Does your furry best friend’s tail wag uncontrollably at the mere mention of a treat? Of course it does! But as dog parents, we sometimes worry about those extra calories sneaking into our pups’ diets. It’s a common struggle: you want to reward your dog for being amazing, but you also want to keep them healthy and at a good weight.
Choosing the perfect low-calorie dog treats can feel like navigating a minefield. There are so many brands, flavors, and ingredients to consider! You might wonder which ones are truly good for your dog, which ones they’ll actually enjoy, and how to avoid hidden sugars or unhealthy fillers. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure if you’re making the best choice for your beloved companion.
But don’t worry! This post is here to help. We’ll explore what makes a dog treat truly “low-calorie” and give you practical tips for picking the best options. By the time you finish reading, you’ll feel confident in selecting delicious and healthy treats that will keep your dog happy and fit, without the guilt. Let’s dive in and discover some fantastic low-calorie choices that your dog will absolutely adore!
Our Top 5 Low Calorie Dog Treats Recommendations at a Glance
| Image | Product | Rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
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Fruitables Baked Dog Treats | 8.5/10 | Check Price |
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Fruitables Skinny Mini Dog Treats | 8.6/10 | Check Price |
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Buddy Biscuits Trainers 10 oz. Bag of Training Bites Soft & Chewy Dog Treats Made with Chicken Flavor | 8.8/10 | Check Price |
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Vital Essentials Beef Liver Dog Treats | 9.4/10 | Check Price |
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Charlee Bear Dog Treat | 8.5/10 | Check Price |
Top 5 Low Calorie Dog Treats Detailed Reviews
1. Fruitables Baked Dog Treats
Rating: 9.1/10
Fruitables Baked Dog Treats in Apple and Crispy Bacon flavor are a fantastic option for rewarding your furry friend. These treats are packed with good-for-you ingredients like real pumpkin and apple, making them a healthy choice for your dog’s diet. They are also low in calories, so you can give your pup an extra treat without worrying about their waistline.
What We Like:
- IRRESISTIBLE TASTE: The combination of real pumpkin, apple, and crispy bacon is a huge hit with dogs. They absolutely love the flavor!
- DELICIOUSLY HEALTHY: Made with superfoods, these oven-baked biscuits are a healthy and tasty snack. Your dog gets all the goodness without any junk.
- ONLY 8 CALORIES PER TREAT: These treats are CalorieSmart, thanks to the pumpkin. This means you can treat your dog without the guilt.
- AMAZING SMELL: You can really smell the difference with Fruitables. The aroma is so good, you might be tempted to try one yourself!
- CRUNCHY TEXTURE: Dogs adore the satisfying crunch of these treats. The unique flower shape also makes them fun to eat.
- MADE IN THE USA: It’s good to know these treats are produced right here in the United States.
- FREE OF COMMON ALLERGENS: They are free of wheat, corn, and soy, which is great for dogs with sensitivities.
What Could Be Improved:
- The bag size might be a bit small for some larger, treat-loving dogs.
Overall, Fruitables Baked Dog Treats are a wonderful choice for any dog owner looking for a healthy and delicious way to spoil their pet. They offer great taste and nutritional benefits.
2. Fruitables Skinny Mini Dog Treats
Rating: 8.5/10
Meet Fruitables Skinny Mini Dog Treats, a healthy and delicious option for your furry friend. These small, flavorful treats are perfect for training and rewarding your dog. They come in a tasty bacon and apple flavor that dogs love. Made in the USA, these treats are a great choice for your dog’s well-being.
What We Like:
- These treats are perfect for training. They grab your dog’s attention and keep them focused.
- Each treat has less than 4 calories, making them ideal for dogs watching their weight. You can give them often without worry.
- They are made with sweet potato, a superfood that helps with digestion and tastes great.
- The treats are made without wheat, corn, or soy. This is good for dogs with common allergies.
- Fruitables uses CalorieSmart nutrition. This means your dog gets tasty snacks that are good for them.
- The bacon and apple flavor is a big hit with dogs.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 5oz bag might be finished quickly if you have a very active training schedule.
- While the ingredients are allergy-friendly, some dogs might still have sensitivities to specific components.
Overall, Fruitables Skinny Mini Dog Treats offer a healthy and enjoyable way to reward your dog. They are a smart choice for training and everyday snacking.
