low calorie dog treats vegetables

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.

20 Fruits & Veggies That Are Good For Dogs

Last updated on November 11, 2022 By Puppy Leaks 51 Comments

I love to mix things up when Im training Laika, and switching up her treats is an easy way to keep her motivated. And rather than having to buy bags of treats all the time I usually just pick out some fruits and veggies Ive already got on hand.

My dog will literally work for celery it doesnt get much better than that.

20 Fruits & Veggies That Are Good For Dogs

Looking for some healthy treats for your dog? I was too and I kept finding myself asking can my dog eat that? when looking at all of the human foods we have in our house. But after doing some research I figured out which fruits and vegetables are safe for dogs, so I made this list for quick reference.

I love using fruits and veggies for treats; theyre healthy, theyre low in calories, and theyre something Ive already got on hand. Heres 20 fruits and veggies that are good for dogs.

These Treats Are Healthy, But Remember to Use in Moderation

When it comes to giving your dog fruits & veggies moderation is key. Too much of any treat, regardless of how healthy they are, can cause stomach issues for your dog especially if its a treat theyre not used to.

Fruits have an abundance of natural sugar, so stick with a few small pieces at a time. Many fruits & veggies are high in fiber which is great for us, but in dogs too much fiber can cause digestive problems. Although fruits & veggies tend to be low in calories they can add up quickly.

When feeding your dog fruits & veggies make sure to wash thoroughly and remove seeds before serving.

The Benefits of Using Fruits & Veggies as Dog Treats

The reason I love using fruits & veggies as treats for my dog is because I can easily control the portion size (making your own homemade dog treats is another great way to control portion size). Besides Zukes I havent seen many dog treats that come in a nice small size. Have you looked at the size of most dog treats lately? Theyre huge.

The other benefit of course is knowing exactly what my dog is consuming. I dont have to worry about ingredients Im not familiar with, nor the ones I cant even begin to pronounce. Heres a list of 20 fruits and veggies that are good for dogs.

1. Carrots

If my dog Laika had her way Id be using carrots as dog treats everyday she absolutely loves them. Theyre easy to clean, peel, and chop up so Im also a big fan and yes, carrots are safe for dogs. If you dont like chopping and peeling you can give your dog baby carrots.

Carrots are high in fiber, low in calories, a good source of beta carotene and vitamin A. Their extra crunchiness also makes them good for your dogs teeth. Carrots are pretty high in carbohydrates, so remember use in moderation.

2. Sugar Snap Peas

Sugar snap peas are Laikas favorite treat by far and theyre pretty nutrient rich. They just need a quick washing and theyre ready to go. You wont see my trimming Laikas nails without a few of these on hand. Sugar snap peas are a good source of fiber, protein, phosphorus, folate, zinc, manganese, and potassium. Theyre also a great source of vitamins C & K.

3. Green Beans

When I give Laika green beans she seems a bit perplexed; I think she assumes theyre going to be snap peas. Shell eat them regardless, but she always pauses for a moment. Green beans are a great source of fiber, manganese, and vitamins A, C & K. To use them as training treats I was them thoroughly and cut the ends off.

4. Apples

Apples are another favorite of mine when it comes to healthy dog treats. Theyre relatively cheap and something weve always got on hand. Theyre a good source of vitamins A & C, as well as being high in fiber. Because apples tend to have the highest concentration of pesticides out of any fruit make sure you wash thoroughly. Remember to remove the stem, core, and seeds before giving your dog an apple.

5. Blueberries

Blueberries are another great fruit thats good for dogs, and many consider them a superfruit because of theyre so rich in antioxidants.

These can be a bit messy but theyre easy to manage when frozen. Their small size makes them a perfect little training treat. Theyre low in fat, high in fiber and vitamin C. A 2006 study found that supplementing sled dogs diets with blueberries increased the amount of antioxidants in their bodies.

Blueberries have a tendency to stain everything; so you might want to consider using these outdoor treats only.

6. Sweet Potatoes

Some of our favorite recipes use sweet potatoes; they make long lasting treats. They are excellent sources of Vitamins A, B5, B6 and C and theyre high in fiber, manganese, and potassium. To use them as treats Id suggest using a food dehydrator or boiling them first. You can chop them up into little bite sized snacks or serve them in larger chips.

