It is important to look for treats that are healthy and low in calories, as well as treats that are appropriate for your dog’s life stage and size. Here are our picks for the seven best low-calorie dog treats based on pet owners’ reviews.
In this article
A Quick Look at Our Top Picks in 2025
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Wellness CORE Jerky Dog Treats |
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Best Value
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Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Dog Treats |
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Premium Choice
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Stewart Pro-Treat Raw Dog Treats |
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Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Dog Treats |
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Merrick Power Bites Dog Treats |
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The 7 Best Low-Calorie Dog Treats
1. Wellness CORE Venison Jerky Dog Treats – Best Overall
| Package size: | 4 oz |
| Life stage: | Adult |
| Special diet: | Grain-free, no wheat or soy |
Wellness CORE Power Packed Venison Grain-Free Jerky Dog Treats are the best low-calorie dog treats overall. These hearty, lean treats use real venison and no artificial colors or flavors. Each treat has minimal ingredients and offers a lot of protein, giving your dog added nutrition for rewards without empty calories. The treats are only 5 calories each.
These treats have no wheat, wheat gluten, or soy. Like all Wellness products, these treats are made in the USA with top-quality ingredients. Each bag contains approximately 84 treats per bag. Several reviewers mentioned the size of the treats, which is more for training aid, and the steep price.
- Only 5 calories each
- High protein
- Made in the USA
- Expensive
- Small
2. Blue Buffalo Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats – Best Value
| Package size: | 4 oz |
| Life stage: | Adult |
| Special diet: | No wheat or soy |
Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Tender Beef Recipe Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats is the best low-calorie dog treat for the money. Beef is the first ingredient, giving it a flavor that dogs love. The small bites are ideal for training and rewards, as well as just for showing love. Each treat is 4 calories and boasts omega fatty acids for skin and coat health.
The treats are made in the USA with no by-products, artificial colors, or flavors. Though they are formulated for adult dogs, the small bites are the right size for puppies. Some reviewers said their dogs didn’t like the treats, however.
- 4 calories each
- Omega fatty acids
- Beef as first ingredient
- Some dogs don’t like them
3. Stewart Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats – Premium Choice
| Package size: | 2 oz, 4 oz, 12 oz, 14 oz, 21 oz |
| Life stage: | Adult |
| Special diet: | Freeze-dried raw |
Stewart Pro-Treat Beef Liver Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats are a premium, high-protein, low-calorie dog treat. The treats are made from 100% pure beef liver that’s freeze-dried to maintain its flavor and scent while offering the nutrition of the organ. The single-ingredient formula is good for dogs with food sensitivities, and the treats are only 4 calories.
All Stewart treats are made in the USA in a USDA inspection facility and use no additives or preservatives. The treats come in multiple tub sizes. You can feed them as is or rehydrate them for more moisture. Reviewers said their dogs liked the treats, but they’re large and hard to break into smaller portions for small dogs. Some reviewers said the treats are too hard for their dog to eat.
- High protein
- Freeze-dried
- Single-ingredient
- Big portions, may be too large for small dogs
- Too hard, and may not be good for dogs with dental issues
4. Wellness Soft Puppy Bites
| Package size: | 3 oz, 8 oz |
| Life stage: | Puppy |
| Special diet: | Grain-free, no wheat or soy |
Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Grain-Free Lamb & Salmon Recipe Dog Treats are delicious, bite-sized treats perfect for training puppies. Formulated for puppies under a year old, these treats have protein from animal sources and added fruits and vegetables for added nutrition.
The treats are made in the USA and contain no meat byproducts, wheat, soy, dairy, or artificial colors and flavors. They also contain DHA and omega-3 fatty acids for brain, skin, and coat health. Some reviewers said the treats seemed to upset their dogs’ stomachs, however.
- Bite-sized for puppies
- Animal protein sources
- DHA and omega-3
- Some pups don’t like them; not good for picky eaters
- May cause stomach upset
5. Merrick Power Bites Grain-Free Soft & Chewy Dog Treats
| Package size: | 6 oz |
| Life stage: | Adult |
| Special diet: | Grain-free, no chicken, no wheat or soy |
Merrick Power Bites Real Texas Beef Recipe Grain-Free Soft & Chewy Dog Treats are meaty treats with real beef as the first recipe. Perfect for dogs with chicken allergies, these treats are rich in protein and help to maintain healthy muscle and energy levels. The treats also have omega fatty acids for skin and coat health. Each treat is approximately 5 calories.
Merrick treats are formulated without artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, gluten, soy, or wheat. All treats are made in the US according to FDA guidelines. In addition to beef, the treats come in rabbit, chicken, salmon, and other flavors. Some reviewers said their dogs did not like the treats.
