Most dog owners read the ingredient list on their dog's food. Fewer do the same for treats – even though a dog can eat dozens of treats a day, every single day, for ten years. That starts to become a significant dietary component.

This guide will help you understand what differentiates natural treats from others, what to look for on the label, and which types of natural treats are suitable for different situations and dogs.

What does "natural" actually mean?

There is no official regulation of the term "natural" in pet food in Norway. This means that manufacturers can use it quite freely – even on products with long ingredient lists full of additives.

The practical definition we use is simple: a natural dog treat contains only raw ingredients found in nature, processed with simple methods such as drying, air-drying, or freezing. No artificial preservatives, no colorants, no flavorings, no binders.

In practice, this means that the ingredient list is short enough for you to read in one breath – and that you recognize everything on it.

The ingredient list – what to look for

The ingredient list on dog treats is organized by weight – the heaviest ingredient comes first. This is useful to know because it reveals what your dog is actually eating most of.

• Number of ingredients – Fewer is almost always better. One ingredient is ideal. Ten ingredients is a red flag.
• Specified protein source – "Chicken" is better than "poultry." "Atlantic mackerel" is better than "fish." The more specific, the more you know.
• Dried vs. fresh – "Chicken" high on the list weighs more because it contains water. After drying, the actual amount is lower than the list placement suggests.
• Preservatives – Natural ones like tocopherol (Vitamin E) and rosemary extract are unproblematic. BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin should be avoided.

What you should avoid

• Artificial preservatives – BHA, BHT, propyl gallate, ethoxyquin.
• Artificial colorants – Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2. They make the treats look appealing on the shelf. Your dog doesn't care about the color.
• Unspecified meat meal – "Meat meal" without a specified animal species is not traceable.
• Sugar and molasses – Used as flavor enhancers. Dogs do not need added sugar.
• Corn flour and wheat flour – Fillers that increase volume without nutritional value.

Two types of natural treats

Chew treats – for long sessions

Chew treats are anatomical parts from animals – ears, tendons, trachea, pizzle, oxtail – dried or air-dried without additives. They are made to be chewed over time: natural dental care, mental calmness, and long shelf life. The harder and denser, the longer they last.

See the full selection of dog chew treats.

Dried treats – for daily use and training

Dried treats are light, crunchy varieties – dried mackerel, chicken breast, deer backstrap, beef liver. Not intended for long chewing sessions, but for quick rewards during training, as a food topping, or in your pocket on walks.

See the full selection of dried dog treats.

Monoprotein – one ingredient, no guessing

A monoprotein treat contains only one protein source. This sounds simple, but it is surprisingly rare in practice. Most commercial treats contain two, three, or more protein sources – making it impossible to isolate which one your dog might react to.

For dogs with food allergies or sensitive stomachs, this is not a trend – it's a prerequisite. Read more in our explanation of monoprotein treats, or go directly to our collection of monoprotein treats.

Mr. Bones – the specialist behind many of the products

Mr. Bones is the brand we have chosen for natural treats. Each product contains one raw ingredient, dried or air-dried without additives. The protein sources are traceable: Iberian pork from free-range pigs in Spain, Atlantic fish from northern waters, duck from known breeders. The ingredient lists are always shorter than you expect – because there's nothing to hide.

They make two types: chew treats (pig ear, beef tendon, beef trachea, pizzle, duck neck) for long sessions, and dried treats (mackerel, chicken breast, deer backstrap, beef liver) for daily use. Prices start at 89–99 kr per pack.

Buddy Pet Foods – single-protein for training

Where Mr. Bones specializes in natural chew and dried varieties, Buddy Pet Foods are the experts in training treats. All products are soft, easy to break into pieces, and made from a single protein source: duck, salmon, ostrich, lamb, deer, or beef.

See training treats from Buddy Pet Foods.

How to choose the right treat

• Your dog needs something to keep occupied → Chew treats. Pig ear, beef tendon, or beef trachea depending on size.
• Training and daily reward → Dried treats or Buddy Pet Foods. Break them into small pieces.
• Sensitive stomach or allergies → Monoprotein. Start with a protein your dog has never tried – deer, ostrich, or fish are safe starting points.
• Puppy → Softer varieties. Avoid the hardest chew treats until their teeth are fully developed.

See the full selection in our collection of natural dog treats. Free shipping on all orders over 249 kr.