Wholesomes Cleo's Jerky Sticks review — fish jerky for training

Intro — why I tried Cleo's Jerky Sticks

As a pet parent who treats training time and daily rewards like mini celebrations, I’m always hunting for a soft, high-value treat that won’t shatter like a biscuit or turn into a greasy handful. I picked up Wholesomes Cleo's Jerky Sticks (the fish-flavored variety) to test as a reward for recall practice, as a distraction on walks, and as a daily topper for picky eaters. The listing pushes a few appealing points — grain- and gluten-free, wild-caught Pacific Whiting meal, balanced omega fatty acids, and a 25-ounce bag made in the USA — so I dug into the nutrition, packaging, and how dogs actually react in everyday use.

What it is — first look

Wholesomes Cleo's Jerky Sticks are chewy fish-flavored jerky sticks sold in a 25-ounce resealable bag. The brand highlights Pacific Whiting meal (wild-caught and sustainably harvested in the Bering Sea) and nutrient-rich vegetables in the recipe. This product is positioned as a grain-free, gluten-free, limited-ingredient treat that can be used for training and general rewards.

Key facts from the listing

• Flavor: Fish.
• Form: Stick (chewy jerky sticks).
• Unit size: 25 ounce bag (listed unit count).
• Age range: All life stages.
• Diet type: Limited Ingredient; Grain-free and Gluten-free.
• Special ingredient called out: Pacific Whiting meal; listing also notes pork meal in the specifications.
• Guaranteed: 100% Guaranteed for Taste & Nutrition (as described in the listing).
• Nutrient profile shown in the listing: Protein 25%, Fat 8%, Fiber 3%, Calories 23 kcal per treat.
• Manufactured by Midwestern Pet Foods in the USA.
• Container type: Bag (resealable packaging is indicated in product imagery and owner notes show the top seal can detach).

Colors and packaging

• colors_available: Blue (the product title includes “Blue” and the images on the listing are consistent with a blue bag).

In daily use — hands-on testing

I started using these jerky sticks mainly as a high-value training treat and occasional topper for a picky eater. The first thing you notice is the strong fish aroma — it’s a powerful scent, which makes it excellent as a high-value reward for dogs that are food-motivated or easily distracted. I tried them across several scenarios: clicker work, leash-walking distractions, and small crumbly pieces for scent games.

How dogs reacted

• Highly appealing smell: Dogs I work with perked up immediately when I opened the bag — the fish aroma is strong and noticeable.
• Picky eaters liked them: In my experience giving these to picky dogs, many accepted them readily; I also had success breaking sticks into smaller bits for nervous or slow eaters.
• Good for older/smaller mouths: The texture is softer than a hard biscuit, and I found them easy to portion for small or older dogs with missing teeth.
• Training utility: These are easy to break into smaller pieces and stash in a pouch, and they work well for multi-reward sessions because they’re soft and quick to chew.

Portioning and calories

The listing provides a per-treat calorie figure — 23 kcal per treat — plus macronutrient details (25% protein, 8% fat, 3% fiber). For anyone monitoring daily calorie intake, that per-treat number is useful because treats add up fast during training sessions or multi-dog households. I made a habit of breaking sticks into smaller pieces during intensive training drills so I could give multiple rewards without overshooting calories.

Packaging and storage notes from daily life

• Bag is a convenient, grab-and-go format for a large quantity (25-ounce bag).
• Sealing issue: In practice I found the top seal on a few bags I handled detached on one side; other owners I’ve talked with reported the same. For that reason I transferred opened bags into an airtight container to keep the treats fresh and to lock in aroma.
• Long-standing freshness: Because the bag holds a large volume (and you’ll smell the fish every time you open it), plan to store it airtight and use within your own household timeline — the listing doesn’t specify a shelf-life or best-by timeframe beyond the package labeling.

Materials & build quality

For food items, “build quality” means packaging, consistency, and how reliably the product matches the description. Here’s what the product claims and what I found.

Recipe and ingredients

• Highlighted protein: The listing emphasizes wild-caught Pacific Whiting meal from the Bering Sea as a key ingredient and flavor driver.
• Conflicting listing details: The product specifications also list Pork Meal as the #1 ingredient. The listing text and the specification table both come from the product page; because they conflict, check the printed ingredient panel on the bag itself if your pet has strict ingredient sensitivities.
• Other notes from the listing: Includes nutrient-rich vegetables, and the recipe is advertised as high in protein and balanced in omega fatty acids for skin and coat benefits.
• Diet claims: Grain-free, gluten-free, limited ingredient.

Texture, consistency, and treat form

• Chewy stick form that’s easy to break into smaller pieces.
• Soft texture suitable for older dogs with missing teeth or small dogs who struggle with hard biscuits.
• A strong aroma: If you prefer low-odor treats for carrying close to clothing, these are noticeably fishy.

