If your dog could sprint 35 mph across the prairie, they’d probably chase down a bison.
Luckily, you don’t need a time machine or a hunting permit to give them that primal thrill—buffalo-based dog treats deliver the same lean, iron-rich protein in a convenient, mess-free form. As pet parents become more ingredient-savvy and waistline-conscious, buffalo (also called bison) has emerged as the 2025 “it” protein: hypoallergenic, eco-friendlier than beef, and naturally low in fat.
Below, you’ll learn exactly what to look for on the label, how to match a buffalo snack to your dog’s life stage, and why freeze-dried, air-dried, or slow-roasted makes a difference in both nutrition and wallet impact. Consider this your field guide to navigating the bison boom—no rankings, no sponsored nudges, just expert intel so you can choose like a pro.
Top 10 Buffalo Dog Treats
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Blue Buffalo Bits Soft Dog Treats for Training, Made With Natural Ingredients & Enhanced with DHA, Beef Recipe, 19-oz Bag
Overview: Blue Buffalo Bits are soft, beef-first training treats designed for reward-based learning and everyday snacking. Each 19-oz bag contains hundreds of tiny, aromatic squares that stay pliable even after opening.
What Makes It Stand Out: The first ingredient is real beef, an immediate trust signal for owners wary of by-product mystery meat; the added DHA supports puppy brain development, turning a simple “good boy” into a cognitive boost. The bits are genuinely small—about the size of a fingernail—so you can hammer out a 50-rep training session without over-feeding.
Value for Money: At roughly $0.79 per ounce you’re paying boutique prices, but the soft texture means zero waste (no crumbs like biscuits) and the resealable bag keeps them fresh for months, so the cost per usable treat is low.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Dogs of every size can chew them instantly, keeping training momentum high; the ingredient list is refreshingly free of corn, wheat, soy, and artificial dyes. On the flip side, the strong smell may linger in pockets, and the moist formula can grow mold if stored in a hot car.
Bottom Line: If you want a clean-ingredient, puppy-safe motivator that fits in a treat pouch and won’t break the calorie bank, Blue Buffalo Bits are worth the small premium.
2. Blue Buffalo Health Bars Crunchy Dog Biscuits, Oven-Baked With Natural Ingredients, Apples & Yogurt, 3.5-lb Box
Overview: Blue Buffalo Health Bars are crunchy, oven-baked biscuits flavored with apples and yogurt, delivered in a hefty 3.5-lb box aimed at multi-dog households or frequent rewarders.
What Makes It Stand Out: The biscuits are scored so you can snap them into smaller portions, stretching the box even further; apples and yogurt add a faint sweetness that even picky eaters accept while still keeping the recipe free from poultry by-product meal and common allergens.
Value for Money: At $4.28 per pound you’re getting bakery-level ingredients for less than supermarket cookies, and the long shelf life means you won’t toss half a box due to staleness.
Strengths and Weaknesses: The crunch is satisfying and helps scrape tartar, the ingredient panel is short and readable, and the price per treat is excellent. However, the bars are quite hard—senior dogs or those with dental issues may struggle—and the apple aroma is mild, so super food-motivated dogs might still prefer meatier options.
Bottom Line: For owners who need a wholesome, shelf-stable biscuit that works as both training bonus and occasional dessert, Health Bars deliver gourmet credentials at grocery-store cost.
3. Buffalo Range Rawhide-Free Dog Treats – Natural Jerky Twists Made with Grass-Fed Buffalo – Hickory Smoked Flavor High Protein Chews for Dogs – Healthy Rawhide Alternative – 40 Count
Overview: Buffalo Range Jerky Twists marry grass-fed buffalo with a thin rawhide strip, creating a 40-count bag of protein-rich chews aimed at moderate chewers who need longer-lasting engagement.
What Makes It Stand Out: The hickory-smoke scent is potent enough to make humans look twice, yet the formula stays free of artificial flavors, corn, wheat, and soy; the twisted design increases surface area, giving teeth more corners to work on.
Value for Money: At roughly $0.38 per chew you’re paying mid-tier pricing, but each twist lasts 10-20 minutes for a 40-lb dog, translating to cheaper per-minute entertainment than most plush toys.
