low calorie dog treats homemade

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 20, 2024

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Low Calorie Dog Treat Recipes

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Low Calorie Dog Treat Recipes

Healthy low calorie dog treat recipes that taste yummy too? You bet!

Every low-cal dog treat on this page is packed full of wholesome and delicious ingredients that are good for your dog... and they taste great too. My dogs are the taste testers and they heartily endorse every one.

Is your dog a little on the chubby side? Is his metabolism slowing down due to age? Or do you just want to make sure he stays at a healthy weight to help avoid the health issues associated with being overweight?

Whatever the reason, low calorie treats are a great way to reward his 'good boy' moments without feeling guilty!

As a rule of thumb, no more than 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake should come from treats. Obviously even when giving low calorie goodies you don't want to be overly-generous, but the lower calorie the treat the more he's allowed. Even if you only offer treats on special occasions.

How Many Calories are in Low Calorie Dog Treats?

There's no hard-and-fast rule as to how many calories a treat must contain to be considered in the 'low calorie' bracket. My personal threshold is 20 calories per treat or less.

Some of the recipes below have treats that contain far fewer than this. Others are closer to the top end of the scale.

Homemade Low Calorie Dog Treat Recipes

Here are recipes for some of my favorite low calorie dog treats, none contain more than 20 calories per treat.

They're pretty varied in terms of ingredients, process, prep time and so on, but each and every one has been dog-taste-tested and approved... and I know your dog/s will enjoy them just as much.

Tips for Making Low Calorie Treats For Dog

Following a recipe that has been created to produce low cal treats is obviously the easiest way to get those chubby-dog friendly goodies!

But if you like to make up your own recipes, enjoy being creative with substitutions or are working around food sensitivities or allergies, here are some tips you might find helpful:

Choosing Flour for Low Calorie Dog Treat Recipes

Not all flours are created equal. They vary in a lot of different ways, including their calorie count.

I don't use white flour in my recipes because it is a highly processed flour which has no appreciable nutritional value, or fiber. Wholewheat flour is a much better option and is a good source of many vitamins and mineral as well as fiber.

White flour is moderate in terms of calories per cup (455 calories per cup), but those calories are EMPTY calories, so they have no value whatsoever.

There are a range of other flours, many of them gluten free, that I like to use as each one has a different nutritional profile, taste, texture.... and calorie count.

Calories per cupfor some of my favorite flours:

Chickpea (aka Garbanzo Bean) flour... 356 calories
Buckwheat flour... 400 calories
Wholewheat flour... 407 calories
Coconut flour... 480 calories
Oat flour... 480 calories
Brown rice flour... 568 calories
Almond meal... 640 calories
Almond flour... 1280

So as you can see, chickpea flour is the lowest calorie flour in my favorites list, while almond flour is the highest.

When you're making low-calorie dog treats this is valuable information, and is part of the decision making. I always consider the nutrient value of any ingredient I'm using, and when counting calories is not the first priority this can often be the deciding factor.

So which are the healthiest (ie most nutritious) flours to use when baking dog treats?

Almond flour (yes, in spite of it's high calories)
Buckwheat flour
Coconut flour
Oat flour
Wholewheat

Check outthis pageto learn about a whole variety of flours, including what they're made from, nutritional information, when to use them, how to store them and much more.

Best Ingredients for Low Calorie Dog Treats

There are a huge variety of different ingredients that can be used to make dog treats, and some of them are more suitable for low calorie recipes than others.

First, and probably no surprise to you, come fresh fruits and vegetables. These are high in fiber and nutrients, and low in calories so they're all around winners!

Some of my favorites low calorie dog treat ingredients include:

Apples
Bananas
Blueberries
Cranberries
Carrots
Kale
Parsley
Pumpkin
Spinach

Ingredients for my low-calorie pumpkin spinach treats (recipe link above)

Bone broth is a fantastic super-food ingredient which isn't just low in calories, but also extremely nutrient dense.Substitute for water or milk for a nutritious and tasty boost.

If your recipe calls for egg/s, you can shave off a few calories by using aflax-egg. Flax eggs are also cholesterol free, lower in fat and higher in fiber. Eggs contain more protein than flax seeds but I don't find this to be too important when making my treats.

Herbs and spices can add flavor with negligible caloriesand are a great way to add a little extra 'yum'.

