11 Best Treats for Labs in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

If your Labrador Retriever loves dog treats as much as you love human treats, then they’re no different from the millions of other treat-enthusiastic dogs around the world. Treats are an excellent way to reward good behavior and keep your dog busy when you’re out or doing something. As long as you’re giving your Lab the right type of dog treats and not going over their daily calorie intake, there is nothing wrong with getting your dog’s tail wagging with a treat.

Labs have a lot of energy and can be very mischievous. Thankfully, with the intelligence they have and their enthusiasm for treats, they can use their energy for good and learn obedience and behavioral tricks quickly. We’ve got 11 reviews of the best treats for Labs below, so if you’re trying to figure out which options will suit your dog best, keep reading.

 A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Milo's Kitchen Chicken Meatballs Dog Treats	Soft and can easily be broken apart High in protein Tasty	Check Price
Best Value		American Journey Biscuit Treats	Affordable Tasty Crunchy and fun to chew	Check Price
Premium Choice		Ziwi Good Dog Rewards Dog Treats	High-quality ingredients Nutritious High in protein	Check Price
Best for Puppies		Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Dog Treats	Specially made for puppies Small in size Flavorsome	Check Price
		Milk-Bone Soft & Chewy Dog Treats	Uses real beef and filet mignon Soft on gums and easy to break Contains 12 vitamins and minerals	Check Price

The 11 Best Treats for Labs

Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Meatballs Dog Treats can be enjoyed by your Lab as well as any other dog breed because they’re soft and easy to break apart. Loaded with real chicken, these treats have a crude protein content of 20% and are mouth-watering to most dogs, which is why they’re our choice for the best overall treat for Labs.

They contain no artificial colors, flavors, rawhide, or peas, and they are wholesome, high-quality, and delicious. They’re made in the USA, and most of their ingredients are sourced from there too. They always have an animal protein as their first ingredient, regardless of the flavor. As tasty as these treats are, some dogs do emit smelly gas after eating them.

For a budget-friendly dog treat, consider American Journey Peanut Butter Recipe Grain-Free Oven Baked Crunchy Biscuit Dog Treats. They’re the best treats for Labs for the money, and their peanut butter flavor will likely leave your Lab wanting more.

These crunchy treats are oven baked and small enough to carry in your pocket when taking your dog on a walk. They’re an exciting texture to chew on for a Lab. However, they are hard to break apart with your fingers and will be a challenge for senior dogs or ones with sensitive teeth. These treats are loaded with chickpeas and are free from preservatives and artificial ingredients.

Our premium pick is Ziwi Good Dog Rewards Air-Dried Beef Dog Treats because it’s undergone a gentle air-drying process to lock in the goodness of its ingredients. Although it’s got a crude protein content of 38%, these treats are low in calories. Its first few ingredients are beef, beef heart, beef kidney, beef tripe, beef liver, beef lung, and New Zealand Green Mussel.

These are pretty expensive treats, but they’re nutritious, made from high-quality ingredients, and contain no added carbohydrates. They can be enjoyed by Labs of all ages. Unfortunately, some treats do tend to disintegrate into dust, leaving you with fewer treats in the bag.

Specially made for puppies and their development are the Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Lamb & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dog Treats. These treats are small in size to accommodate small jaws and are available in different flavors. However, this lamb and salmon option rarely doesn’t grab a puppy’s attention because of its enticing smell. However, the smell might be a disadvantage to fussy puppies and dog owners.

To keep your puppy safe from harmful ingredients, these treats are free from artificial flavors and colors. Although not necessary for all pups, these treats are grain and dairy free for those with sensitive stomachs. DHA and Omega-3s are present in these treats, which are beneficial to both young and older dogs.

Loved by many Lab owners are the Milk-Bone Soft & Chewy Beef & Filet Mignon Recipe Dog Treats. These cute treats are shaped into mini bones and are made with real beef and filet mignon. Your Lab will love the soft and chewy texture of these because they’re gentle on their gums and can be broken easily. They’re made up of beef, chicken, soy grits, corn starch, and 12 vitamins and minerals.

These treats do come with a smoky odor that doesn’t appeal to all dogs. They also contain sugar which isn’t great for dogs, especially those that are diabetic.

