Looking for healthy dog treats that keep your pup happy—and your yard cleaner? You’re not alone. Pet parents across Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, and Noblesville are becoming more mindful of what they feed their dogs, and for good reason.
At Speedy Scoop, we know firsthand how a dog’s diet impacts what ends up in your yard. As the leading dog poop pickup and pooper scooper service in Central Indiana, we see how quality treats can mean less waste, fewer digestive issues, and a better experience for both dogs and their humans.
If you want to reward your furry friend without sabotaging their health or your lawn, this guide to picking healthy dog treats is for you.
Why Healthy Dog Treats Matter
Your dog’s body—and poop—reflects what you feed them. Low-quality treats filled with fillers, sugar, or artificial ingredients may taste good to your pup, but they can lead to:
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Digestive issues
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More frequent or loose stools
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Bad breath and skin problems
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Excessive waste in your yard
Switching to healthy dog treats not only improves your pet’s health but also results in firmer, less frequent waste—making cleanup easier for both you and your pooper scooper service.
1. Stick with Whole, Natural Ingredients
The best healthy dog treats start with real food:
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Meat (chicken, beef, salmon, turkey)
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Vegetables (sweet potato, carrots)
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Fruits (blueberries, pumpkin)
Avoid:
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“Meat by-products”
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“Animal digest”
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Artificial colors and preservatives
In places like Carmel and Fishers, boutique pet stores like Speck’s or PetPeople carry many clean-label treat options that you won’t find in big box retailers.
2. Skip the Fillers and Sugars
Ingredients like corn, soy, wheat, and added sugars are common in many commercial dog treats. These additives can cause stomach upset, increase shedding, and lead to more (and smellier) poop.
Choosing healthy dog treats without fillers leads to less digestive irritation, better absorption, and ultimately, less pet waste in your yard.
Speedy Scoop Tip: We can often tell when a dog has a clean diet—because the waste is easier to scoop and less frequent!
3. Tailor Healthy Dog Treats to Your Pup’s Needs
Every dog is different. The right healthy dog treat for a 15-pound Yorkie in Noblesville isn’t the same as what a 90-pound Lab in Zionsville needs.
Consider:
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Size and texture: Smaller dogs need soft, bite-sized treats.
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Age: Older dogs benefit from joint-supporting ingredients like glucosamine.
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Activity level: Highly active dogs may need high-protein options.
Moderation is key. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories.
4. Choose Single-Ingredient Treats for Sensitive Tummies
Dogs with food sensitivities or allergies often do best with limited-ingredient or single-ingredient treats such as:
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Freeze-dried beef liver
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Dehydrated salmon
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Sweet potato chews
These healthy dog treats are easy on digestion and result in better-formed poop—great news for dog owners (and dog poop pickup crews) in neighborhoods like Westfield, Broad Ripple, and Meridian-Kessler.
5. Smart Treats for Training Time
Training requires repetition—and that means lots of treats. Choose soft, low-calorie, healthy dog treats to avoid weight gain or digestive issues.
Ideal training treats include:
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Freeze-dried meats
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Tiny dehydrated bits
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Soft training-specific chews
Smaller treats help avoid overfeeding while still reinforcing good behavior. They also help prevent digestive overload, so your pooper scooper doesn’t find more surprises in your yard than expected!
6. Skip the Synthetic Stuff
Treats shaped like bacon strips or colorful bones may look fun, but they’re often filled with artificial ingredients and binding agents that can upset your dog’s stomach.
Healthier alternatives:
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Bully sticks
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Yak cheese chews
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Raw marrow bones (supervised only)
These options satisfy chewing urges and improve dental health, all while being easier to digest and less likely to result in soft, smelly waste.
7. Look for Treats with Added Benefits
Modern healthy dog treats often offer more than just good taste. Look for functional ingredients that support:
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Joints: Glucosamine and chondroitin
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Skin & coat: Omega-3s
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Digestion: Pumpkin or probiotics
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Teeth: Crunchy textures for tartar control
These functional snacks help keep your dog healthy while reducing problems that can result in excessive or unpleasant pet waste.
8. Make Your Own Healthy Dog Treats at Home
Want total control over what your dog eats? DIY healthy dog treats are easy and cost-effective.
Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits:
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1 cup pumpkin puree (no added sugar)
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1/2 cup peanut butter (no xylitol!)
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2 eggs
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2.5 cups oat flour
Mix, shape, and bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes. Pumpkin helps with digestion and firm stools—a win for your dog and your dog poop pickup plan.
9. Store Healthy Dog Treats Properly to Prevent Spoilage
Even the healthiest treats can spoil if stored incorrectly—especially during hot, humid Indiana summers in places like Noblesville or Fishers.
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Check expiration dates
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Use airtight containers
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Keep them in a cool, dry place
Spoiled treats can cause stomach upset and contribute to messy poop situations, so storing your healthy dog treats properly is just as important as choosing the right ones.
10. Check With Your Vet About Special Ingredients
Before trying the latest trend—CBD chews, grain-free bites, or collagen snacks—talk to your vet. They can help you determine what’s truly a healthy dog treat for your pet based on age, weight, allergies, and health conditions.
This is especially important for dogs with sensitive digestion, chronic conditions, or those on a prescription diet.
Healthy Dog Treats = Healthier Yards
When your dog eats well, they feel better—and it shows. From fewer vet visits to more manageable poop, the benefits of healthy dog treats extend beyond the treat jar.
At Speedy Scoop, we notice it all the time. Dogs who eat clean leave behind:
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Firmer waste
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Less frequent poops
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Less odor
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Easier pickups for our techs!
Whether you’re in downtown Indy, Westfield, Zionsville, or anywhere in Hamilton County, switching to healthy dog treats is a win for your pet, your yard, and your quality of life.
Trust Speedy Scoop for Dog Poop Pickup in Central Indiana
Feeding your dog right is only part of the equation. A clean yard makes a big difference too.
Speedy Scoop proudly serves dog owners in:
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Indianapolis
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Carmel
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Fishers
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Noblesville
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Westfield
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Zionsville
…and all across Hamilton County.
We offer reliable, affordable pooper scooper services that help keep your outdoor space clean, fresh, and ready to enjoy—all year round.
Final Thoughts
Choosing healthy dog treats isn’t just a wellness decision—it’s a lifestyle upgrade for you and your pup. With so many clean, natural, and beneficial options available in and around Indianapolis, there’s no reason to settle for less.
So next time you’re shopping for dog treats in Carmel, browsing local markets in Fishers, or making your own from scratch in Westfield—remember this: Healthier treats mean healthier dogs, better poop, and cleaner yards.
And when you need a hand with the dog poop pickup, Speedy Scoop is here to help.
When doodycalls, your pets do their business and Speedy Scoop handles the rest—reliably, efficiently, and with a smile. If your yard needs cleaned, scoop the poop, or make a poop 911 call to the pros and get a pet butler or turd burglar for your lawn. Let’s keep Central Indiana clean, one yard at a time.
Ready to upgrade your yard experience? Let Speedy Scoop take care of the dirty work—so you don’t have to. Click here to get your FREE quote today!
Speedy Scoop proudly serves the greater Indianapolis area including Anderson, Carmel, Castleton, Cicero, Fishers, Fortville, Geist, Greenfield, Indianapolis, Ingalls, Lapel, Lebanon, Lawrence, McCordsville, New Palestine, Noblesville, Pendleton, Westfield, and Zionsville.