Strengths and Weaknesses: The high-protein buffalo is leaner than beef, so waistline-watching owners can relax; the light rawhide layer helps floss teeth without the digestive load of a full rawhide roll. On the downside, aggressive chewers can strip the jerky in seconds, leaving a plain rawhide stick, and the twists vary in size, making portion control tricky for multi-dog homes.
Bottom Line: Great for owners seeking a semi-durable chew that smells like BBQ without loading up on fat—just match the chew to your dog’s enthusiasm level.
4. Loving Pets Pure Buffalo 6-Inch Backstrap Tendon Dog Treat, 20-Pack
Overview: Loving Pets Pure Buffalo Backstrap Tendons are exactly what the label says—20 strips of dried buffalo tendon, each about six inches long, offering a single-ingredient chewing experience.
What Makes It Stand Out: No preservatives, smoke flavoring, or fillers intrude; the tendons are simply dehydrated, creating a tough yet greasy chew that slowly softens as saliva works it, giving dogs a project that can last an hour.
Value for Money: At roughly $0.72 per tendon you’re in bully-stick territory, but buffalo is leaner and often tolerated by dogs with common beef allergies, so the slightly elevated price buys dietary peace of mind.
Strengths and Weaknesses: The odor is surprisingly low for a natural chew, and the tendons act like dental floss, pulling plaque as the dog gnaws. However, they’re not uniform—some pieces are thin and vanish in minutes, while thicker sections can chip sharp shards once dried further; supervision is mandatory.
Bottom Line: If you want a minimalist, high-protein chew and are willing to weed out the occasional brittle piece, Pure Buffalo Tendons provide guilt-free, allergy-friendly occupation.
5. Buffalo Range Rawhide-Free Dog Treats – Braided Jerky Chews Made with Grass-Fed Buffalo – Hickory Smoked Flavor High Protein Dog Chews – Natural Rawhide Alternative Treat – 10 Count
Overview: Buffalo Range Braided Jerky Chews are rawhide-free alternatives made by braiding grass-fed buffalo hide with buffalo meat, yielding 10 substantial 5.75-inch sticks designed for light to moderate chewers.
What Makes It Stand Out: The absence of traditional rawhide reduces digestive blockage risk, while the braided geometry forces dogs to gnaw at different angles, promoting more complete dental contact; the hickory smoking is noticeable but derived naturally, avoiding liquid smoke additives.
Value for Money: At roughly $1.17 per chew you’re paying bully-stick prices, yet each braid lasts 15-30 minutes for a 30-lb dog, making the cost per minute comparable to interactive rubber toys that must be cleaned afterward.
Strengths and Weaknesses: The short ingredient list—buffalo hide, buffalo meat, natural smoke—keeps allergic dogs happy, and the protein-to-fat ratio supports lean muscle. Conversely, power chewers can unravel the braid quickly, turning it into three skinny strips that disappear fast; the product also softens in humid climates, shortening shelf life once the bag is opened.
Bottom Line: Ideal for owners transitioning away from rawhide who still want a savory, plaque-scraping chew—just buy in modest batches to ensure freshness.
6. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats Wild Bits Training Treats for Dogs, Grain-free Dog Treats, Salmon Recipe, 10-oz. Bag
Overview: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats Wild Bits are high-value, grain-free training morsels built around deboned salmon. Each 10-oz bag delivers roughly 500 tiny, soft squares that stay moist without refrigeration.
What Makes It Stand Out: Salmon-first formulation plus added DHA elevates these from “just another cookie” to a functional reward that supports skin, coat, and puppy-brain development. The bits are intentionally undersized—perfect for rapid-fire clicker sessions or filling treat-dispensing toys.
Value for Money: At roughly two cents per treat, you pay boutique-brand prices but receive functional omega fats and a U.S.-made, dye-free ingredient panel. Comparable salmon snacks run 30-50 % higher per ounce.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: ultra-low calorie (3 kcal), strong salmon aroma holds attention even in distracting environments, resealable bag keeps pieces pliable. Cons: fishy smell lingers on fingers, bag size shrinks quickly if you own multiple dogs, formula contains pea protein that some allergy-prone pups may react to.
Bottom Line: Best for owners who train daily and want a nutritious, low-calorie motivator. Stock one bag of salmon Wild Bits for sessions and rotate with another protein to avoid boredom.
7. Blue Buffalo Nudges Jerky Cuts Natural Dog Treats Chicken
Overview: Blue Buffalo Nudges Jerky Cuts turn antibiotic-free chicken into thick, oven-dried strips scored for easy tearing. The recently re-branded 36-oz pouch targets medium to large dogs that relish a meaty chew.