7. Watermelon (Seedless)

In the summertime Ive always got some watermelon on hand. Theyre an excellent source of water (92%), potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A & C. Make sure you buy seedless watermelon or take the time to remove the seeds and rind before serving.

8. Strawberries

Who doesnt love strawberries? Theyre full of fiber, magnesium, potassium, iodine, and folic acid. They also contain omega 3 fatty acids and plenty of vitamins B1, B6, C and K. To use as a treat I remove the top and cut in half after washing thoroughly.

Strawberries do contain a lot of sugar, so like most treats be sure to use them in moderation.

9. Bananas

When using bananas as training treats I like to dice them up and freeze them. Bananas are high in potassium, fiber, and magnesium. They also contain plenty of vitamin B6 & C. Laika loves them, but my previous dog wouldnt go near them; your mileage may vary.

10. Cantaloupe

I was surprised by how well Laika loved cantaloupe once she actually tried it. She spent so much time thoroughly inspecting it before she dared touch it. Cantaloupe contains vitamins A, B and C. It also contains high amounts of beta carotene and potassium. Before giving to your dog make sure you remove the seeds and rind.

11. Celery

Laika loves plain old celery just like many dogs shes a fan of super crunchy things. Celery is a great source of vitamins A, B, and C, calcium, potassium, iron, sodium, and phosphorus. It doesnt get much simpler than washing and chopping up celery.

12. Cucumber

Cucumber is another great healthy treat for dogs thats low in calories. Cucumbers are an excellent source of vitamin K. To make them into dog training treats I cut them in half lengthwise to remove the seeds. Then theyre washed and chopped up into bite sized pieces.

13. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is one of the most popular healthy treats for dogs. There are numerous health benefits to pumpkin which is why its known as a super fruit. Its a low calorie fruit rich in vitamins A & C, beta carotene, potassium, calcium, zinc, fiber, and magnesium. Canned or cooked fresh pumpkin is preferred dogs can even have pumpkin seeds in moderation.

In addition to being good for your dogs skin and coat, pumpkin can also help alleviate mild digestive issues such as diarrhea or constipation.

14. Broccoli

Broccoli is safe for dogs in moderation. Broccoli is high in fiber and Vitamin C. Broccoli contains isothiocyanates, a chemical has been known to cause stomach upset in some dogs. In small quantities broccoli is safe for dogs.

15. Brussell Sprouts

Brusssel sprouts are good for dogs, though Laikas not a fan and will spit them out immediately. Theyre rich in dietary fiber and nutrients. Brussel sprouts are known to cause gas, so you may want to feed in moderation.

16. Zucchini

Zucchini is a great low calorie treat for your dog. Theyre rich in vitamins B & C, and theyre a great source of dietary fiber. My dogs not a fan of zucchini, but she is pretty picky.

17. Raspberries

Raspberries are good for dogs in moderation. Theyre low in calories and high in fiber and vitamin C. They do contain slight amounts of xylitol, so give your dog raspberries in moderation.

18. Pineapple

Pineapple is another fruit thats good for dogs. Its a healthy treat that has a large amount of vitamin C as well as being high in fiber. Because its so high in fiber use moderation when giving your dog pineapple.

19. Pears

Pears are another fruit dogs can eat. Theyre high in vitamins C & K, as well as being high in fiber. Raw pears are 84% water, 15% carbohydrates and contains negligible protein and fat, making them a great low calorie snack.

Just remember to remove the seeds and and pit before giving it to your dog since they pose a choking hazard.

20. Spinach

Spinach is good for dogs, but if yours is like mine she wont have anything to do with it. Shes picky like that. Spinach is a good source of iron, antioxidants and vitamin K.

Resources & Recommended Reading

What Fruits & Veggies Does Your Dog Love?

Does your dog go bonkers for carrots & snap peas like mine? Have you managed to get your dog to eat asparagus? Id love to know what healthy human treats your dog enjoys. Besides Zukes have you found any other bite sized healthy dog treats?

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