When it comes to using oil in low calorie recipes, there's not a lot of difference between them as all oils are basically fats.My first choice is extra-virgin olive oil, but I also love to use coconut oil. However, I try to use the minimum amount of any oil in a low-cal recipe.

If a recipe calls for oil you can reduce calories a little by substituting unsweetened applesauce for up to 50% of the oil.

If you want to add cheese, use cottage cheese instead of block or cream cheese. Or try Nutritional Yeast, which adds a nutty/cheesy flavor, is low calorie and also vegetarian/vegan friendly.

For animal protein,I'd suggest shredded, cooked, lean chicken breast as a first choice. Salmon or tuna, either fresh, or packed in WATER, not oil) is another good option.

Most dogs adore peanut butter but creamy or chunky pb in a jar is high in calories and oil, but did you know there's a lower calorie peanut butter option? Well, it's true... enter peanut butter powder! With about 25% of the calorie content of regular peanut butter but all the nutritional value it's a great choice.

Ingredients to avoid when making low-calorie dog treats..

Here are a few of the ingredients to avoid, or at least use in moderation, when creating (or making substitutions) to low-calorie dog treat recipes:

Full fat cheese
Full fat milk or yogurt
Butter
Sugar (this has no place in dog treat recipes of any kind)
Nut butters

Easy Option for Making Low Calorie Treats for Dogs!

This option doesn't work for all recipes, but if you want to make a favorite treat low-cal in a hurry, or are keen to try a new one but the calorie count is too high, it's worth considering...

It's common sense that large treats contain more calories than smaller ones, so if you break up a large treat into several pieces and offer one piece as a treat in it's own right, then each piece might then fit in the low cal category.

Breaking up store bought treats is perfectly doable, in most situations, but with home-made dog treats YOU control the size of each individual treat and may be able to make low-calorie treats out of recipes which weren't necessarily designed that way.

If we take twenty calories as the number we want as a maximum per treat then all you need to do is divide the total calorie content of the recipe by twenty (or less) to get twenty individual treats which come in under the threshold. It's that easy.

But be aware that this only works with recipes which produce medium to large sized treats because if the original treats are already small, you may not be able to make them smaller.

I have some supertiny cookie cuttersthat I like to use when I'm making small treats. They're so cute! Another option is to mark a line (or two) into larger treats before baking them so that they're easier to break into several equally sized pieces. Usually I use a sharp knife to mark the treats at the halfway point (so it can be broken in half) but square or circular treats can be divided into quarters, and it's possible to get creative with other shapes too.

All my recipes show the number of servings and the calories per serving in the nutrition facts box at the bottom of each recipe page. This information is all you need to make this calculation. For example:

A recipe makes 16 medium/large sized treats
Each treat contains 53 calories
Multiply 16 x 53, to give a total of 848 calories
Divide 848 by your chosen number of calories

For this example, if I divide by 15 (because I want each treat to contain approx. 15 calories) the dough should make fifty-six, fifteen calorie treats.

Low Fat Dog Treats

These homemade low fat dog treats are made with oat flour, oats, pumpkin, and applesauce. They are a tasty snack for your furry friend!

So if you are looking for a great recipe for healthy low fat treats for dogs, youve found it! Now you can make your own with simple ingredients.

FYI This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Easy Low Fat Dog Treats Recipe

It doesnt take a lot of time to make these tasty treats. You dont have to roll out the dough and cut it with cookie cutters. Just shape it into balls and bake. The total time to make the treats is about 30 minutes.

Great for obese dogs in a weight loss plan. Not only are these low fat, they are also low calorie dog treats.

Theyre also great treats for dogs with pancreatitis or other health issues that require a low fat diet.

Best Treats For Obese or Overweight Dogs

This homemade dog treat recipe is a great way to give your dog something tasty without worrying about it affecting their calorie intake.

Since youll form them into bite-sized pieces, you dont have to worry about your pup overeating them. Plus, making your own dog treats lets you control all the ingredients. So if you think your dog needs to eat more fiber or protein, you can adjust the recipe.

This is a great option if your dog still asks for treats but you want to restrict their calorie intake and help them shed pounds.

The Best Things About Low Fat Homemade Dog Treats

Your furry friend will gobble up homemade treats and making them is a fantastic way to save money too! These natural dog treats cost less than store-bought and have dog-safe ingredients with no preservatives.