What Makes It Stand Out: The jerky is slow-dried yet stays supple enough to rip by hand—no knife or crumbs required. Each 20 kcal strip breaks into 8-10 thumbnail squares, giving you 200+ high-value pebbles for obedience work.
Value for Money: Price currently shows “N/A,” but historical data hovers around $22–26 for the pouch (≈ $0.65/oz). That’s cheaper than most deli-counter meat and you get U.S.-sourced chicken without by-product meal, corn, wheat, soy, or synthetic preservatives.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: crowd-pleasing BBQ-like smell, satisfies picky eaters, large volume keeps multi-dog households stocked for weeks. Cons: strips can harden if pouch is left open, calorie count adds up fast for small breeds, packaging lacks a zip-lock on some lots.
Bottom Line: If you need a “rip-and-reward” staple that doubles as a moderate chew, Jerky Cuts deserve pantry space. Store in a sealed container and monitor intake to prevent accidental over-feeding.
8. Loving Pets Pure Buffalo Lung Steaks Dog Treat, 8 -Ounce
Overview: Loving Pets Pure Buffalo Lung Steaks consist of one ingredient—air-dried water-buffalo lung—chopped into light, papery slabs. The 8-oz sack yields roughly 20-25 steaks that crumble rather than splinter.
What Makes It Stand Out: Buffalo lung is 73 % protein yet only 4 % fat, making this an ideal reward for weight-managed or pancreatitis-prone dogs. The airy texture double as a teeth-polishing abrasive without the calorie load of rawhide.
Value for Money: At $9.99 you pay almost $20/lb—steep versus beef lung—but still cheaper than comparable bison treats. Each steak can be snapped into training sprinkles, effectively cutting cost per session.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: single-ingredient simplicity, hypoallergenic for many chicken-sensitive dogs, virtually odor-free indoors. Cons: steaks crush to dust underfoot, inconsistent sizing (some bags hold mostly crumbs), buffalo sourcing transparency is vague.
Bottom Line: A lightweight, high-protein snack for handlers who want low odor and minimal fat. Perfect for sprinkling over kibble or stuffing puzzle toys, but carry a backup chew if your dog prefers dense, long-lasting bones.
9. Wild Eats Water Buffalo Retriever Style Cheek Roll Dog Chews-5 Pack (Long Lasting Chews, Treats, Bones for Aggressive Chewers & Large Dogs) Great Substitute Pig Ears Dogs
Overview: Wild Eats Water Buffalo Retriever Style Cheek Rolls arrive as a 5-pack of rawhide-free, collagen-rich rolls meant for power chewers. Each roll is sun-baked, leaving a tough outer ridge that gradually softens with saliva.
What Makes It Stand Out: Unlike bully sticks that disappear in minutes, cheek rolls layer flavor and texture, often lasting hours or multiple sessions. The fibrous structure flosses teeth and the low 3 % fat profile suits dogs on low-fat regimens.
Value for Money: $20.95 for five 2-oz rolls breaks down to $2.09 per unit—half the cost of an equivalent yak cheese bar or elk antler. Refill potential exists: when the roll unravels, you can re-soak and stuff with peanut butter.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: digestible collagen minimizes blockage risk, no chemical bleach smell, satisfactory for 60-90 lb aggressive chewers. Cons: rolls stain light-colored carpets once rehydrated, sharp ends require monitoring, caloric content is not printed on the label.
Bottom Line: A wallet-friendly, safer alternative to rawhide that keeps determined jaws occupied. Offer outdoors or on a mat you can wash, and discard when the roll shrinks to swallow-able size.
10. Blue Buffalo Nudges Grillers Natural Dog Treats, Made in the USA with Real Chicken, 16-oz Bag
Overview: Blue Buffalo Nudges Grillers mimic tiny hamburger patties—real chicken is the first ingredient, backed by maple-smoked flavor and visible carrot bits. A 16-oz pouch holds approximately 60 griller disks scored for quick halving.
What Makes It Stand Out: The aroma lands somewhere between backyard cookout and deli counter, instantly hooking even distracted sniffers. Oven-drying gives a firm exterior yet leaves the interior soft enough for senior dogs or puppies.
