healthy treats for dogs to lose weight

Healthy treats for dogs

Whether your dog is on a diet and youre helping them lose weight, or you just want to keep them in good shape, these cheap homemade snacks are nutritious, low calorie and can help your dog maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Tips for healthy eating

Just because youre trying to keep your dog healthy doesnt mean that you need to stop giving them treats. However, it does mean that you should watch what you give them and how often.

• If you do want to give treats, make sure that they are not high in fat, salt or sugar
• When giving treats, make sure you include them in your dogs total daily calorie intake to balance things out
• Always ensure that any homemade snacks that you give your dog are cut up into small chunks. This can make them last longer and stop them from getting stuck in your dogs throat
• Try putting your dogs snacks in a food puzzle. These toys slowly release food when they are moved around or played with and are a great form of mental stimulation

Find out more about creating and maintaining healthy feeding habits.

Protein helping your dog meat their weight loss goals

Treating your dog to lean meat is a guaranteed way to grab their attention and keep them feeling fuller for longer. Plain boiled chicken breast with no added seasoning or oils is a great healthy snack. It helps build muscle, is gentle on the stomach and the omega-6 fatty acids it contains help to keep their skin and coat healthy too.You could also try giving your dog salmon as this is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, but its much higher in fat and ideally should be given occasionally and in small amounts.

Always avoid giving your dog processed meats that are high in fat and salt.

Kibble - for when they just want a nibble

If your dog is on a prescription diet, or a special low-fat diet, then giving them a small amount of their normal dry food can be a great way to give them a treat without risking their health. Even if theyre not on a special diet this is a good way to give them a snack thats low in calories. Always ensure that the amount you give them is included in their daily allowance.

Peanut butter your dog will go nuts for it

Peanut butter is a great source of protein. Dogs love it, but you have to be careful which type you use. Always avoid feeding them peanut butter that is high in salt and sugar and should not contain artificial sweeteners. An artificial sweetener called xylitol is particularly dangerous and can be fatal to dogs and may be listed as birch sugar or E967. If youre not sure its safe then its best to avoid it.

Pumpkin helping you carve out a healthy diet

Pumpkin and squash are packed full of fibre and vitamins that help keep your dog regular whilst also giving them a healthy-looking coat. You can cook the flesh of these fruits, but make sure you remove the seeds and rind too. You can also give your dog unsweetened tinned pumpkin.

Apple a very a-peel-ing snack

Apple slices are a tasty crunchy treat for your dog. They're full of fibre and nutrients and may even help to freshen your dogs breath. Apples are higher in sugar, so should be fed in moderation. Always give apple slices, because a whole apple could be a choking hazard. The pips should always be removed as these could be poisonous in large amounts or if eaten regularly.

Vegetable snacks for dogs keeping your dog full of beans

There are several vegetables that you can give to your dog either cooked or raw, including:

• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Green beans

Remember any fruits or vegetables should be cut into very small pieces, especially if your dog tends to swallow food whole rather than chew it. As with all foods, remember to give these snacks in moderation. Certain foods, particularly broccoli, can cause stomach problems if too much is eaten.

Where can I find healthy, homemade recipes for my dog?

We've put together a number of healthy recipes that you can give to your dog as an occasional treat:

Foods not to give your dog

Dogs are affected by certain foods in a different way to us and there are a number of human foods that can be very dangerous to them, including but not limited to:

Find out more about foods that are poisonous to dogs.

Whats the healthiest way to help my dog lose weight?

Although obesity is very serious and both diet and exercise are vital in helping your dog to lose weight, it is important to remember that weight loss should always be done in a gradual and gentle way. Always speak to your vet about the best ways to help your dog lose weight.

Find out more about how to manage your dogs weight.

Important things to remember

• The snacks weve listed above should only be given as treats and shouldnt be used to completely replace your dogs usual balanced diet
• Even though these snacks are healthy always remember to give them in moderation
• If possible try to give organic fruits and vegetables
• If your dog is overweight, or requires special food, always speak to your vet about which snacks to give and any lifestyle changes that you may be considering

Healthy Treats for Dogs on a Diet

Youre at your dogs annual wellness appointment when your veterinarian breaks the news: your sweet, food-and-treat-worshipping pup is tipping the scales a by few too many pounds! You leave the veterinary clinic with a bag of reduced-calorie food in hand, specific instructions on how much to feed your dog, a daily dog exercise plan, and some appointment dates down the road for weigh-ins to track weight loss progress. No doubt that calorie restriction extends into the treat zone too but how do you explain to your buddy that the treats he has grown accustomed to receiving daily might have to be trimmed from his diet? Can dogs on diets still have treats?

Understanding caloric intake and canine metabolism ultimately dictate the rate at which a dog will, or will not, lose weight. Putting your dog on a diet should be guided by your veterinarian for the healthiest approach and most sustainable outcome possible. Dogs are often overfed for both regular meals and treats, and on average, 50% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese! As a pet parent, you are not alone in helping your dog fight the battle of the bulge.

