3 Homemade Low-Calorie Dog Treats for Pooches on Weight Watch

Reviewed By Joana Garrido DVM

One of the most effective strategies in helping overweight or obese dogs lose weight is through dietary management. It includes being mindful of their daily caloric intake not only from their meals but also treats.

Is your furry pal’s regular doggy snacks too dense with calories? Why not try your hand at making low-calorie dog treats at home? Our easy-to-follow recipes will make the process a breeze.

1. Apple Doughnuts Low-Calorie Dog Treats

Skip sharing regular doughnuts with your pooch since it is heavily laden with calories. Make a healthier version of this human food for him instead, which only contains around 77 calories per 5 servings.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup blueberries
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 3 tablespoons desiccated coconut
• 5 tablespoons unsweetened 100% pure fruit or berry jam
• 1 large apple

Instructions

1. Rinse and core the apple using an apple corer, a round cookie cutter, or a paring knife.
2. Cut off its top and bottom ends, then slice the apple into ¾-thick rings. The fruit should yield approximately 4 to 5 slices.
3. Slather the jam evenly on each of the apple ring slices.
4. Arrange the blueberries on top of these low-calorie dog treats.
5. Drizzle them with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon.
6. Chill the apple doughnut low-calorie dog treats in the freezer for 30 minutes to an hour before serving to your canine companion.

Notes

• Toppings for these healthy low-calorie dog treats are not limited to fruits. You can also use nuts, seeds, and veggie slices.
• Any type of apple can be used in this recipe, but we recommend choosing Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples.

2. Cauliflower Crackers Low-Calorie Dog Treats

Follow this recipe to create homemade low-calorie biscuits for your furry pal. Each of them approximately contains 60 calories per 6 servings.

Ingredients

• ½ cup okra flour
• 1 cup cauliflower
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds
• 1 tablespoon ground chia seeds
• 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Wash the cauliflower and slice it into small chunks.
3. Pour 1 to 2 inches of water into a large pot and place a steamer basket inside.
4. Transfer the chopped cauliflower to the basket and cover it with a lid. Let the water boil, then steam the vegetable until tender, around 5 to 8 minutes.
5. Wait for the cauliflower to cool before blitzing it in a food processor until it has a fine consistency.
6. Place the cauliflower in a nut milk bag, a fine mesh sieve, or a cheesecloth. With clean hands, try to squeeze out all of the water as much as possible.
7. Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and combine them using a fork until a crumbly dough is formed.
8. Shape it into a ball and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
9. Line the baking sheet with a parchment paper. Place the dough in the middle of it, then lay a parchment paper on top.
10. Firmly press on the dough to flatten. Roll it out to about ⅛-inch thickness, forming it into a large rectangle.
11. Peel away the top parchment paper, then use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to score the flattened dough into 1-inch squares.
12. Bake these low-calorie treats for dogs for about 8 to 10 minutes until their edges start to brown.
13. Flip the cauliflower crackers and bake their other side for 10 to 15 minutes until lightly browned.
14. Allow these low-calorie dog treats to completely cool down and let your dog feast on them.

Notes

• Some cauliflower crackers take longer to bake depending on the wetness of the dough when placed in the oven. If these low-calorie dog treats do not have a crisp to them, leave them in the oven for 1 to 2 hours.
• Storing the cauliflower crackers in an airtight container in a cool place can make them last for about 4 to 7 days. Avoid refrigeration or freezing or else these low-calorie dog treats will quickly lose their crisp.
• Baking the cauliflower crackers in a 250 degrees Fahrenheit oven for 3 to 5 minutes can help bring back their crispiness.

3. 1-Ingredient Low-Calorie Dog Treats

Shopping for ingredients can be time-consuming and costly, especially when they are meant for making low-calorie dog treats. Fortunately, this recipe only calls for mushrooms, which provide 21 calories in total.

Ingredients

• 1 cup portobello mushrooms

Instructions

1. Use a vegetable brush or a clean cloth to remove the dirt on the portobello mushrooms.
2. Slice the mushrooms into a quarter of an inch thickness vertically.
3. If you use a dehydrator, arrange the mushrooms on the tray. Line them up in a single layer and make sure to space them evenly for airflow.
4. Dry these low-calorie dog treats for 3 to 12 hours at 125 degrees Fahrenheit until they are brittle and easily break apart.
5. Flip the mushroom jerky on the other side after 30 minutes to release the build-up of moisture.
6. When using an oven for dehydrating, place the mushrooms on a lined baking sheet.
7. Dry them in the oven at around 130 degrees Fahrenheit or at the lower available temperature setting for around 4 to 8 hours.
8. Crack the oven door open while dehydrating these low-calorie dog treats so steam can escape.
9. Flip the mushrooms every 1 to 2 hours to get rid of moisture.
10. Once they are completely dry, take the mushroom jerky out of the oven and feed them to your furry pal.

Notes

• Never wet the mushrooms when cleaning them. As they are porous, they will soak up water and collect high levels of moisture, making them difficult to dehydrate.
• You can make a mushroom gravy out of these dehydrated dog treats by blending them into a fine powder using a blender or food processor. Mix the powder with water until completely dissolved, then pour it on your furry pal’s food.
• The dry treats can last 6 to 12 months if placed in an airtight container and kept in a dim and cool area.
• Condensation may occur in the container, which can cause mold growth on these low-calorie dog treats. So be sure to check for moisture every 3 days. If it is present, carry out the drying process again.

FAQs About Low-Calorie Dog Treats

1. Do Dog Treats Cause Weight Gain?

Consuming dog treats with high-calorie content unrestricted can lead to weight gain in canines. Thus, keep track of your dog’s daily calorie intake from his regular meals and consumption of treats.

Always feed him doggy snacks sparingly and in moderation. Take note of how many calories per treat and make the necessary adjustments to his food portions.

If Fido is already suffering from obesity, switching to products with a low-calorie count

is highly advised. Choose small-sized treats since they are easier to in small amounts.

2. What Are the Best Snacks for Dogs to Lose Weight?

Some of the best snacks for dogs to lose weight are those mostly made up of low-calorie fruits and vegetables such as cauliflower, blueberries, and apples.

They are wonderful sources of fiber, which helps overweight and obese canines quickly feel satiated without consuming too many calories.

Other ingredients in our recipes such as flaxseeds, chia seeds, and mushrooms also offer good amounts of fiber.

3. Do Dog Chews Have Calories?

Many commercial dog chews are high in calories. Much like treats, avoid excessively giving them to your canine companion. If you are looking for an alternative low-calorie dog chew, our 1-ingredient mushroom jerky recipe is a good choice for you.

However, you would want to use larger edible mushrooms if you own a large dog breed. Otherwise, your pet can burn through these homemade dog chews within a few minutes.

4. How Do I Cut My Dog’s Calories?

You can cut your dog’s calories by opting for low-calorie treats like the ones we have featured in our homemade recipes.

Another way to reduce calories in his diet is to use other rewards than dog training treats during training sessions.

Showering your pet with praise or indulging him in his favorite activity are good methods to show how you appreciate his hard work without using food.

You can also work with a certified veterinarian nutritionist to find a low-calorie dog food that fits your dog’s nutritional requirements.

Summary

Obesity is a prevalent health issue in dogs that should be taken seriously. Gaining excessive pounds predisposes them to numerous debilitating and life-threatening health issues such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiac problems.

If your canine companion is showing signs of obesity, taking the initiative to make dietary changes such as switching to homemade low-calorie dog treats and combining them with other weight loss strategies can help reverse his health condition before it worsens.