Purina Beggin' Strips Bacon & Cheese Review

Intro

I'm The Pet Dude — a pet parent and gear nerd who reads labels and watches my dogs like a hawk at treat time. Purina Beggin' Strips With Real Meat, Bacon & Cheese Flavor comes as a two‑pouch pack (two 26 oz pouches, 52 ounces total) and is pitched as a soft, bacon‑shaped training treat made with real meat. In this review I walk through what the listing actually says, what I observed across owner feedback, how the treats work in day‑to‑day training, and the safety signals you should check before you buy.

What it is / first look

On the product page the core facts are straightforward: this is Purina Beggin' Strips With Real Meat in Bacon & Cheese flavor, sold as two 26 oz pouches (unit count 52 ounces). The brand is Purina Beggin' and the manufacturer is Nestlé Purina PetCare Company; the model number shown on the listing is 038100194305. The listing also calls out that real meat is the first ingredient, that the treats have no artificial flavors and no FD & C colors, and that they're made with "real bacon" plus "the taste of cheese." The listing identifies the item form as "strips," the specific uses as "training," and the age range description as "Adult."

Packaging and sizing notes from the listing: the product is sold in a pouch container and the Included Components field repeats "Two (2) 26 oz. Pouches - Purina Beggin' Strips Real Meat Dog Training Treats, Bacon & Cheese Flavors." The listing also states these strips are "soft" and designed to be chewy and easy for dogs to eat.

Colors / packaging variants

• bacon & cheese (standard packaging)

The product is the Bacon & Cheese flavor and product images on the listing reflect that packaging. Available colors may include the standard bacon & cheese packaging shown in the product images (image filenames on the listing include multiple JPGs named B09FWJYX65_6725.jpg, B09FWJYX65_8463.jpg, etc.).

In daily use

On paper these feel like classic training treats: soft, meaty strips you can tear into smaller pieces. The listing explicitly recommends training use and even says you can tear each strip into smaller pieces for a reward. In practice, based on the owner experience notes I reviewed and my own hands‑on observations as a pet gear reviewer, here's how they perform in the real world.

Training sessions

These are definitely attention‑getting: the listing claims "real meat is the first ingredient" and that bacon aroma is front‑and‑center. In tight reinforcement work — quick click‑and‑treat iterations — the strips' soft, chewy texture and strong smell make them very motivating for many adult dogs. Because the listing calls these out for training and the strips are easy to tear, they're convenient for rapid small rewards or for larger rewards when you want your dog to feel extra excited.

Portion control & everyday treats

One recurring note in the owner feedback is that these are easy to break into smaller bites, which helps with portion control if you're watching weight. Several owners reported breaking strips in half or into multiple pieces so a single strip provides multiple rewards. The listing explicitly suggests tearing strips into smaller pieces, so that behavior aligns with the product copy.

Freshness and packaging

The listing states the product comes in pouches (two 26 oz pouches in the pack). From the owner themes I collected, some people find that the bulk amount (two large pouches) can be more than they need at once — and a number of notes flagged that pieces can dry out fairly quickly even when the pouch's resealable liner is used. The listing itself does not specify a shelf life or how long open pouches will remain soft; that detail isn't provided on the product page.

Materials & build quality

For a consumable, "materials" maps to ingredient prominence and formulation transparency. The listing states real meat is the first ingredient, the treats are made with real bacon, and they contain the taste of cheese — the listing also calls out "No Artificial Flavors" and "No Artificial Colors" (and specifically "No Artificial Colors, No Artificial Flavors, Real Meat").

Those label points are meaningful: a first‑ingredient real meat claim and explicit calls of no artificial flavors or FD & C colors put Beggin' Strips a step above generic treats that rely heavily on artificial flavoring. The listing also identifies "Cheese" under Special Ingredients. Beyond those headline calls, the listing doesn't provide a full ingredient panel in the copy I was given here, so I can't break down protein percentage, calorie count, or other formulation details — the listing doesn't specify those numbers in the data I have.

Safety considerations

Pet safety comes first for me, so I cross‑check the listing copy and the owner feedback for signals.

Age & breed suitability

The listing's Age Range Description is "Adult," and Breed Recommendation is "All Breed Sizes." That means the product is explicitly marketed for adult dogs of all sizes. The listing does not say they are suitable for puppies or specify adjustments for seniors, so if you have a puppy or a dog with special medical needs you should check with a qualified professional before making these a regular treat.

Choking and piece size

The item form is "strips," and the listing recommends tearing strips into smaller pieces for training. One notable point from the owner feedback is inconsistent piece size inside the pouch — owners reported some pieces were already broken and some were very small (one owner described pieces as "small as a penny" floating around inside the bag). That variability raises a couple of practical safety flags:

• Very small pieces can be a choking hazard for larger dogs that bolt treats, or for small mouths if you assume a piece is larger than it is.
• Conversely, if you hand a whole strip to a very small dog it could be too large — but the listing does say strips are soft and tearable.

Because the listing identifies the treats as intended for adult dogs and for training, use portion control and watch your dog's chewing style. The listing doesn't provide a guaranteed piece size or a universal serving weight, so supervision and conservative tearing are sensible.

