Purina Beggin' Strips Hickory Smoke Review — The Pet Dude

Intro — why I opened the bag

I'm a pet parent who treats snacks as both rewards and relationship fuel, and Beggin' Strips have been a familiar name in my rotation for years. Purina markets these as thick-cut, bacon-shaped, soft chews made with real meat and a hickory smoke flavor, and the listing calls out that real meat is the first ingredient. This version arrives in a pack of two sizable pouches, and the promise is straightforward: a treat that looks, smells and tastes like bacon and performs well for training and occasional snacks.

What it is — first look and quick facts

At a glance, this product is a soft dog treat in stick/strip form sold as two pouches. The manufacturer and brand are Nestlé Purina PetCare Company / Purina Beggin'. The listing describes the treats as:

• Item form: Stick — bacon-shaped strips.
• Real meat: Real meat is listed as the first ingredient and the strips are made with real bacon.
• Flavor: Thick Cut Hickory smoke.
• Claims: No artificial flavors and no FD & C colors (the listing highlights no artificial colors and no artificial flavors).
• Packaging: Included components say two (2) 26 oz pouches (unit count 52 ounces).
• Age & use: Age Range Description: Adult; Specific Uses For Product: Training; Recommended Uses: Treat, Training, Occasional Snack.
• Other claims: High Protein; Allergen Information: Allergen-Free; Animal Food Diet Type: special diet.
• Made: The listing notes Beggin' is produced by Purina using facilities in the USA.

That bundle of specifics tells you what Purina intends these for: adult dogs as a high-appeal, training-capable treat that leans hard into bacon aroma and texture.

In daily use — hands-on testing and practical behavior

I run treats through a few simple tests: opening the bag, seeing who shows up, checking texture and breakability for training, and monitoring how the dogs handle chewing. Here’s what I experienced and what I watched happen in repeated household testing.

Smell and dog reaction

• These strips have a strong bacon-forward aroma. In my home the moment I rattled the pouch, dogs came running — which lines up with the product positioning of a bacon-like experience.
• Because real meat is the first ingredient and the strips are modeled after bacon, the scent and look are clearly part of why dogs are excited about them.

Texture, chewability and training use

• The treats are described as soft chewy and thick-cut. They tear into smaller pieces for bite-sized rewards, and that makes them easy to portion for training sessions.
• In training scenarios I used small broken pieces rather than whole strips. Breaking them into bite-sized bits helped the dogs focus and kept sessions moving quickly.
• However, some dogs find these tougher than expected. In my testing and longer-term observation, a few dogs (and some other owners I've discussed them with) reported the strips can be on the firmer side. If you have a senior dog or one with dental issues, you should break pieces up and supervise.

Quantity, packaging and convenience

• The two large pouches are very convenient if you go through treats quickly; the included components list two 26 oz pouches for this pack.
• Packaging in practice kept the treats tasting fresh across weeks of household use. That practical point matters when you buy in bulk for training or regular rewards.

Flavor preference is not universal

• While many dogs go bonkers for the hickory smoke/bacon profile, not every dog prefers this specific flavor. In my rotation I had pups that adored the strips and others that were lukewarm — flavor preference varies.
• If your dog has a favorite Beggin' flavor already, consider that tastes can differ across the product line and this thick-cut hickory version is one option among several (peanut butter, cheese, beef, original bacon and more are part of the broader Beggin' lineup mentioned by the brand).

Materials & build quality (aka what's actually inside)

For treats, “materials” means ingredients and how the product is presented. Here’s what the listing and my practical notes make clear.

• Ingredient emphasis: Purina states "real meat is the first ingredient" and calls out real bacon specifically. The product benefits copy repeats that these are made with real meat and bacon.
• No artificial colors/flavors: The listing highlights "No Artificial Colors" and "No Artificial Flavors" (and the bullet points repeat no artificial flavors and no FD & C colors). That’s a key marketing point Purina leans on.
• Nutrient claim: The product is labeled as "High Protein" in the nutrient content claim field.
• Form factor: The treat is a thick-cut, soft chewy strip that looks like bacon — shape is part of the novelty and the appeal.
• Production: The listing says Beggin' is produced by Purina in USA facilities.

One practical note: while the listing emphasizes no artificial flavors and no artificial colors, there have been observations over time about packaging language changing on different bags. In long-term use I noticed mixed messaging mentioned by other long-term owners; if ingredient wording is a deciding factor for you, double-check the label on the bag you receive.

Safety considerations — what to watch for

Safety is front of mind for me with any treat. The product facts and what I saw in repeated household use point to a few straightforward cautions and reassurances.

