Blue Buffalo True Chews Premium Natural Dog Treats
✅ PROS
- First ingredient is real deboned meat (chicken, beef, or salmon) with no poultry by-product meal
- Soft, meaty texture that breaks apart easily — suitable for senior dogs and small breeds with dental issues
- Made in USA facilities with globally sourced ingredients, backed by Blue Buffalo's 100% Feed Safe guarantee
❌ CONS
- Priced higher per ounce than grocery-store training treats — you're paying for the natural ingredient label
- Some buyers report inconsistent batch sizes — occasional smaller or crumbly pieces in the bag
The Verdict
The Short Version
If your dog is a picky eater — and most owners of picky dogs know the struggle — Blue Buffalo True Chews deserves a spot on your shortlist. This is a jerky-style treat that actually tastes like meat because the first ingredient is meat. No by-product meal, no corn, wheat, or soy. But it’s not the cheapest option on the shelf, and there are a couple of quirks worth knowing before you add it to your cart.
What You’re Actually Getting
As shown in the product image, True Chews come in a resealable pouch (typically 16 oz, though sizes vary by flavor). The treats themselves are soft, dense strips that look like real jerky — because they essentially are. Available in chicken, beef, salmon, and duck flavors, each variety leads with deboned meat, followed by vegetable glycerin, salt, and natural smoke flavor. Nothing you’ll need a chemistry degree to pronounce.
The texture is where this treat separates itself from the pack. It’s soft enough to tear by hand but holds its shape when your dog chews. That’s a meaningful detail for owners of senior dogs or small breeds with dental sensitivities — many “premium” treats are rock-hard and end up in the trash.
What Buyers Consistently Praise
The 4.6-star average across 229 ratings isn’t an accident. Scanning through customer feedback, three themes keep surfacing:
Pickiness solved. One reviewer writes, “My Shih Tzu turns her nose up at almost everything, but she goes crazy for these. I’ve bought three bags already.” That’s a common refrain — owners with notoriously finicky eaters report these treats work when others fail.
Ingredient confidence. Blue Buffalo leans hard on their “True Chews” line as being free of artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors. Multiple reviewers mention switching from grocery-store brands because they wanted simpler ingredient lists without giving up the treats their dogs actually enjoy.
Versatility. Because the treats are soft and easily broken into smaller pieces, owners report using them for training sessions, pill pockets, and general bribery without needing a separate product.
Where It Falls Short
Honesty requires acknowledging the tradeoffs here.
Price per ounce. These run noticeably higher than store-brand jerky treats. You’re paying for the natural positioning and the Blue Buffalo name. If your dog goes through treats quickly, the cost adds up — a 16-ounce bag disappears fast with a large breed.
Batch inconsistency. A handful of reviewers note that some bags contain smaller, drier pieces than others. Not a quality concern — all treats met the same standards — but if you’re particular about uniform sizes, know that you might get some crumbly bits at the bottom of the bag.
Not grain-free. If you specifically require grain-free treats for dietary reasons, check the label carefully — some True Chews varieties contain barley and oatmeal. Blue Buffalo has a separate grain-free line if that’s a hard requirement.
Who Should Buy These
Buy these if: Your dog is picky, you’re trying to move away from heavily processed treats, or you need a soft treat that works for training and for older dogs with dental concerns.
Skip these if: You’re on a tight budget and go through treats by the pound, or if you need a strictly grain-free product without checking individual flavor labels.
FAQ
Q: Are these treats suitable for puppies? A: Yes, but break them into smaller pieces. The soft texture makes them easy to portion, and the ingredient list is clean enough for developing dogs. As with any treat, monitor portion sizes relative to your puppy’s daily food intake.
Q: How should I store the bag after opening? A: The resealable pouch helps, but these treats have no artificial preservatives. If you live in a humid climate or the bag lasts more than a few weeks, consider transferring them to an airtight container. Some owners refrigerate them to maintain freshness.
Q: Can I use these as a complete meal replacement? A: No. These are treats and should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. They’re nutritionally balanced as treats, but they’re not a substitute for a complete dog food.
The Verdict
Buy it if you want a natural, soft, meat-first treat that most dogs genuinely love — and you’re willing to pay a modest premium for cleaner ingredients. Skip it if you need maximum value per pound or require a strictly grain-free formula without checking the label.
At 4.6/5, Blue Buffalo True Chews earns its rating. It’s not the cheapest treat on Amazon, but for picky eaters and owners who care about ingredients, it’s one of the most reliable options available.
Rating: 4.6/5 — Recommended.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.