Top Chews is a line of meat-first dog treats made by Blue Buffalo and sold at Costco. The treats are soft jerky, sausage, and patty pieces with real meat as the first ingredient and no corn, wheat, or soy. They are a solid everyday treat for most healthy dogs, as long as you watch the calories and your dog is fine with chicken.
Despite the name, these are treats, not long-lasting chews. Most dogs finish a piece in seconds.
What Is BLUE Top Chews?
Blue Buffalo sells the line as BLUE Top Chews. According to Blue Buffalo, it is available only at Costco, in large resealable bags. You may also see bags resold online by third-party sellers, usually at a higher price.
Blue Buffalo makes the same promises for each recipe:
- Real meat is the first ingredient
- No chicken or poultry by-product meals
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- No artificial flavors or preservatives
Blue Buffalo says the sausage and patty treats are made in the USA.
The Top Chews Recipes
These are the key ingredients Blue Buffalo lists for each recipe on its website.
| Treat | Key ingredients | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Sausage Bites, Chicken and Apple Recipe | Deboned chicken, chickpeas, potatoes, apples, natural flavor | 40 oz bag. Costco lists 25 calories per piece. |
| Sausage Treats, Pork and Chicken Sausage Recipe | Pork, deboned chicken, potatoes, natural flavor | 36 oz bag. Costco describes it as grain-free. |
| Flame Grilled Patty | Beef, deboned chicken, barley, natural flavor | Contains barley, so it is not grain-free. |
| Chicken Jerky Recipe | Chicken, potatoes, natural flavor | The simplest recipe of the four. |
Blue Buffalo does not publish the full ingredient panel or guaranteed analysis for these treats online, and recipes change over time. Check the back of the bag for the complete list, especially if your dog has a food allergy.
Calories and How Many to Feed
Treats should make up no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily calories. The rest should come from a complete and balanced dog food.
Costco lists the Chicken and Apple Sausage Bites at 25 calories per piece. That adds up quickly for a small dog:
- Small dogs: a 10-pound dog has a treat budget of roughly 30 calories a day, so one whole piece is nearly all of it. Tear each piece into three or four bits.
- Medium and large dogs: a few pieces a day fit comfortably, but count them along with any other treats.
- Training: break pieces into pea-sized bits. Your dog cares about how often the reward comes, not how big it is.
Follow the feeding guide printed on your bag, and cut back a little on meals on heavy treat days.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Real meat is the first ingredient in every recipe
- Short, simple ingredient lists
- No corn, wheat, soy, or by-product meals
- Soft texture that is easy to tear for training or for small and senior dogs
- Large bags offer good value if you have a big dog or several dogs
Cons
- Sold only at Costco, so you need a membership or have to pay reseller prices
- Full nutrition details are on the bag, not online
- All four recipes contain chicken, including the beef patty and the pork sausage
- Large bags can go stale before a small dog finishes them
- Calories add up fast for small dogs
Who Should Skip Them?
- Dogs with a chicken allergy. Every recipe lists chicken.
- Dogs on an elimination diet or a prescription diet. Extra treats can spoil the results. Ask your vet first.
- Dogs that need a low-fat diet, such as dogs with a history of pancreatitis. Check the fat content on the bag and ask your vet.
- Owners who need a grain-free treat. The Flame Grilled Patty contains barley. Our guide to grain-free dog treats has other options.
Storage Tips
- Press the air out and reseal the bag after each use.
- Store it in a cool, dry place and use it by the date on the bag.
- If you have a small dog, portion some of the bag into an airtight container and follow the package directions for the rest.
- Throw the treats out if they smell off or show any mold.
Alternatives
If you do not shop at Costco, Blue Buffalo sells a similar line called True Chews at pet stores and online, in smaller bags. You can also compare other all natural dog treats.
If you were looking for something your dog can gnaw on for a while, a soft treat like this will not do the job. See how to select the best chew treats for dogs instead.
Bottom Line
BLUE Top Chews are simple, meat-first treats that most dogs love, and the big Costco bags are good value for larger dogs and multi-dog homes. Read the label on your bag, keep treats to about 10% of daily calories, and pick something else if your dog cannot have chicken.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a food allergy or a medical condition, ask your veterinarian before adding new treats.
