Best Natural Dog Treats: What’s Actually in That Biscuit?

I used to think “natural” meant something like “this treat won’t survive a nuclear blast.”

But then I started flipping over ingredient labels and realized some of those “natural” dog snacks had more mystery ingredients than a sci-fi thriller. Red 40? Added sugar? In a dog snack? Now, that's a twist ending.

I’ve got three dogs. And they're part of the family. We go everywhere together—the dog park, street art festivals, farmer's market, and the dog-friendly cafe. Their dog health matters to me. We've got a lot of dog walks in our future.

So, yeah. I did want to learn more about what it means to be the best natural dog treats.

Spoiler: They're not dog biscuits.

What Makes a Dog Treat “Natural”?

Here's what many don't realize. In U.S. marketing terms, "natural" is loosely defined and doesn't really mean anything. AAFCO allows it to mean “no synthetic ingredients,” but enforcement is weak and doesn’t guarantee quality or transparency. While language like "Good source of calcium" or "Gluten-free" is regulated to the Nth degree, "natural" is a word anyone can slap on their label to make it sound healthy in the US.

It may sound like you're buying something straight from the farm. But nope. Lab-created, ultra-processed food for dogs.

What Should Natural Mean?

I think we can agree here. Real food, natural dog treats are:

• No artificial colors or preservatives
• No mystery meat or animal byproducts, added sugar, salt, or fillers like wheat or soy
• Made with ingredients you recognize (and ideally, just one of them!)
• Actually healthy, with nutrition, they may be missing in an all-kibble diet. 

If I made the dog treat rules, natural would mean something my dogs' ancestral wolves would eat. That’s why I look for 1 ingredient dog treats like beef lung or marrow bones.

Organ meat and dog bones—wolves would eat these all day long. No added flavors needed.

Simple. Pure. Straight to the point. My lab mix, Bruno doesn’t need turmeric-infused duck biscuits rolled in chia. He needs something he can chomp without regretting it later.

Poor Bruno. His tummy doesn't play around with weird ingredients. That's why I only give them real food dog treats.

Common Dog Treat Ingredients to Avoid

• BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin (used as preservatives) - Linked to cancer in lab animals, disrupt hormones, and are banned in many countries
• Corn syrup or added sugars - Even if that sugar is honey, it's still something dogs don't need. Added sugar can lead to tooth decay and metabolic health problems.
• Artificial colors and flavors - Because why? Dogs don't care if their dog biscuits are bright orange. If a dog treat is real meat, you don't need artificial anything.
• Generic “meat meal” or "byproducts with no source listed - While this can just mean the animal trimmings people usually don't eat, it can technically be anything they scoop up off a slaughterhouse floor. Yuck!
• Wheat, soy, or corn (especially for sensitive stomachs). While dogs do need fiber, these are often used in excess in dog treats because they're cheap. Too much can lead to weight gain and metabolic issues.

Now let's talk sourcing, which has to be part of the "all-natural" conversation.

Why Sourcing Matters (A Lot)

Sourcing really is everything. This determines where the dog treats come from. How old are the dog bones and treats? Were the cows that the dog bones came from sick? Did they come from retired dairy cows with osteoporosis? Have they been prepared and stored to ensure dog safety?

Being able to answer these questions with certainty comes down to knowing the source of those dog treats.

I love a deal, just like the next. But bargain bin dog bones of unknown origin are not on my K9s' menus.

Instead, I look for dog treats made in USA from human-grade or USDA-inspected herds born and raised in the US. In other words, from farm to table—100% USA.

That means no questionable imports and no shady factory leftovers.

K9 Connoisseur’s treats? 100% USA-sourced beef, from grass-fed cows.

I’ll take that over a fluorescent pink chew stick any day.

Meet the MVPs: Beef Dog Rib Bones and Lung Bites

Now we’re talking.

Here are two of the best natural dog treats that live up to the word natural. They're 100% whole food, and nothing else.

Dog Rib Bones

These are Bruno’s go-to after a long walk or training session. They help clean his teeth, satisfy his need to gnaw, entertain him, and keep him occupied so I can drink my coffee while it’s still hot.

Plus, real dog bones like these are packed with calcium and collagen. And that satisfying crunch makes dogs look like they just found buried treasure.

Bonus if those dog rib bones come from grass-fed cows. That means extra omega-3, an essential fat lacking in most kibble. Grass-fed herds have 2.5X the omega-3 and substantially less saturated fat.

A Note on Aggressive Chewers

Rib bones are a fantastic natural dog treat for many pups—but they’re not always the best choice for aggressive chewers. Because rib bones are thinner and more delicate, strong jaws can sometimes break them down too quickly—or chew through them in minutes. That not only shortens the enrichment time but can also lead to sharp fragments if not supervised.

For those powerful chewers, I recommend K9 Connoisseur’s Champ Bones. These slow-roasted, all-natural beef bones are denser and more durable—ideal for big dogs or heavy-duty gnawers who need something that lasts. Champ Bones keep them busy, satisfy their chewing instincts, and support dog dental health without crumbling under pressure.

Beef Lung Treats

Pixie’s favorite. These are light, crunchy, and easy to break up for quick training rewards. And because they’re single-ingredient, they’re great for dogs with allergies or sensitive tummies. Every time I get a bag of beef lung bites out of the cabinet, that girl comes running.

No fluff. No fillers. Just organ meat. And around here, that’s the treat gold standard.

I can feel good when my training sessions with Pixie run a little long (not uncommon) because I give her a dog treat that is 100% promoting dog health.

And now, here's where it gets really exciting!

Why Natural Treats = Better Behavior

Treats aren’t just snacks—they’re tools. When I’m working on recall or trying to teach a new foster pup to stop stealing socks, I need something really worth working for. Dogs learn faster and follow commands more reliably when you use high-value treats during training.

Beef lung and a rib dog bone are high-value treats. Their High protein keeps them full and fueled for the next round of “sit, stay, and don’t jump on the mail carrier.”

Want to learn more about training with treats? Try the 7-Day Dog Training Challenge.