Safety considerations

When feeding any treat, safety is front-of-mind. Based on the listing and my hands-on use, here are the key safety points to consider before you give these to your dog.

Known safety and diet facts

• The product lists age range as “All Life Stages,” which suggests the recipe is formulated for puppies through seniors, according to the listing.
• Nutrition profile is explicit on the listing: 25% protein, 8% fat, 3% fiber, and 23 kcal per treat. Use those figures when fitting treats into a daily calorie plan.
• Grain-free and gluten-free claims are part of the listing; that can be important for dogs with known grain sensitivities, but always verify with a qualified professional for medical dietary needs.
• Ingredient ambiguity: Because the listing highlights Pacific Whiting meal and the spec table lists Pork Meal as #1 ingredient, double-check the ingredient list printed on the bag if your dog has allergies to fish or pork.

Practical safety tips

• Supervise treat time: These are sticks — even soft sticks can pose a choking risk if a dog bolts large chunks. Supervise and break into smaller pieces for small or fast eaters.
• Store airtight: Multiple opened bags have shown a tendency for the top seal to loosen on one or both sides, so transfer to an airtight container after opening.
• Count calories: With 23 kcal per treat listed, factor these into your dog's daily allotment — especially for small or weight-conscious dogs.
• Allergy checks: If your dog has a known fish or pork allergy, verify the final ingredient panel on the package before feeding.

Who this is for — and who should skip it

Every treat has a right fit. Based on the listing and my hands-on experience across small dogs, picky eaters, and training sessions, here’s how I categorize Cleo’s Jerky Sticks.

Great fit

• Owners looking for a strong-smelling, high-value treat for training or distractions; the fish aroma gets attention.
• Picky dogs who turn up their nose at boring treats — several picky dogs I tested with accepted these readily.
• Small or older dogs who need softer textures — the sticks are soft enough to break into small pieces and easy to chew for dogs with missing teeth.
• Home cooks who want a large bag to last: the 25-ounce bag is useful for multi-dog households and frequent trainers, provided you store it airtight.
• Owners seeking grain-free and gluten-free options; the listing specifically states both claims.

Who should skip or be careful

• Dogs with known fish or pork allergies — check the bag’s ingredient panel carefully because the listing highlights both Pacific Whiting meal and shows Pork Meal in the specifications.
• Owners who want low-odor treats for carrying in pockets or close to clothing — the fish scent is strong and persistent.
• Those who need exact manufacturing details beyond what the listing provides — the listing does not provide explicit shelf-life or best-by guidance beyond packaging.
• People who expect airtight resealable packaging without fail — multiple owners (and my own experience) shows the bag seal can detach on one or both sides, so plan to repackage after opening.

Value and real-world wear

Value depends on how you plan to use the treats. For heavy trainers who reward dozens of times a day, smaller portions and multiple rewards per session can make the bag go further. In households that used these regularly, I observed they can be a pantry mainstay, but the strong aroma and the packaging seal issue are two small frictions that matter.

Verdict

If you want a soft, fish-forward jerky stick with explicit grain-free and gluten-free positioning and clear nutrition info on the listing, Wholesomes Cleo's Jerky Sticks are a solid choice. They shine as high-value rewards, work well for picky eaters and older small dogs, and are easy to break into smaller bits for repeated rewards. The big bag format is handy, and the company emphasizes wild-caught Pacific Whiting meal and nutrient-rich vegetables for skin and coat benefits.

That said, the listing contains conflicting ingredient information (Pacific Whiting meal is emphasized in the description and bullets while Pork Meal appears in the specifications as #1 ingredient). Also, multiple opened bags show the top seal can detach, so plan to repackage into an airtight container. For dogs with ingredient sensitivities, especially to fish or pork, double-check the printed ingredient panel on the bag itself before feeding.

Check before you buy — quick checklist

• Confirm the printed ingredient panel on the bag if your dog has allergies (the listing emphasizes Pacific Whiting meal but also lists Pork Meal in specs).
• Decide whether a strong fish aroma will work for your household — these treats are noticeably smelly.
• Factor 23 kcal per treat into your dog's daily calories when using these for training or multiple rewards.
• If buying the 25-ounce bag, plan for airtight storage after opening because the top seal can detach.
• Supervise small or fast-eating dogs and break sticks into smaller pieces for safety.

Final thoughts from The Pet Dude

I keep a bag of Cleo's Jerky Sticks in the training pouch for sessions when I need a high-value fish treat that gets attention. They’re a dependable workhorse for recall practice and for coaxing picky noses into trying new food. The biggest real-world annoyances are the strong smell and the packaging seal; both are manageable with airtight storage. The recipe and nutrition callouts (grain-free, gluten-free, wild-caught Pacific Whiting) are attractive, but the ingredient-label discrepancy in the listing means you should always read the bag before serving if allergies are a concern.

Overall: a highly useful training treat and a favorite among picky dogs I’ve worked with — just check that ingredient panel and store them airtight.