Treats and chews
What are good low calorie treats for dogs?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Small pieces of plain, cooked lean meat such as chicken breast with no skin or seasoning, freeze dried single ingredient options, and the dog's own kibble broken into pieces are among the lowest calorie choices, often under 5 kcal per piece. These let you reward a dog frequently, useful during training, without eating into much of the daily calorie budget.
Why single ingredient options tend to run lower
Plain proteins and single ingredient freeze dried treats generally carry fewer added fats and fillers than baked biscuits or chewy commercial treats, which often use oils or sugars to improve shelf texture. A 1 cm cube of plain boiled chicken breast runs around 2 to 3 kcal, compared to 10 to 15 kcal for a similarly sized soft commercial treat.
Comparing common low calorie choices
Air dried or freeze dried liver pieces, cut small, typically land around 3 to 5 kcal each, while plain rice cakes broken into small pieces or the dog's own kibble sit even lower, often under 4 kcal. Checking the specific product label still matters, since freeze dried treats vary more between brands than plain cooked meat does.
Using low calorie treats without losing training value
Because low calorie options are often also lower in the fat and moisture that make treats feel rewarding, some dogs rate them slightly lower in value than richer options. Pairing a low calorie treat with a slightly more enthusiastic delivery, or using it for easier, familiar cues while saving a richer treat for harder tasks, keeps both calorie control and motivation in balance.
Key takeaways
- Plain cooked lean meat and single ingredient freeze dried treats often run under 5 kcal per piece.
- A 1 cm cube of plain chicken breast is roughly 2 to 3 kcal, far less than many soft commercial treats.
- Freeze dried treat calories vary more between brands than plain cooked meat does, so check labels.
- Low calorie treats work well for frequent rewards, saving richer options for harder training tasks.