Golden Retriever puppies are cute bundles of fur that you can’t help but love. Like any new member of the family, you want to give them the very best. While you may have dog food and veterinary care covered, you’ll also need healthy puppy treats. When it comes to treats, you’ll be using them for training and showing your puppy they’ve done a good job. That’s why you need to choose the best ones possible. In this review, we’ll take a look at 8 of our favorite treats for Golden Retrievers to help you find the best options. Check out our thoughts below on some of the most well-rounded treats available.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023
Image | Product | Details | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall |
|
Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Soft Training Treats |
|
Check Price |
Best Value |
|
Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Grain-Free Puppy Treats |
|
Check Price |
Premium Choice |
|
Riley’s Organic Dog Treats |
|
Check Price |
|
Puppy Chow Healthy Start Training Dog Treats |
|
Check Price | |
|
N-Bone Puppy Teething Rings |
|
Check Price |
The 8 Best Treats for Golden Retriever Puppies
1. Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Soft Training Treats – Best Overall
Weight: | 4-ounce bag |
Breed Size: | All breeds |
Treat Form: | Soft chew |
Our choice for the best overall treats for Golden Retriever puppies in 2023 is Blue Buffalo’s Blue Bits Soft Training Treats. These treats are ideal for large breed puppies like Goldens and are made from quality ingredients. The chews are heart-shaped, which is cute as can be, but also soft and easy to break apart for pups. Although we are reviewing the beef, these treats are available in multiple flavors including chicken, salmon, and turkey. Blue Bits include DHA, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids to promote better digestion, healthy skin and fur, and your pup’s cognitive development. The taste of these treats also seems to go over well with pups, making them a hit, which is great since they are made with no artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors.
The only issue we found with the Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Treats is the size. Yes, the treats are small but you’ll also find that the bags aren’t very large either. If your Golden pup takes a liking to these treats, make sure you have plenty on hand.
Guaranteed Analysis
2. Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Grain-Free Puppy Treats – Best Value
Weight: | 3.52-ounce bag |
Breed Size: | All breeds |
Treat Form: | Soft chew |
Our choice for the best treats for Golden Retriever puppies for the money is Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Grain-Free Treats. These treats are intended to be enjoyed by dogs under a year old. They are designed to be tasty, reasonably priced, and of course, made with quality ingredients. You’ll find a mix of fruits and veggies in these treats, along with the lamb and salmon, which provides natural omega-3 fatty acids and DHA to promote skin, coat, and brain development. These treats are also a good option for Golden puppies with sensitive tummies as they are grain-free.
These soft chews are intended to be easy for your pup to chew and are available in multiple flavors, however, they do tend to fall apart easily. You should also remember that if your pup isn’t sensitive to grains, there is no reason to go with grain-free options.
Guaranteed Analysis
3. Riley’s Organic Dog Treats – Premium Choice
Weight: | 5-ounce bag |
Breed Size: | All breeds |
Treat Form: | Crunchy |
Our premium choice is Riley’s Organic Dog Treats. These treats are available in both large and small sizes. The small-sized bones are ideal for puppies. What we like about these treats is that they are made with a limited amount of ingredients. Each of these ingredients, however, is USDA-certified organic. This means your Golden is getting the best. These treats are not soft chews, instead, they are crunchy bones that promote dental health. Riley’s Organic Treats are also made in the USA and contain no preservatives, added sugars, or artificial flavors. You’ll find several flavor options available to choose what your pup may enjoy the best.
Our only issue with Riley’s Organic Dog Treats is the price you pay for the treats you get. The bag isn’t full and the hefty price tag seems a bit much for such little product. However, being guaranteed organic explains a lot of the cost.
Guaranteed Analysis
4. Puppy Chow Healthy Start Training Dog Treats
Weight: | 1.5-pound bag |
Breed Size: | All breeds |
Treat Form: | Soft chew |
For training, the Puppy Chow Healthy Start Training Treats are a great choice. These soft chews can be broken in half if you prefer, but are easy for your pup to chew when learning new things. You’ll also love that each treat is only 3 calories since training requires a lot of rewards. We like that real salmon is the first ingredient. Your pup will receive the benefit of the included DHA which promotes healthier fur and skin. There are multiple bag sizes available so you can choose what you feel your pup will need for training.
While these treats are made to be soft and chewy for training, there is such a thing as too chewy. When given to puppies, you may find that it takes them some time to get the treats completely chewed due to the very soft texture.
Guaranteed Analysis
5. N-Bone Puppy Teething Rings
Weight: | 1.5-pound bag |
Breed Size: | Small and Medium |
Treat Form: | Chewy ring |
It isn’t uncommon for Golden puppies to suffer from pain when they are losing their baby teeth. That’s where N-Bone Teething Rings come in handy. These treats are designed to give your puppy something to chew, besides your furniture, that is also tasty. Available in multiple flavors, these rings are edible and made with the beneficial nutrients your puppy needs. We love the calcium and DHA inside that promote healthy bones, skin, and fur.
