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Striking the right balance between quality and affordability can be tricky. If you’re struggling to find cheap dog treats that still offer valuable nutrition and irresistible flavor, we’re here to help.
Since treats and supplemental foods like meal mixers or toppers should only account for 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake, it’s important to choose treats your pup will think are great. That goes double if you’re using them for training. And you want them to have healthy, easily digestible ingredients.
Fortunately, you can do all of that without spending a fortune, and there’s plenty of room for choice in terms of flavor and texture. We’ve assembled a list of the best cheap dog treats—both human foods and commercial options—to help you find the right product for your pup.
Budget Human Foods
If you’re looking for a way to stretch your dog’s dietary budget, the solution might be hidden in your own pantry or refrigerator. We’re talking about dog-safe human foods.
When choosing dog treats, it’s important to distinguish between low-value and high-value options. Each dog has their own preferences for flavor and texture, so “value” is subjective. It may help to think of it in terms of motivation instead.
High-value treats are the ones your dog can’t resist—the one’s they’re willing to work for in training or as reinforcement for desired behavior. Low-value treats are more like snacks. Generally speaking, meaty, protein-rich treats are the most desirable for dogs, while everyday treats might have a higher percentage of carbohydrates.
With these points in mind, let’s explore the options in your fridge or pantry.
Low-value human foods
A good low-value treat is one you can offer frequently because they’re not too high in calories. It also helps if they’re bite-sized—easy to keep in a treat pouch for casual training sessions.
Low-value treat options from your pantry or refrigerator might include the following:
- Pieces of carrot or apple
- Blueberries
- Green beans
- Chopped broccoli
Some dogs might have a taste for cereal or granola—just make sure it doesn’t contain excessive amounts of sugar or ingredients that might be harmful to your dog.
High-value human foods
When you’re introducing a new command or trying to mark a desired behavior, it’s essential to keep your dog’s attention. That’s where high-value treats come in. Some simple options from your kitchen might include the following:
- Chunks of cooked chicken
- Hard boiled egg
- Chopped-up hot dogs
- Small pieces of cheese
For longer-lasting high-value rewards, dried sweet potatoes may appeal to some dogs. Other dogs may prefer to chew on meatier options like dehydrated meat or homemade jerky. We’ve found dehydrating your own high-value treats can really save money.
Spreadable human foods
Outside of training and reinforcement applications, treats can simply be a reward or dietary supplement for your dog. For example, spreading lickable treats on a lick mat can have a calming effect on dogs. It’s also a great tool for mental stimulation (or distraction).
Try the following spreadable low-cost foods as dog treats:
- Low-sugar yogurt
- Xylitol-free peanut butter (but watch the calories)
- Low-fat cottage cheese
- Canned pumpkin
In the summer, try popping the loaded lick mat in the freezer to help keep your dog cool.
Budget Commercial Options
Best chewy treats: Newman’s Own Organics Snack Bites
Featuring organic chicken as the first ingredient, these chewy dog treats are easy to break into pieces for small dogs or training rewards. A short list of ingredients improves digestibility and the recipe is free from artificial additives.
These treats are sold in small 4.5-ounce bags as well as a larger 12-ounce value-size bag.
Key Takeaways:
- Organic chicken is the first ingredient
- Easy to break into pieces
- Soft and chewy texture
- Contains 21 calories per treat
Ingredients: Organic Chicken, Organic Chickpeas, Organic Molasses, Coconut Glycerin, Sea Salt, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Mixed Tocopherol (Preservative).
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonBest crunchy treats: Jinx Beef & Bone Broth Biscuits
Perfect for dogs who prefer a crunchy biscuit-style treat, these are made with beef as a single source of animal protein. Pearled barley and oatmeal provide dietary fiber, while an assortment of fruits, vegetables, and botanicals supply essential vitamins and minerals.
These treats are sold in 16-ounce bags. Each biscuit contains about 35 calories but can easily be broken in half if needed.
Key Takeaways:
- Made with a single animal protein
- Crunchy texture
- Full of natural beef flavor
- Contains 35 calories per treat
Ingredients: Pearled Barley, Beef, Beef Broth, Oatmeal, Cane Molasses, Beef Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Inulin, Kelp, Miscanthus Grass, Alfalfa, Cranberry, Coconut Meal, Chia, Pumpkin, Apple, Blueberry, Parsley, Ginger, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Dandelion, Spearmint, Spinach, Mixed Tocopherols (preservative), Citric Acid (preservative), Rosemary Extract.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonHigh-value pick: Full Moon Natural Essentials Beef Recipe Savory Bites
With three animal proteins at the top of the ingredients list, these Full Moon Savory Bites make for effective training treats and high-value rewards. They contain just 2 calories per treat and nearly 28% protein, measured as dry matter. Dogs seem to enjoy the chewy texture.
