3 Low-Fat Dog Treats

Reviewed By Joana Garrido DVM

Obesity continues to be an epidemic in pets, including dogs. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), its percentage in the USA has jumped from 56% in 2017 and 2018 to 59% in 2022.

Obesity needs serious attention since it largely contributes to the development of many health issues, such as diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease.

One way to combat canine obesity is by switching to low-fat dog treats. Read on to learn how you can make them within the comforts of your home.

How Do Low-Fat Dog Treats Help Obese Dogs?

Before we share our low-fat dog treat recipes, let’s discuss their importance in managing weight for chubby pups.

Strict portion control must be abided by pet parents if their canine companions are on a weight loss journey. This means foods and treats fed to dogs require meticulous selection.

Hence, there is a need to opt for natural dog treats with a low-fat content. They provide organic nutrients while preventing overconsumption of extra fats,  keeping obese dogs from gaining additional pounds.

On their own, low-fat dog treats are unlikely to promote effective weight loss. It should be carried out in conjunction with other weight management methods for better effectiveness such as:

• Taking time to accurately measure the amount of pet food to feed your dog.
• Transitioning him to a special calorie-controlled food upon the veterinarian’s instructions.
• Providing him with ample exercise every day.
• Keeping track of his weight loss through weekly weigh-ins.

3 Natural Homemade Low-Fat Dog Treats for Obese Dogs

1. Dried Apple Rings Low-Fat Dog Treats

Apple is low in fat but high in fiber and health-boosting nutrients. It is one of the most affordable and readily available ingredients dog owners can use when creating low-fat dog treats.

Ingredients

• 3 cups distilled water
• ½ cup vinegar
• 1 whole large apple
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Rinse the apple thoroughly.
4. Use an apple corer to peel and core the fruit.
5. Slice the cored apple into ⅕ thickness.
6. Pour the water and vinegar into a glass bowl.
7. Soak both sides of the thin apple slices in the bowl for around 30 minutes to prevent browning.
8. Using a colander, drain the apple slices. Allow them to sit for 2 to 3 minutes to make sure extra water is removed.
9. Pat the apple slices with a dry paper towel to get rid of the remaining moisture.
10. Arrange these low-fat dog treats on the lined baking sheet. They should be at least half an inch apart.
11. Sprinkle the cinnamon on the apple slices.
12. Bake one side for about 30 minutes or until they have a leathery and crispy texture.
13. Flip them over the other side and bake for another 30 minutes.
14. Remove the low-fat dog treats from the oven and let them cool on the baking tray for 20 minutes.
15. To know if they are completely dried, tear one dried apple ring in half and check for moisture on the torn surface.
16. Bake any of these low-fat dog treats with visible moisture for another 30 minutes. Repeat this step until they are fully dry.

Notes

• For crispier dried apple rings, bake them for an additional hour. Turn off the oven, then let these healthy low-calorie treats for dogs cool for another hour.

• Store the low-fat dog treats in a tightly sealed mason jar at room temperature for up to 1 week.

2. Crispy Tofu Low-Fat Dog Treats

Although fat is present in tofu, its amount is relatively low. Moreover, the softer the tofu, the lower its fat concentrations. Thus, it is a good ingredient for low-fat dog treats.

Feeding tofu to your canine companion also gives him an additional dose of protein to keep him active throughout the day.

Ingredients

• 1 block silken tofu
• ¼ cup arrowroot starch
• 1 tablespoon flaxseed oil
• 1 teaspoon table salt
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Use an absorbent cloth or paper towels to wrap the tofu in.
3. If you own a tofu press, use it to drain excess moisture from the tofu. Alternatively, place the wrapped tofu on a plate and set a heavy object on top, like a thick chopping board. Leave it for 20 to 30 minutes.
4. In a small bowl, combine the arrowroot starch, salt, and ground pepper.
5. Unwrap the tofu and slice it into even cubes.
6. Toss them into the starch and spices mixture until completely and evenly coated.
7. Heat the flaxseed oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat.
8. When the oil is hot, quickly sauté the cubed tofu for 3 to 5 minutes until all sides are golden brown at the edges.
9. Transfer these low-fat dog treats to a parchment-lined baking tray. Bake for about 15 minutes for extra crispiness.
10. Place them on kitchen paper to completely cool down and to also drain excess oil.

