Are you looking for a tasty treat for your dog? Are you worried about giving your dog a treat that could be harmful to their health? Dog jerky treats have a chewy texture and savory flavors that dogs love. They are high in protein and come packed with vitamins and minerals. But they can also contain high levels of salt and preservatives that are not good for your dog’s health. This post will look at what jerky is, what ingredients you should avoid, and some of the top limited ingredient dog jerky treats available.
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What Is Jerky?
Jerky is a term used to describe dried meat. Essentially, it is meat that has been air dried for several hours. The moisture is removed and the meat is preserved.
What Are Dog Jerky Treats?
Dog jerky treats are jerky that is especially made for dogs, using ingredients that are safe for dogs to consume.
Can I Give My Dog Human Jerky?
It is not a good idea to give your dog human jerky. Human jerky tends to contain a lot of spices that are not safe for your dog to eat. It is best to give them a treat with ingredients that are safe for them to have.
Are Jerky Treats Good For Dogs?
Jerky treats are fine for dogs to have as they are high in protein, but it is important to look at the ingredients before giving it to your dog as a snack.
Look for treats that don’t have a lot of added ingredients or preservatives, which can be bad for your dog.
Are Jerky Treat Dog Snacks Healthy?
Again, this really depends on the ingredients in the jerky treats. The biggest culprit to watch out for is the sodium content. Salt is commonly used as a preservative in jerky and too much is not good for dogs.
Treats with the least amount of ingredients will be healthier for your dog to snack on.
What Jerky Treats Are Best For Dogs?
When looking to give your dog jerky treats, natural is better. Simple ingredients without preservatives or added ingredients will be best for your dog.
Check the label of any treats you are giving your dog. Pay attention to the sodium content and any spices or preservatives that may be added to be sure it is safe for your dog to eat.
Also look at where the treats are made and where the meat is sourced from to be sure you are getting a quality product.
What Kinds Of Meat Are Jerky Treats Made From?
There is a large variety of meat that jerky treats are made from. Some of these include:
- Beef.
- Chicken.
- Turkey.
- Salmon.
- Duck.
- Venison.
- Rabbit.
- Lamb.
Again, it is good to know where the meat used to make the treats is sourced from and if hormones were used on the animals, as these could then get into your dog’s system.
If you wouldn’t consume the meat yourself, don’t give it to your dog.
What Are Limited Ingredient Dog Jerky Treats?
Limited ingredient dog jerky treats contain only a few ingredients. Some contain only 1 ingredient, the meat.
There are a few that may add vegetable glycerin. Vegetable glycerin is safe for your dog to consume and is used to add flavor to treats and can act to keep treats moist. Some dogs are unable to tolerate this ingredient and it may cause an upset stomach if they do consume it. If your dog has a sensitive stomach or allergies, you may want to avoid a treat with this ingredient.
Due to the fact that some use only 1 ingredient, these treats may go bad quickly. The good thing is they are usually made in small batches to avoid this. Always check the expiration date on your bag of limited ingredient dog jerky treats and if they smell or look funny, Do Not Give Them To Your Dog!
Who Are Limited Ingredient Dog Jerky Treats Good For?
Limited ingredient dog jerky treats are good for all dogs! They are especially good for:
- Dogs with food allergies.
- Pups with sensitive stomachs.
- Those with medical conditions that need to avoid certain ingredients in their food.
- Picky eaters.
Pros Of Limited Ingredient Dog Jerky Treats
- Fresh.
- Come in small batches.
- Great taste.
- No fillers.
- Good for dogs with food allergies and sensitive stomachs.
Cons Of Limited Ingredient Jerky Treats
- Expensive.
- Not a lot in the bag if you have several dogs.
- Can go bad quickly.
Best Limited Ingredient Dog Jerky Treats
These are our top 5 selections of limited ingredient dog jerky treats. Product information is according to the manufacturer.
Mika & Sammy’s Gourmet Jerky Treats
This small batch jerky comes in a variety of flavors, has minimal ingredients, and is preservative free.
- Available in a variety of flavors.
- Comes in various sized bags.
- Each flavor is made with only 1-3 ingredients.
- Gluten free.
- Grain free.
- Preservative free.
- No additives.
- Made in the USA with USA sourced meat.
Check Price At: Amazon
Smart Cookie Bakery Rabbit Jerky
This small batch jerky contains only 1 ingredient: Rabbit.
- Available in whole strips or training treats.
- No wheat, corn, or soy.
- No fillers.
- Preservative free.
- No additives.
- Grain free.
- Made in the USA with USA sourced meat.
Check Price At: Amazon
Wag Chicken Jerky
This jerky contains only 2 ingredients: Chicken Breast and Vegetable Glycerin.
- Oven baked.
- No added corn, wheat, or soy.
- No added colors or artificial flavors.
- No added grains.
- Made in the USA with USA sourced meat.
Check Price At: Amazon
Healthy Spot Mind Body Bowl Jerky
These jerky treats contain only 1-2 ingredients.
- Available in Smoked Chicken, Smoked Duck, and Salmon flavors.
- Human grade.
- Non-GMO.
- Preservative free.
- No artificial flavors.
- Additive free.
- No added antibiotics or hormones.
- Chicken and Duck are Made in the USA with USA sourced Meat.
- Salmon is made in the UK.
Check Price At: HealthySpot
Farmland Traditions Dogs Love Chicken Jerky Treats
This jerky treat has only 2 ingredients and is also grain free.
- Made with chicken breast.
- Contains only 2 ingredients: Chicken and Vegetable Glycerin.
- Soy free.
- Corn free.
- Grain free.
- No animal by-products.
- Sugar free.
- No fillers, artificial flavors or colors.
- Made in the USA with USA sourced chicken.
Check Price At: Amazon, Chewy, Walmart
Limited ingredient dog jerky treats can be a great snack for your dog. Do your research and check the ingredients to be sure the treats you choose are free from high levels of preservatives and fillers. It is important to choose a treat that is safe and nutritious for them to eat. Dog jerky treats are packed with protein and vitamins, not to mention have a taste they will love!
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.