One treat has only 2 grams of fat.

These baked dog treats have a soft texture so they are great for senior dogs or dogs without teeth. They are full of wholesome ingredients that will help your dog maintain a healthy weight too.

Recipe Ingredients

The entire list of ingredients, quantities of each, and the step-by-step directions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post including nutritional information. First, I want to share a bit more information about the delicious ingredients.

Heres a list of what you need for this low fat dog biscuit recipe. If you want to make organic dog treats, make sure you use organic ingredients.

Oat Flour The base for the baked treats. Has healthy fats which lower the risk of heart disease.
Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats For texture and added nutrients such as folic acid.
Banana A healthy fruit that helps bind the dough. A great source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and essential fatty acids.
Pumpkin Puree A healthy vegetable dogs love.
Unsweetened Applesauce Adds moisture and a little sweetness.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

When you make this easy recipe for low fat dog treats, here are a few notes to keep in mind:

You can substitute pumpkin with plain mashed sweet potatoes or shredded carrots.

Do not use pumpkin pie filling because it may contain spices toxic to dogs.

You can make your own oat flour by placing uncooked old-fashioned rolled oats in a blender and blending until it has the consistency of flour.

For very low fat treats, substitute oat flour with brown rice flour. There are only 2.2 grams of fat in 1 cup of rice flour. They will also be low fat grain free dog treats.

If you use any other type of flour, such as all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour, the end results may vary due to the difference in the flour. They will not be gluten-free if using flour made from wheat.

Equipment Needed

You probably have most of the kitchen items you need to make these treats. Here are a few of them just in case:

How to Make Low Fat Dog Treats

These are the recipe steps and photos of the process for making low fat dog treats. I hope they help you make this healthy dog treats recipe!

You can scroll down to the bottom of this article for a printable recipe card.

Slice the banana and place the banana slices, pumpkin puree, and applesauce in a medium bowl.

Stir them until combined and smooth.

Add the flour and oats to the mixing bowl.

Stir until everything is mixed together.

Scoop out the dough and shape it into balls. Coat the balls with oats. Place them on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper (or use a non-stick baking sheet).

Bake in a conventional oven at 350F for about 20 minutes.

Transfer the baked treats to a wire rack to cool.

Serving Size and Information

How many homemade dog treats should you give to your canine companion? That depends on what else they ate that day because you need to consider your pets total daily intake. Being mindful of a dogs food consumption is just as important as it is with a human family member.

It also depends on the size of your dog. Small dogs need fewer calories than larger dogs. Maintaining a dogs healthy weight is important, so keep that in mind when feeding your dog treats in addition to their regular food.

Dogs also shouldnt overeat too many carbs, including healthy homemade dog treats. For this reason, I suggest only giving your pup one treat per day. Or perhaps two on special days.

How to Store Homemade Low Fat Dog Treats

Place the cooled treats in an airtight container or plastic zip-top bag. Store them in the refrigerator.

How long do homemade low fat dog treats last?

These homemade low fat dog treats will last up to 5 days when stored in the fridge in a sealed container.

For longer storage, place them in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag and freeze them. They will last up to 3 months when frozen. You can also use a vacuum sealer if you have one.

Can humans eat these low fat treats for dogs?

They sure can! Everything in these dog treats is safe for human consumption.

More Homemade Dog Treat Recipes

Want to make more tasty treats for your dog? Check these out:

Not in the mood for making homemade dog treats? Check out my favorite dog treats on my Amazon dog treats list.

Low Fat Dog Treats

Tasty low fat dog treats are a healthy snack for your furry friend.

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes Cook Time 20 minutes minutes Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

1 Ripe Banana
cup Unsweetened Applesauce
1 cup Pumpkin Puree or Shredded Carrots
2 cups Oat Flour
cup Old Fashioned Oats divided use

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F.
Slice the banana into a medium bowl.
Add applesauce and pumpkin puree. Stir to combine until the mixture is smooth.
Add flour and cup of oats and mix well.
Scoop out a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball. You may need a little flour to coat your hands.
Roll the ball in the remaining oats.
Repeat making the balls with the dough and oats.
Place the balls on a non-stick baking sheet or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone mat.
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes.
Transfer the baked treats to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.