Caloric Intake

Weight gain in dogs is a serious and very common problem and can be avoided with balancing the proper caloric intake with output. The average 15 lb pet dog only needs about 415 calories per day, and a 60 lb pet dog about 1170 calories per day. This includes treats! Treats should make up less than 10% of your dogs diet, meaning that a 15 lb dog only needs 415 total calories per day: 40 calories max from treats and 375 calories should be from a well-balanced commercial dog food. Spoiler alert: that is not very much! Especially when you take into account the average caloric content in some common treats that we like to give our pups:

Greenies Original, Regular Size Dental Dog Treat 90 calories

Original Milk Bone, 1 Medium Size Bone 40 calories

Beggin Strips Originals, Per Piece 36 calories

Pup-Peroni Original Beef Flavor, Per Stick 28 calories

1 oz of cheddar cheese 114 calories

So, if your pup is plump around the midsection, is he banned from treats forever? Luckily, the answer is no! Does he need an overhaul of his treat repertoire? Probably, yes.

Treating Your Pup

Luckily, many dogs are not selective when it comes to receiving treats! Sometimes it is as easy as breaking a treat into many small pieces and delivering those pieces throughout the day. For a dog, it is not the size of the treat that matters just the fact that they are getting positive attention from you and a tasty morsel for their tummy! Some dogs are easy too; if they love their kibbles like treats, section out a small portion of their daily measured kibbles into a designated treat baggie to distribute those to them throughout the day. This alone can satisfy the treat habit of many dogs (as well as the temptation to serve treats by their loving humans!). This method also makes it easy to track your dogs daily calorie intake! Some of the prescription food brands also manufacture low-calorie treats and your vet can recommend those if they fit into your dogs diet plan.

Most dogs do appreciate a small variety in their treats though, so here is a selection of healthy fruits, veggies, and snacks that you can try on your pup and see how they respond to these human foods. Always remember, especially if your dog has food allergies, a sensitive stomach, or is on a strict diet for other medical reasons, to consult your vet prior to trying any human foods or new treats.

Here is a list of healthy treats to give dogs that each measure at about 5-10 calories per piece, depending on how they are served:

• Apple chunks or thinly sliced pieces (no seeds, stem, or core)
• Green beans (fresh or frozenmany dogs love the crunch of frozen green beans straight from the freezer)
• Baby carrots, carrot sticks, cooked carrots (no butter or seasoning)
• Cucumber slices
• Squash (no rind or seeds, serve raw or cooked) butternut, yellow squash, pumpkin, zucchini
• Green peas (fresh or frozen)
• Small pieces of baked sweet potato
• Banana slices (peeled, room temperature or frozen)
• Blueberries
• Cranberries
• Cantaloupe (no rind)
• Watermelon (no rind)
• Raspberries
• Popcorn (no salt or butter)
• Low salt pretzel sticks, or tiny twists
• Rice cakes (broken into small pieces)

AskVet Tip: monitor your dog closely for a few days as you start to offer new food items. For instance, choking on small pieces can happen if you toss your pup certain types of treats (carrot chunks, peas, etc), and vomiting or diarrhea is always a concern in the days following the consumption of new foods. Start slow and once they seem to be tolerating the new treats well, just rotate between a select few types to keep things stable.

As always, stay away from toxic foods that can make your dog sick, like garlic, onions, raisins, grapes, chocolate, yeast dough, sugar-free candies and foods (due to the possibility of being sweetened with xylitol, an artificial sweetener ingredient) and other toxic foods. When in doubt, check with your vet before feeding anything new to be sure they are a good choice for your dog.

What if My Dog is on a Special Diet?

What to do with those pups who are on strict prescription diets for other medical conditions? If you search the Hills, Purina Pro Plan, and Royal Canin Prescription Diet websites, there are some tips on how to turn slices of the canned food into treats and blend up pieces of the kibble to be formed and baked into cookies. Just by varying the texture, you can make their normal food a bit more fun and exciting!

Food Alternatives

Our dogs tend to love food so much that it can be easy to forget that food isnt everything! There are some very satisfying healthy alternatives to treats. Some dogs are equally gratified when they are being brushed, offered a nice play session, are taken on a relaxing walk outdoors, or just given extra attention at home. These activities can be a great way to bond with and reward your dog too, with no calories added! Food puzzles and food games for dogs found online are also great ways for our pups to earn their healthy snack, burn some calories, and get their brains working too.

Stick to The Program for Weight Loss Success

Hopefully, your pup will adapt to these lower-calorie healthy treat alternatives without too much fuss! Keeping track of how much they are consuming daily, and deliberately sticking to a set diet over time is the hardest part or maybe its resisting those big hungry puppy dog eyes? Always keep in mind that your dog will live a longer and more comfortable life if he is maintained at a healthy weight and it is worth keeping their food intake in check using some of these tips!

Our AskVet Veterinarians are available to discuss all of your pets needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you have an immediate need or are looking to improve your pets overall wellbeing, just sign into your account and one of our friendly and knowledgeable veterinary experts will attend to your needs, no appointment required!

Written by:

Alexa Waltz, DVM

Dr. Waltz was raised near the beaches of Southern California but has spent her adult life living all over the beautiful United States while serving in the military and as a military spouse. She left California for the first time to pursue a career as a veterinarian at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She was accepted into the US Army Health Professionals Scholarship Program during vet school and upon graduation spent her military years as a veterinarian in San Diego working for the US Marine Corps and US Navy Military Working Dog programs as well as caring for pets of service members. After her military service, she became a civilian veterinarian and continued as a small animal general practitioner at clinics in California, Rhode Island, Colorado, and Maryland. Dr Waltz loves to see her in person patients just as much as communicating with and assisting pet parents virtually on AskVet. Dr Waltz is also a Mom to 3 humans, 2 guinea pigs, and 1 Australian Shepherd and in her spare time she loves traveling, adventures, exercising, and doing just about anything out in nature!