Last Updated on May 20, 2026 by Shannon
One of the questions I get asked a lot is whether I give Luna homemade dog treats, store-bought treats, or both.
The answer is honestly… both.
I make a lot of homemade treats for Luna because I enjoy it, and she absolutely loves them. But I also keep store-bought treats in the house all the time because sometimes convenience matters, especially during training sessions or when I need something quick.
I don’t think it has to be all or nothing. Homemade treats and store-bought treats can both have a place in your routine depending on your dog, your schedule, and what you need the treats for.
So if you’re new here and wondering what I actually use with my own dogs, here’s a realistic look at what works for us.
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Why I Use Homemade Dog Treats
Homemade treats are what originally inspired this blog.
I started making treats because I liked knowing exactly what was going into them, and honestly, it became a fun activity for both my dogs and me. There’s something really rewarding about pulling a batch of treats out of the oven (or freezer) and seeing Luna immediately appear in the kitchen, hoping for a taste test.
Most of the homemade treats I make are:
- Frozen treats
- Simple baked treats
- No-bake treats
I usually use ingredients like:
- Pumpkin
- Peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- Banana
- Greek yogurt
- Oats
- Applesauce
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Sweet potato
For me, homemade treats are more about enrichment and fun than training. They’re something special I can give Luna during the day, especially frozen treats during warmer weather.
I typically use homemade treats:
- As an everyday “just because” treat
- For enrichment activities
- As a cooling snack in warmer weather
- To use up dog-safe ingredients I already have at home
- When I want to make something special for Luna
Most of the frozen treats and no-bake treats I make are not something I’d personally use during training sessions because they’re larger, messier, or take longer to eat.
Some baked treats work well as training treats if cut small enough, but training is usually where store-bought treats are more practical for me.
The Dog Treat Cookbook
Now available for purchase is The Dog Treat Cookbook, a compilation of 42 recipes from this blog. Available for purchase on Amazon as both an ebook and a paperback book. Click the buy now button to be taken to my author page on Amazon.
Why I Still Use Store-Bought Treats
As much as I love making homemade dog treats, I’m also realistic.
Sometimes I need treats that are:
- Fast
- Portable
- Less messy
- Easy to break apart
- Small enough for repeated rewards during training
That’s where store-bought treats come in.
I especially rely on them for:
- Training sessions
- Walks
- Vet visits
- Giving medications
- Puzzle toys
- Travel
When you’re rewarding your dog repeatedly during training, tiny soft treats are usually much easier than homemade frozen treats or larger biscuits.
The Store-Bought Treats I Actually Use
These are the treats I’ve personally used with Luna (and previously with Morgan).
Zuke’s Mini Naturals Soft Dog Training Treats
These are probably the treats I use most often for training.
I like that they’re:
- Small
- Soft
- Easy to carry
- Easy to break apart
- Quick for dogs to eat during training
They work especially well for repetitive reward-based training where you don’t want to constantly hand out large treats.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Mini-Rewards
I’ve also had good experiences with these treats.
I like having a limited ingredient option available, especially for dogs that may be sensitive to certain ingredients.
These are another treat I mainly use for:
- Training
- Walks
- Quick rewards
Merrick Power Bites Soft Dog Treats
I used these for quite a while because both of my dogs loved them.
Morgan never had any issues with them. Honestly, she had a stomach of steel and could seemingly eat anything without problems. Luna, on the other hand, got diarrhea after eating them multiple times, so I eventually stopped using them for her.
To be fair, it may have been a coincidence since there were other factors at the time that could have contributed. But when you have a dog as big as Luna, you try to avoid anything that could potentially trigger digestive issues if you notice a pattern.
That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bad treats. Every dog is different, and some dogs simply react differently to certain ingredients or richer treats. That experience was a good reminder that even treats marketed as high-quality may not work for every individual dog.
Pedigree Dentastix
For dental treats, I’ve used Dentastix quite a bit over the years.
They’re easy, convenient, and something both Morgan and Luna enjoyed.
Dental treats are one of those categories where convenience really matters to me because it’s something I want to consistently remember to give.
BarkBox Treats and BarkBright
One thing I really like about BarkBox treats is the convenience.
Having treats delivered monthly means I don’t have to remember to restock treats at the store all the time.
I’ve also used BarkBright instead of Dentastix at times for the same reason. Having dental chews arrive automatically just makes life easier.
Homemade vs Store-Bought: Which Is Better?
I honestly don’t think there’s one “right” answer.
For me, it comes down to using different treats for different situations.
I Usually Use Homemade Treats For:
- Everyday treats
- Enrichment
- Frozen snacks
- Special homemade recipes
- Fun bonding activities
Easy Homemade Dog Treat Recipes has a few of my favorite homemade dog treats.
I Usually Use Store-Bought Treats For:
- Training
- Walks
- Medication
- Vet visits
- Travel
- Convenience
Both can work well together.
You do not have to make every single treat from scratch to be a great dog owner. And you also don’t have to avoid homemade treats just because store-bought options are easier.
Sometimes the best option is simply the one that realistically fits into your life.
Things I Personally Look For in Dog Treats
Whether I’m buying treats or making them myself, a few things matter most to me:
- My dog tolerates them well
- They’re easy to use for their intended purpose
- The ingredients make sense for my dog
- Luna actually enjoys them
- They fit into our routine realistically
I also always recommend introducing new treats slowly, especially if your dog has a sensitive stomach.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, I use both homemade and store-bought treats regularly.
Homemade treats are something I genuinely enjoy making, and they’ve become a huge part of this blog. But store-bought treats still make life easier in a lot of situations, especially for training and convenience.
You don’t have to pick one side.
If you’re new to homemade dog treats, you can absolutely start small. Even making one simple frozen treat recipe occasionally can be a fun way to spoil your dog without feeling like you need to do everything from scratch.
And if you mostly use store-bought treats? That’s completely fine too.
The best treat routine is the one that works for both you and your dog.