Healthy low-calorie treats for dogs for weight loss: 4 vet-reviewed options

Hello, furry lovers!

If you want your dog to become a straight-A student in “sit” and “stay”, we know the secret ingredient. It’s treats! Besides this, treats can help in the training or bonding process. And let’s be honest, we love this as much as they do!

Treats are great as long as they are used wisely. A few too many high-calorie snacks and you might find yourself googling “dog gym membership”. Low-calorie treats can prevent weight gain and therefore prevent serious health issues like joint problems, reduced mobility, or diabetes. 

You should seek low-calorie treats and be careful about the ingredients, nutritional value, and method of giving them. 

 

Let’s learn more about healthy low-calorie dog treats for weight loss! 

Jump To: 

• • The importance of low-calorie treats
  • Best low-calorie treat options
  • How to use treats in weight management?
  • Common mistakes to avoid

The importance of low-calorie treats

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped daily life—not just for us, but for our dogs too.

A survey conducted between 2020 and 2022, involving 309 dogs, found that 35.3% were overweight, with 2.3% classified as obese. So, treats are a great way to encourage your dog even more during training sessions, but what if those treats are unhealthy? 

Another study revealed that although nearly 60% of dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese, the majority of pet owners still consider their dogs to be at a healthy weight. We don’t want our pet owners to be “delulu” and our goal is to inform you and stand out as an amazing dog owner! 

It is very easy to go overboard with treats, especially when our dogs give us “that” innocent look. That is why we, at Jope, suggest low-calorie treats. Too many high-calorie snacks can easily add some extra weight for your dog. Of course, excess weight is not only because of treats; poor diet quality and lack of physical activity can also worsen the situation. 

Switching high-calorie treats with healthy treats is a great way to indirectly prevent obesity-related health issues and increase your dog's quality of life and lifespan.

 

Read more about weight management in dogs with arthritis.

 

IMPORTANT:

When choosing treats for your dog, don’t just look at the calories per treat—focus on calories per kilogram or kcal per kg (caloric density). A treat may seem “low-calorie,” but if that’s only because it’s tiny, your dog will keep begging for more without feeling satisfied. The goal is to find treats that are both low in calories per treat and low in caloric density, so they provide some fullness without packing on extra pounds.

Best low-calorie treat options

When selecting treats for your dog, start by deciding whether you prefer natural options, commercial treats, or homemade recipes. To most dogs, the number of treats is more important than the taste of the treat. We’ve got great choices from all categories—ultimately, the decision is yours!

Natural options

Whole and unprocessed foods are the best option for low-calorie treats. These foods are free of additives, preservatives, and fillers. Yet, they provide your dog with all the necessary nutrients while keeping your dog’s calorie intake normal. 

You can start with vegetables and here are our choices:

• Carrot sticks: Crunchy and sweet taste - those are the only things your dog will notice. But it is good for you to know that this veggie is rich in beta-carotene which is great for eye health, and fiber which aids in digestion. The texture of this veggie is a bit rough but helps in keeping the teeth healthy by gently scraping the plaque. This is not a guarantee that your dog won’t have a plaque at some point in their life but is a good and healthy preventative measure. 

• Cucumbers: Hydrating and refreshing - what your dog will notice when eating cucumber slices. What you need to know is that this veggie is mostly water which automatically means you give your dog a low-calorie snack. 

• Zucchinis: Your dog will love the light, refreshing taste of these veggies. They are packed with fiber, which supports digestion and keeps your dog full and hydrated. The high water content is also beneficial for cats, as staying hydrated can support their urinary health and reduce the risk of urinary tract issues. 

 

Note: These three veggies are our choice, but there are many others that dogs can eat (check with a veterinarian). Our tip is to cut the veggies into small bite-sized pieces to prevent choking (make sure they are not too big or too small). You can serve them raw without any dressings or seasonings. 

Other foods that you can include in your pet's diet are green beans, baby carrots, cooked carrots, blueberries, apple slices, and rice cakes. But, don't forget about food allergies that some of the pet treats bring. Try to avoid grapes, chocolate, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and onions. Some of these foods are highly toxic and can lead to fatal consequences. Some of these foods contain more calories than the recommended, and you need to pay extra attention.

Besides veggies, do not forget the lean proteins which are essential for muscle maintenance and satiety. Proteins can significantly speed up the weight loss journey. 

Our choice is boiled chicken which is a high-protein and low-fat option. Meat can improve the satiety and energy of the animal while taking care of the calorie intake. Very often, vets prescribe boiled chicken for dogs with serious digestive upset because this food is light and positively affects the gastrointestinal tract of the animal. 

Another protein alternative could be boiled turkey, which is another healthy and low-protein and fat option. 

Note: Make sure to cook the meat well to avoid bacterial infections that might come from improperly cooked meat. Also, avoid seasoning and cut the meat into small bite-sized pieces to avoid choking. 

 

Top low-calorie treat brands

We’ve found some of the best commercial low-calorie treats based on the quality of the product, and also the customer’s experience and reviews. 

You should look for treats below 3100kcal, and ideally around 2500kcal. This can be very hard to find, but we will inform you about the calorie content for each treat separately. 

Let’s take a look!  

 

1. Blue Buffalo Health Bars

Why trust it?

• These treats are oven-baked with real fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to provide essential nutrients without artificial additives.

• It does not contain corn, wheat, or soy. 

• A healthier alternative to high-calorie treats, allowing you to reward your dog without compromising their health.

• Available in a variety of flavors to suit every dog's unique taste.