Give your dog some love by giving them a few of these tasty heart-shaped treats from Blue Buffalo. These treats are available in several flavors to keep your dog interested, especially if you use them during training. There are 4 calories per treat, and the texture is soft and chewy. However, older Labs with dental issues may still find them quite hard because they’re not as soft as other soft treats.

These treats don’t only taste nice, but they benefit your dog’s coat by bringing its shine back thanks to the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It also contains DHA, which is beneficial to developing your puppy’s cognition.

To avoid any risk involved with rawhide treats, try SmartBones SmartSticks Peanut Butter Chews Dog Treats as a healthier alternative. These treats are made up of real chicken, peanut butter, sweet potatoes, carrots, and many other tasty vegetables.

These treats will keep your dog busy while they chew because they’re longer lasting than other types of dog treats. However, if you have a passionate chewer, which most Labs are, they’re going to be chewed up in seconds. They also promote good dental hygiene because as your Lab chews, the plaque on their teeth gets removed.

The treats come in resealable packaging and can remain in it once opened without losing their freshness or having to be kept in a container.

For a dehydrated dog treat option, consider True Chews Premium Jerky Cuts with Real Chicken Dog Treats. They’re made from real chicken that is free from antibiotics, steroids, and hormones. Their chicken is sourced in the USA and is the first ingredient. Their ingredients are natural and of high quality, and the treats come in a resealable packet.

These cuts are slow-roasted, chewy, and full of taste. They can keep your Lab busy for a little while but can also be broken into smaller pieces as a reward during training. If your dog has sensitivities, they should do well on these treats because they’re wheat and corn free. However, most allergic reactions are caused by animal protein ingredients and not grain. Sadly, some dog owners have noticed mold on their dog’s treats upon arrival.

9. Fruitables Crunchy Dog Treats

For an animal protein-free dog treat, consider Fruitables Pumpkin & Blueberry Flavor Crunchy Dog Treats. They contain plenty of antioxidants due to the superfoods used, such as blueberries. The other ingredients are pumpkin, ground oats, barley, and potatoes. This recipe is free from beef, chicken, and other meats that may cause an allergic reaction in your sensitive dog.

All the ingredients in these treats are sourced from the USA. They’re crunchy and contain 8 calories per treat. Although presentation doesn’t mean much to treat-eager Labs, these have a flower-shaped design that looks lovely and is easy to break. Unfortunately, they’re not for all dogs because some refuse to eat them.

For another jerky option, try out Tylee’s Human-Grade Chicken Jerky Dog Treats. They’re made from USA-sourced chicken—that’s it. These single-ingredient, high-quality dog treats are very nutritious, although expensive. The treats are free from chemical preservatives and have undergone a gentle drying process that gives them their texture and keeps them fresh. Although dried, salt hasn’t been added.

Because it’s pure chicken, this dog treat has a crude protein content of 76%, which is very high in comparison to other treats. One treat contains 13 calories, so give them to your dog in moderation to avoid weight gain. Unfortunately, due to its drying process, these treats can become crushed into crumbs, which can be disappointing and a waste of money.

If your dog has sensitivities to certain animal proteins, they may benefit from Jiminy’s Cricket Peas & Sweet Potato Recipe Chicken-Free Dog Treats, thanks to their usage of crickets, a novel, and sustainable protein. These strong-smelling treats are a good option for overweight dogs as they contain less than 3 calories per treat. However, they are quite pricey.

The best treats for your dog are nutritious ones, and these contain peas and sweet potatoes, which are high in iron, fiber, taurine, vitamins, and omegas. They’re free from soy and fillers and are soft and chewy, perfect for all types of dogs, so you can share these between your Lab and your other smaller dog breed.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Treats for Labs

There is a lot more to treat-giving than many people realize. Firstly, you have to give your Lab the right type of treats according to their life stage and health issues. Some treats that are suitable for adult Labs may not be suitable for Lab puppies or senior Labs with dental issues. Also, be aware of the ingredients in your dog’s treats and avoid giving them more than their daily calorie treat intake.

What Are the Different Types of Treats I Should Give My Lab?

There is a variety of dog treats on the market, but some of them serve different purposes. Soft and chewy treats are a good choice when training your dog because they’re easy to eat and swallow quickly, while crunchy treats are a better option to keep your dog occupied. Have a look at the different types of treats and their purposes.