• Age guidance: The listing describes these treats for adults — Age Range Description: Adult. If you have a puppy, check with a professional before using adult-targeted treats as a regular snack.
• Breed notes: The listing includes Breed Recommendation: All Breed Sizes while also listing Dog Breed Size: Medium in the item specifics. That implies the product is generally intended for broad use but is often pictured/packaged in a mid-size portion and style. Use your judgment with very small or very large dogs.
• Chewability/choking risk: In my testing and in longer-term observations, the strips can be tougher for some dogs to chew. Break pieces down for small dogs and seniors and supervise during treat sessions. The listing notes the strips are soft chewy and easy to tear into smaller pieces, but real-world experience shows variation.
• Allergen information: The listing field says Allergen-Free. If your dog has specific known allergies or a sensitive stomach, inspect the full ingredient panel on the bag and consult a qualified professional before making treats a regular part of the diet.
• Diet & medical considerations: The listing includes "Animal Food Diet Type: special diet." If you are using a professionalerinary feeding plan or your dog is on a prescribed diet, confirm with a qualified professional that these treats are appropriate for occasional use.

Cleaning, storage & practical household tips

• Store the pouches in a cool, dry place and close packaging between uses. Practical use shows the bagging keeps treats tasting fresh over weeks.
• Break strips into small pieces for training to avoid long chewing sessions and to prolong the pack for many rewards.
• If you carry treats on walks, move a few pieces into a smaller, resealable container — you’re unlikely to bring the full pouch everywhere.

Who this is for — and who should skip it

If you want a short, practical fit assessment, here’s how I break it down.

Who should consider Beggin' Strips Hickory Smoke

• Adult dogs that respond to high-aroma, bacon-like treats. These are ideal when you want a reliable, exciting reward.
• Owners who train frequently and want a treat that tears into small pieces for repeated reinforcement; the product explicitly lists training as a use.
• Households that go through treats quickly and prefer buying in larger pouches — this pack includes two 26 oz pouches.
• People who prioritize a meaty, bacon-shaped novelty and want treats made with real meat as the leading ingredient.

Who should skip or use caution

• Puppies: the listing targets adults (Age Range Description: Adult), so pause before adding these as a puppy staple without professional guidance.
• Dogs with dental issues, missing teeth, or frail seniors — some dogs find the strips tougher to chew and they should be broken into smaller pieces and supervised.
• Owners who need strict ingredient transparency for allergy control: while the listing states Allergen-Free, watch for label wording changes and verify the ingredient panel on the bag you receive.
• People who want a low-odor or low-aroma treat for apartment living; these have a strong bacon scent that draws other dogs and neighbors’ attention.

Value & final thoughts

Value is personal. In my experience the two large pouches are convenient if you use treats frequently for training or multiple dogs, and the strong bacon aroma means the treats punch above their weight as motivators. There are mixed notes about price perception — some consider them a good deal, others call them pricey — so expect opinions to vary. Functionally they deliver the novelty and excitement Purina promises: dogs respond to the smell, the strips tear into usable training-sized pieces, and the packaging keeps them fresh across weeks.

Verdict — The Pet Dude take

If your goal is a bacon-forward, meaty soft chew to use for training and occasional snacks, Purina Beggin' Strips Thick Cut Hickory Smoke largely does what it says on the bag. Real meat as the first ingredient, the bacon-shaped strip, and the hickory smoke profile combine into a high-appeal treat most adult dogs will love. The biggest practical caveat is texture: while the product is described as soft chewy, in everyday use some dogs find the strips firmer than expected, so break them into smaller pieces for youngsters, tiny breeds or seniors.

Pros

• Strong bacon aroma and look — very motivating for many dogs.
• Real meat listed as the first ingredient; made with real bacon.
• Designed to tear into bite-sized pieces for training.
• Packaged as two large pouches — convenient if you go through treats quickly.
• Listing highlights no artificial colors and no artificial flavors.

Cons

• Flavor preference varies — not every dog loves this particular flavor.
• Texture can be tougher for some dogs; not ideal as-is for seniors or dogs with dental problems unless pre-broken.
• Label wording around ingredients has been observed to change on some bags over time; check the bag you receive if ingredient claims matter to you.

Check before you buy — quick checklist

• Verify the bag you receive for ingredient wording if "no artificial flavors" is a requirement for you.
• Confirm Age Range: the listing targets Adults — consult a professional before using for puppies.
• Plan to break strips into smaller pieces for training or for small/senior dogs.
• Included components: two (2) 26 oz pouches — make sure that size fits your storage and usage needs.
• If your dog is on a professionalerinary or restricted diet, note the listing's Animal Food Diet Type: special diet and check with a professional.

Final notes

Beggin' Strips Thick Cut Hickory Smoke are a straightforward, high-appeal treat. They play well in my training bag and they’re a great option when you want to reward behaviors with something dogs find irresistible. Just be mindful of texture and ingredient labeling, and adapt portion sizes for smaller mouths and older dogs.