Vital Essentials Minnows Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats, 1-oz bag

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At a Glance

  • Raw
  • Grain-Free
  • Gluten Free
  • Natural
  • Limited Ingredient Diet
  • High-Protein
  • Immune Support
  • Skin & Coat Health
  • Made in USA
  • All Lifestages
  • All Breeds

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About This Item

Details

  • These freeze-dried raw dog treats are packed with extra protein from premium, responsibly sourced minnows for the peak nutrition your pup deserves.
  • Protein-rich muscle and organs deliver a natural source of vitamins and minerals for energetic play, healthy skin, a shiny coat, strong teeth, and essential gut health.
  • Vital Essentials pet treats are made in the USA using responsibly sourced, humanely harvested ingredients.
  • Made with a single animal protein and no additives, fillers, dyes, flavorings, artificial preservatives, grains, or rendered by-products—great for picky eaters and dogs with allergies.
  • Frozen within 45 minutes of harvesting, Vital Essentials protein is freeze-dried raw to lock in vital nutrients, flavor, and freshness with minimal processing.

Ingredient Information

Feeding Instructions

Raw Feeding Made Simple

Feeding just 20% raw can boost your pet’s health, and Vital Essentials makes it easy. Made with whole-animal, butcher cut protein and no fillers or artificial additives. Feed as a special treat for simple, raw nutrition.

Even 20% Makes A Difference

Every pet deserves the benefits of raw protein. Try adding raw meals weekly, mix raw in with kibble, or offer it as a treat. Even a small amount—just 20% of their daily intake—can make a big difference in their health.
- IN FREEZER WITHIN 45 MINUTES OF HARVEST , - MINIMALLY PROCESSED , -FREEZE-DRIED A FULL 48 HOURS, - PACKED WITH ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS

No Shortcuts. Only Butcher Cuts.

Vital Essentials butcher cut protein is made with carefully sourced, farm-raised meats. It’s ground once and freeze-dried a full 48 hours at their state-of-the-art USA facility to lock in the nutrients your pet deserves.

Today’s Special: Lifelong Vitality

Support your pet's health with Vital Essentials. Protein-rich diets promote strong muscles—ideal for active pets. Help boost immunity, musculature, and heart health with their range of butcher cut protein freeze-dried raw recipes.

About Vital Essentials

Vital Essentials creates healthy, delicious, and biologically appropriate food using real, ethically sourced meat and premium ingredients. Made right here in the USA, because your best friend deserves nothing less.

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Questions & Answers

20 Customer Questions

In what country are these actually processed?

Answer by Chewy • Jan 14, 2020
These treats are sourced, made, and packaged in the United States.

Can cat eat these too?

Answer by Chewy • Apr 12, 2023
While these treats are geared toward dogs, the freeze-dried minnows are suitable for cats as well.

Fish bones? Are these dried whole minnows? Do we need to worry about bones?

Answer by Chewy • Mar 20, 2019
The bones in these minnows are completely safe for pets to eat and digest.

How many can you feed a day to small dog?

Answer by Chewy • Dec 20, 2020
Vital Essentials Snacks are designed as a treat and are not intended to be fed as a complete and balanced diet. There will be approximately 82 kilocalories per cup.
Reviews
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4.7
Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
2165 Ratings
Terms & Conditions

Customers Mention

Chewy identifies key considerations with the help of artificial intelligence and our veterinarians.

Flavor

88% Positive

Ingredients

88% Positive

Nutritional Value

89% Positive

Texture

86% Positive

1132 Customer Reviews

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By Lindsey on Jan 30, 2026

What Is Going On With Your Minnows????