 

These treats have 3272 kcal/kg, which is more than the recommended density. It can be due to the high concentrations of carbs, so you need to be careful not to overfeed your dog even with these treats. 

 

2. Zuke’s Mini Naturals

Why trust it?

• Made with high-quality ingredients like real chicken, turkey, or salmon as the first ingredient, ensuring a protein-packed snack.

• Less than 3 kcal per treat, making them fine for training sessions without overloading your dog with extra calories.

• Contains cherry and turmeric, providing antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatory benefits to support overall health.

• The small size makes them ideal for frequent rewards during training without affecting your dog’s diet.

• Available in 8 flavors (chicken, peanut butter+oats, beef, salmon, duck, pork, pumpkin, turkey+cranberries).

The downside is that these treats have low fiber content (2%). But, if your dog already gets enough fiber from their regular diet, this shouldn't be a concern. However, if you're looking for treats with added fiber to support healthy digestion, you may want to explore other options with higher fiber content.

 

3. Fruitables Skinny Minis

Why trust it?

• Made with natural ingredients like real pumpkin and apple as the first ingredients, ensuring a nutrient-packed snack with fiber and antioxidants.

• Under 3 kcal per treat - provide guilt-free snacking and training rewards.

• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives – only wholesome, natural ingredients.

• Soft and chewy texture, perfect for dogs of all ages, especially seniors or those with dental sensitivities.

• Available in 7 flavors (apple bacon, pumpkin mango, pumpkin berry, rotisserie chicken, grilled bison, watermelon, pumpkin spice)

These treats have 3030 kcal/kg, which is in the desired range, but a little too far from the ideal (2500 kcal/kg). Also, they are low in fiber, which has the main property of providing satiety and fullness. However, in general, this is a very good low-calorie treat. 

 

4. Jiminy's Chewy Cricket 

Why trust it?

• Contains 2715 kcal/kg or less than 3 kcal per treat. 

• USA-made, hypoallergenic rewards, and sustainable cricket protein (prebiotic and digestible). 

• Contains wholesome pumpkin, carrots, and oats. 

• Perfectly sized and easy to break. 

• Do not contain corn, wheat, soy, or fillers. 

These treats are not baked and have a moist texture. However, this can be a benefit for dogs who enjoy softer treats, and it can also make them easier to break into smaller pieces for training sessions. 

Read more about Pre, Pro & Post-Biotics for Dogs.

 

5. Charlee Bear

Why trust it?

• Each treat contains only 3 kcal, making it ideal for frequent rewards without weight concerns.

• Contains garden veggies, cranberries, chicken liver, and real cheese. 

• Available in 4 flavors to suit every dog.

• Made without wheat, corn, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives.

Charlee Bear treats are a great low-calorie option with only 3 kcal per treat, but they do have a higher carbohydrate content and they contain 3160 kcal/kg (depending on the recipe). These treats are designed to be small and low in calories, so they’re perfect for rewards during training without adding significant calories to your dog’s diet. 

DIY low-calorie treats

If you’re looking to spend some extra time pampering your furry friend with homemade treats, that’s a fantastic choice! Here are some simple and healthy recipes you can try:

• Baked sweet potato slices

• Frozen banana bites with Greek yogurt 

• Unsweetened pumpkin, peanut butter, and oat bites 

Note: These are some of the simplest and healthiest options, but feel free to explore more recipes. Just remember, when cooking for your dog, avoid adding any sweeteners or spices.

How to use treats in weight management? 

We know that it can be very hard to track the calories of the treats, but you can make that simply by checking the labels of the commercially bought products; or by choosing a healthy veggie. Make sure that treats make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake.

It is important that you use low-calorie treats during the training process. As you take these training sessions, you might be “forced” to give more treats than you’ve imagined if your dog is being a good student. To avoid overfeeding with unnecessary calories, choose a low-calorie treat and use smaller pieces to minimize the calorie intake. The goal with treats during training sessions is to motivate your dog, and not go overboard on calories. 

If your dog is on a weight management program, make sure to time treats for moments when your dog is most active. This way, your dog will be able to burn off those calories. 

You might be wondering why we always connect treats with training. The answer is simple: because science says so! It is proven that positive reinforcement methods are much more effective than negative methods. 

One Cambridge study that surveyed 364 dog owners compared the training methods and their impact on behavior. The following results were found: 

• 66% used vocal punishment

• 12% used physical punishment

• 60% used praise as a reward

• 51% used food rewards

• 11% used to play with their dogs as a reward

 

The findings revealed that most dogs trained with rewards performed better, while punishment had no positive effect on obedience. 

Common mistakes to avoid

When pet owners start incorporating treats into their pets' diets, they often make a few mistakes. Here are some of the most common ones to help you avoid them:

• Giving treats as main meals 

• Overfeeding with treats (even low-calorie treats can do harm) 

• Misinterpreting “low-fat” with “low-calorie” labels 

• Not looking at caloric density

• Using unhealthy treats 

• Not being careful about the special dietary needs of the dog

• Forgetting the 10% limit in daily calorie intake 

• Using treats for every small task 

 

Note: Although we encourage you to include treats during the training process, be extra careful not to overfeed your dog. 

 

Read More: Check out our complete guide to weight loss for dogs here and learn more about the weight loss process!

 

To sum up

When incorporating treats into your dog’s diet, it’s important to find the right balance to ensure their weight stays healthy and normal. Keep in mind the importance of choosing a low-calorie treat and make sure to avoid common mistakes. 

 

Have you noticed any weight gain in your dog after introducing treats? If so, what steps did you take to manage it? We’d love to hear your experience—let us know in the comments below!