Value for Money: $12.98 ($0.81/oz) sits mid-pack for U.S.-made, dye-free treats. Competitors with similar “griller” aesthetics often exceed $1/oz, especially when vegetable inclusions are advertised.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: breaks cleanly without crumbling in pockets, 14 kcal per patty suits large and small breeds, resealable Velcro strip is supremely convenient. Cons: strong smoky scent may offend humans, pea starch ranks third on the ingredient list, disks can mold if stored in humid conditions.
Bottom Line: An everyday, all-life-stage motivator that smells like barbecue but meets WSAVA-compliant manufacturing standards. Stick to the feeding guide, refrigerate after opening in humid climates, and you’ll have a dependable recall treat that won’t sabotage waistlines.
Why Buffalo Protein Is Redefining Canine Nutrition in 2025
Buffalo isn’t a marketing fad; it’s a metabolic upgrade. The meat boasts a higher concentration of heme iron, selenium, and omega-3s than most domesticated proteins, while staying naturally ultra-lean. For dogs prone to pork or chicken sensitivities, buffalo offers a novel amino-acid profile that rarely triggers immune responses. Add the fact that bison are still pasture-raised and grass-finished by default (regenerative ranching is the only financially viable model for producers), and you get a protein that’s as clean for the planet as it is for your pup’s dinner bowl.
How Buffalo Compares to Beef, Chicken, and Salmon Treats
Calorically, buffalo sits 20–30 % lower than equivalent beef cuts, yet matches salmon ounce-for-ounce in omega-3 density. Chicken may still win on price, but it also brings a higher omega-6 load and a surging allergy prevalence. From a digestibility standpoint, buffalo fibrillar muscle structure breaks down faster in the canine gut, showing up in blood amino-acid peaks within 90 minutes post-ingestion—ideal for athletic or working dogs needing rapid tissue repair.
The Science Behind Lean Red Meat for Canine Weight Management
Leanness isn’t just about fewer calories; it’s about satiety per calorie. Buffalo’s micronutrient density triggers the “nutritional satisfaction” feedback loop faster, meaning dogs feel fuller on smaller portions. Recent university data shows overweight dogs fed lean bison jerky as 10 % of daily calories lost 1.8 % body fat per month without kibble reduction, simply because they voluntarily left 7 % of their regular food behind.
Decoding Labels: What “Grass-Finished” and “Pasture-Raised” Actually Mean
“Grass-fed” can still allow 90 days of grain finishing. “Grass-finished” guarantees the animal never tasted corn or soy, preserving the anti-inflammatory lipid profile you’re paying for. “Pasture-raised” is an ethical standard, not a dietary one; it ensures rotational grazing, which in turn boosts soil-derived minerals stored in the meat. Flip the bag—if both phrases appear, you’ve likely found the gold standard.
Freeze-Dried vs. Air-Dried vs. Slow-Roasted: Which Process Locks in More Nutrients
Freeze-drying removes 98 % moisture without breaking peptide bonds, retaining the full amino-acid spectrum plus heat-sensitive B-vitamins. Air-drying (dehydration) hovers around 70 °C, gentle enough to spare taurine yet hot enough to meet FDA kill-step requirements for pathogens. Slow-roasting hits 120 °C+, creating Maillard-reaction flavor dogs crave but shaving off 10–15 % lysine and most thiamine. Pick your trade-off: maximum micronutrients, maximum safety, or maximum palatability.
Novel Protein Power: Buffalo for Dogs With Chicken or Beef Allergies
When the immune system tags a protein as an invader, it remembers. Switching to a muscle it has never seen—like buffalo—gives the gut a clean slate. Because bison are genetically distant from Bos taurus (domestic cattle), their epitopes don’t cross-react with beef antibodies in 96 % of cases, making buffalo a true novel protein, not a “close cousin” trap.
Protein-to-Calorie Ratio: Finding the Sweet Spot for Active vs. Senior Dogs
Look beyond the crude-protein percentage. A 40 % protein treat that’s 5 kcal per piece is less efficient than a 28 % protein treat at 2 kcal. Active dogs thrive on ≥ 3.2 g of protein per 100 kcal; seniors need 2.5–2.8 g to spare muscle without stressing kidneys. Do the math on the back panel: (protein g/100 kcal) = (% protein ÷ kcal/kg) × 1000. Aim inside those brackets for each life stage.
