My dog Petal loves treats. She’s not fussy, she’ll eat anything, but even with her love of food, she definitely has favourites. You know, the kind of treat she’ll do absolutely anything for. Those are what we call high-value treats in this house, and they’re worth their weight in gold when it comes to training, enrichment, or just saying “good dog!”
Here are some of our top picks. These are the treats I keep stocked at all times because Petal loves them, and I do too (mostly because they’re natural, New Zealand-made, and full of good stuff).
Gourmate
Petal gets one Gourmate treat every night without fail. It’s part of our evening routine where she goes into her crate, I close and lock the door, and only then does she eat her treat (she’s very serious about guarding her prize).
It doesn’t matter what flavour, hoki, salmon, mussels, or any of the others, she loves them all. And I love that Gourmate treats are natural, freeze-dried, and made with no nasties. What you see is what you get. The mussels look like mussels because they are mussels. If you haven’t tried them yet, go get yourself (well, your dog) a pack. You won’t regret it.
We actually also use there supplement Bounce every day for Petal's joints. We have tried multiple joint supplements and this is the only one that we have seen a visible, positive, effect from so we are HUGE Gourmate fans in this house.
Raw Essentials
Since Petal’s on a raw diet, I’m always on the lookout for treats that fit with her food routine. Raw Essentials has a great range of raw-friendly treats that I pick up when I’m restocking her meals.
Tripe treats are a big hit, even if they smell a bit intense! The salmon bites are another favourite. I like that they’re simple, natural, and easy to use in a snuffle mat or as training rewards. Plus, they’re great for her digestion and coat.
Dog Knight
Dog Knight is one of my newer discoveries and an absolute gem. Their treats are made with locally sourced ingredients and are completely grain-free, which I love. The venison bites have been a big hit here, they’re chewy, meaty, and high value enough that Petal actually focuses when we’re working on trick training (a rare feat).
I also love the size of their treats for on-the-go training and enrichment toys. Easy to carry, not too greasy, and packed with flavour. A definite winner.
Zeal Pet Food
Zeal is another favourite in our house, especially their air-dried tripe and venison treats. They’re crunchy, high in protein, and super easy to break into smaller bits for training. I love that they’re made right here in New Zealand with no artificial additives or preservatives, just honest ingredients and lots of flavour.
If you’re looking for a trusted, NZ-made treat brand with a good variety of options, Zeal is well worth checking out.
Treats That Work for You
There are so many treat options out there that it can get overwhelming. My rule is this: if Petal loves it, it’s made with real ingredients, and it fits her diet, it goes in the pantry. If it makes training easier, keeps her occupied with a snuffle mat, or just adds a bit of joy to her day, it’s worth it.
What are your dog’s favourite treats? I’m always keen to hear about what other pups love. And if you haven’t tried Gourmate yet… trust me. You’re in for a winner.
0 comments