Ever watch your tiny pup turn their nose up at a treat meant for a bigger dog? Those little mouths and sensitive tummies have unique needs! It can feel like a real puzzle trying to find the perfect snack for your small breed. You want something healthy, something they’ll actually love, and something that won’t choke a Chihuahua or upset a Yorkie’s stomach.
The world of dog treats is huge, and not all are created equal, especially when dealing with smaller dogs. Finding the right size, the right ingredients, and the right crunch without all the unnecessary fillers can be frustrating. You worry about weight gain and allergies, making every treat purchase a miniature mission.
Don’t worry! This guide cuts through the confusion. We are diving deep into the best, safest, and most delicious treats designed specifically for your little companion. Keep reading to discover the top picks that will have your small dog wagging their tail with excitement and you feeling confident about what you are feeding them.
Top Dog Treats For Small Dogs Recommendations
- Contains one (1) 36 ounce canister of mini dog biscuits in 3 tasty flavors: beef, chicken and bacon
- Tasty mini dog treats prepared with care and right-sized for treating more often
- Crunchy texture helps freshen breath and reduce tartar build-up, perfect for sloppy doggie kisses
- Wholesome goodness at only 5 calories per treat with 12 vitamins and minerals
- Bone-shaped deliciousness that makes dog life more fun
- Contains one (1) 40 ounce package of small dog treats with real bone marrow
- The dog biscuit shell encases a real bone marrow center
- Crunchy on the outside and meaty on the inside, our MaroSnacks dog snacks are a satisfying combo of texture and mouthwatering flavor
- Savory treats with calcium, perfect for dogs of all sizes
- Baked with love in Buffalo, New York, USA, with colors from natural ingredients only
- Contains one (1) 25-ounce container of Milk-Bone Soft & Chewy Beef & Filet Mignon Recipe With Chuck Roast dog treats
- Soft and chewy dog treats made with real chuck roast
- Fortified with 12 vitamins and minerals
- Great for dogs of all sizes
- Loved since 1908
- Perfect Dog Treats For Daily Dental Care: Greenies natural dog teeth cleaning treats are crafted to support the 4 areas veterinarians check most: plaque, tartar, gums, & breath and are made with natural ingredients plus vitamins, minerals & nutrients
- Veterinarian-Recommended Dog Dental Treats: Greenies Dental Dog Treats are veterinarian-recommended dental treats for dogs that clean teeth and freshen breath
- Dental Chews For Dogs Fights Tartar: Including Greenies teeth cleaning dog treats into your daily dog dental care routine supports 47% less tartar accumulation and 40% less plaque accumulation in 28 days (Data on file)
- Clinically Proven Dog Teeth Cleaning Treat: This dog dental chew offers clinically proven dog dental care to help maintain your four-legged friend’s oral hygiene
- Unique Texture For Dog Teeth Cleaning: Made for a dog between 5-15 lbs., these Greenies dog treats have a unique design that cleans down to the gumline and positively balances the oral microbiome to help support whole-body health
- Chicken First: Pur Luv Jerky Wrapped Dog Treats are jerky dog treats made with Real Chicken as the very first ingredient
- Real Sweet Potato: The center of these tasty chicken wrapped dog treats is real sweet potato that dogs love, and is good for them too
- Rawhide Free: These chicken jerky dog treats are a 100% rawhide free alternative to traditional rawhide dog chews
- Limited Ingredients: Pur Luv sweet potato treats for dogs feature limited ingredient decks so you know exactly what you’re feeding your dog
- Easily Digestible Healthy Snack: The Pur Luv Chicken and Sweet Potato chews offer a tasty and easily digestible chicken dog treats
- Contains one (1) 24 ounce box of small dog biscuits in 5 tasty flavors: beef, turkey, chicken, bacon and sausage
- Wholesome and tasty dog treats prepared with care and colored by natural ingredients
- Crunchy texture helps freshen breath and reduce tartar build-up, perfect for sloppy doggie kisses
- Vitamins and minerals (twelve to be exact)
- Bone-shaped deliciousness that makes dog life more fun
- Perfect Dog Treats For Daily Dental Care: Greenies natural dog teeth cleaning treats are crafted to support the 4 areas veterinarians check most: plaque, tartar, gums, & breath and are made with natural ingredients plus vitamins, minerals & nutrients
- Veterinarian-Recommended Dog Dental Treats: Greenies Dental Dog Treats are veterinarian-recommended dental treats for dogs that clean teeth and freshen breath
- Dental Chews For Dogs Fights Tartar: Including Greenies teeth cleaning dog treats into your daily dog dental care routine supports 47% less tartar accumulation and 40% less plaque accumulation in 28 days (Data on file)
- Clinically Proven Dog Teeth Cleaning Treat: This dog dental chew offers clinically proven dog dental care to help maintain your four-legged friend’s oral hygiene
- Unique Texture For Dog Teeth Cleaning: Made for a dog between 15-25 lbs., these Greenies dog treats have a unique design that cleans down to the gumline and positively balances the oral microbiome to help support whole-body health
- FREEZE-DRIED RAW BEEF LIVER DOG TREAT: Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Dog Treats pack more protein than industry standard into every bite to deliver the peak vitality your dog deserves. Our natural freeze-dried raw dog treats are made from responsibly sourced, premium butcher cut beef liver.
- BETTER PROTEIN = BETTER BENEFITS: The best freeze dried dog treats on the market use premium butcher cut raw protein to unlock the benefits of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals in raw muscle and organs, because pets deserve the energetic playtimes, healthy skin, shiny coats, strong teeth, and essential gut health that a high-protein diet delivers.
