver, which is a fan favorite, but they also have other flavors including chicken, salmon, pumpkin, turkey, and peanut butter.
Nutritious and full of protein
Only 3 calories per treat
Reasonably priced
Several flavor choices available
- Nutritious and full of protein
- Only 3 calories per treat
- Reasonably priced
- Several flavor choices available
Treats too big for some
May cause GI upset
- Treats too big for some
- May cause GI upset
Key Ingredients: Beef Liver
Size: 4 oz.
Calories: 6kcal/g
These treats are incredibly affordable, especially considering they are good quality and only feature one ingredient. There are no chemical additives or preservatives and the freeze-drying process is sure to keep hold of the nutrients and flavor.
Whole Life has traceable ingredients that are all sourced, produced, and packaged here in the United States. The biggest downfall of these treats according to the customer reviews is that the treats are way too hard, so they may not be ideal for seniors or those with dental issues.
Pros
Affordably priced
Many recipe options apart from beef
Recipe is made with only pure beef
Rich in nutrients and flavor
Cons
Hard texture
Orijen is one of the leading brands of premium quality dog foods on the market, so it makes sense that their freeze-dried treats made the list. Orijen Free-Run Duck Formula gets our pick for premium choice since they are of premium quality, it only makes sense, right?
Affordably priced
Many recipe options apart from beef
Recipe is made with only pure beef
Rich in nutrients and flavor
- Affordably priced
- Many recipe options apart from beef
- Recipe is made with only pure beef
- Rich in nutrients and flavor
Hard texture
- Hard texture
Key Ingredients: Duck, Duck Liver, Mixed Tocopherols
Size: 3.25 oz
Calories: 6 kcal/cup
If you prefer a different protein source, there are 6 more flavor varieties available. These bites are full of protein and made from 99 percent animal ingredients, which in this case include duck and duck liver. There are some natural preservatives in this recipe to maintain freshness.
These treats are super lightweight and highly recommended by many dog owners. The downside to these treats is that they are a bit more pricey than some competitors and they tend to crumble and leave lots of dust in the bottom of the package.
Pros
7 total flavor varieties
Made of 99 percent animal protein
Lightweight and easy to chew
Cons
Pricey
These tiny freeze-dried treats by Pupford are a great choice for puppies. There’s no doubt you will be busy training your little one, so you will need plenty of treats stashed to keep rewarding that good behavior. There are other flavor choices available besides the chicken recipe.
7 total flavor varieties
Made of 99 percent animal protein
Lightweight and easy to chew
- 7 total flavor varieties
- Made of 99 percent animal protein
- Lightweight and easy to chew
Pricey
- Pricey
Key Ingredients: Chicken, Mixed Tocopherols
Size: 2 oz., 4 oz.
Calories: Less than 1 kcal per treat
These treats are made here in the United States and are formulated with only 1 calorie per treat, so you don’t have to worry about overloading on calories as you train.
Pupford Chicken Training Freeze-Dried Dog Treats come in both 2-ounce and 4-ounce bag sizes and only contain chicken and mixed tocopherols, a natural preservative. The only complaint we could find about these particular treats is that the texture wasn’t their favorite.
Pros
Low calorie
Small in size
Great for training puppies
Two different bag size options
Cons
Texture may not be for everyone
Life Essentials Wild Alaskan Salmon Freeze-Dried Treats can be enjoyed by either dogs or cats. Salmon is a great protein source for dogs that suffer from allergies or sensitivities, so these treats will work great for just about anyone.
Low calorie
Small in size
Great for training puppies
Two different bag size options
- Low calorie
- Small in size
- Great for training puppies
- Two different bag size options
Texture may not be for everyone
- Texture may not be for everyone
Key Ingredients: Freeze-Dried Wild Alaskan Salmon
Size: 5 oz.
Calories: 135.2 kcal ME/oz
There aren’t any preservatives or additives in these treats, just wild Alaskan salmon, which is rich in omega fatty acids and offers many benefits, including healthy skin and coat. They are high-protein and very tasty, so even the picky eater should have no trouble with these treats.
The downfall to these treats is the fishy smell, which isn’t too powerful with the freeze-drying process but is certainly not something that will go unnoticed.
Pros
Great for those with allergies or sensitivities
Rich in protein and omega-fatty acids
Crafted for cats and dogs
Great for picky eaters
Cons
Fishy smell
The Vital Essentials Beef Nibs are another great choice for freeze-dried treats. These treats are made from raw, freeze-dried beef that was never exposed to any artificial hormones or antibiotics. They take on a more whole prey approach and include nutrient-dense organs like the lungs, liver, stomach, heart, fat, kidney, and blood.
