Healthy Treat Options for Dogs

How to choose smarter snacks, and how Every Wag helps you track them.

Why Treats Matter

Treats are an important part of training, bonding, and enrichment, but they also add calories quickly. Most dogs only need treats to make up 10% or less of their daily calories, so choosing healthy options helps keep your dog at a good weight and reduces the risk of long-term health issues.

Best Healthy Treat Options

1. Fresh, Whole Foods

Many dogs love simple, nutritious snacks you may already have at home:

• Carrot sticks – low calorie, crunchy, great for teething puppies

• Blueberries – antioxidant-rich “superfood”

• Apple slices (no seeds) – fiber and sweetness

• Green beans – filling and low calorie

• Watermelon (no seeds or rind) – hydrating treat for hot days

These are usually lower in calories than packaged treats and offer added vitamins or fiber.

2. Lean Protein Treats

Great for training or higher-value rewards:

• Cooked chicken, turkey, or lean beef (no seasoning)

• Freeze-dried single-ingredient meats (chicken, liver, salmon)

These tend to be calorie-dense, so feed in small pieces.

3. Low-Calorie Commercial Treats

If you prefer packaged treats, look for:

• Limited-ingredient options

• Treats under 5 kcal each (ideal for training)

• Soft treats you can break into tiny pieces

• Brands with clear ingredient labels and no artificial fillers

4. Enrichment Treats

For mental stimulation without excessive calories:

• Frozen Kong stuffed with a thin smear of peanut butter or plain yogurt

• Dental chews labeled by calorie content

• Lick mats with pumpkin purée, yogurt, or mashed vegetables

Just be mindful that some enrichment treats can be higher in calories, Every Wag can help balance that (more below).

Treats to Avoid

• Anything with xylitol (extremely toxic to dogs)

• Fatty or fried foods (can cause pancreatitis)

• Rawhide (choking and digestion risk)

• Grapes, raisins, onions, garlic

• Too much cheese or peanut butter (very high-calorie)

How Much Is Too Much?

General rule: Treats should be 10% or less of daily calories.For example, if your dog needs 600 calories a day, treats should stay under 60 calories.

How Every Wag Helps You Track Treats & Calories

Healthy habits stick when they’re easy, and that’s what Every Wag is built for.

Track Treats Just Like Meals

You can log treats the same way you log meals. Each treat entry shows:

• Estimated calories

• Time given

• Notes (e.g., “training session,” “Kong enrichment”)

Spot Trends Automatically

Every Wag graphs your dog’s:

• Daily treat calories

• Weekly and monthly calorie trends

This makes it simple to notice:

• Treat creep (slow increases over time)

• Days when training might have added more calories

• Times when treat calories exceed the 10% guideline

Supports Weight-Loss Guides

If your dog is on a weight-loss plan, treat tracking ties directly into:

• Weekly goals

• Calorie estimating

• Your dog’s personalized feeding amount

Fun Fact

Dogs don’t care about portion size during training, a tiny treat works just as well as a big one. Breaking treats into pea-sized pieces can cut calories dramatically without affecting motivation.