My cat has been OBSESSED with these for years. I bought a new batch & she wouldn't eat them at all. I had bought 4 bags & tried all 4 bags & she wouldn't eat them,

My cat has been OBSESSED with these for years. I bought a new batch & she wouldn't eat them at all. I had bought 4 bags & tried all 4 bags & she wouldn't eat them, or chew 1 & spit it out. I thought maybe it was a bad lot, so a couple weeks later I bought another couple bags. The same thing happened. I am so disappointed that this has happened. I will try other brands of these to see if she will eat those.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Krysta on Jan 26, 2026

Gets her attention right away

Dog goes nuts for these. I have a picky Shiba who is typically not treat motivated, but apparently I just needed to find the right treats. As soon as I look at

Dog goes nuts for these. I have a picky Shiba who is typically not treat motivated, but apparently I just needed to find the right treats. As soon as I look at the bag, she's focused on me, and once I touch the bag she is sitting attentively at my side. Very few things on earth excite her like this.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars
By Tonja on Dec 26, 2025

Freeze dried fish are healthy

3 out of 4 dogs approved. One tried to bury the fish repeatedly. Speedy really loves salmon so I thought he would like the minnows but I was so wrong! He loves

3 out of 4 dogs approved. One tried to bury the fish repeatedly. Speedy really loves salmon so I thought he would like the minnows but I was so wrong! He loves the freezer dried beef and salmon dinner but minnows need to be buried. Shasta and Corra loved them. All I have to do is touch the treat bag and they sit and wait. Big hit with them. Would buy again not only for the big dogs, but the entertainment of watching Speedy put in the work to bury it was great exercise for his 11 year old self.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By Athena on Jan 4, 2026

My dog spits these out

Goose normally inhales most things you toss his way. We try to give him one ingredient treats mostly, and he loves liver, lung, salmon, salmon skin, cod, etc. so

Goose normally inhales most things you toss his way. We try to give him one ingredient treats mostly, and he loves liver, lung, salmon, salmon skin, cod, etc. so I figured he would love these. He immediately spits them out after it enters his mouth. Unfortunate because the quality appears to be there. Thought this would be a nice switch up from our usual, but goose said no thanks

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Careid on Jan 31, 2026

Great for cats too!

My cat Tig loves these! I first purchased the smaller packaging labeled for cats, but was looking for a larger qty. The ingredients are exactly the same: minnows

My cat Tig loves these! I first purchased the smaller packaging labeled for cats, but was looking for a larger qty. The ingredients are exactly the same: minnows. Tig gives them 4 paws up and loves crunching all the little bones.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars
By Katie on Jan 18, 2026

Did they change?

I've purchased these twice. First time, my dog LOVED them. They seemed like a good treat. The second time, they were darker in color and two times after eating

I've purchased these twice. First time, my dog LOVED them. They seemed like a good treat. The second time, they were darker in color and two times after eating them, he threw up. Though he loved these treats, I dont want to take the risk and try them again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Lynne on Jan 26, 2026

Low fat & high protein.

These are a little strange but my dogs like them. I have Miniature Schnauzers and am always looking for low fat and calorie treats for them. I thought that they

These are a little strange but my dogs like them. I have Miniature Schnauzers and am always looking for low fat and calorie treats for them. I thought that they might be in pieces but they are whole little fish. A healthy snack.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By ASHLEY on Jan 26, 2026

new treat!

I didnt know how my dog was going to do with these. However, I have one that ABSOLUTELY is Obsessed! The other, the verdict is still out. Either way, this dog mom

I didnt know how my dog was going to do with these. However, I have one that ABSOLUTELY is Obsessed! The other, the verdict is still out. Either way, this dog mom is very happy with clean and simple ingredients!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Taylor on Jan 27, 2026

My Pug Loves them!

What a great treat replacement! I was looking for a tasty treat for my pug and fishies it is! He loves them and I love them for him! All natural and so tasty.

What a great treat replacement! I was looking for a tasty treat for my pug and fishies it is! He loves them and I love them for him! All natural and so tasty.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Kristine on Nov 18, 2025

Peaches will do anything for a minnow

Peaches will do absolutely anything for a minnow her training stepped it up we call it her jackpot when she's outside we all jackpot and she comes running cuz she

Peaches will do absolutely anything for a minnow her training stepped it up we call it her jackpot when she's outside we all jackpot and she comes running cuz she knows she's getting a minnow time to put her in her kennel because we're going away wheel jackpot she knows she's getting a minnow again she absolutely loves them and will do anything for a minnow sit, give paw, high five play dead, spin, dance, down, minnows are the best