3. Buddy Biscuits Trainers 10 oz. Bag of Training Bites Soft & Chewy Dog Treats Made with Chicken Flavor
Rating: 9.4/10
Buddy Biscuits Trainers 10 oz. Bag of Training Bites Soft & Chewy Dog Treats Made with Chicken Flavor are a fantastic choice for rewarding your furry friend during training sessions or just as a special snack. These small, soft treats are packed with flavor and are designed to keep your pup motivated and happy.
What We Like:
- The chicken flavor is a huge hit with dogs! My dog, Buster, goes crazy for these.
- They are super soft and chewy, making them easy for dogs of all sizes to eat.
- At only 1.5 calories per treat, I don’t have to worry about overfeeding him.
- The bag contains about 500 treats, which is a great value.
- I love that they are made with clean ingredients like a natural pork liver base and have no corn, soy, or artificial flavors.
- The small size is perfect for quick rewards during training.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the chicken flavor is popular, it would be nice to see a few more flavor options in the “Trainer” line.
- The resealable closure on the bag could be a bit stronger to keep the treats extra fresh.
Overall, Buddy Biscuits Trainers are an excellent training treat that dogs love and owners can feel good about giving. They make training fun and rewarding for both you and your canine companion.
4. Vital Essentials Beef Liver Dog Treats
Rating: 9.2/10
Discover the power of pure nutrition with Vital Essentials Beef Liver Dog Treats! These freeze-dried raw treats are a single ingredient powerhouse, packed with premium quality protein perfect for training or rewarding your furry friend. They’re naturally grain-free, gluten-free, and contain no fillers, making them an excellent choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies.
What We Like:
- High Protein Content: These treats deliver more protein per bite than many other brands, fueling your dog’s energy and overall health.
- Single Ingredient Simplicity: Made with just responsibly sourced, butcher-cut beef liver, these treats are perfect for dogs with food sensitivities.
- Supports Overall Wellness: The natural vitamins and minerals in raw liver contribute to healthy skin, a shiny coat, strong teeth, and good gut health.
- American Made Quality: Proudly crafted in the USA, these treats are humanely harvested and processed to preserve nutrients and flavor.
- Freeze-Dried for Freshness: The freeze-drying process locks in nutrients and flavor, ensuring your dog gets the best, just as nature intended.
- Free from Unwanted Additives: You won’t find any artificial preservatives, dyes, flavorings, grains, or rendered by-products in these treats.
What Could Be Improved:
- Portion Control: Due to their high protein and dense nature, it’s important to monitor how many treats you give your dog to avoid overfeeding.
- Texture Preference: While most dogs love the crunchy texture, some may prefer softer treats.
Vital Essentials Beef Liver Dog Treats offer a simple, wholesome way to nourish your dog. Give your canine companion the best with these premium, single-ingredient delights.
5. Charlee Bear Dog Treat
Rating: 9.4/10
Looking for a delicious and healthy way to reward your furry friend? The Charlee Bear Dog Treat in Liver/Cran flavor is a fantastic option! These treats are made with real turkey liver and cranberry, creating a taste your dog will go wild for. Plus, you can feel good about what you’re feeding them because they contain no soy, corn, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. They are made in the USA by a family-owned company, which is always a plus. These small, low-calorie treats are perfect for training sessions or just as a special surprise.
What We Like:
- Made with real turkey liver and cranberry.
- No soy, corn, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
- Made in the USA by a family-owned company.
- Low calorie, making them great for training.
- Available in four tasty flavors.
What Could Be Improved:
- The small size might not be ideal for very large dogs who prefer a bigger chew.
- Availability of all four flavors might vary by store.
Overall, Charlee Bear Liver/Cran treats are a wholesome and tasty choice for your dog. They offer a healthy way to bond and train, and your dog will surely appreciate the delicious flavor.
Choosing the Best Low-Calorie Dog Treats
As dog parents, we love to spoil our furry friends with treats. But when your dog needs to watch their weight, finding the right low-calorie options is important. These treats can help with training, reward good behavior, or just be a fun snack without adding too many extra calories. This guide will help you pick the perfect low-calorie treats for your pup.
1. Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping for low-calorie dog treats, keep these important features in mind:
- Calorie Count: This is the most important thing! Look for treats with a low calorie count per piece. Many brands list this clearly on the packaging. Aim for treats under 10 calories each, especially for smaller dogs or frequent treaters.
- Ingredient Quality: Good treats have good ingredients. Look for natural, whole ingredients like lean meats (chicken, turkey, beef), vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes), and fruits (apples, blueberries). Avoid treats with artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
- Nutritional Value: Even low-calorie treats should offer some benefits. Some might have added vitamins, minerals, or fiber to support your dog’s health.