Keep in mind, these treats are only intended for puppies that are at least 5 pounds and at least 12 weeks old. Always monitor your puppy when they are chewing these rings as they can break apart.
Guaranteed Analysis
6. Old Mother Hubbard Classic Mini Oven-Baked Dog Treats
Weight: | 20-ounce bag |
Breed Size: | Small and Medium |
Treat Form: | Crunchy |
Old Mother Hubbard Classic Mini Oven-Baked Dog Treats feature the classic bone shape and are all small enough for puppies, but these are specifically designed for younger pups. With chicken, oatmeal, and flaxseed your pup will be reaping the benefits of essential vitamins, minerals, and great taste. What’s even better is that you’ll find no artificial preservatives or meat by-products in these biscuits.
While these puppy treats are healthy for your pups, you may find that not all Goldies will enjoy the flavor. However, the value and ingredients make them worth the shot.
Guaranteed Analysis
7. Get Naked Puppy Dental Stick Dog Treats
Weight: | 6.2-ounce bag |
Breed Size: | Small and medium breeds |
Treat Form: | Dental chew |
The Get Naked Puppy Dental Stick Dog Treats are a great way to help your Golden Retriever puppy get started on the right foot for better teeth and gums. They are also ideal for helping puppies who love to chew avoid getting in trouble around the house. While the shape of these chews helps reduce tartar build-up and help with teething, the included DHA and calcium help with your puppy’s growth and development. Your pup will thank you when they get to experience these tasty chicken-flavored treats.
Unfortunately, Get Naked Dental Sticks are high in calories. Each stick contains 27 calories so they should only be used as an occasional dental snack for your growing puppy.
Guaranteed Analysis
8. Milk-Bone Original Puppy Biscuits
Weight: | 1-pound box |
Breed Size: | All breeds |
Treat Form: | Crunchy |
You can’t talk about dog treats without mentioning Milk-Bone. As one of the originals, Milk-Bone’s Puppy Biscuits are an obvious go-to for pet owners on a budget. These small bones are affordable and sized for all puppy breeds. These bones feature omega-3 fatty acids and DHA to help promote better brain development. They also come with 21 vitamins and minerals that puppies under a year of age need for better health. The crunchy texture is also ideal for cleaning teeth and ridding them of unwanted plaque build-up.
While Milk-Bone is a well-known name, don’t expect every Golden to love these biscuits. Pickier pups may turn their nose up so be prepared if your pooch decides these aren’t the treats for them.
Guaranteed Analysis
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Treats for Golden Retriever Puppies
Now that you’ve taken a look at our picks for the best Golden Retriever puppy treats, let’s take a look at why we picked these products. This will help you better understand what you should have in mind when you choose the treats you want your baby Golden to try.
Size
In most situations, size may not matter, but when it comes to picking treats for Golden Retriever puppies, it certainly does. While your Goldie will eventually be a good-sized dog, bigger treats are not a smart idea when they are pups. Large treats can be a choking hazard. They also take far longer to chew up when you are attempting to train. That doesn’t mean any small treat will do. Your Goldie will make short work of treats designed for tiny puppies so look for treats that you feel your puppy will enjoy.
Ingredients
Quality ingredients in their food is the best way to start your Golden puppy out on the right foot. The same can be said for their treats. When you’re deciding which treats are right for your pup, take a good look at the ingredients list. Low-quality ingredients, fillers, preservatives, and artificial colors aren’t great for your pup. Instead, you want ingredients that provide lots of nutrition, vitamins, and minerals.
Calories
Counting calories for your Golden isn’t a necessity, but when using treats for training, you should be aware of what they’re eating. Treats that are high in calories can cause your pup to pack on the pounds. Most of the treats we’ve mentioned on this list are on the lower end of the calorie count but you should still be aware of how much your pup is consuming daily.
Final Verdict
For the best treats for Golden Retriever puppies you simply can’t go wrong with Blue Bits by Blue Buffalo. These treats are tasty, made from quality ingredients, and free of artificial additives your puppy doesn’t need. If you’re on a budget, our best value pick, Wellness Soft Puppy Bites, are not only tasty but provide your puppy with DHA and omega-3 fatty acids they need for healthier development. If you’re looking for a premium option and have the budget for it, we like Riley’s Organic Dog Treats. While these are our top three favorites on the list, you can easily turn to any of the puppy treats and reviews we’ve discussed to find one your puppy will enjoy while still getting the nutrition they need.