Victor, my 12-year-old terrier cross, is a picky eater. Most dogs gobble up treats when offered, especially in the pet stores, but not Victor. He’s too distracted, and few treats interest him even at home. Travelling gets problematic because he’s even harder to feed.

So, who better to taste test some of the treats we were gifted while at BlogPaws, a pet bloggers conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?

Here’s Victor’s (honest) top four treats approved by a finicky canine for finicky canines. Four Paws (hearts) Rule!

1. Natural Balance Turkey Meat Balls

Yes, they are ball-shaped and made of turkey – premiere turkey according to Natural Balance. It’s the first ingredient listed on the package. Whatever the shape, these did the trick to get my dog Victor eating.

Often when we hit the road, he loses interest in his food and getting him to eat anything while travelling can be a challenge.

However, a few Natural Balance Turkey Meat Balls (affiliate link) in his bowl back at our Sheraton hotel room during the BlogPaws conference in Myrtle Beach and he not only ate the treats instantly, they stimulated him to eat the kibble underneath. He actually ate all his dinner for the first time in three days. (If you want to make your own dog treats, check out these popular peanut butter ones).

If possible, I’ll be travelling with turkey balls again. ♥♥♥♥

2. Smiling Dog Pork Puffs

Apparently, Victor is a little piggy for pork – or he is for these freeze-dried versions from Smiling Dog for HerbSmith Inc. (affiliate link) based in Wisconsin. The ingredients are simple: freeze-dried raw pork. That’s it.

Technically, this is a raw food. Wash your hands after feeding (and as a vegetarian, I find raw kind of gross).

But my carnivorous pup loves them. Travelling with them is out though because they’re raw – crossing the border might be an issue. But the package claims these are picky eater approved, and they lived up to the claim. ♥♥♥♥

3. Hill’s Science Diet Soft Savories

Hill’s Science Diet was the first ‘quality’ brand pet food I’d ever tried – about 20 years ago. It’s still synonymous with veterinary recommendations. So, I didn’t hesitate to give these new Soft Savories (affiliate link) a try.

Peanut butter and potatoes are the first two ingredients listed on the treat’s label and Victor is generally a peanut butter fan.

Although my dog liked these treats, he takes the out of his dish (as he does frequently) with a bit of hesitation. He eats them eventually, but they are harder than other treats (though not biscuit dry) and have a bit of crunch.

Being older, he likely prefers softer and meatier, though the flavour gets him crunching eventually. ♥♥♥

4. Merrick Backcountry Real Chicken Sausage Cuts

Round and sausage looking, Merrick Backcountry Sausage Cuts (affiliate link) could pass as people food on a snack try. According to the package, they are made with USA-sourced wood-smoked chicken with no by-products or fillers. The only ingredients listed are deboned chicken, dried skim milk, a preservative and rosemary extract.

I would travel with these. Slices are easy to give individually – or in food to encourage Victor to eat. ♥♥♥♥♥

Best of all they get a bonus heart for two reasons:

First, my dog ate them on the trade show floor the minute he was offered. That rarely happens – he doesn’t eat in public.

Second, Merrick partnered with K9s for Warriors, an organization that pairs service dogs with PTSD victims. Merrick provides the meals and training treats for each service dogs while they are training.

Watch the video and see if you’re not moved:
Merrick and K9s for Warriors