Blue Buffalo Nudges Jerky Cuts Natural Dog Treats

The Verdict

The Short Version: A clean-label jerky treat that dogs actually go crazy for — but it costs more and has some size consistency quirks.

Let me start with the thing that matters most to any dog owner: will your dog eat it? In the case of Blue Buffalo Nudges Jerky Cuts, the answer is almost certainly yes. The 4.7-star average across 235 ratings reflects a treat that dogs genuinely love, not one that just looks good on a label.

What You Actually Get

The bag contains soft, jerky-style strips made primarily from chicken — and here’s the key distinction: real chicken, not chicken meal or by-product meal. The ingredient list is refreshingly short for a jerky product: chicken, vegetable glycerin, salt, and a few natural preservatives like mixed tocopherols. No corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or the chemical preservatives (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin) that plague many mass-market treats.

As shown in the product image, the pieces are thin, flat strips with a slightly darker color than you’d expect from a baked treat — that’s the mark of real meat being slowly dried rather than extruded and formed.

Real-World Performance

The texture is where these treats shine. They’re soft and pliable, not rock-hard like many jerky products. That matters for two groups: senior dogs with dental issues and small breeds with delicate jaws. One reviewer noted, “My 14-year-old beagle with only a few teeth left can chew these without any trouble.” That’s a consistent theme in the feedback — dogs that struggle with hard biscuits or crunchy training treats can handle these easily.

The flavor intensity is worth mentioning. These smell strongly of chicken — I mean strongly. The aroma fills the bag and transfers to your hands immediately after touching them. That’s not a complaint; it’s evidence of real meat content. Dogs respond accordingly. Multiple reviewers describe dogs who “come running from across the house” when the bag opens.

What Buyers Consistently Praise

The most common theme in positive reviews is the ingredient transparency. Buyers who switched from cheaper treats specifically mention feeling better about what they’re feeding. As one reviewer put it, “I read the ingredient list three times because I couldn’t believe there wasn’t something hidden in there.” Another praised the lack of “that greasy residue you get with cheaper jerky treats.”

The soft texture gets consistent shout-outs too, particularly from owners of older dogs and small breeds like Yorkies and Chihuahuas.

Where It Falls Short

Let’s be honest about the downsides. First, size consistency is genuinely inconsistent. Some strips come out small — small enough that a large dog (Labrador-sized or bigger) could potentially swallow them whole without chewing. That’s a supervision situation, not a dealbreaker, but it’s real. If you have a gulper, break pieces in half before feeding.

Second, the price. Per ounce, these run noticeably higher than grocery store jerky treats. You’re paying for the cleaner ingredient list and the Blue Buffalo brand. Whether that’s worth it depends on how much you value ingredient transparency in treats versus just the treat itself.

Third, the strong smell. If you’re sensitive to meaty odors, this might bother you. It doesn’t linger in the house — just on your hands until you wash them.

Who Should Buy This

Buy these if: You have a senior dog with dental issues, a small breed that struggles with hard treats, or a picky eater who turns their nose up at everything else. Also buy if you’re deliberately avoiding treats with by-product meals, artificial preservatives, or corn/wheat/soy fillers.

Skip these if: You have an extremely large dog prone to swallowing treats whole without chewing, you’re on a tight budget for treats, or you prefer crunchy treats for dental scraping benefits. For dental health, look at Greenies or hard biscuits instead — this is a soft treat, not a dental aid.

FAQ

Q: Are these safe for puppies? A: Yes, the ingredients are clean and there’s nothing toxic to young dogs. But the piece size is variable, so cut them into smaller portions for puppies under six months. Supervise any treat-giving with young dogs.

Q: How many calories per piece? A: The manufacturer lists roughly 15-20 calories per strip depending on size. Given the size inconsistency, treat them as a medium-value reward — not something to hand out endlessly. For a 30-pound dog, a few pieces a day is reasonable.

Q: Can these be used as training treats? A: They’re a bit large for high-frequency training sessions unless you break them into smaller bits. They’re better suited for rewards, puzzle toys, or as a special treat rather than rapid-fire clicker training. For training, cut each strip into 4-6 smaller pieces.

The Verdict

Rating: 4.6/5

Buy it if you want a clean-ingredient jerky treat with real chicken as the first ingredient, especially for senior dogs, small breeds, or picky eaters. The soft texture and genuine meat content justify the higher price for most owners.

Skip it if you have a large gulper who doesn’t chew, you’re on a strict treat budget, or you need treats sized consistently for training purposes.

The ingredient quality is genuinely better than most jerky treats on Amazon, and the 4.7-star rating reflects that. Just supervise the variable piece sizes and you’ve got a treat most dogs will lose their minds over.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.