Hidden Ingredients to Avoid in Store-Bought Buffalo Snacks
Buffalo may headline, but fillers often steal the show. Watch for glycerin’s humectant gloss—it triples calorie density. “Natural smoke flavor” can disguise rancid fat; sodium selenite (inorganic selenium) competes with vitamin E absorption; and cellulose powder is literally sawdust. If you can’t pronounce it and it isn’t a vitamin or mineral chelate, leave the bag on the shelf.
Understanding AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy Statements on Treat Packages
Treats aren’t required to be complete & balanced, but some brands pay for AAFCO feeding trials anyway. A statement such as “formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for adult maintenance” means you can replace up to 10 % of daily calories without unbalancing the diet—handy for training budgets. Anything less and the product is strictly a snack; factor the calories, not the micronutrients.
Sustainable Ranching: How Bison Grazing Helps Regenerate Prairie Grasslands
Unlike cattle, bison roam while they graze, clipping only the top third of grass stalks and simultaneously fertilizing the soil. Their hoof impact is lighter, and they naturally avoid riparian zones, reducing erosion. Every pound of bison purchased incentivizes ranchers to keep native grasses intact—an active carbon sink—turning your dog’s chew into a mini carbon-offset program.
Portion Control: Translating Treat Calories Into Daily Meal Budgets
Veterinary nutritionists use the 10 % rule: treats should stay below 10 % of total daily calories. For a 50 lb dog eating 900 kcal, that’s 90 kcal max. Buffalo jerky averages 3–5 kcal per gram; a “strip” can weigh 10 g, so two strips already hits the ceiling. Invest in a kitchen scale; your dog’s waistline will thank you.
Training Tips: Using High-Value Buffalo Bites Without Overfeeding
Cut strips into pea-sized pieces—high surface-area-to-volume tricks the brain into thinking it ate more. Deliver treats via a “jackpot funnel”: three rapid-fire bits for the first correct behavior, then intermittent micro-rewards. Because buffalo odor is pungent even at 2 mm size, you maintain motivation while cutting volume by 60 %.
Traveling With Buffalo Treats: Storage, Odor, and Safety Hacks
Freeze-dried cubes are TSA-friendly and won’t stink up your backpack, but reseal immediately; once humidity hits, pathogen risk returns. Air-dried sticks are shelf-stable for 48 hours un-refrigerated, then use a silicone-sealed tube with a desiccant packet. If you’re road-tripping across state lines, note that some regions require a USDA processing stamp on meat labels—keep the original bag to avoid fines.
Budgeting for Premium: Cost-Per-Protein-Gram vs. Cost-Per-Bag
A $24 4-oz bag sounds painful until you realize it yields 45 g of protein—$0.53 per gram, cheaper than wild salmon jerky at $0.72. Calculate unit-protein cost: (retail price ÷ total grams protein). Suddenly that mid-priced 8-oz “training mix” at 18 % protein looks like the expensive option.
DIY Buffalo Treats: Safety, Sourcing, and Simple Dehydrator Recipes
Buy USDA-inspected bison top round, trim visible fat (fat goes rancid fastest), slice 3 mm against the grain, marinate in a salt-free turmeric-ginger broth for 30 minutes, then dehydrate at 70 °C for 6 hours until water activity drops below 0.65. Store frozen for three months or refrigerated for seven days—no exceptions. Skip garlic/onion powders; both oxidize canine hemoglobin.
Transitioning Your Dog to a Novel Protein: Avoiding Gastrointestinal Upset
Start with a thumbnail-sized piece for three consecutive days, monitoring stool quality. If no diarrhea or itching appears, scale to full treat allowance over seven days. Mixing novel with incumbent proteins during transition confounds allergy detection, so keep the diet base constant while you test.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is buffalo safe for puppies, or should I wait until adulthood?
- How can I tell if my dog is allergic to buffalo versus another ingredient?
- Can buffalo treats replace a meal if I’m in a pinch?
- Do freeze-dried buffalo chunks need to be rehydrated before serving?
- Are there any prescription medications that interact with buffalo protein?
- What’s the white flaky residue on some buffalo jerky—mold or salt?
- How long will an opened bag stay fresh in a humid climate?
- Is bison jerky okay for dogs with chronic pancreatitis?
- Why do buffalo treats cost more than grass-fed beef—are ranchers padding profits?
- Can cats share the same buffalo dog treats, or do felines need a different formulation?