These treats are sold in 14-ounce bags for under $15. If your dog doesn’t like beef, there’s a chicken flavor sold in slightly larger 16-ounce bags for the same price.
Key Takeaways:
- Top three ingredients are animal proteins
- Soft, chewy texture
- Small size is perfect for training rewards
- Contains 2 calories per treat
Ingredients: Beef, Turkey, Chicken, Organic Cane Sugar, Cassava Root, Salt, Ground Celery, Vinegar, Citric Acid (a Natural Preservative), Paprika, Hickory Smoke Flavor, Rosemary Extract.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonLow-value pick: Merrick Oven Baked Pumpkin Patch with Real Pumpkin Dog Treats
If you’re just looking for an everyday treat, these pumpkin-flavored biscuits from Merrick are a good choice. They’re rich in fiber and made with just six ingredients for easy digestibility. For a higher value treat, try the Turducken or Paw’Some Peanut Butter flavors.
These treats are sold in 11-ounce bags with an average price under $0.75 per ounce.
Key Takeaways:
- Short list of ingredients
- Crunchy texture
- Easy to break in half
- Contains 20 calories per treat
Ingredients: Oats, Oat Fiber, Pumpkin, Canola Oil, Natural Flavor, Rosemary Extract.
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on PetcoBest bulk buy: Old Mother Hubbard Oven-Baked Biscuits Value Box
For dog parents really looking to save money, buying in bulk might be the ticket. Though higher in carbohydrates than some products on this list, these treats contain whole grains and two high-quality sources of animal protein. They’re free from artificial additives and contain about 10 calories per treat.
These treats are sold in 20-ounce bags as well as larger volumes up to 20 pounds. The Original Mix includes a blend of mini biscuits in four classic Old Mother Hubbard flavors.
Key Takeaways:
- Mix of four different flavors
- Value priced under $0.25/ounce
- Free from artificial additives
- Contains about 10 calories per treat
Ingredients: Whole Wheat Flour, Oatmeal, Wheat Bran, Chicken Fat, Chicken, Cane Molasses, Eggs, Apples, Carrots, Turmeric, Paprika, Salt, Cheddar Cheese, Paprika Extract, Bone Charcoal, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on PetcoLow-calorie pick: Buddy Biscuits Teeny Treats with Roasted Chicken Crunchy Treats for Dogs
Whether you’re watching your pup’s weight or want to minimize the caloric impact of an extended training session, Buddy Biscuits are a low-fat pick. At just 2 calories per treat, these natural dog biscuits are an easily digestible option made with a short list of ingredients and a single animal protein.
These crunchy treats are sold in 8-ounce boxes and also come in Peanut Butter or Bacon & Cheese flavor.
Key Takeaways:
- Short list of ingredients
- Made with a single animal protein
- Crunchy texture
- Contains 2 calories per treat
Ingredients: Whole Wheat Flour, Chicken, Canola Oil, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Rosemary Extract.
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on PetcoBest for puppies: Wellness Soft Puppy Bites
Balanced nutrition is essential for growing puppies, so consider a treat that pulls its weight. With lamb and salmon as the top ingredients, Wellness Puppy Bites are rich in protein and DHA. The soft texture makes them easy to chew (and to break into smaller pieces).
These puppy treats are sold in 3- and 8-ounce pouches. If your puppy prefers crunchy treats, try Wellness Crunchy Puppy Bites in chicken and carrot flavor.
Key Takeaways:
- Rich in animal protein and flavor
- Good source of DHA
- Easy to break into pieces
- Contains 6 calories per treat
Ingredients: Lamb, Salmon, Chickpeas, Ground Potatoes, Vegetable Glycerin, Guar Gum, Carrots, Cane Molasses, Salt, Natural Smoke Flavor, Blueberries, Garlic Powder, Flaxseed, Phosphoric Acid, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Sorbic Acid (Preservative), Mixed Tocopherols (To Preserve Freshness), Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on PetcoHow We Chose
We selected the products featured here based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, comprehensive analysis of customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts.
We selected dog treats made with nutritious and easily digestible ingredients, prioritizing products sold in value packs and those priced under $1.00 per ounce. Our picks are also influenced by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.
