The 7 Best Low-Calorie Dog Treats of 2023

Best Overall

Wellness CORE Pure Rewards Power Packed Jerky Treats

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“I suggest prioritizing treats that are rich in protein, which helps dogs maintain lean muscle,” says Dr. Bernal. These grain-free jerky bites more than fit the bill. They’re made in the United States with only a handful of ingredients (the ingredient list kicks off with beef), plus they are high in iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamin A. Best of all, they have only 6 calories per treat.

_{Calories Per Treat: 6 | Flavor: Beef | Grain-Free? Yes | Crude Protein: 23% min}

Best for Training

Merrick Power Bites Dog Treats

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When selecting a treat for training, you want something that’s small and chewy so it’s easy for your pup to gobble down quickly in order to be able to continue with your lesson. Because you’ll likely be giving them so many during a training session, it’s especially important to select a low calorie treat—the grain and gluten-free treats clock in at a mere 5 calories.

In addition to main ingredient beef, these pea-sized, these treats also contain sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, blueberries, and rosemary extract for a healthy antioxidant boost. They're made in the United States.

_{Calories Per Treat: 5 | Flavor: Beef | Grain-Free? Yes | Crude Protein: 16% min}

Best Natural

Full Moon All Natural Human Grade Dog Treats Chicken Jerky

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Added colors and preservatives are two ingredients you’ll want to avoid when it comes to healthy dog treats, says Dr. Dernal—and these chicken jerky treats are free of both and a whole lot more of things, including glycerin, grains, wheat, and soy, that aren’t so good for your pup. These treats are higher in calories than other options on our list, but they also are very high in protein.

They’re made of human grade, hormone-and antibiotic-free chicken breast that’s raised cage-free in the United States. With this jerky, like all treats and food, you’ll want to follow the recommended portion sizes to avoid indulging your pup too much. The slow-cooked jerky is hard and chewy, so your pup won’t gobble it down in one bite, but may not be best suited for training.

_{Calories Per Treat: 49 | Flavor: Chicken | Grain-Free? Yes | Crude Protein: 55% min}

Best Soft Treats

Wellness WellBites Natural Grain Free Soft Dog Treats

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If your pup prefers a soft treat, Dr. Bernal recommends choosing ones that are smaller in size or tearing a large one into smaller pieces. “Your pup may not know how big the treat they get is, but they will definitely know how many treats they get!,” she says.

These soft and meaty treats contain a blend of high quality proteins from chicken and lamb, blended with superfoods (think carrots, apples, blueberries, and sweet potatoes), and omega-rich flaxseed for a treat that’s as tasty as it is nutritious.

_{Calories Per Treat: 8 | Flavor: Chicken and lamb | Grain-Free? Yes | Crude Protein: 16% min}

Best for Teeth

Whimzees Natural Grain Free Daily Dental Dog Treats

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Hard treats are great for your dog’s teeth as they help to remove plaque as your pup chews. Whimzees, in particular, are “specially designed with unique ridges and grooves to clean the hard-to-reach areas of a dog’s mouth,” Dr. Bernal shares. The knobby texture helps to massage the gums to stimulate blood flow for optimal dental health. They last a long time, too to keep Fido occupied and incorporate dental health into their everyday routine.

The treats are made of nine non-GMO vegetarian ingredients and that help to freshen breath. They come in small, medium, and large; be sure to buy the right size for your dog for safety and to ensure they don’t get too many calories. Also keep in mind that while these treats are good for teeth, they're also higher in calories than many of the other picks on this list.

_{Calories Per Treat: 44 (medium size) | Flavor: Vegetable | Grain-Free? Yes | Crude Protein: 1% min}

Best Crunchy

American Journey Peanut Butter Recipe Grain-Free Oven Baked Crunchy Biscuit Dog Treats

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“As a general rule of thumb, crunchy biscuits have less fat per ounce than soft/meaty treats,” Dr. Bernal shares. These six ingredient, grain-free and vegetarian made in Missouri treats have only 13 calories per treat and the star ingredient is real peanut butter.

Because they’re bite-sized and baked, which means they’re not sticky at all, they’re perfect for popping in your pocket before you head out on a walk. They’re easy to break in half for a smaller dog or to make them last a bit longer. Did we mention they’re a great value, too?

_{Calories Per Treat: 13 | Flavor: Peanut butter | Grain-Free? Yes | Crude Protein: 16% min}