The Quick Verdict: Healthy dog treats for small dogs should be low-calorie (under 5 kcal per piece), made with a real named protein as the first ingredient, and free of corn, wheat, soy, or artificial fillers. Since treats should stay under 10% of your dog's daily calories, always match the treat's calorie count to how often you're giving it.
| If you need… | Pick this | Calories | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training rewards | Zuke’s Mini Naturals | 2 kcal | Low enough for repeat rewards in one session |
| Training + puppies | Loving Pets Houndations | 2.6 kcal | Grain-free, made specifically for small dogs and puppies |
| Sensitive stomach | Natural Balance Rewards Minis | 3.5 kcal | Limited-ingredient, single protein source (chicken) |
| Max protein | PureBites Beef Liver | 5 kcal | Single-ingredient, 64% crude protein |
| Dental health | Natural Balance Bite-Size Crunchy | 5 kcal | Crunchy texture helps scrape away plaque |
| Premium / organic | Plato Small Bites Organic Chicken | 4 kcal | USDA-certified organic, air-dried to preserve nutrients |
Healthy dog treats for small dogs can be surprisingly difficult to find, especially when so many options are loaded with extra calories, fillers, or oversized pieces. Since small dogs have smaller stomachs and can gain weight quickly, even a few extra calories from treats can add up over time. Many products on the market contain fillers, artificial ingredients, or portions that aren't ideal for tiny breeds. Choosing treats made with real protein, simple ingredients, and appropriate portion sizes helps support training, daily rewards, and overall health without adding unnecessary calories.
What to Look for When Buying Small Dog Treats?
Not every treat labeled "healthy" actually is. Here's what actually matters when shopping for the best dog treats for small dogs:
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KWIK NOTE: Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake. |
Comparison Table: 10 Healthy Dog Treats at a Glance
| Product | Calories | Protein | Grain-Free | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zuke's Mini Naturals Training Dog Treats (Duck Recipe) | 2 kcal | 5% min | No | Soft & Chewy |
| Bocce's Bakery Soft & Chewy Dog Treats (Cheese) | 9 kcal | 13% min | No | Soft & Chewy |
| Natural Balance Pet Foods Rewards Minis Soft & Meaty Dog Treats Chicken | 3.5 kcal | 10% min | Yes | Soft & Chewy |
| Cloud Star Buddy Biscuits Teeny Crunchy Dog Treats Peanut Butter | 2 kcal | 11% min | No | Crunchy |
| Natural Balance Pet Foods Rewards Bite-Size Crunchy Biscuits Small Breed Dog Treats Chicken | 5 kcal | 13% min | Yes | Crunchy |
| Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Grain Free Soft & Chewy Dog Training Treats Salmon | 3 kcal | 15% min | Yes | Soft & Chewy |
| Darford Grain Free Biscuits Turkey Recipe Dog Treats Minis | 7 kcal | 15% min | Yes | Crunchy Biscuit |
| Loving Pets Houndations Small Dog & Puppy Training Treats - Chicken | 2.6 kcal | 15% min | Yes | Soft |
| PureBites Beef Liver Freeze-Dried Dog Treats | 5 kcal | 64% min | Yes | Freeze-Dried |
| Plato Small Bites Organic Chicken Grain-Free Dog Treats | 4 kcal | 21% min | Yes | Air-Dried |
Detailed Overview of Healthy Dog Treats for Small Dogs
Zuke's Mini Naturals Training Dog Treats - Duck Recipe
- Crude Protein: 5% min
- Calories: 2 kcal/treat
- Ingredients: Duck, rice, oats, glycerin, potatoes, cane sugar, malted barley flour, potato protein, salt, dried cultured whey, citric acid, natural flavor, cherries, vinegar, turmeric spice, Vitamin E supplement, zinc proteinate, mixed tocopherols for freshness.
Zuke's Mini Naturals are one of the most popular dog training treats on the market and for good reason. Real duck leads the ingredient list, and at just 2 calories per piece, you can reward your dog dozens of times without guilt. The easy-tear texture is ideal for quick training sessions, and the resealable pouch keeps them fresh. These high-quality dog treats are natural, with added vitamins and minerals, and made with real ingredients like cherries.
Why it's healthy:
- Real duck as the first ingredient means real protein.
- No corn, wheat, or soy eliminates the most common fillers.
- Crafted in the USA with the Earth's best ingredients.
Zuke's Mini Naturals Training Dog Treats Duck Recipe 1-lb
Bocce's Bakery Soft & Chewy Dog Treats - Cheese
- Crude Protein: 13% min
- Calories: 9 kcal/treat
- Ingredients: Oat Flour, Cheese, Rolled Oats, Coconut Glycerin, Cane Molasses, Flaxseed, Vegetable Oil, Citric Acid (Preservative).