- PROUDLY AMERICAN CRAFTED: All our dog treats and food are responsibly sourced and humanely harvested to ensure the quality of our proteins. We go above industry standards to preserve flavor and ensure the highest quality of protein and nutrients in every Vital Essentials product.
- MADE WITHOUT: Dog treat additives, fillers, dyes, flavorings, artificial preservatives, grains, or rendered by-products. Vital Essentials also offers the widest variety of single-protein raw dog food and treats on the market—great for picky eaters and dogs with allergies!
- RAW DOG TREATS FREEZE DRIED FOR PEAK FRESHNESS: Our protein is frozen within 45-minutes of harvesting to lock in peak nutrients, flavor, and freshness. A slow-freeze-dry ensures minimal processing, while preserving the vital nutrients that our pets deserve, the way nature intended.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Dog Treats for Small Dogs
Small dogs have unique needs. Their tiny mouths and fast metabolisms mean treat shopping requires extra thought. This guide helps you pick the best snacks for your little companion.
Key Features to Look For
When choosing treats for your small dog, focus on size, texture, and calorie count.
- **Size Appropriateness:** Treats must be small enough. Big, hard treats pose a choking hazard for Chihuahuas or Yorkies. Look for “bite-sized” or “training treats.”
- **Texture:** Soft or semi-moist treats work well for small dogs, especially seniors with sensitive teeth. Hard biscuits are okay, but ensure they crumble easily.
- **Calorie Control:** Small dogs need fewer calories overall. Treats should only make up about 10% of their daily intake. Choose low-calorie options so you can reward them often without causing weight gain.
Important Ingredients and Materials
What goes into the treat matters most for your dog’s health. Always read the ingredient list first.
High-quality small dog treats feature real meat, poultry, or fish as the first ingredient. Chicken, salmon, or beef are excellent protein sources. Whole grains like brown rice or oats can provide necessary fiber.
Look for natural added benefits. Ingredients like sweet potato or blueberries offer vitamins. Some treats include joint support supplements like glucosamine, which benefits small breeds prone to joint issues later in life.
Ingredients to Avoid
Artificial colors, flavors, and unnecessary chemical preservatives (like BHA or BHT) should be avoided. Many fillers, such as corn or soy, offer little nutritional value and might cause allergies in some sensitive small dogs.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Treat Quality
Quality is determined by how the treat is made and what it contains.
Improving Quality
Treats made with limited ingredients score high. If you know your dog has allergies, a single-protein source treat is a safer bet. Treats baked or gently dehydrated retain more natural nutrients, which improves overall quality.
Reducing Quality
Overly processed treats often lose nutritional value. Treats packed with sugar substitutes or artificial sweeteners significantly reduce quality. If the ingredient list is very long and filled with unpronounceable names, the quality is likely lower.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the treats affects which type you should buy.
For **Training Sessions:** You need small, highly palatable treats that your dog loves instantly. These should be soft and easy to break into even smaller pieces. High-value training treats motivate quick learning.
For **Dental Health:** Some small dogs benefit from specialized dental chews. Ensure these chews are sized correctly for their jaw structure. They should be firm enough to scrape plaque but soft enough not to damage tiny teeth.
For **Everyday Rewards:** Everyday snacks should be simple and low-calorie. These are perfect for rewarding good behavior, like coming when called or settling down quietly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Small Dog Treats
Q: How often should I give my small dog treats?
A: You should limit treats to about 10% of your dog’s total daily calories. For very small dogs, this might only be a few tiny pieces throughout the day. Always adjust their regular meal portion if you give many treats.
Q: Are human foods safe as treats for small dogs?
A: Some are safe, like small pieces of cooked chicken or carrots. However, many human foods are toxic (like grapes or chocolate). Stick to dog-specific treats unless you are absolutely sure the human food is safe and appropriate for their size.
Q: What is the best texture for senior small dogs?
A: Senior small dogs often have worn or missing teeth. Choose soft, semi-moist, or freeze-dried treats. Avoid very hard biscuits that require heavy chewing.
Q: Do small dogs need special training treats?
A: Yes, they benefit greatly from specialized training treats. Training treats should be very small (pea-sized) and extremely tasty so your dog focuses instantly during lessons.
Q: How can I tell if a treat is choking my small dog?
A: If the treat is larger than the width of your dog’s throat, it poses a risk. Always supervise your dog while they eat treats, especially hard ones. Break large treats into smaller, manageable pieces before offering them.
Q: Are grain-free treats always better for small dogs?
A: Not necessarily. Grain-free is only necessary if your dog has a diagnosed grain allergy. If your dog tolerates grains well, wholesome grains like oats provide good energy. Always prioritize quality ingredients over just being “grain-free.”
Q: Should I worry about preservatives in treats?
A: Yes, you should worry about artificial preservatives like BHA, BHT, and Ethoxyquin. These can cause health issues over time. Look for natural preservatives like Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) instead.
Q: What is the best way to store my small dog treats?
A: Store most commercially prepared treats in a cool, dark, dry place, like a pantry. Once opened, tightly seal the bag or transfer them to an airtight container to keep them fresh and prevent mold growth.
Q: Can treats help with bad breath in small breeds?
A: Some specialized dental treats help reduce tartar buildup, which causes bad breath. However, persistent bad breath usually signals a dental problem requiring a vet visit, not just a different treat.
Q: If my small dog gains weight, what should I change?
A: First, reduce the number or size of the treats you give daily. If weight persists, switch to very low-calorie training treats or replace treats with healthy, low-calorie vegetable rewards, like a sliver of cucumber.