Baked vs. Dehydrated Dog Treats: What's the Difference?

"Baked" and "dehydrated" both show up on dog treat bags. They are different ways of making a treat, and neither is automatically better.

Dehydrated treats

Dehydrating removes moisture slowly at lower temperatures. The result is often chewy or jerky-like. Temperatures and methods vary by brand, and some brands test their process to check that it controls bacteria. If a treat is dehydrated raw meat, ask the brand how they do that.

Baked treats

Baking cooks the ingredients with higher, dry heat. That gives a crunchier, drier treat. Cooking helps reduce bacteria, but no method removes all risk, so wash your hands after handling treats and store them sealed.

Questions to ask about either

• Where are the treats made?
• What is the full ingredient list?
• What is the guaranteed analysis, including the maximum moisture?
• How should I store the treats once the bag is open?

How we make ours

We bake every Duke's Delights recipe in small batches in Texas. Each treat is about 16 calories, and maximum moisture on our labels is 6.8% to 10.8%. Every recipe has organic brown rice, eggs and organic peanut butter, so check the label if your dog has allergies.

Not sure which flavor to try? Read our guide to all six or our FAQ.