Great for those with allergies or sensitivities
Rich in protein and omega-fatty acids
Crafted for cats and dogs
Great for picky eaters
- Great for those with allergies or sensitivities
- Rich in protein and omega-fatty acids
- Crafted for cats and dogs
- Great for picky eaters
Fishy smell
- Fishy smell
Key Ingredients: Beef, Beef Lung, Beef Liver, Beef Stomach, Beef Heart, Beef Fat, Beef Kidney, Beef Blood, Herring Oil, Mixed Tocopherols
Size: 2.5 oz.
Calories: 128 kcal/oz
Dog owners love that there are no added filler, artificial flavors, or any rendered by-product meals. The added herring oil is rich in omega fatty acids for skin and coat health. Dogs take extremely well to the recipe and have no trouble scarfing them down.
Some owners were disappointed by the cost compared to the quantity, so some felt like they’d be better off with treats that provided more for their money.
Pros
Made from antibiotic and artificial hormone-free beef
Rich in protein and omega-fatty acids
Includes nutrient-rich organ meats
No added fillers, artificial flavors, or by-product meals
Cons
Pricey
Sojos Simply Turkey Freeze Dried Dog Treats have only one ingredient and you guessed it; turkey. There are no preservatives or artificial flavors included in this recipe. The freeze-drying method used helps retain nutrients and is done so without the use of any chemicals.
Made from antibiotic and artificial hormone-free beef
Rich in protein and omega-fatty acids
Includes nutrient-rich organ meats
No added fillers, artificial flavors, or by-product meals
- Made from antibiotic and artificial hormone-free beef
- Rich in protein and omega-fatty acids
- Includes nutrient-rich organ meats
- No added fillers, artificial flavors, or by-product meals
Key Ingredients: Turkey
Size: 4 oz.
Calories: 2 kcal/treat
Turkey is lean meat that is rich in protein, so it makes for a healthy snack, especially in those treats that are so tempting to give. These morsels are lower calorie than some of the competitors, so they make a great choice for frequent training sessions.
They are known for being a bit crumbly and leaving behind lots of dust in the bag, which isn’t preferred. Some owners did point out that their bags included more ingredients including mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract, and green tea extract, so you may want to check your batch in case your dog has any sensitives to those ingredients.
Pros
Low calorie
Rich in protein
Turkey is the only listed ingredient
Cons
Some batches contain more than one ingredient
Crumbles easily
Acana is a well-known pet food brand known for offering up top-quality ingredients. They also have a line of freeze-dried dog treats that are certainly worth checking out. Their Acana Singles Lamb & Apple Grain-Free Freeze Dried Dog Treats are our favorite.
Low calorie
Rich in protein
Turkey is the only listed ingredient
- Low calorie
- Rich in protein
- Turkey is the only listed ingredient
Some batches contain more than one ingredient
Crumbles easily
- Some batches contain more than one ingredient
- Crumbles easily
Key Ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Liver, Apples, Mixed Tocopherols
Size: 1.25 oz.
Calories: 5 kcal/treat
They are made with raw, grass-fed lamb and are dried in smaller batches to help retain nutrients. Lamb is a lean protein that also makes a great choice for any dog that suffers from allergies or sensitivities. These treats may be a bit on the expensive side, but they are great for picky eaters and are tolerated well.
The only ingredients in the recipe are lamb, lamb liver, apples, and mixed tocopherols as a natural preservative. You can’t go wrong with a healthy mix of protein and essential nutrients in your treat bag. Another plus is that they are lower-calorie and work well as training treats.
Pros
Made from lamb, lamb liver, and apples
Great for those with allergies or sensitivities
Healthy source of protein and nutrients
Lower in calories
Cons
Expensive
PureBites Beef Liver Freeze Dried Raw Dog Treats are another option that is made with only one ingredient. The company states that the beef liver used in the recipe is human grade and made right here in the United States.
Made from lamb, lamb liver, and apples
Great for those with allergies or sensitivities
Healthy source of protein and nutrients
Lower in calories
- Made from lamb, lamb liver, and apples
- Great for those with allergies or sensitivities
- Healthy source of protein and nutrients
- Lower in calories
Expensive
- Expensive
Key Ingredients: Beef Liver
Size: 16.6 oz.
Calories: 5 kcal/treat
Since they are relatively low in calories at only 5 calories per treat, they make a great training treat and also work well if you are trying to watch your dog’s weight. Many, many dog owners rave about how much they love these treats, and of course, their dogs do too.
Picky eaters typically have no trouble taking well to PureBites, which saves the hassle. The biggest complaints about these treats were that they have a strong liver smell and some dogs experienced some slight GI upset, which isn’t unusual if the dog is not used to eating beef liver and is given larger amounts.
Pros
Made from only beef liver
Low calorie
Great for picky eaters
Cons
Strong liver smell
May cause slight GI upset
Stewart offers these freeze-dried raw dog treats made from only chicken liver. Not only are they rich in protein and delicious, but they are free from unwanted ingredients like artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Made from only beef liver
Low calorie
Great for picky eaters
- Made from only beef liver
- Low calorie
- Great for picky eaters
Strong liver smell
May cause slight GI upset
- Strong liver smell
- May cause slight GI upset
Key Ingredients: Chicken Liver
Size: 1.5 oz., 3 oz., 11.5 oz.