Bocce's Bakery brings bakery-quality thinking to dog treats. These soft, chewy biscuits share the same "B" shape as the classic Bocce's range but are noticeably softer, making them a great fit for senior small dogs or pups with dental sensitivities. Made with 100% real ingredients, baked in the USA, and kept wheat-free throughout.
Why it's healthy:
- Wheat-Free
- 100% Real Ingredients
- Baked in the USA
Bocce's Bakery Soft & Chewy Dog Treats Cheese 6-oz
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KWIK TIP: At 9 kcal per treat, these are the highest-calorie option on this list. These are best saved as occasional rewards rather than high-frequency training treats. For training sessions where you're giving 10-20 treats at a time, opt for a 2-3 kcal treat instead and save Bocce's for a special end-of-day reward. |
Natural Balance Rewards Minis Soft & Meaty - Chicken
- Crude Protein: 10% min
- Calories: 3.5 kcal/treat
- Ingredients: Chicken, potatoes, peas, sweet potatoes, glycerin, cane molasses, salt, guar gum, natural smoke flavor, citric acid (preservative), mixed tocopherols (preservative), rosemary extract.
Natural Balance keeps it clean and simple and that's exactly what makes these treats stand out. Chicken is the single animal protein source, paired with sweet potatoes and peas for grain-free fiber. These are thoughtfully designed for dogs with food sensitivities, using a limited ingredient approach and skipping artificial fillers entirely. Less than four calories each - the guilt-free training treats for small dogs.
Why it's healthy:
- Crafted from a single animal protein source.
- Sweet potatoes and peas provide grain-free sources of fiber for healthy digestion.
- A limited number of ingredients works great for dogs with food-related sensitivities.
Natural Balance Pet Foods Rewards Minis Soft & Meaty Dog Treats Chicken 5.3-oz
Cloud Star Buddy Biscuits Teeny Crunchy - Peanut Butter
- Crude Protein: 11% min
- Calories: 2 kcal/treat
- Ingredients: Whole wheat flour, peanut butter, canola oil, mixed tocopherols (preservative), rosemary extract.
These adorable bite-sized crunchy dog treats are made with just five simple ingredients - hard to beat for transparency. The peanut butter flavor is a reliable crowd-pleaser, even for picky small breeds. At only 2 calories per treat and free of corn, soy, and artificial colors, they're an easy everyday reward that won't tip the calorie scales.
Why it's healthy:
- Peanut butter provides healthy fats.
- Made with natural ingredients.
- No hidden additives to worry about.
Cloud Star Buddy Biscuits Teeny Crunchy Dog Treats Peanut Butter 8-oz
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KWIK TIP: Even though these are the "Teeny" size, the manufacturer recommends breaking them into smaller pieces for very small breeds (under 5 lbs) such as teacup Chihuahuas or toy Pomeranians. |
Natural Balance Bite-Size Crunchy Biscuits Small Breed - Chicken
- Crude Protein: 13% min
- Calories: 5 kcal/treat
- Ingredients: Potatoes, Chicken Meal, Cane Molasses, Sweet Potatoes, Canola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Chicken, Natural Flavor, Salt, Citric Acid (Preservative), Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Rosemary Extract.
Designed specifically for small-breed adult dogs, these oven-baked crunchy biscuits serve double duty - rewarding your pup and providing dental treats for small dogs. The crunchy texture helps scrape plaque off teeth during chewing. Made with mouthwatering protein and vegetables, these grain-free snacks feature easily digestible ingredients, making them friendly for sensitive stomachs.
Why it's healthy:
- Grain-free formula with potatoes and sweet potatoes as digestible carb sources.
- No artificial fillers, colors, or flavors.
- The crunchy texture actively benefits dental health.
Natural Balance Pet Foods Rewards Bite-Size Crunchy Biscuits Small Breed Dog Treats Chicken 8-oz
Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Grain Free Soft & Chewy - Salmon
- Crude Protein: 15% min
- Calories: 3 kcal ME/treat
- Ingredients: Salmon, peas, vegetable glycerin, potato flour, dried eggs, pork liver, flaxseed meal, brown rice, cane sugar, chicken fat, dried cultured skim milk, natural chicken flavor, barley flour, tapioca starch, sweet potato, calcium lactate, salt, phosphoric acid, natural smoke flavor, lactic acid, zinc propionate, cane molasses, mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract.
Salmon-based treats are underrated for small dogs, and these from Cloud Star make a strong case for them. At 3 calories each, they're training-friendly without the calorie creep. Free from wheat, corn, and artificial additives, they work well for dogs who are bored with chicken-based options or who simply love fish. The soft, chewy texture makes them easy to break into even tinier pieces for very small breeds.