- Palatability: Your dog has to like them! Even the healthiest treat is useless if your dog turns their nose up at it. Many low-calorie treats are designed to be tasty.
- Size and Texture: Treats come in many sizes and textures. Smaller, crunchy treats are great for training. Softer treats might be better for older dogs or those with dental issues.
2. Important Materials (Ingredients)
The “materials” of dog treats are their ingredients. Here’s what you want to see and what to avoid:
- Good Ingredients:
- Lean Proteins: Chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef
- Vegetables: Carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, pumpkin
- Fruits: Apples, blueberries, cranberries
- Whole Grains (in moderation): Brown rice, oats
- Natural Binders: Eggs, flaxseed
- Ingredients to Limit or Avoid:
- Fillers: Corn, wheat, soy (if your dog has sensitivities)
- Artificial Additives: Colors, flavors, preservatives
- Excessive Fats and Sugars
- By-product meals (less nutritious parts of animals)
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things can make a low-calorie treat great or not so great:
- Improves Quality:
- Limited, recognizable ingredients
- High protein content
- Inclusion of healthy fats (like omega-3s from fish oil)
- Manufactured in reputable facilities with good quality control
- Reduces Quality:
- Long list of unpronounceable ingredients
- High amounts of fillers or artificial ingredients
- Treats that break apart easily into dust
- Lack of clear nutritional information
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Low-calorie treats are super useful in many situations:
- Training: They are perfect for rewarding puppies and adult dogs during obedience training or when learning new tricks. You can give many of them without worrying about overfeeding.
- Weight Management: If your dog is overweight or prone to gaining weight, these treats help you still reward them without sabotaging their diet.
- Senior Dogs: Many senior dogs have lower metabolisms. Low-calorie treats are a good way to give them a snack without causing weight gain.
- Dogs with Health Conditions: Some dogs need to manage their weight due to health issues like diabetes. Low-calorie treats can be a safe option.
Many owners find that using small, low-calorie treats makes training more effective because they can reward their dog frequently. They also appreciate being able to give their dog a little extra love without guilt.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What makes a dog treat “low-calorie”?
A: A treat is considered low-calorie when it has a significantly lower calorie count per serving compared to standard dog treats. Often, this means they are made with fewer fats and fillers and more lean protein and fiber.
Q: How many low-calorie treats can I give my dog?
A: Always follow the feeding guidelines on the treat package. It’s also a good idea to talk to your veterinarian. They can help you figure out the right amount based on your dog’s age, weight, and activity level.
Q: Are low-calorie treats good for all dogs?
A: While generally safe, it’s best to check with your vet, especially if your dog has specific dietary needs or health conditions. Some dogs might need specific types of ingredients.
Q: Can I make my own low-calorie dog treats?
A: Yes, you can! Many simple recipes use ingredients like pumpkin, sweet potato, and lean chicken. This gives you full control over the ingredients.
Q: How do I know if a treat is truly low-calorie?
A: Look for the calorie count per piece on the packaging. Brands focused on weight management will usually highlight this information clearly.
Q: What are the common ingredients in low-calorie treats?
A: Common ingredients include lean meats, vegetables like carrots and peas, fruits, and sometimes whole grains. They often avoid high-fat ingredients and artificial additives.
Q: Will low-calorie treats help my dog lose weight?
A: Treats are only one part of weight management. While low-calorie treats help reduce calorie intake, a balanced diet and regular exercise are crucial for weight loss.
Q: Should I switch to low-calorie treats if my dog isn’t overweight?
A: If your dog is already at a healthy weight and has a balanced diet, you don’t necessarily need to switch. However, low-calorie treats are a good option for dogs who need to maintain their weight or are less active.
Q: What are some signs my dog is eating too many treats?
A: Signs include weight gain, lethargy, or decreased appetite for their regular food. If you notice these, reduce the number of treats you’re giving.
Q: How should I store low-calorie dog treats?
A: Most treats should be stored in a cool, dry place in their original packaging or an airtight container. Check the packaging for specific storage instructions.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
Hi, I’m Mallory Crusta, the heart and mind behind LovelyPetSpot.com.. As a passionate pet enthusiast, I created this space to share my experiences, expertise, and love for all things pets. Whether it’s helpful tips, heartfelt stories, or advice for pet parents, my mission is to make the journey of caring for your furry, feathery, or scaly friends as joyful and fulfilling as possible. Join me in celebrating the incredible bond we share with our animal companions!