Looking for the best treats for German Shepherd puppies? There are a few guidelines that any pet owner should follow when searching for the best dog treats for their German Shepherd.
For example, you will want to choose dog treats that are both nutritional and tasty. Artificial ingredients such as artificial flavors, chemicals, preservatives, or dyes should be avoided. Healthy dog treats should be made of natural ingredients and are usually grain-free for your German Shepherd puppy.
Instead, you will want to choose dog treats that are low in fat and don’t add a lot to your dog’s daily calories. You don’t want your puppy to fill up on treats and not eat his dog food. You should also watch puppies closely when administering dog treats since they can be a choking hazard.
It is a good idea to consider exactly what the treat will be used for. There are several types of dog treats, each with its own purpose. We will look at these types in this article.
Types of Treats for German Shepherd Dogs
There are several treats for German Shepherd puppies and German Shepherd dogs. Of course, choosing the best treats will depend on what you will use the treat for. You wouldn’t use training treats to help fight cavities in your dog, for example.
First, we will go over how to use each type of treat and how to use them. Then, we will look at our favorite picks for each type!
1 – Treats for Anxiety in German Shepherds
Calming treats are great for dogs that suffer from anxiety. These treats are made with natural ingredients such as chamomile, CBD oil, melatonin, or other calming supplements.
These ingredients are believed to work by promoting relaxation and feelings of safety in your pet. Calming treats are made to be flavorful and textured so that dogs will enjoy them. There are crunchy treats or some with a soft texture.
You can use dog treats for anxiety in German Shepherd puppies by giving them to the dogs when they are barking excessively, during thunderstorms, while traveling, and during other stressful situations.
Calming dog treats are usually good for easing separation anxiety, hyperactivity, phobias, and general anxiety in dogs such as the German Shepherd.
2 – Treats for Training German Shepherd Puppies
A training treat is a great way to use positive reinforcement when training German Shepherd dogs. By using the training treat as a reward each time your German Shepherd puppy completes a task successfully, you encourage them to want to do so again.
This training method works very well with German Shepherds because they are highly intelligent and react better to a reward system than to punishment. They learn very quickly and are eager to receive praise and dog treats.
When choosing a training treat for German Shepherd puppies, you should pick soft ones that are easily chewed and not too big. The best training treats should fit easily into the palm of your hand so that you can keep it “hidden” in your hand until the task is completed.
3 – Dental Treats for German Shepherd Puppies
A dental treat is just as it sounds – any dog treat that promotes dental health for your German Shepherd dog. These tasty treats will help clean plaque away and stop tartar from building up in your German Shepherd puppy’s mouth.
The best dental treats will be made with natural ingredients and taste delicious while promoting oral health. They fight bad breath and can even help sore gums when your puppy is teething.
In rare cases, bad oral health in your German Shepherd dog can cause kidney and heart issues. You use dental treats by administering them according to directions, usually once daily.
4 – German Shepherd’s Healthy Dog Treats
There are many ideas for healthy treats for German Shepherds. According to the American Kennel Club, homemade dog treats are very beneficial. For a snack to be considered one of the best healthy treats for German Shepherds, however, they do not have to be homemade. They just have to have nutritional value.
Almost any type of dog treat can be healthy. It can be a kibble treat, jerky treat, bully stick, chew treat, or any other shaped dog treat. As long as it isn’t full of fillers and flavors, a dog treat that offers health benefits is considered healthy.
If a puppy snack serves some nutritional purpose, such as weight management or treating indigestion in dogs, it’s considered one of the best healthy dog treats. Even a dental treat is considered a healthy treat.
5 – Chew Treats for German Shepherds
Treats used strictly for chewing are used less often than other dog treats, but they are still important enough to make the list. In most cases, dog owners will choose dog toys for their dogs to chew on instead of chewy treats.
Since chewing is one of the ways that dogs explore their world, they love dog treats for chewing. These can also be some of the best healthy treats for German Shepherds since they can help clean the dog’s teeth and keep the muscles in their jaws strong.
Chew treats can also be great for teething puppies. Chew treats for German Shepherds can be beneficial in deterring the puppies from gnawing on furniture.
Favorite Picks for Each Type of German Shepherd Puppy Treat
Now that we have looked at the main types of dog treats available, let’s explore the best treats for German Shepherds from each category. Here are our picks for each type of treat for German Shepherd puppies.
1 – Favorite Treats for Anxiety in German Shepherds
First, let’s look at our picks for some of the best treats for German Shepherds with anxiety. These treats work well for many issues, including separation anxiety, fear of bad weather, or phobias of loud noises such as fireworks.
- VetIQ Calming Soft Chew Supplement for Dogs – These vet-recommended treats have a soft, chewy texture and are some of the best for German Shepherds suffering from normal stress. They are made in the USA and created specifically to promote calmness by easing the tension in your dog’s nervous system.
- Isle of Dogs 100% Natural Chillout Dog Treats – Unlike the VetIQ chews, these are crunchy treats, which could make them the best treats for older German Shepherd puppies and adult dogs, but not young puppies or older dogs and senior dogs. They help ease separation anxiety and stress associated with a change in routines.