Allergens and dietary flags

The listing's Allergen Information field is listed as "Allergen‑Free," and under Additional Features the product calls out "No Artificial Colors, No Artificial Flavors, Real Meat." Those are positive signals if you're watching artificial additives. The listing also tags Animal Food Diet Type as "special diet" — the listing data includes that phrase, but it does not elaborate or provide therapeutic claims in the copy I was given. If your dog has diagnosed allergies or a special dietary restriction, check the full ingredient list (the listing here doesn't specify the full panel) and consult a qualified professional before using these as a regular treat.

Toilet urgency and digestive response

Some owner themes noted that these treats can stimulate a strong reaction — one owner said giving the treat before bed sometimes meant their dog needed to go out in the night. Individual digestive sensitivity can vary, and the listing doesn't provide digestive or caloric data, so if your dog has a sensitive stomach try a small piece first and consult a professional for dietary questions.

Who this is for / who should skip

Based on the listing and the owner feedback patterns, here's how I slice the audience.

For

• Adult dogs of any breed size — the listing's Age Range Description is "Adult" and Breed Recommendation is "All Breed Sizes."
• Owners who want a high‑reward, high‑aroma training treat — the listing emphasizes "real bacon" as first ingredient and the strips are billed as meaty and cheesy.
• People who prefer soft, tearable treats for rapid reinforcement — the listing explicitly suggests tearing strips into smaller pieces for training.
• Buyers who prefer products produced in the USA — the listing states Beggin' is produced by Purina using facilities in the USA.

Who should skip or be cautious

• Puppies: the listing's Age Range Description is "Adult," and the listing doesn't provide guidance for puppies, so skip or consult a professional before using these with growing pups.
• Dogs on strict therapeutic diets: the listing tags "special diet" but doesn't expand on that in the available copy — check ingredients with a professional.
• Owners who can't manage a two‑pouch bulk delivery: several owners noted the pack can be a lot and pieces can dry out over time even if resealed. If you go bulk, plan for storage (refrigeration or portioning into smaller bags) or buy single smaller packs where available.
• Pet households where choking risk is a concern: because some pieces arrive broken and very small, supervise treat time and portion accordingly.

Verdict

Purina Beggin' Strips Bacon & Cheese are an unabashedly enticing training treat: real meat listed as the first ingredient, a pronounced bacon aroma, and a soft chew that tears easily make these strong reinforcers for adult dogs. The product listing is clear on the core points — two 26 oz pouches, real bacon first ingredient, no artificial flavors, no FD & C colors, made in USA facilities — and that transparency is useful when you're choosing high‑value rewards.

That said, the owner feedback I reviewed flags a few practical downsides: the pouches are large (two 26 oz pouches) and some buyers said treats dry out quickly in the bag. There are also reports of inconsistent piece sizing inside the pouch — some pieces arrive broken down to very small bits — which is something to manage if you have dogs that gulp treats or if you rely on a predictable portion size for training. Finally, while the listing says "Allergen‑Free," it does not provide a complete ingredient panel in the copy I received here, so if your dog has food allergies or a medical diet you'll want to check the full label or verify with a qualified professional before using these regularly.

Check before you buy (quick checklist)

• Confirm the Age Range: listing shows "Adult" — not specified for puppies.
• Confirm the pack size works for you: this is two 26 oz pouches (52 ounces total).
• Plan for storage: owners report treats can dry out; consider portioning into smaller airtight containers.
• Watch the first bag: verify piece sizes and supervise treat time for choking risk.
• If your dog has allergies or a therapeutic diet: check the full ingredient list and consult a qualified professional.

Overall: If you're after a high‑value, bacon‑forward training treat for an adult dog and don't mind managing bulk packaging, Purina Beggin' Strips Bacon & Cheese deliver on smell and immediate dog appeal. If you need precise portioning, are buying for a puppy, or have a dog with strict dietary requirements, read the label closely and check with a professional before integrating these into a daily routine.

FAQ

1. Can I use these for puppy training?

   The listing's Age Range Description is "Adult." The product data does not specify suitability for puppies, so the listing doesn't recommend them for pups. If you have a puppy, check the full ingredient list (not provided in my product data) and consult a qualified professional before using.

2. Are these treats safe for dogs with allergies?

   The listing's Allergen Information field is listed as "Allergen‑Free," and the product copy calls out "No Artificial Flavors" and "No Artificial Colors." The listing does not include a full ingredient breakdown in the data I have, so for dogs with diagnosed allergies you should verify the full ingredient list and check with a qualified professional.

3. Can I break the strips into smaller pieces for training?

   Yes. The listing explicitly advises tearing each strip into smaller pieces for rewards, and owners commonly use the strips that way for quick training reinforcements.

4. Do these treats contain real meat?

   The listing states that "real meat is the first ingredient" and that Beggin' is made with real bacon. Those claims are in the product copy provided on the listing.

5. Are these made in the USA?

   The listing copy says Beggin' is proudly produced by Purina using facilities in the USA.

6. How long do they stay soft once I open the pouch?

   The listing doesn't specify a guaranteed open‑pouch shelf life. Internal owner feedback I reviewed notes that some people find pieces dry out fairly quickly even when using the pouch's resealable liner, so many owners choose to portion into smaller airtight containers to preserve softness.

7. Is the pack size too big for one dog?

   The pack is two 26 oz pouches (52 ounces total). Several owners described the quantity as substantial and said they had to manage the larger volume to avoid drying; if you don't go through treats quickly, consider storing portions separately or buying smaller packs when available.