- 3 calories each
- Beef as the first ingredient
- More protein options
- Some dogs don’t like them
6. Wholesomes Lite Biscuit with Lamb Meal Dog Treats
| Package size: | 3 oz, 20 lb |
| Life stage: | Adult |
| Special diet: | Low calorie |
Wholesomes Lite Biscuit with Lamb Meal Dog Treats are low-calorie treats with lamb meal for protein. The nutritious treat is the ideal size for training and has a crunchy texture that dogs love. Each treat is fortified with vitamins and minerals to support overall health.
All Wholesomes treats are made in the USA with high-quality ingredients. Though the treats don’t contain chicken, which may be an allergen for some dogs, they do have chicken fat. Several reviewers said the treats were too hard for their dogs to eat.
- Lamb meal
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals
- Made in the USA
- Too hard
- Made with chicken fat
7. Hill’s Natural Baked Light Biscuits Dog Treats
| Package size: | 8 oz |
| Life stage: | Adult |
| Special diet: | Weight control |
Hill’s Natural Baked Light Biscuits with Real Chicken Dog Treats are delicious treats with real chicken as the first ingredient for protein and weight control. The treats are low in calories to avoid weight gain and are recommended for adult dogs.
Treats are made with no artificial colors or flavors. Though they’re for weight control, they are higher in calories than other treats on this list. The small treats are 8.1 calories per biscuit, and the medium treats are 34 calories per biscuit. Several reviewers said their dogs didn’t like them.
- Real chicken as first ingredient
- Weight control
- No artificial colors or flavors
- Some dogs don’t like them
Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Low-Calorie Dog Treats
Finding the right low-calorie dog treat for your dog depends on the ingredients, your dog’s size and life stage, and other considerations.
Ingredients
Low-calorie treats should be low in calories and offer high-quality protein sourced from animals to support the dog’s energy needs. Avoid treats with filler ingredients like artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Texture
There are benefits to different treat textures. Some dogs may prefer the crunchiness of hard treats, while others may enjoy a soft chew. If your dog has missing teeth or dental issues, however, it’s best to avoid hard treats that may cause discomfort. Ask a veterinarian about the best treat choice for your dog.
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Size
You can find treats suited to small, medium, large, and giant breeds. It’s important to consider your dog’s size in choosing a treat since feeding a toy dog a low-calorie treat intended for large breeds will inevitably increase the caloric intake. If you have large treats, try to break them into smaller portions for your dog.
Your dog probably can’t tell the difference between a big treat and a small one, and breaking them into small pieces translates to more treats for them!
Calories
Low-calorie for giant breeds will be a little higher, but generally, low-calorie treats should be under 20 calories. Remember that even low-calorie treats can add a lot of calories if you overfeed. Ideally, treats shouldn’t account for more than 10% of your dog’s total calorie consumption.
How We Selected These Low-Calorie Dog Treats
This buyer’s guide was carefully crafted by our writers and editors in collaboration with our team of in-house veterinarians. The dog treats reviewed here are rated on a combination of factors: brand reputation, customer reviews across multiple retail outlets, personal experience, and in some cases, feedback from our own dogs! Together, we choose and review only the best dog treats available, to help you make the most informed decisions that foster the well-being of your furry friends.
Why Trust Dogster?
Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online since 2004, which means we have a lot of experience with dog treats. We are a team of passionate dog owners who care about our pups as much as you do yours. We want the best for every canine on the planet. Dogster’s writers, editors, and veterinarians are deeply invested in the well-being of our pets, and we believe that all pet owners share this dedication to providing only the highest quality products and services for our dogs.
Conclusion
Low-calorie dog treats are an excellent way to reward your dog without adding a lot of calories that can contribute to obesity and health problems. Wellness CORE Power Packed Venison Grain-Free Jerky Dog Treats are our pick for the best overall low-calorie dog treats.
If you want value, Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Tender Beef Recipe Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats is the best low-calorie dog treat for the money. The premium option is Stewart Pro-Treat Beef Liver Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats, a high-protein and low-calorie dog treat.
Featured Image Credit: Reddogs, Shutterstock
2 Responses
Most people are obviously not aware that meat is linked to cancer in both humans and dogs. The cancer rate in dogs is 60% and rising rapidly. (Read Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health For Dogs & Cats) There are so many other sources of "clean" protein that there is no need to use a dead, diseased animal in dog treats. Or in their food either. My dogs (and millions of others) have been vegans for years and at age 16, have the healthiest bloodwork around. Just as plant-based humans. Bramble, the oldest dog on record, was a vegan border collie in England who ate what his human ate. It's hard to argue with the facts. And, no dogs are NOT carnivores. They are ominivores and as such, can easily digest other forms of protein such as tofu, legumes and even nut butters. So let's try some health promoting treats to our dogs and kindness to all other animals too.
Hello Susan,
Thank you for your message. We appreciate you sharing your perspective on dog nutrition.
We agree that there are many different approaches to a dog's diet, including plant-based diets. You are also correct that dogs are omnivores, so they don't necessarily need the meat in their diet. It's great to hear that your dogs are thriving on their vegan diet and that you've had such a positive experience.