Your dog reacts to grains, or you’d just rather skip them. Either way, the treat aisle gets confusing fast.
The trick is matching the treat to the job. Soft training bites, allergy-friendly picks, and crunchy biscuits all play different roles.
This guide walks through grain-free treats worth a look, including Merrick Power Bites, Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats, and Cloud Star Tricky Trainers. We cover what sets each one apart.
Here’s where to start.
Why should you buy the best grain free dog treats?
Dogs love meat, so it’s no surprise that grain-free treats lean heavily on protein and skip grains entirely.
That doesn’t mean you’re trading away nutrients. Grain-free recipes still include vegetables and fruits to cover the vitamins and minerals your dog needs.
Many of them use sweet potatoes and legumes as a plant-based protein source and a substitute for the carbohydrates that grains would normally provide.
Our 10 Favorite Grain-Free Treats
Quick Comparison Chart
| # | Product | Our Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Merrick Power Bites Grain Free Beef | ★★★★★ | Check Price |
| 2 |  |
Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Chewy Salmon | ★★★★★ | Check Price |
| 3 |  |
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Turkey Biscuits | ★★★★★ | Check Price |
| 4 |  |
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wild Bones Dental Chews | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 5 |  |
Milo's Kitchen Steak Grillers | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 6 |  |
Cloud Star Wag More Bark Less Grain-Free Biscuits | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 7 |  |
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wild Bits Chicken | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 8 |  |
Rachael Ray Nutrish Burger Bites Beef and Bison | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 9 |  |
Waggin Train Chicken Jerky Tenders | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 10 |  |
Natural Balance LID Crunchy Biscuits Salmon | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
1. Merrick Power Bites Grain Free Beef
Soft and chewy real beef bites made with deboned beef as the first ingredient and no corn, soy, or wheat. A single-size treat that works for all breeds at any life stage.
Pros
- Deboned beef is the first ingredient
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Free from corn, soy, and wheat
- Soft star-shaped texture easy to chew
- Made in the USA with added vitamins and minerals
Cons
- Some owners report formula changes in recent batches
- Treats can be large for small dogs and may need to be cut
- Costs more than basic supermarket treats
Merrick Power Bites are chicken-free treats and gluten-free soft chews formulated for all life stages, so they work for puppies, adults, and seniors alike.
The recipe uses deboned beef as the primary protein and rounds things out with vitamins and minerals your dog actually needs.
There are no artificial flavors, no artificial colors, and no artificial preservatives. Soy, corn, and wheat are all absent from the ingredient list.
Made in the USA, these treats cover the nutritional basics without the filler ingredients that show up in so many supermarket options.
2. Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Chewy Salmon
Bite-sized, 3-calorie salmon training treats that stay soft and don't crumble in your hand. Each bag holds about 360 treats, making them ideal for frequent reward sessions.
Pros
- Only 3 calories per treat, great for frequent training
- Soft texture breaks into smaller pieces easily
- No wheat, corn, artificial flavors, or preservatives
- Recommended by professional trainers
- Made in the USA with US and imported ingredients
Cons
- Strong salmon smell can be off-putting for some owners
- Some dogs reject the treats on first smell
- Reported formula changes in some recent batches
Cloud Star Tricky Trainers are soft, chewy training treats built for high-repetition reward sessions. They come in salmon flavor and suit all dog breeds at any life stage.
Each piece has only 3 calories, so you can hand them out frequently without worrying about your dog’s waistline.
The recipe includes omega-6 fatty acids, zinc, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support skin and coat health. A special fiber blend keeps digestion smooth even with frequent use.
No artificial flavors, no added sugar, and no high fructose corn syrup. Made in the USA.
3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Turkey Biscuits
Crunchy grain-free biscuits with real turkey as the first ingredient and no corn, wheat, soy, or poultry by-products. A great anytime snack for dogs of all sizes.
Pros
- Real turkey as the first ingredient
- Grain-free with no corn, wheat, or soy
- No artificial preservatives or colors
- Crunchy texture helps clean teeth
- Available in multiple flavors including salmon and bison
Cons
- Some bags arrive with a significant amount of crumbs
- Crunchy texture isn't ideal for senior dogs with dental issues
- A few owners reported digestive sensitivity in their dogs
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Turkey Biscuits put real turkey first, which is standard across the Blue Buffalo lineup, and back it up with a solid mix of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The crunchy texture does double duty, keeping your dog satisfied while also helping scrub the teeth during chewing.
