6 Best German Shepherd treats 2022 – for training and everyday use

Yes, I have the right answer for you:

I chose Zuke’s Mini Naturals Dog Treats as the best German Shepherd treats.

Anyway, if you want to read about other great products and learn more about using treats, read on.

The German Shepherd is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. This is no coincidence, as in addition to their incredible intelligence and dexterity, they are also perfect for a family dog. Not to mention their service in the military. It is very important to use treats when training with canines. Of course, we can also give treats to our dogs in other situations. In my article, I evaluated the best treats on the market for German Shepherds. I will also write about what to look for when selecting, and what ingredients to avoid. If you are interested in the topic, be sure to read on.

Let’s start!

Product table for the best German Shepherd treats

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What are the best German Shepherd treats?

Below you can see the best treats on the market. These perfectly meet the needs of German Shepherds. At the end of the section, I choose the one I like best.

Zuke’s Mini Naturals Dog Treats

I definitely wanted to put this product at the top of my list. It has everything you need for a good treat.

The treats are very soft and small enough in size. This makes them great for training both adult dogs and puppies.

The recipe contains healthy and natural ingredients. The main ingredient is real meat. However, a small treat contains only 3 calories, so you don’t have to worry about your dog becoming obese.

The product is made in the USA and is free of all artificial flavors and colors. In addition to chicken flavoring, other flavors are available. These are duck, peanut butter, pork, rabbit, and salmon.

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Blue Buffalo Bits Natural Dog Treats

The next member on my list is a BLUE product. This brand is famous for good quality pet food.

This treat also proves to be an excellent choice.

Like the previous product, it is also suitable for German Shepherds. The treats are very soft, small in size, and made from real meat. Your dog will love their taste.

In addition to the natural ingredients, the other positive is that you can choose from several flavors here as well. These are beef, chicken, salmon, and turkey. Even variety-packs are available, in which case you can try several flavors with your puppy at once.

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Wellness WellBites Dog Treats

By no means did I want to leave this product.

This is because it will be useful for those whose dogs have sensitive stomachs or are on a grain-free diet.

In addition, these treats are small, soft, and contain real meat. You can choose from eight flavors. If you are not sure which one is right for your pup, choose the three-flavor variety pack.

I will list some of the many flavor combinations: beef & turkey, chicken & lamb, chicken & venison, lamb & salmon, turkey & duck, and more. There will definitely be no complaints about the quality as the product is made in the USA.

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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats

You’ve probably noticed, too, that I’m trying to put together a list where every product is a little different.

This one will be a good choice for those whose dogs like crunchy treats.

As before, this product is grain-free and even gluten-free. It contains natural ingredients and real meat. Because of this, it is good for almost any dog ​​who has some kind of sensitivity or allergy.

There are six flavors to choose from, which are bison, duck, turkey, salmon, red meat, and salmon & venison. If you have a hard time deciding, you can buy a three-flavor variety pack. In addition, this treat contains omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, which are responsible for the health and beauty of the skin and coat.

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Rocco & Roxie Gourmet Jerky Dog Treats

If you choose this treat, your dog is guaranteed to be happy.

Although only available in three flavors (chicken, beef and turkey) the dogs are there for it.

Treats contain natural ingredients, the most important of which is real meat. In addition, they are smoked for 10 hours. This gives them not only their special taste but also their excellent jerky texture.

The product is suitable for training and for everyday use. If all this is not convincing enough, Rocco & Roxie offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee for the treats.

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Greenies Original Natural Dental Treats 

The last member on this list is by no means the worst.

Moreover, it is practically one of the best dental treats that is available on the market.

Dental treats are a very good way to keep your dog’s teeth clean. They prevent tartar buildup and provide fresh breath.

Many veterinarians recommend the use of dental treats. And this brand is deservedly popular among these products. Greenies treats are made from natural ingredients and contain many vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients.

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My choice for the best german shepherd treat

The decision is not an easy one, as you may have seen, each product has its own advantage. However, most likable treats for me are Zuke’s Mini Naturals Dog Treats. Their excellent quality, softness, and taste make them the best training and everyday treats for German Shepherds.

