Buying guide for Best dog treat bags
Most dogs will do (or stop doing) just about anything for a treat. Whether you're teaching a new puppy to walk on a leash or training your dog to ignore squirrels, birds, and other common doggy distractions, having a few treats on hand can be immensely helpful. If you're looking for a hassle-free way to tote your dog's favorite tidbits, a dog treat bag is an excellent solution.
Dog treat bags come in a wide variety of styles and sizes, but they're all designed to keep your hands free and your dog's treats ready for action. Most dog treat bags clip right onto your belt or secure around your waist, and a few come with a strap for crossbody carrying as well.
If you need help choosing a dog treat bag, you're in the right place. Our guide walks you through everything you need to know about choosing, using, and maintaining a dog treat bag. When you're done, don't forget to check out our top five dog treat bags highlighted above.
Key considerations
Accessibility
Having to fiddle and fumble to reach your dog's treats isn't just frustrating, it's distracting as well. While a dog treat bag needs to hold those tasty morsels securely, treats shouldn't be so difficult to access that your dog ends up losing focus on the training session at hand.
The closure type and the size of the opening have a major impact on accessibility. Let's take a quick look.
Opening: The opening should be large enough to accommodate your hand with room to spare. This way there's no chance of your hand getting stuck on the way in or out.
Closure: When it comes to the closure, you have a few options to choose from. The most common types include zippers, hook-and-loop flaps, magnetic snaps, and drawstrings. Of the four, magnetic snaps and drawstring closures are probably the easiest to navigate, especially if you need to open the bag with one hand.
Capacity
Dog treat bags come in a wide variety of sizes. While some are only large enough to hold a few small treats, others have enough space to accommodate a veritable puppy picnic. When it comes to size and capacity, there are no hard and fast rules that apply to every dog and every owner. Whereas smaller dogs and puppies might be happy with just a few treats, bigger dogs often need larger quantities to stay motivated. In addition to your dog's size, you may want to consider the duration and difficulty of the training sessions, as well as the number of dogs you intend to work with.
Carrying style
Waist belts, shoulder straps, and waist clips are the three most popular carrying styles. Some dog treat bags come with a combination of straps and clips so users can choose their preferred carrying method.
Waist belts, or waist straps, fasten around your (you guessed it) waist and generally allow you to position the treat bag wherever you want, either directly in front of you or at your side. A waist belt can be particularly handy if you need to head out in a bulky winter jacket or coat.
Shoulder straps are usually found on large dog treat bags that would be too heavy when filled to clip onto your belt. These are designed to be worn across the body for improved weight distribution.
Waist clips hook onto the waist of your pants or your belt. If you dislike feeling restricted by straps or simply want something that's quick and easy to put on and take off, a model with a waist clip is worth considering. However, keep in mind that waist clip treat bags tend to be small and can be somewhat tricky to use with high-waisted pants or bulky winter jackets.
Did You Know?
Dog treat bags made of fabrics like nylon and polyester generally come in a much wider variety of sizes than their silicone counterparts.
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Features
Materials
Silicone, nylon, and polyester are the most common materials for dog treat bags.
Silicone dog treat bags are naturally waterproof and tend to be extremely easy to clean, making them a great choice for wet, greasy, or smelly treats. However, it's worth noting that most silicone treat bags are small clip-on models.
Nylon and polyester are both known to be durable, water resistant, and easy to care for. Bags made of these materials are often larger than silicone varieties.
Extra compartments
Some dog treat bags come with additional pockets and compartments to hold extra treats, poop bags, a dog whistle, phone, keys, or other small items. While extra compartments probably aren't a make-or-break feature, they certainly are convenient.
Water-resistant lining
Dog treat bags with a water-resistant or waterproof lining can be ideal for moist or oily treats that may otherwise soak through the material. Not only can a liner help keep your dog treat bag looking clean, but it can also keep it smelling fresh by preventing oils and moisture from being absorbed into the fabric. Some liners can even be removed for washing.
Color and style
Whether you're a dog trainer or a pet parent, odds are you'll be out and about with your dog treat bag often, if not daily. Dog treat bags are available in an array of colors and styles, so why not take the time to look for something that will blend in with your wardrobe?
Bonus accessories
A few dog treat bags come with nifty accessories like a clicker, poop bags, carabiners, or a collapsible water bowl, adding extra value to your purchase.
Choosing a dog treat bag that offers more than one carrying method, such as a belt clip and an optional shoulder or waist strap, is a great way to boost versatility and improve comfort.
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Accessories
Dog treats: Cloud Star Wag More Bark Less Dog Treats
Feel good about filling your dog treat bag by choosing healthy and delicious grain-free treats like these pumpkin-flavored ones.
Poop bags: Pogi's Pet Supplies Earth-Friendly Waste Bags
No one enjoys picking up doggy doo, but the right poop bags can make the job a bit more bearable and these have a “powder fresh” scent.
Dog water bottle: OllyDog OllyBottle Portable Dog Water Bottle
Training can be thirsty work, so be sure to bring a drink of water for your dog. A dog water bottle is one of the most convenient ways to store and pour your pup's water.
Did You Know?
If you trust your dog enough to carry its own treats, there are some dog treat bags that can be secured to your dog's harness using a carabiner or clip.
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Dog treat bag prices
Inexpensive: Smaller dog treat bags generally start at around $5 to $10. Simple clip-on models can be found at the lower end of this price range, while those that come with straps and extra compartments usually cost closer to $10.
Mid-range: For between $10 and $15, you can find dog treat bags in just about any style and size. Many in this price bracket also come with handy extras, including additional pockets and compartments, clicker, collapsible water bowl, and so on.
Expensive: Extra-large dog treat bags, models with lots of handy features and extras, and double packs of smaller treat bags cost anywhere from $15 to $30.
Tips
- Size up. Bigger might be better if you're unsure what size dog treat bag to buy. Sizing up is a good idea if you have a large dog or more than one fur baby and you aren't sure which size to choose.
- Don't leave treats in the bag overnight. As tempting as it can be to leave any leftovers in the bag for later, doing so will only result in stale, rock-hard bits that are anything but a treat for your dog's teeth.
- Use high-value treats for difficult or long training sessions. High-value treats are those irresistible little tidbits your dog will do practically anything for, and they usually come in the form of moist or freeze-dried morsels. Give your dog high-value treats during particularly long or difficult training sessions to help keep Fido focused and motivated.
- Opt for a treat bag that's easy to clean. Dog treats can be smelly and, in some cases, messy. Dog treat bags that can be tossed into the dishwasher or washing machine are by far the easiest to keep fresh and clean.
FAQ
Q. What's the best way to clean a dog treat bag?
A. Most silicone dog treat bags can be placed in the dishwasher, while fabric varieties can generally either be washed in the washing machine or by hand. That said, you should never tumble dry a treat bag because extreme temperatures can break down any water-resistant lining. The best way to clean any dog treat bag is to follow the manufacturer’s care instructions.
Q. Can I use a dog treat bag while jogging?
A. Although dog treat bags aren't specifically designed for jogging, there's no reason why you couldn't use one for this purpose. A model with a secure drawstring closure and a waist belt should do the trick.
Q. Is a dog treat fanny pack the same as a treat bag?
A. Yes, more or less. Dog treat fanny packs and treat bags both hold treats and keep your hands free while you're outdoors with your dog. However, dog treat bags generally offer a bit more versatility in terms of carrying style. Whether you should opt for a fanny pack or a treat bag is simply a matter of personal preference.