These biscuits come in several flavors including salmon, venison, bison, duck, and turkey, so you have room to rotate if your dog gets bored.
The formula includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health, plus a LifeSource Bits blend with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals aimed at immune support and oxidative balance. No poultry by-products, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or artificial colors.
4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wild Bones Dental Chews
Grain-free dental chew bones designed to reduce tartar and plaque while freshening breath. Made without corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives for once-daily treating.
Pros
- Designed to clean teeth and freshen breath daily
- No corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives
- Satisfies the natural urge to chew
- Grain-free formula with wholesome ingredients
- Available in multiple sizes for different breeds
Cons
- Chews can be consumed quickly by aggressive chewers
- Not VOHC certified for independent dental verification
- Narrower shape concerns some owners about choking risk
Blue Buffalo Wild Bones are daily dental chews designed to reduce tartar and plaque while freshening breath. They satisfy the urge to chew and do some real dental work at the same time.
The formula is grain-free with no corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives, and the ingredient list stays straightforward.
Wild Bones come in multiple sizes to fit different breeds and weight ranges, so you can match the chew to your dog. One per day is the intended routine.
5. Milo’s Kitchen Steak Grillers
Tender, homestyle treats cooked low and slow with real Angus steak as the main ingredient and no meat by-products, artificial flavors, or added corn or wheat.
Pros
- Real Angus steak is the main ingredient
- No meat by-products, artificial flavors, or fillers
- No added corn or wheat
- Cooked low and slow for a tender texture
- Produced in the USA in Spanish Fork, Utah
Cons
- Brand has had past recall history involving thyroid hormone levels
- Rubbery texture can be difficult for some dogs to chew
- A few owners reported digestive upset in sensitive dogs
Milo’s Kitchen Steak Grillers use real Angus steak as the main ingredient, cooked low and slow for a tender texture that most dogs take to right away.
There are no meat by-products, no artificial flavors or colors, and no wheat or corn. The recipe is produced in the USA in Spanish Fork, Utah.
The protein-rich formula supports lean muscle, and the added vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables give active dogs the energy they need.
One thing to be aware of: the Milo’s Kitchen brand has had past recall history, so it’s worth checking current status before buying if that’s a concern for you.
6. Cloud Star Wag More Bark Less Grain-Free Biscuits
Crunchy grain-free dog biscuits in an assorted box of peanut butter and apple, beef, and bacon and cheese flavors. Made with simple, clean ingredients and no grains.
Pros
- Genuinely grain free with no wheat, corn, or soy
- Three flavors in one box for variety
- Crunchy texture dogs enjoy
- Made with recognizable, simple ingredients
- Solid everyday biscuit for grain-sensitive dogs
Cons
- Biscuits are larger than training-size treats
- Assorted box means less control over flavors
- Not a single-protein option for elimination diets
Cloud Star Wag More Bark Less Grain-Free Biscuits are crunchy, oven-baked treats for dogs that do better without grains.
The assorted box mixes three flavors, peanut butter and apple, beef, and bacon and cheese, so treat time stays interesting without buying three separate bags.
Every biscuit skips wheat, corn, and soy and keeps the ingredient list simple and recognizable. That makes them an easy everyday pick for grain-sensitive dogs.
These run a little larger than training-size treats, so they work best as a sit-and-savor reward rather than rapid-fire training bait.
7. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wild Bits Chicken
Soft and chewy grain-free training bites packed with real chicken and DHA to support muscle health and cognitive development. No corn, wheat, soy, or poultry by-products.
Pros
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- DHA added to support cognitive development
- Grain-free with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- No corn, wheat, soy, or poultry by-products
- Soft texture is easy to chew for all breeds
Cons
- Some dogs refuse these treats on smell alone
- A few owners report softer or harder texture from recent batches
- Puppies with sensitive stomachs may experience loose stools
Blue Buffalo Wild Bits are soft, grain-free training bites with real chicken as the first ingredient. They’re easy to chew and work well for any adult dog breed after a training session.
The formula includes DHA, which supports cognitive development in dogs, along with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health.
No soy, wheat, corn, or poultry by-products. The LifeSource Bits blend adds antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support immune health.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are also included, with the recipe developed in consultation with veterinarians and nutritionists.
8. Rachael Ray Nutrish Burger Bites Beef and Bison
Soft and chewy burger-style bites with real beef as the first ingredient and no corn, soy, or by-product meals. The resealable pouch helps keep every treat fresh.