- Zesty Paws Calming OraStix for Dogs – As the name suggests, these are not only great for treating anxiety from thunderstorms, fireworks, and more, but they promote better oral health and are also some of the best dental treats for dogs. They also offer pain relief and may help calm a hyperactive dog. It checks all the boxes.
2 – Favorite Treats for Training German Shepherd Puppies
Next, we will look at some of the best treats for German Shepherd dogs that are training. It is always best to buy treats made from natural ingredients that work to improve your dog’s overall health, even if you’re using those treats for training.
- Blue Buffalo Bits Natural Soft Moist Dog Training Treats – The first ingredient in these soft, chewy Blue Buffalo training treats is real chicken, not fillers or grains and rice flour. They are small enough to tuck into your hand while training and contain DHA, which can help your puppy’s brain development!
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Crunchy Dog Training Treats – For those whose dogs prefer crunchier textures, these Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Training Treats are the perfect solution. They are grain-free, made with real chicken, and enhanced with vitamins and minerals. Also, they contain no soy, wheat, or corn.
- Full Moon Training Treats – These dog training treats are great for maintaining training or teaching your German Shepherds new tricks. They are great for smaller puppies with sensitive teeth or gums and are made of ingredients that are safe for human consumption, such as organic cane sugar, skim milk, and rosemary.
3 – Our Picks of Dental Treats for German Shepherd Puppies
Here are a couple of our favorite dental treats for German Shepherd puppies. If you want to keep your dog’s breath fresh and protect its teeth and gums, these are great snacks to buy.
- Pedigree DentaStix – Available in flavors such as chicken, beef, and bacon, these hard, chewy dog treats are made for adult dogs. Their X-shaped design gives them the perfect texture for larger dogs weighing 30 pounds or more. These treats clean dogs’ teeth, reduce the buildup of tartar, and freshen breath.
- Greenies Dental Chews for Dogs – Greenies come in several options for different breeds and sizes of dogs. They contain crude protein, crude fat and fiber, calcium, niacin, and phosphorus. They also contain B12, Vitamin E, and other nutrients that protect the gum line and promote healthy skin.
- Dingo Dental Treats Whitening Mini Chews – The small size of these dental treats makes them perfect for puppies. Dingo also sells dental sticks with a slightly abrasive texture to remove plaque and tartar, mini bones, dental spirals, and jumbo twist sticks.
4 – Favorite German Shepherd’s Favorite Healthy Treats
When it comes to your dog’s health, you should never compromise, not even on treats. That’s why it is best to choose all-natural dog treats that don’t have artificial fillers or flavors. Here are some of our favorite healthy dog treats for German Shepherds.
- Eukanuba ACTIV Trainers Salmon (First Ingredient) Dog Treats – These dog treats come in chicken and salmon flavors with meat as the first ingredient. They are low in calories, have DHA for brain function, and are suitable for puppies and adult dogs. They are great for dogs who need caloric restrictions on their treats.
- Pet Botanics Training Reward – This treat is just great overall as a healthy snack for your dogs. They are made from real pork liver and contain their BotaniFits nutrient blend. While these are terrific for training dogs, they also belong in the healthy dog treats section.
- Puppy Chow Healthy Start Salmon Flavor Dog Treats – If you are looking for healthy dog treats at a lower price, Puppy Chow has just the thing. Red salmon is the first ingredient in these low-calorie dog treats. They also contain DHA for healthy brain function and focus and Omega 3 fatty acids for your pup’s skin and fur.
5 – Our Picks for Chewy Treats for GSDs
Perhaps your puppy’s teeth aren’t ready for crunchy treats, or maybe you have an older dog that can’t enjoy hard dog treats anymore. Whatever the reason, some pet parents prefer chewy dog treats. Here are our top three favorites.
- Milk-Bone Soft and Chewy – These dog snacks are a great choice for dogs of all ages at all stages of life. Made with real meat, they are low in calories and fortified with 12 vitamins and minerals to boost your dog’s nutrition.
- Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Chewy Dog Treats – Made in the USA, these dog treats are grain-free, low-calorie, and good for dogs of all ages. They have no artificial colors or flavors and focus on only wholesome ingredients.
- Buddy Biscuits Soft and Chewy Treats – Made in the USA for large and small dogs, Buddy Biscuits are soft and chewy treats that come in snack or training sizes. They are also low-calorie and made with real bacon and cheese. They are perfect for aging dogs or puppies but loved by dogs of all ages.
Final Thoughts on Dog Treats for German Shepherd Puppies
Take care when choosing treats for your German Shepherd puppy. Avoid those made with artificial preservatives and artificial flavors, which could cause food allergies and upset a sensitive stomach.
Food sensitivities can lead to many issues in your German Shepherd’s diet. Watch for signs of this whenever you offer them a new treat. If your dog experiences vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea, or other signs of stomach upset, stop giving him the treats and speak with your vet.
You should also avoid treats with animal by-products or meat by-products. Instead, look for those made with real meat in all-natural chicken flavor, sweet potato, and salmon flavors that your German Shepherd loves. Ensuring that animal protein is the first ingredient is always a good practice when choosing dog treats.
