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Dog Nutrition

10 Best Dog Treats for Small Dogs in 2026 - Reviews & Top Picks

Elizabeth Gray
By Elizabeth GrayUpdated on July 4, 2026
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woman feeding her dog a treat seated in stone stairs

Don't bother expecting a small dog to act their size. Whether they're stirring up trouble against a dog twice their weight or consuming enough food to feed a Saint Bernard, small dogs will find a way to make their presence known. If you're lucky enough to share your life with a small dog, you want to make sure they stay as happy and healthy as possible but you probably can't resist spoiling them a little bit as well.

Dog treats are a tasty way to brighten your small dog's day but with so many options available, how do you pick the best one? To guide your choice, we've rounded up reviews of what we think are the best treats for small dogs this year. You'll find choices in a variety of textures and flavors so you can find the perfect option for your tiny but mighty pup.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (Updated in 2026)

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Zuke’s Mini Naturals Chicken Recipe Training Treats Zuke’s Mini Naturals
  • Low in calories
  • Ideal for training sessions
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Milk-Bone Original Small Biscuits Milk-Bone Original Small Biscuits
  • Crunchy texture helps clean teeth
  • Widely available
  • Reasonably priced
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    True Chews Premium Jerky Treats True Chews Premium Jerky Treats
  • Made with premium, all-natural ingredients
  • No artificial flavors or preservatives
  • Appealing texture and flavor
  • Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Lamb And Salmon Grain-free Bites Wellness Soft Puppy Bites
  • Grain-free
  • Designed specifically for puppies
  • Made with real, quality ingredients
  • Greenies Teenie Dental Dog Treats Greenies Teenie Dental Dog Treats
  • Accepted by VOHC
  • Unique texture designed to clean teeth
  • Healthy treat
  • The 10 Best Dog Treats for Small Dogs

    1. Zuke’s Mini Naturals Chicken Recipe Training Treats – Best Overall

    Zuke’s Mini Naturals Chicken Recipe Training Treats
    Protein:8%
    Fat:6%
    Calories:2 kcal/treat
    Top three ingredients:Chicken, rice, barley

    Our pick for the best overall dog treats for small dogs is Zuke's Mini Naturals Chicken Training Treats. These tiny treats are just the right size for little mouths. They're also convenient to stash in pockets or purses for on-the-go training sessions. Many small dog owners don't spend as much time training their dogs as those who own large dogs, but it is just as important for little canines. Zuke's are a natural fit for a reward-based training program. Made using real chicken, these treats are also low in calories, allowing you to keep your small dog at an appropriate size while you're training. But there are also other flavors available if your dog doesn't like chicken or is allergic to chicken.

    Users report that these treats have a strong smell and a recent texture change was not well-received by some dogs.

    Pros

    • Low in calories
    • Ideal for training sessions

    Cons

    • Strong odor
    • Some dogs dislike the texture

    2. Milk-Bone Original Small Biscuits – Best Value

    Milk-Bone Original Small Biscuits
    Protein:15%
    Fat:5%
    Calories:15 kcal/treat
    Top three ingredients:Ground whole wheat, wheat flour, meat, and bone meal

    Our pick for the best treat for small dogs for the money is a classic choice, Milk-Bone Original Small Biscuits. These crunchy biscuits are one of the most well-known and widely available options for small dog treats. Reasonably priced and available in large-size containers, Milk-Bone Biscuits are a good choice for kennels, groomers, or anyone looking to spoil multiple small dogs.

    With wheat products as the top two ingredients, these aren't grain-free treats nor are they suitable for dogs with allergies. The crunchy texture helps keep your small dog's teeth cleaner, a nice perk given how many small dogs suffer from dental disease.

    Pros

    • Crunchy texture helps clean teeth
    • Widely available
    • Reasonably priced

    Cons

    • Not grain-free
    • Contains wheat, not suitable for dogs with wheat allergies

    3. True Chews Premium Jerky Treats – Premium Choice

    True Chews Premium Jerky Treats
    Protein:25%
    Fat:10%
    Calories:58 kcal/treat
    Top three ingredients:Chicken, potatoes, vegetable glycerin

    As our premium choice, we selected True Chews Premium Jerky Treats. These treats are made with all-natural ingredients, including chicken raised without antibiotics or hormones. They're also free of artificial flavors and preservatives. Slow roasted with a delicious smoky flavor, it's no wonder that owners report even their picky dogs seem to love the taste of these treats.

    Because they're made with premium ingredients, these treats are more expensive than most others on our list. They're also fairly high in calories, so you'll want to feed them in moderation. Because of the texture, these treats are easy to break into smaller pieces for training or simply to limit your dog's calorie consumption.