Pros
- Real beef is the number one ingredient
- No added corn or soy and no by-product meals
- Soft texture great for senior dogs
- Resealable bag keeps treats fresh
- Every purchase supports The Rachael Ray Foundation
Cons
- Treats can arrive crushed or crumbled in transit
- Some dogs with sensitivities have reported itching or digestive issues
- No probiotics included for digestive support
Rachael Ray Nutrish Burger Bites come in a 12-ounce resealable pouch with soft, chewy beef and bison burger-style treats. Real beef is the number one ingredient.
The recipe skips added corn, soy, by-product meals, artificial flavors, and artificial preservatives, keeping things focused on real protein.
The soft texture holds up well for seniors and smaller dogs that can’t handle a hard treat. Every purchase also supports animals in need through The Rachael Ray Foundation.
9. Waggin Train Chicken Jerky Tenders
Simple two-ingredient chicken jerky made with 100 percent real chicken breast and vegetable glycerin. Grain-free and corn-free with 62 percent protein per piece.
Pros
- Only two ingredients: chicken breast and vegetable glycerin
- Grain-free and corn-free with no artificial flavors
- High protein at 62 percent per piece
- Easily digestible for dogs of all sizes
- No fillers or artificial preservatives
Cons
- Treats can be very hard and difficult to chew for small dogs
- Some owners report digestive upset in sensitive dogs
- Treats are manufactured outside the USA
Waggin Train Chicken Jerky Tenders are about as simple as a treat gets. The ingredient list is just two items: chicken breast and vegetable glycerin.
There are no poultry by-products, no artificial flavors, and no preservatives. The jerky is grain-free and corn-free with 62 percent protein per piece.
They’re intended for adult dogs of any breed and come in different quantity options. One heads-up: these treats are manufactured outside the USA, which is worth noting if origin matters to you.
10. Natural Balance LID Crunchy Biscuits Salmon
Crunchy limited-ingredient biscuits with salmon as the single animal protein and sweet potato for grain-free fiber. Free from soy, gluten, artificial colors, and flavors.
Pros
- Salmon is the only animal protein for allergy-prone dogs
- Sweet potato provides grain-free digestive fiber
- No soy, gluten, artificial colors, or flavors
- Complete and balanced nutrition for all dog types
- Every batch tested for safety through Feed with Confidence program
Cons
- Some owners report formula changes causing digestive issues
- Crunchy texture not ideal for dogs with dental sensitivity
- Limited flavor variety compared to other treat lines
Natural Balance LID Crunchy Biscuits are built around a limited-ingredient philosophy. Salmon is the only animal protein, making this a smart option for allergy-prone dogs that need a short, controlled ingredient list.
Sweet potato is the carbohydrate source, providing grain-free fiber that supports healthy digestion. The recipe skips soy, wheat, corn, poultry by-products, and artificial colors and flavors.
The salmon variation is available in a 14-ounce bag. As a naturally rich source of omega fatty acids, salmon also supports brain and muscle health in dogs.
Vitamins and minerals are included, and every batch is tested for safety through Natural Balance’s Feed with Confidence program.
Why Should You Use Grain-Free Treats For Your Dog?
A lot of people assume meat is all a dog really needs, but that’s not quite right.
Dogs actually require six core nutrients: water, fats, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. Getting that balance right matters more than maxing out any one of them.
High protein sounds good on paper, but too much of it can cause digestive issues in some dogs. The right amounts vary by breed, but a good mix of all six nutrients is the goal regardless.
Before shopping for treats, it helps to check with your vet, especially if your dog has sensitivities or specific health needs.
When you’re reading labels, look for ingredient lists you recognize. If something seems unfamiliar or questionable, skip it.
Also worth keeping in mind: adult, indoor, neutered, and spayed dogs generally have lower energy needs. For dogs in that category, a calorie count of around 350 per cup is a reasonable target.
Final Thoughts
Grain-free treats make the most sense when you want to reward your dog without piling on empty carbohydrates, and the options on this list cover everything from training-sized soft bites to heartier chews.
Merrick Power Bites take the top spot because deboned beef is the first ingredient and the soft texture works for dogs of all sizes and ages. If you want to stay close to home with your purchases, our roundup of the best dog treats made in the USA has more options across different treat styles.
Treat calories add up faster than most owners expect. A good rule of thumb is to keep treats at or under ten percent of your dog’s daily calorie intake, and check with your vet if you’re not sure what that number looks like for your dog specifically.
Any of the ten picks here are solid choices as long as you match the treat size to your dog and stick to a sensible amount each day.
