We all give our dogs a treat from time to time. Some owners treat their pets every day, while others use them sparingly to reward good behavior or cheer up their canine companion after a long day. No matter how often you use them, it's important to be sure that you're buying dog treats that are safe and healthy for your pet.
But, how do you know that the dog treats you are feeding your pet are truly healthy?
Well, how do you tell if the food you buy for yourself is healthy? You read the label and you check the ingredients. You buy from companies that have a reputation for selling safe and healthy products. So why not use the same logic when shopping for products for your dog?
Isle of Dogs is a company that prides themselves on creating healthy products for dogs (and they have a huge variety of them). I researched the company and was pleased with the listed ingredients on their dog treats in particular. Did my dogs like them? You'll have to read below or watch the video to find out!
SEE MORE VIDEOS: Best Dog Supplies Reviews & Videos
Isle of Dogs Nutri Stix and Everyday Essentials Dog Treats Review
Nutri Stix Dog Treats for Skin Health
These dog treats made by rapidly growing dog company Isle of Dogs are a great alternative to traditional jerky style doggy treats.
If your dog likes jerky treats, you have probably heard the laundry list of recalls on these types of products in recent years. The scary ingredients found in some of these treats were brought to late in 2007, and the list of recalls has been steadily growing ever since.
Our boxer, Chloe, prefers the chewy texture of jerky treats, so I am always looking for healthy alternatives. Recently I've taken to making my own, but these Nutri Stix treats are a more convenient option.
For starters, all Isle of Dogs treats are made in the U.S.A. with 100% natural ingredients. They are also gluten, wheat, soy and corn free – making them ideal for dogs with sensitive tummies.
There are three formulas of Nutri Stix treats:
- Joint
- Power
- Skin
I was sent the blend for skin health. The ingredients in this formula were chosen to help moisturize and condition skin. These treats are made with cod and flaxseed to promote overall skin and coat health.
All three formulas are free from artificial preservatives and flavors, refined sugars, or added salt. They also do not include any added synthetic vitamins or fillers. The ingredients for these dog treats include: cod, tapioca starch, flaxseed, garbanzo beans, dried cherries, glycerin, pork gelatin, poultry fat, lactic acid, and sorbic acid.
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As you can see in my video review, our dogs really enjoy these treats. They're big fans of the soft texture, which is similar to jerky treats, and the smell is really enticing to them. You'll be able to smell the cod as soon as you open the package. It's not a gross, overwhelming fishy smell, but it will entice your dog.
You can buy a 7-ounce package of Isle of Dogs Nutri Stix treats from $8.99. I counted the sticks in my bag, and there were 33. It's not labeled on the packaging, so you may get a couple more or a few less.
This is a very reasonable price for treats of this quality. Most treats made with the same quality of ingredients as Nutri Stix cost more than these. Also, jerky style treats like these typically cost more than biscuit type treats. I was very surprised at the reasonable price of Nutri Stix.
One thing I did notice is that the resealable zipper on the bag doesn't last as long as the treats do. I don't give my dogs treats everyday, so this package lasted about a month. After about the 10th time I opened it, the zipper stopped working correctly. I didn't mind, as I just put the remaining treats in a zipper-sealed bag.
Daily Essentials Hip, Joint & Bone Health
As you can see above, these biscuit style dog treats have a waffle design on top. They are about 1.5-inches in diameter, which is fairly large. However, they are soft enough to break easily if you have a small breed.
Daily Essentials dog treats are available in four varieties:
- Healthy Skin & Shiny Coat
- Puppy Growth & Brain Development
- Cleans Teeth & Freshens Breath
- Hip, Joint & Bone Health
I received the blend for hip, joint and bone health. They are a pumpkin-based treat, which was great news for me. Our dogs love pumpkin, and it's a super food for canines. It is loaded with fiber and beta-carotene (which you dog's body converts to Vitamin A). Pumpkin is great for gut health and digestion.
With all the benefits that Isle of Dogs treats have, including all-natural ingredients and no fillers, these treats are healthy and safe. They are made with blackberries and raspberries, which are full of antioxidants that help with arthritis and other joint issues.
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These treats are also made with ginger, which is a natural anti-inflammatory. The full ingredients list includes: oat flour, rice flour, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), flaxseed, pumpkin, blackberry, raspberry, ginger, dried kelp, dried brewer’s yeast, dried parsley flakes, and yucca schidigera extract.
Our boxer does not typically like biscuit treats, but she did enjoy these. She loves pumpkin, so I think that helps. There have been a few times when she would not eat these treats when they were offered, but I expected that.
Daily Essentials dog treats aren't extremely hard. As I mentioned, they're easy to break into pieces. When I break them apart for our boxer she is more likely to take them. If your dog is picky about biscuit treats, she may not like these either.
You can buy a 14-ounce box of these dog treats on Amazon for just $7.99. I counted the treats in the box I recieved and there were 44. Of course, it's not listed on the box so you may receive a few more or a few less.
I was happy that there were not a bunch of crushed up pieces in the bottom of the box, as there usually is when you buy biscuit treats. There were a few broken treats, but the pieces were large and you could still feed them to your dog.
Summary of the Isle of Dogs Nutri Stix and Daily Essentials Dog Treat Review
PROS:
Made in the U.S.A.- Made with all-natural ingredients
- Formulated to help with specific health issues
- More affordable than most dog treats of the same quality
CONS:
- The zipper on the Nutri Stix bag did not hold up well
- The Daily Essentials biscuits are dry (as all biscuit treats are), so if your dog prefers moist treats he will not likely eat these
Now it’s your turn to review Isle of Dogs Nutri Stix and Daily Essential dog treats
Have you tried these treats with your dog? What was your opinion of the texture and odor? Did your dog enjoy the taste? Have you found comparable treats at a lower price? I want to hear your opinion too – positive or negative. Please leave your personal review in the comments below, or you can leave photos or video reviews on our Facebook page.
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