Notes

• They can be used as dog food toppers or dog training treats. Their crispiness is an interesting texture that may appeal to your dog’s palate.

• Soy products such as tofu are considered goitrogenic food. If your dog has thyroid issues, skip making these low-fat dog treats for him to avoid exacerbating his illness.

• Soy is one of the common plant allergens in dogs. So be extra cautious when feeding these low-fat dog treats to dogs with a history of food sensitivities or allergies.

3. Fruit Yogurt Bark Low-Fat Dog Treats

Countless fruits have a low-fat content. They are great picks if you plan to whip up low-fat dog-friendly desserts for your dog.

Ingredients

• 3 cups low-fat plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup raspberries
• ¼ cup peach slices
• 2 tablespoons raw honey
• 2 tablespoons carob powder

Instructions

1. Use parchment paper to line a large-rimmed baking sheet.
2. In a large bowl, stir Greek yogurt and raw honey together until well combined.
3. Pour the mixture onto the lined baking sheet.
4. Spread it evenly with a spatula until it fills the whole baking sheet.
5. Scatter the raspberries and peach slices on top, then sprinkle the carob powder.
6. Freeze for at least 3 hours or overnight until the yogurt is firm.
7. Break it into 2 dozen small low-fat dog treats using a knife.

Notes

• Any leftovers of these low-fat dog treats can be frozen inside an airtight container for up to 1 to 2 months.

• You can swap raspberries and peaches with fruits that are in season to save money. Just remember to avoid high-fat fruits like avocados.

Read: How to Prevent Dog Obesity

FAQs About Low-Fat Dog Treats

1. Can You Buy Low-Fat Dog Treats?

You can buy low-fat dog treats, but be careful in choosing what products to bring home for your dog.

Some manufacturers market a product as good for your dog because of its low-fat content. However, if you look closely, the dog treat may contain plenty of artificial ingredients.

Despite having low fat levels, this type of product is not suitable for your dog due to the use of unhealthy ingredients.

2. What Are the Best Low-Fat Dog Treats?

Always check commercial low-fat dog treats and make sure they are completely made from natural and human-grade ingredients.

Alternatively, you can make low-fat dog treats at home using ingredients carefully chosen by you. This way, you do not have to deal with worries about health risks associated with buying commercial dog treats.

3. What Can I Give My Dog As a Low-Fat Treat?

Aside from the ingredients in our recipes, many dog-friendly fruits and veggies work great as low-fat treats such as:

• Green beans
• Romaine lettuce
• Watercress
• Cucumbers
• Watermelons
• Papayas

With meats, you have to be more picky since some meat varieties tend to be fatty. Lean meats like chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, and ground turkey are good for hefty dogs on a low-fat diet.

4. How to Make Low-Fat Dog Treats?

To make low-fat dog treats, look for recipes made for obese dogs in mind, just like ours. Then shop for the ingredients listed down.

Make sure to double-check if some of them are unsuitable for your dog due to health conditions like allergies. You can always replace them with other options.

Once you have all the ingredients, proceed to make the low-fat dog treats as instructed by the recipe. You may need to freeze, bake, or cook them.

Do not let leftovers go to waste by placing them in an airtight container and storing them in the fridge or freezer.

Read: 5 Homemade Sugar-Free Diabetic Dog Treats

Summary

Low-fat dog treats are great tools for weight management in obese or overweight pooches. They help dogs cut back on fat intake, which makes them great alternatives for regular treats.

However, solely relying on them to facilitate weight loss will produce poor results. Low-fat dog treats should be used in combination with other weight management methods to gain positive results.

Obesity is a silent killer in many dogs. Find out how to shield your dog from this health issue with the help of our article, “The Risks of Overfeeding Your Dog: How to Prevent Dog Obesity.”