    Pros

    • Made with premium, all-natural ingredients
    • No artificial flavors or preservatives
    • Appealing texture and flavor

    Cons

    • More expensive than some other options
    • High in calories

    4. Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Lamb & Salmon Grain Free Bites

    Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Lamb And Salmon Grain-free Bites
    Protein:15%
    Fat:12%
    Calories:3200 kcal/kg
    Top three ingredients:Lamb, salmon, chickpeas

    Spoil your little bitty puppy by offering Wellness Puppy Lamb and Salmon Grain-free bites. Made from real, quality meat protein ingredients, combined with healthy fruits and veggies, these treats are nutritious and delicious. They’re also grain-free, which will appeal to owners who value this trait. Specially formulated for dogs under a year old, these treats make excellent training treats as your puppy begins training and socialization work. The small size and soft texture of these treats make them easy for extra-small puppy mouths to chew.

    Picky puppies may not care for the taste and smell of the salmon in these treats. The texture is also very crumbly and messy when eaten.

    Pros

    • Designed specifically for puppies
    • Grain-free
    • Made with real, quality ingredients

    Cons

    • Fish taste and smell won’t appeal to all pups
    • Crumbly, messy texture

    5. Greenies Teenie Dental Dog Treats

    Greenies Teenie Dental Dog Treats
    Protein:30%
    Fat:5%
    Calories:26 kcal/treat
    Top three ingredients:Wheat flour, wheat gluten, glycerin

    For those who like their treats to serve a purpose other than just being delicious, Greenies Teenie Dental Treats are a perfect choice. Designed specifically to improve your dog's oral health, Greenies rely on a unique texture to clean your small dog's teeth and keep their breath fresh. They're also low in fat, high in protein, and contain added vitamins and minerals. Accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), Greenies can play a key role in your small dog's dental health.

    As with any chew treat, supervise your dog while they’re eating Greenies to ensure they don’t swallow large chunks. Greenies also contain wheat, a potential allergen.

    Pros

    • Accepted by VOHC
    • Unique texture designed to clean teeth
    • Healthy treat

    Cons

    • Contain wheat
    • Dogs must be supervised when eating

    6. SmartBones Mini Sweet Potato Chews

    SmartBones Mini Sweet Potato Chews
    Protein:4%
    Fat:2%
    Calories:45 kcal/chew
    Top three ingredients:Corn, chicken, sweet potato

    For the small dog who loves to chew and the owner who worries about the safety of rawhide bones, SmartBones Mini Sweet Potato Chews might be just the right fit. Designed to be easier to digest and less prone to splintering than rawhide, these chews are tough and long-lasting. They're also low in fat and calories and contain added vitamins and minerals. For safety, always supervise your dog when chewing even safer treats like these. SmartBones do contain corn, an ingredient that some owners prefer to avoid. Most dogs enjoy these bones, but some owners reported their pets developed upset stomachs after chewing them.

    Pros

    • Designed to be safer than rawhide
    • Easier to digest
    • Low in fat

    Cons

    • Contains corn
    • Dogs should be supervised when chewing

    7. Purina ProPlan Gentle Snackers

    Purina ProPlan Gentle Snackers
    Protein:16%
    Fat:5%
    Calories:14 kcal/piece
    Top three ingredients:Starch, hydrolyzed soy protein isolate, vegetable oil

    If your small dog suffers from allergies or a sensitive stomach, Purina ProPlan Gentle Snackers offers the chance to safely enjoy treats without troublesome side effects. Made from a single protein source and limited ingredients, these treats are easy to digest and free from any artificial colors or flavors. Many small dog breeds are prone to food allergies and these treats are designed with them in mind. These treats typically require a prescription because they're considered a veterinary diet. Food allergies can be tough to diagnose and manage, and it's essential to follow your veterinarian's recommendations carefully.

    Gentle Snackers are fruit and veggie-flavored rather than meat, and some dogs don't find the flavor appealing.

    Pros

    • Designed to be allergy-friendly and easy to digest
    • Limited ingredient
    • No artificial flavors or colors

    Cons

    • Bland flavor
    • Usually requires a prescription

    8. Fruitables Skinny Minis Apple Bacon Treats

    Fruitables Skinny Minis Apple Bacon Treats
    Protein:8%
    Fat:7%
    Calories:3 kcal/treat
    Top three ingredients:Sweet potato, vegetable glycerin, chickpeas

    Ideal for the small dog who needs a little help keeping their figure, Fruitables Skinny Minis are a low-calorie, high-fiber treat that allows you to continue spoiling your overweight dog even when they're on a restricted diet. Made in a certified organic facility, these treats contain real bacon, sweet potato, and apple. They are also grain-free.