Click here to get one from Amazon

And here to get one from Chewy

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Things to consider when buying dog treats for your German Shepherd

It doesn’t hurt to pay attention to a few things when choosing the right product. I want to write about these now.

Healthiness

I hope I don’t need to explain this for too long. We all want our dogs to be healthy. And one of the basics of this is that the food or treats they eat are also healthy. High-quality treats are made exclusively from natural ingredients. They contain adequate amounts of protein but lack artificial substances, fillers, and so on.

Purpose of the treat

The purpose of treats can be many. For example, training, rewarding, or simply showing kindness to your beloved dog. Think about what your real goal is with buying treats. These will make it easier for you to choose. Just a simple example: training treats are smaller in size because they are easier to swallow.

Flavors

If you already want to buy something like this for your German Shepherd, you might want to check out the flavoring options. After all, it’s much easier to reach your goal with treats if they have a taste that your puppy would do anything for.

Could treats have a negative effect on your German Shepherd?

Dogs (including German Shepherds) love treats. And there is nothing wrong with that since we humans also like to eat very delicious things. You can give a German Shepherd puppy treats from the age of 2 months.

If you accept the advice above (and pick products from my list), there can be no negative health effects of treats. However, you should definitely control the number of treats. This is because the calories from these should not exceed 5% of the total caloric intake. 

Of course, nothing wrong will happen if you sometimes manage to go beyond that. However, due to excessive treats consumption, you have to reckon with the following:

The diet becomes spoiled

German Shepherds have unique nutritional needs. The treats are delicious, but they do not contain all the necessary nutrients. If puppies eat a lot of these, they run the risk of eating less of the nutrient-rich foods. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies and diet interruptions. Even bone and joint problems can develop due to improper growth.

Bad habits

Treats always have the right place and time. If you overdo them, your dog may develop bad behaviors, such as a begging habit. Do not give leftovers from your table to your puppy in all cases.

Obesity

Although treats do not contain adequate amounts of nutrients, they do contain a lot of calories in general. This leads to obesity in the long run, which can be a serious problem for dogs regardless of breed. In the case of puppies, you should pay attention to this as well. In them, the extra calories cause rapid growth, which leads to bone and joint problems.

What treats are bad for German Shepherds?

Bone treats

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) says some treats should not be given to dogs. It is claimed that consuming bone treats and pets bones can have negative consequences. Uncooked bones are said to be safe. 

The problem is that bone treats are processed and packaged. Bone treats may include rib bones, pork femur bones, ham’s bones, and smokey knucklebones. So, if you don’t want to take unnecessary risks, don’t buy your dog bone treats.

Gravy

People love gravy. However, this does not mean that dogs can fit into their diet as well. On the one hand, it can be very greasy (obesity). On the other hand, it can contain a lot of salt, which is very harmful to dogs. They can process salt much worse.

In addition, a lot of salt also raises blood pressure. Of course, this does not mean that salt should be completely avoided in the diet of puppies. But it is very important that you give salt to your dog much more carefully than to yourself.

Peanut butter

No, you don’t have to completely neglect peanut butter from your dog’s diet. However, there are a few things you should pay attention to. First, these products are high in fat. This can lead to obesity and pancreatitis. Second, beware of sugar-free versions! This is because they contain xylitol, which is deadly toxic to dogs.

If you want to know more about what human foods are dangerous for dogs, I suggest you read this article.

What ingredients should you avoid in German Shepherd treats?

Carrageenan

Carrageenan is one of the ingredients that are worth avoiding. It can be found in meats, dairy products, and other foods. According to a 2009 study, carrageenan can cause inflammation in the intestines of dogs.

Butylated Hydroxytoluene

This material was developed against rancidity. Unfortunately, it has many negative effects, such as allergic reactions, irritations, and reproductive issues. For this reason, make sure that the food or treat you choose contains more vitamin E. It is a much better preservative.

Ethoxyquin

Like Butylated Hydroxytoluene, it is a kind of preservative. However, it is also can be harmful. It causes allergic reactions, thyroid damage, Leukemia, Reproductive issues, and Kidney damage in dogs, among others.

Butylated Hydroxyanisole

In addition to the previous two, it is also a preservative with similar negative effects.

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Frequently asked questions about the best german shepherd treats

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