Calories: 5 kcal/g
Since it is a single ingredient treat, it may benefit those with allergies, food sensitivities, and sensitive stomachs. If your pup has a chicken allergy though, you will want to steer clear. These treats come in a variety of sizes and are in a resealable tub rather than a bag.
There were a few people that were disappointed in how crumbly and dry these treats were and a few did complain that they felt they didn’t get their money’s worth since the container wasn’t full upon opening.
Pros
Chicken liver is the only ingredient
Different tub sizes are available
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Cons
The container may not be filled to the top
May be crumbly and dry
Chicken liver is the only ingredient
Different tub sizes are available
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Chicken liver is the only ingredient
- Different tub sizes are available
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
The container may not be filled to the top
May be crumbly and dry
- The container may not be filled to the top
- May be crumbly and dry
Buyer’s Guide: How to Find the Best Freeze-Dried Dog Treats
The Importance of Having Dog Treats Handy
Dog treats are something you will want to have on hand at all times. Here are some of the main reasons why having a stash of treats is so important if you have dogs at home:
Training
Training is a necessity for any dog owner and one of the best ways to keep your dog interested in your training session and reward them when they listen to your commands is by offering them a tasty treat. Treats and toys are most often used as positive reinforcement. Whether it’s potty training, obedience, socialization, or any other type of training, remember that like most of us, dogs are food motivated so it’s a good idea to never show up empty-handed.
Reward for Good Behavior
Treats are a way to reward your dog for good behavior. This doesn’t just apply to training, but situations in your everyday life. If you notice your dog is displaying good behavior that you have been encouraging, it’s a good idea to reward them so they form a positive association with that behavior.
Mental Stimulation
By now you are probably familiar with the slew of puzzles and treat dispensing toys on the market for dogs. Keeping your dog mentally stimulated is very important for their overall health and prevents boredom, which can lead to destructive behaviors. It’s also a recommended tip for helping dogs with separation anxiety. Having treats handy so that you can either put them in these interactive toys is a great way to keep your dog occupied.
The Benefits of Freeze-Dried Dog Treats
The process of freeze drying is a low-temperature dehydration process. The lack of heat allows the food items to maintain their nutrient content and robust flavor. Freeze-dried dogs have grown increasingly popular over the years because they are low-calorie and many of these treats lack all the unnecessary ingredients that can be found in other treats.
Things to Consider When Shopping for Dog Treats
Your Dog’s Age and Size
Treats come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures. You will want to keep this in mind when you are searching for the perfect treat. Senior dogs or those with dental issues may struggle with chewing, so you will want to test the texture to make sure they can comfortably chew the treat.
You will spend a lot of time training a puppy, so it’s best to have small treats that are friendly for training since you will be dishing out more than usual. Extra large dogs like English Mastiffs or Great Danes will have different needs than a toy breed, so remember to keep these factors in mind when shopping around.
Special Dietary Considerations
If your pup has any special dietary considerations related to its health, you will want to hunt for treats that are friendly to that health condition. Chicken and beef are two primary ingredients in a lot of treats but they are also the two most common protein allergens. Thankfully, there are plenty of alternative sources for those that suffer from any allergies or sensitivities.
If you need to keep an eye on your dog’s weight, it’s a good idea to opt for nutritious, but low-calorie treats with limited ingredients. Make sure to check with your veterinarian if you have any questions about what is right for your dog.
Ingredients
Ingredients are a very important factor to consider when buying dog food and treats, too. It’s a good idea to avoid any chemical preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, and unnecessary fillers. Treats will be a regular supplementation to your dog’s diet, and while they are recommended occasionally, you still want to ensure they are getting high-quality ingredients. That’s why freeze-dried foods are a great go-to, as they are very limited in ingredients and are made primarily of meat.
Cost
Cost is something to factor in when buying dog treats. Prices vary so it’s a good idea to take a look at the cost of the treats versus the quantity you are getting. Certain brands will give you much more value for your money and even if you are on a strict budget, you are certain to find some good quality treats that will work.
Conclusion
Stella & Chewy’s Carnivore Crunch offers a wide variety of flavor options and is highly recommended by dog owners everywhere, Whole Life Just One Ingredient are quality freeze-dried treats that will give you the best value for your money, and Orijen is known for making premium quality dog food along with their delicious freeze-dried treat options.
There’s clearly no shortage of great quality freeze-dried treats on the market that get glowing reviews from pet owners everywhere. Hopefully, this list can help you narrow down which type will work best for you and your beloved companion.
Featured Image Credit: Orawan Pattarawimonchai, Shutterstock