    The size of these treats is appropriate for small dogs, but the texture is not as soft as many owners hoped. Others disliked the pungent odor of these treats. Despite the bacon flavor, owners report that pickier dogs still don't care for the taste of these treats.

    Pros

    • Low-calorie
    • Made in a certified organic facility
    • Grain-free

    Cons

    • Strong odor
    • Not as soft as advertised
    • Picky dogs may dislike the taste

    9. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Jumpin’ Stix Venison & Sweet Potato

    Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Jumpin’ Stix Sweet Potato And Venison
    Protein:18%
    Fat:14%
    Calories:32 kcal/treat
    Top three ingredients:Venison, water, dried sweet potato

    Owners of small dogs who need a limited ingredient, over-the-counter treat, should consider Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Sweet Potato and Venison Jumpin' Stix. Not only are these treats grain-free and made with real venison and sweet potato in the top three ingredients, but they also contain added glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health. If your dog has food allergies, check with your vet before feeding these treats to make sure they're okay to offer.

    These treats are only available in a small bag and are a bit expensive. Jumpin' Stix treats are also high in fat, making them a poor choice for overweight dogs.

    Pros

    • Limited ingredient
    • Support joint health
    • Grain-free

    Cons

    • Expensive
    • High in fat

    10. Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Meatballs

    Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Meatballs
    Protein:20%
    Fat:12%
    Calories:27 kcal/treat
    Top three ingredients:Chicken, soy grits, beef

    With a fun shape and soft texture easy to break up for tiny dogs, Milo's Kitchen Chicken Meatballs are a delicious option to consider. Many owners look to these treats for hiding medications. Milo's are high in protein and free of artificial colors and flavors. They do contain quite a bit of fat, however.

    Milo's Kitchen treats have a strong odor which some owners don't care for. Although these treats are overall highly rated, some owners disliked that they contain sugar and reported that their dogs didn't care for the taste. They are also made with soy, which many owners prefer to avoid feeding.

    Pros

    • Easy to chew
    • Can be used to hide medications
    • High in protein

    Cons

    • High in fat
    • Contain sugar and soy
    • Strong odor
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    How to Pick the Best Treats for Small Dogs

    While we chose these treats as our top picks, they are by no means the only choices available to small dog owners. To help guide you when selecting treats for your small dog, we offer some general points to consider.

    Size of the Treat

    Small dogs generally find smaller treats easier to chew and eat. When picking treats, look for a smaller size or those that are easily broken up into bite-size morsels. At the same time, treats that are too small could pose a choking hazard, especially if your dog eats them quickly.

    Texture of the Treat

    Soft, chewy treats are usually the easiest for small dogs to eat. At the same time, chew treats and harder biscuits can be healthier for your dog's teeth. Strong chewers may prefer the harder textures as well. Consider your dog's ability to chew as you select your treats.

    Any Special Health Concerns

    If your dog is overweight or has food allergies, that will obviously impact and limit your treat choices. A veterinarian can help guide you to appropriate treat choices for dogs with food allergies. For feeding overweight dogs, ask a vet to help you calculate how many calories per day your dog should be eating. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calorie count. Always make sure you read labels carefully and know how many calories are in each treat before feeding.

    Our Selection Process For Best Dog Treats for Small Dogs

    To create this buyer's guide, our writing team and editorial staff checked customer reviews, brand reputation, and veterinary approval ratings to present the dog treats for small dogs we think should be highlighted for our readers. In some cases, we conducted hands-on testing along with seeing how much our dogs liked the dog treat. All these factors were considered when selecting these listed dog treats for small dogs to help you make the best purchase for your furry friends.

    Why Trust Dogster?

    Since 2004, Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online, which means we have a lot of experience with dog treats. We take pride in promoting the well-being of all dogs—from toy breeds to giant canines. Our in-house veterinarians, writers, and editors examine each product on our lists, ensuring its quality and reputation. As pet owners ourselves, we only want the best for our furry companions. At Dogster, we are transparent about the products we promote. The nutritional information, overall brand reputation, and customer reviews are all considered for these lists. We inform you how we want to be informed.

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    Conclusion

    As our best overall pick, Zuke's Mini Training Treats are a versatile, low-calorie snack with the perfect size for small dog snacking. Our best value treat pick, the Milk-Bone Original Biscuits, is tasty and serves to keep breath fresh and teeth healthy as well. With so many treat options available for small dogs, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. We hope our reviews of these 10 products gave you the information you needed to help simplify your choice.

    See Also:


    Featured Image Credit: Lucia Romero, Shutterstock

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