Pedigree Dentastix vs Farmland Traditions Chicken Jerky vs Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats: Which Dog Treat Wins?

Introduction

Choosing the right dog treats can feel overwhelming with so many options on the market. Whether you're looking for dental benefits, training rewards, or just a special snack for your furry friend, the type of treat you choose makes a real difference in your dog's health and happiness.

Today we're comparing three highly-rated dog treats that serve different purposes: Pedigree Dentastix Small Breed for dental health, Farmland Traditions Chicken Jerky for training and everyday treats, and Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats for high-protein nutrition. Each has earned impressive 4.7/5 star ratings on Amazon and our own 9.8/10 scores, but they excel in different areas.

In this comprehensive comparison, we'll break down the key differences in ingredients, value, suitability for different dogs, and overall performance to help you choose the perfect treat for your canine companion.

Quick Verdict

After analyzing all three products, here's our quick take:

• Best for Dental Health: Pedigree Dentastix - specifically designed to reduce tartar and freshen breath
• Best for Training: Farmland Traditions Chicken Jerky - easy to break into small pieces, minimal ingredients
• Best High-Protein Option: Blue Buffalo Wilderness - real turkey, grain-free, suitable for all life stages
• Best Overall Value: Pedigree Dentastix - most treats per dollar with added dental benefits

Detailed Comparison: Purpose and Function

Pedigree Dentastix: The Dental Specialist

Pedigree Dentastix stands out as the only treat in our comparison specifically designed for dental health. The unique X-shaped design isn't just for looks - it's engineered to help clean teeth as dogs chew, reaching areas that regular treats might miss.

The triple-action formula works to reduce tartar buildup, clean teeth, and freshen breath with a mint flavor. For dog owners concerned about their pet's oral health, this is the clear winner. Dental disease affects over 80% of dogs by age 3, making these treats a proactive health investment.

However, these treats are limited to small breed dogs (7-22 pounds), which significantly narrows their market appeal.

Farmland Traditions: The Training Champion

The Farmland Traditions Chicken Jerky excels as a training treat due to its texture and ingredient simplicity. Made with just chicken and vegetable glycerin, it's easy to break into smaller pieces for frequent rewards during training sessions.

The dehydrated chicken format provides high-value protein that most dogs find irresistible, making it perfect for positive reinforcement. The minimal ingredient list also makes it suitable for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.

At 3 pounds, this bag offers excellent longevity for regular training sessions, though the higher price point reflects the premium, USA-made quality.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness: The Nutritional Powerhouse

Blue Buffalo focuses on delivering high-quality nutrition with real turkey as the first ingredient. The grain-free formula appeals to owners following ancestral diet philosophies for their pets, avoiding corn, wheat, and soy.

The crunchy biscuit texture provides some dental benefits through mechanical cleaning action, though it's not specifically formulated for oral health like the Dentastix. At 16 calories per treat, portion control is easier to manage.

The "all life stages" designation means these treats work for puppies, adults, and senior dogs alike, making them versatile for multi-dog households.

Value Analysis: Cost vs Benefits

Price per Pound Breakdown

When comparing pure cost, Blue Buffalo offers the best value at $8.44 per pound, followed by Pedigree Dentastix at $11.02, and Farmland Traditions at $13.00. However, this doesn't tell the complete story.

Functional Value Comparison

Pedigree Dentastix provides dual functionality as both a treat and dental care tool. Considering that professional dental cleanings can cost $300-800, the preventive value is significant. With 102 treats per bag, you get over three months of daily dental care at roughly 17 cents per treat.

Farmland Traditions justifies its higher cost through premium sourcing and manufacturing. Made in FDA-registered facilities with minimal processing, you're paying for quality assurance and ingredient purity. For training purposes, the ability to break treats into smaller pieces extends the value considerably.

Blue Buffalo strikes a middle ground with premium ingredients at a reasonable price. The grain-free, high-protein formulation provides nutritional benefits beyond simple reward value.

Ingredient Quality and Safety

Pedigree Dentastix Ingredients

The Dentastix formula prioritizes function over premium ingredients. While it contains wheat flour (not ideal for grain-sensitive dogs), it's formulated specifically for dental efficacy. The absence of artificial preservatives and added sugar shows attention to health concerns.

The mint flavoring is polarizing - some dogs love it, others are put off by it. The specific dental active ingredients set it apart from regular treats.

Farmland Traditions Purity

With only two ingredients (chicken and vegetable glycerin), Farmland Traditions wins the simplicity contest. This minimal approach reduces allergy risks and appeals to owners preferring natural diets.

The USA manufacturing and FDA registration provide additional quality assurance. The dehydration process preserves nutrients while creating the chewy texture dogs crave.

Blue Buffalo Natural Approach

Blue Buffalo's ingredient list reads like a premium dog food formula. Real turkey, sweet potatoes, and other whole food ingredients provide nutritional density beyond empty calories.

The grain-free status appeals to owners concerned about potential allergens, though the scientific consensus on grain-free benefits remains mixed.

Suitability for Different Dogs

Small Breed Dogs (Under 22 pounds)

Best Choice: Pedigree Dentastix - Specifically sized and formulated for small mouths and teeth. The dental benefits are particularly important for small breeds prone to dental issues.

Alternative: Blue Buffalo - Can be broken into smaller pieces, though the original size may be challenging for very small dogs.

Consider: Farmland Traditions - Excellent for training small dogs due to easy portioning.

Medium to Large Breed Dogs (22+ pounds)

Best Choice: Blue Buffalo Wilderness - Appropriate size and high protein content suits larger dogs' nutritional needs.

Alternative: Farmland Traditions - Excellent for training and everyday rewards.

Not Suitable: Pedigree Dentastix - Size restriction excludes larger breeds.

Dogs with Food Sensitivities

Best Choice: Farmland Traditions - Minimal ingredients reduce allergy risk.

Alternative: Blue Buffalo - Grain-free formula helps dogs sensitive to wheat, corn, or soy.

Caution: Pedigree Dentastix - Contains wheat flour, unsuitable for grain-sensitive dogs.

Training and Everyday Use

Training Effectiveness

For training purposes, Farmland Traditions leads due to its high-value protein content and easy portioning. The jerky texture allows quick consumption without interrupting training flow.

Blue Buffalo works well for training larger dogs, though the biscuit format takes longer to consume. The 16-calorie count helps manage daily intake during frequent training sessions.

Pedigree Dentastix isn't ideal for training due to size restrictions and longer chewing time, but works well as a daily routine reward.

Daily Treat Routine

For daily enjoyment, all three excel in different ways. Pedigree Dentastix doubles as health care, Blue Buffalo provides premium nutrition, and Farmland Traditions offers pure protein satisfaction.

Final Verdict

The best choice depends entirely on your specific needs and dog:

Choose Pedigree Dentastix if:

• You have a small breed dog (7-22 pounds)
• Dental health is your primary concern
• You want the most cost-effective option
• You're looking for a daily routine treat with health benefits
• Your dog doesn't have grain sensitivities

Choose Farmland Traditions Chicken Jerky if:

• You're actively training your dog
• You prefer minimal, natural ingredients
• You have a dog with food allergies or sensitivities
• You want American-made premium quality
• You need treats suitable for any dog size

Choose Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats if:

• You want high-protein, grain-free nutrition
• You have multiple dogs of different sizes or ages
• You prefer premium ingredients at moderate pricing
• You want treats suitable from puppyhood to senior years
• Your dog enjoys crunchy textures