Why it's healthy:
- Salmon is a rich natural source of omega-3 fatty acids.
- Peas add plant-based protein and fiber.
- Flaxseed meal provides additional omega-3s.
Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Grain Free Soft & Chewy Dog Training Treats Salmon 14-oz
Darford Grain Free Biscuits - Turkey Recipe Minis
- Crude Protein: 15% min
- Calories: 7 kcal/treat
- Ingredients: Turkey, sweet potatoes, potatoes, yellow peas, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), cane molasses, organic carrots, organic apples, cranberries, blueberries, sage, rosemary extract, sunflower oil, sunflower lecithin.
Darford's Turkey Minis come in an adorable heart shape, and the ingredients list is just as wholesome as the packaging suggests. Oven-baked with real turkey as the first ingredient, these grain-free biscuits pack in a surprising variety of superfoods: organic carrots, organic apples, cranberries, and blueberries. Also, this product contains no corn, soy, or meat by-products, and no artificial anything.
Why it's healthy:
- Made with real turkey.
- Heart-healthy protein helps maintain lean muscle.
- No artificial preservatives, flavors, or coloring.
Darford Grain Free Biscuits Turkey Recipe Dog Treats Minis 12-oz
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KWIK TIP: At 7 kcal per treat, these are on the higher end for small breeds. Cap daily servings at 3-4 treats for a 10 lb dog to stay within the 10% rule. |
Loving Pets Houndations Small Dog & Puppy Training Treats - Chicken
- Crude Protein: 15% min
- Calories: 2.6 kcal/treat
- Ingredients: Chicken, potato flour, vegetable glycerin, potato starch, gelatin, lecithin, chicken fat, natural smoke flavor; preserved with citric acid and potassium sorbate.
Houndations training treats are built from the ground up for small dogs and puppies. At under 3 calories per treat, they're made in the USA with natural ingredients and include no corn, gluten, wheat, or grain - and no artificial colors or flavors. The brand even includes a free carabiner clip with each bag, making these a practical choice for on-the-go training hikes or outdoor sessions.
Why it's healthy:
- Chicken is the first ingredient with a clean, short ingredient list.
- Made using natural ingredients.
- Low-calorie dog treats for small breeds.
Loving Pets Houndations Small Dog & Puppy Training Treats Chicken 4-oz
PureBites Beef Liver Freeze-Dried Dog Treats
- Crude Protein: 64% min
- Calories: 5 kcal/treat (avg)
- Ingredients: American-sourced human-grade beef liver.
PureBites may be the most straightforward treat on this list: one ingredient, that's it. American-sourced, human-grade beef liver, freeze-dried to preserve its raw nutritional profile. The freeze-drying process locks in flavor and nutrients without cooking them away, which is why dogs go absolutely wild for these. A high-value treat perfect for the toughest training moments or stubborn recalls.
Why it's healthy:
- Beef liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods for dogs.
- Freeze-drying preserves these nutrients better than baking or extrusion.
- 100% pure, natural, and high in protein.
PureBites Beef Liver Freeze-Dried Dog Treats 2-oz
Plato Small Bites Organic Chicken Grain-Free Dog Treats
- Crude Protein: 21% min
- Calories: 4 kcal/treat
- Ingredients: Organic chicken, dried tomato pomace, sweet potato, organic vegetable glycerin, egg, gelatin, salt, pectin, mixed tocopherols (preservative), organic apple cider vinegar, citric acid (preservative).
Plato's Small Bites stand out for using USDA-certified organic chicken, air-dried at their California facility to naturally preserve nutrients and flavor. The result is a protein-rich, gently processed treat with a clean ingredient list - no fillers, no artificial flavors. Bite-sized and ideal for small breeds, they're perfect for training sessions.
Why it's healthy:
- Air-drying preserves more natural nutrients than high-heat processing.
- USDA Organic chicken is a clean, high-quality source of protein.
- Made with wholesome ingredients.
Plato Small Bites Organic Chicken Grain-Free Dog Treats 6-oz
Final Thoughts
Finding the right treat for your small dog doesn't have to be overwhelming. The bottom line is to prioritize real protein, keep calories low, and keep the ingredient list short. For training, Zuke's Mini Naturals and Loving Pets Houndations are hard to beat at under 3 calories each. For a premium whole-food option, PureBites Beef Liver and Plato Organic Chicken deliver exceptional quality. And if your dog has sensitivities, the Natural Balance Rewards Minis are a thoughtfully crafted, limited-ingredient choice worth trying.
Shop the full range of healthy dog treats, grain-free dog treats for small dogs, at Kwik Pets - with free shipping on orders $49+.