Crunchy

Crunchy treats are fun to eat; they’re also easy to break into smaller pieces to feed to your Lab to make the same treat last longer. Crunchy treats are baked and don’t contain much moisture. Examples are biscuits, cookies, kibbles, and bars. They can be used for overweight dogs because you can portion out how much you break off and give them. Crunchy treats come in different sizes, suitable for your dog’s life stage or breed.

Soft and Chewy

These treats contain a lot more moisture than crunchy treats and are one of the best options to use for training purposes because they’re flavorful and quick to eat. Because they’re so soft, they can also be broken up into smaller sizes for portion control, smaller dogs, and easy pocket carrying during training. They’re a good option for puppies or older dogs that struggle to eat harder treats.

Freeze-Dried or Dehydrated

These treats consist of only one ingredient because they’re a freeze-dried or dehydrated version of either meat, fruit, or vegetables. They’re the healthiest type of dog treat and are full of flavor. They can also be used for training and don’t leave crumbs everywhere. If you have a food dehydrator, you can make these treats for your dog yourself.

Human Food

Although you shouldn’t share your lunch with your dog, it is okay to give them certain low-calorie pieces of fruits, vegetables, and even unseasoned meat. Never give your dog these treats in their full form, as they can be a choking hazard, but chopping them up into bite-sized pieces should be safe to chew. Apples, cucumber, carrots, plain popcorn, and blueberries are some of the human food treats your dog can enjoy in moderation.

If it’s a hot day, you can freeze some of these treats to make them extra cold and appealing. They’re high in moisture and are an affordable treat option that you can share with your Lab. Make sure that the treat you give your dog is safe to eat because some human food is poisonous to dogs while others are high in sodium, sugar, and calories which could upset their stomachs.

What Treat Is Best for My Dog?

Soft and chewy treats are better suited for small breeds, puppies, and senior dogs because they’re generally small, easy to chew, and soft on the teeth. However, a healthy Labrador Retriever can eat any of the treat types listed above due to their large size and strong teeth.

In fact, the crunchy treats that might be too hard for puppies and senior Labs are a great option for adult Labs because the harder texture breaks down plaque on their teeth as they chew. However, never give your Lab a treat that is so hard that it hurts if you tap it against your elbow or knee because those are potential choking hazards.

What Ingredients Are in Dog Treats?

Even in treat form, you should aim to give your dog high-quality ingredients that will benefit them nutritionally. Avoid treats with fillers, lots of preservatives, and synthetic ingredients and instead, get treats that have a shorter list of uncomplicated whole-food ingredients on the packaging. Examples of good ingredients are real fruits, vegetables, and meat.

How Many Treats Are Recommended Per Day?

We love our dogs, and you may feel like you should express your feelings about them by giving them treat after treat. As happy as this will make them, it’s not a healthy option as dogs should only receive 10% of their daily calorie intake through treats.

Remember that giving your dog several treats a day isn’t a vital part of their diet, and you can go many days without giving them any. Treats are great for rewarding good behavior and training, but dogs do get all the nutrients they require from their meals. If your dog is overweight, it might be better to lay off the treats for a while.

When Shouldn’t I Give My Lab a Treat?

Treats are given to dogs as positive reinforcement for good behavior, which means that they should never be given for bad behavior. Your dog will get the impression that they should do more of that because they’re being rewarded for it. Avoid treat-giving when your dog is jumping, barking, or being disobedient.

You should also avoid giving treats around mealtimes or replacing your dog’s meal with treats. Too many treats around the wrong time may put your dog off eating their food because they’re full. Your dog’s food is nutritious, and while treats contain some nutrition, their food should never come second to treats.

Avoid giving your dog treats when they have an upset stomach or when they’re fasting due to an upset stomach. During these times, your dog’s body needs bland food to help their gut adapt to their food, and treats may worsen their condition. Instead, give them lots of water.

Conclusion

Labrador Retrievers love dog treats, and they’re an excellent reward for good behavior. We’ve listed 11 reviews of our top choices for Lab treats. Our best overall pick is Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Meatballs Dog Treats because they’re soft and mouthwatering. Our best-for-the-money pick is the American Journey Peanut Butter Recipe Grain-Free Oven Baked Crunchy Biscuit Dog Treats because they’re nutritious and affordable. Our premium choice is Ziwi Good Dog Rewards Air-Dried Beef Dog Treats due to their high-quality ingredients and high percentage of protein.

Featured Image Credit: Mitchell Orr, Unsplash