The Best Low Calorie Dog Treats
Everyone knows that dogs make the best friends. While they can be needy and rambunctious, they're loving and loyal, even if you have yet to earn it. They're reliable companions for as long as they live. With that in mind, if your dog is your best friend, then they deserve only the best. From dog beds to dog bowls, what you give your dog matters for their quality of life. This is especially true for their treats. We've researched some of the best low-calorie dog treats the market has to offer and rounded them up in order to help you treat your best friend the way they deserve.
Pupford Freeze-Dried Training Treats for Dogs
Lower is higher
Pupford is a company that knows how to make treats and knows how to help train dogs. More specifically, they make their treats so that you can build a better relationship with your pooch through food and training. To accomplish this, their training treats feature only three ingredients or less, and there are no sugars, fillers, or other unnecessary ingredients. They’re made with actual meat, too, not some substitute. With over 475 treats per bag, and with each treat having less than one calorie, Pupford’s freeze-dried training treats are a huge value.
Pros:
- When you’re treat-training your dog, not just any treat will do. The treats you choose have to be low in calories, like these are, so that you can give lots of them to your dog during the training process without worrying about weight gain.
- We like that these treats feature simple, quality ingredients, and that they’re sourced and made in the USA.
Cons:
- They are pretty expensive, but quality doesn’t come cheap.
Buddy Biscuits Training Bites for Dogs
Biscuits are better
Buddy Biscuits has set out to create wholesome treats for your canine best friend, and as far as we’re concerned, they’ve succeeded. Bite-sized biscuits with only 1.5 calories per treat, these training bites feature a soft and chewy texture and a natural pork liver base. Baked in the United States, these treats have only natural, pure ingredients, such as actual bacon or chicken, and are completely free of corn, soy, and artificial flavors.
Pros:
- Each bag contains a whopping 500 treats, so you’re unlikely to run out of these any time soon.
- These are free of corn and soy, so they’re one of the best treats out there for dogs with these food sensitivies.
Cons:
- With only a 12% crude protein minimum, these treats aren’t as protein-rich as we’d like.
Nulo Freestyle Trainers Dog Treats
Quality is delicious
Nulo is set on providing you with treats that contain the ingredients your dog needs. They’ve designed all of their recipes to contain high amounts of animal-based protein, low amounts of carbs, and low-glycemic ingredients. Because of this, these treats promote your dog’s overall health. Since each treat has only two calories, they’re perfect for helping small and large dogs stay lean while simultaneously supplying the nutrients they need. And with three delicious recipes, you’re sure to find one that your dog will love.
Pros:
- The DHA from the salmon oil contained in these treats can help fight inflammation, support brain health, and help keep your dog’s eyes in good condition.
- If your dog has a sensitive stomach or suffers from food allergies, these might work. They’re free of grain, soy, corn, wheat, and gluten, ingredients that sometimes cause issues for some dogs (though you should always bring up medical concerns with your vet first).
Cons:
- Unfortunately, this bag only contains about 100 treats. However, for those who only plan to use these treats occasionally, this may be a positive.
IMK9 Organic Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Sensational taste
IMK9 created these organic peanut butter dog treats to be a delicious, low-calorie snack for your four-legged friend. These are award-winning treats and there are many reasons for this. IMK9 has sustainably sourced all the ingredients and has even selected ingredients that specifically promote a healthy cardiovascular and immune system. They’ve also made sure to include natural sources of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins B & E in these treats. Finally, they’ve used real peanut butter so that you can be certain you’re feeding your dog the very best peanut butter treats available.
Pros:
- If your dog is a picky eater, go with these treats. They’re made with real peanut butter, which most dogs simply love.
- Looking to buy American-made? These are produced in the USA.
Cons:
- These are pricy, but when you factor in the sustainably sourced ingredients, the myriad vitamins and antioxidants, and the delicious peanut butter, it’s easy to see why.
Fruitables Skinny Mini Dog Treats
Healthy and tasty
Maybe you don’t just want healthy treats for your dog — maybe you want extra-healthy treats. If that’s you, then Fruitables has formulated these treats to go above and beyond what you’d expect from normal treats. Like much of the competition, these treats are free of wheat, soy, and corn as well as artificial colors and flavors. But unlike others, Fruitables has formulated their recipe with superfoods. These ingredients include sweet potatoes, blueberries, and peas to promote your dog’s health.
Pros:
- These treats are similar to much of the competition in most regards, but the included superfoods really set them apart from the crowd.
- There are a huge variety of flavor mixes available, so you can choose the one (or few) that your dog likes best.
Cons:
- These are only available with a “soft” texture, which some dogs may not like.
Our Tips and Tricks
One of the greatest factors in the overall health of your dog is their weight. Since your dog’s weight is mostly determined by the number of calories they consume and the amount they expend, it’s important to be aware of what they’re eating and where they’re sourcing their calories.
The 90/10 rule is helpful as a general guide for what your dog’s daily calories can look like, especially if your four-legged friend needs to lose some weight. According to this rule, 90% of their calories should come from balanced meals while 10% of their calories can come from treats. Since treats are often the cause of dogs being overweight (or an obstacle to them losing weight), low-calorie treats are a great way to significantly reduce the number of calories your dog is receiving from their treats without reducing the number of treats they receive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a superfood when it comes to dogs?
A superfood is any fresh and natural food that offers maximal nutritional benefits for minimal calories. These benefits usually include large amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, all of which are essential to the longevity and overall quality of your dog’s life. Some examples of superfoods are quinoa — an excellent gluten-free starch that is rich in essential amino acids, protein, complex carbs, and even fiber — and blueberries — a powerful antioxidant and good source of fiber, vitamin C, and phytochemicals.
About the Author
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Since 2008, DogTime has served as a leading resource for millions of dog owners and pet lovers alike. Our goal is to give every dog and pet a happy, healthy home by providing owners with all the information they need to be the best pet parents possible. Our experts share their insights and recommendations to make caring for your beloved pets a breeze.