Senior dogs
Does my senior dog need fewer treats now?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Usually yes, since treats should stay under about 10 percent of a dog's total daily calories, and a senior dog already eating a smaller main portion has less room for extras before that limit is reached. A 12 kg senior dog on roughly 500 calories a day has only about 50 calories of treat budget, which is one or two small training treats rather than a handful of biscuits. Cutting treat size rather than eliminating them entirely usually keeps the routine your dog enjoys.
Why the 10 percent rule matters more now
A younger, more active dog can often absorb a few extra treat calories into a busier day without much consequence. A senior dog burning fewer calories overall has a much smaller margin, so the same handful of treats that was harmless at age 3 can be a meaningful contributor to weight gain by age 9 or 10.
Breaking a treat into smaller pieces is an easy fix that keeps the reward experience intact. A single training treat cut into three or four pieces still registers as a reward to most dogs, since frequency and taste matter more to them than the size of each piece.
Choosing lower calorie options
Small pieces of plain cooked chicken, carrot, or green beans run well under 5 calories per piece, compared with 20 to 40 calories for many commercial biscuits. Swapping even half of your dog's usual treats for one of these lower calorie options can meaningfully reduce daily intake without cutting the actual number of treats given.
Keeping treats part of the routine
Treats are not just calories, they are also a way many owners bond with an aging dog and reinforce good behavior during training refreshers. Reducing portion size rather than stopping treats altogether tends to preserve that relationship while still protecting your dog's weight.
Key takeaways
- Treats should stay under about 10 percent of daily calories, a smaller budget for a senior dog on fewer calories overall.
- Breaking treats into smaller pieces keeps the reward experience without adding many calories.
- Plain vegetables and lean cooked meat run far lower in calories than most commercial biscuits.
- Reducing treat size rather than stopping treats works well for both weight and routine.