Which Treats are Suitable for Dogs with Dietary Requirements?
Can pups with special diets still enjoy a good chew? It’s something we get asked a lot, so we’ve pulled together a handy guide to help you navigate the world of natural dog treats when your pooch has dietary do’s and don’ts.
Whether your canine companion needs low-fat snacks, gluten-free goodies, or high-protein rewards, there’s no need for them to miss out. Let’s dig into how you can treat your dog safely and still keep things delicious.
Can Dogs with Nutritional Needs still enjoy Natural Treats?
The short answer? Yes, with the right choices! Lots of pups have dietary needs, whether from allergies, diabetes, digestive issues, or conditions like pancreatitis. That doesn’t mean treat time is off the table. It just means you need to choose treats that suit their nutritional requirements.
For example, some natural dog chews use single-source proteins to avoid common allergens. Others are made with low-fat or low-carb ingredients for dogs with diabetes or digestion woes. And for pups with kidney issues, low-phosphorus, low-sodium options are best.
Even among dogs with the same condition, dietary needs can vary. Size, life stage, activity level, and energy requirements all play a part. A large breed adult dog needs different snacks than a small puppy with a sensitive tum. Always chat to your vet before feeding your dog new snacks, and keep in mind that regardless of their needs, treats should make up no more than 10% of your pup’s daily calorie intake.
For diabetic dogs, keeping blood sugar levels steady means consistency is key. Try to give treats at the same time each day and choose healthy snacks that won’t cause a spike.
And don’t forget: a “treat” needn’t always be food. A favourite toy or an extra walk can give your dog the mental stimulation and reward they crave without disrupting their balanced diet.
Which Treats are good for Which Dietary Requirements?
We’ve broken things down by dietary need, so you can easily find the right natural dog chews and treats for your pup’s specific requirements. If you’d rather browse by category, you can also use the handy filter tool on our product page to search by ingredient, protein source, fat content, and more.
Low-Fat Treats
Some dogs need a diet that’s lighter on the fat—whether for weight management, liver support, or pancreatitis. Others just benefit from lower-fat options as part of a varied, complete and balanced treat selection.
Here are some of our favourite natural dog treats that are low in fat:
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Fish Deli Cubes – 0.3%
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Sweet Potato Treats – 0.5%
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Mighty Mussel Munchies – 1.1%
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Wild Garden Herbal Bakes – 1.1%
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Super Seaweed Snacks – 1.2%
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Fishcakes with Salmon & Pumpkin – 1.3%
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Cod Skin Bites – 2.4%
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Fish Crunchies with Chamomile – 2.4%
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Veggie Bakes – 3.1%
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Plaice Sticks – 6.0%
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Eco Insect Bakes – 6.8%
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Cod Sticks – 7.9%
High- and Low-Protein Treats
Protein plays a starring role in dog nutrition. It supports growth in puppies, muscle repair, skin and coat health, and immune function, and dogs find it easier to digest than carbs. It’s also key for maintaining a healthy dog through all life stages.
Here are some high-protein heroes from the Green & Wilds range:
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Cod Sticks – 85%
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Fish Deli Cubes – 84.4%
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Cod Feasts Whole Skin – 82%
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Venison Hide Chews – 75%
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Salmon Skin Rolls – 71%
Some pups are placed on low-protein diets by their vet because of liver or kidney concerns, post-surgery recovery, or chronic health conditions.
Low-protein treats that may work better include:
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Sweet Potato Treats – 4%
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Veggie Bakes – 7.5%
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Wild Garden Herbal Bakes – 8.9%
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Super Seaweed Snacks – 10.4%
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Mighty Mussel Munchies – 12.6%
Hypoallergenic and Single-Source Protein Treats
If your pup has allergies or food intolerances, choosing hypoallergenic options can help keep flare-ups at bay. That’s where single-source protein treats shine; they’re made from just one animal (or plant) protein, which makes it easier to avoid known triggers.
All Green & Wilds single-source treats are clearly labelled, and many are also free from grains, gluten, and fillers.
At Green and Wilds, we like to keep things simple—and when we say simple, we mean really simple. That’s why we created our 100% One Ingredient Award. It’s our way of saying: “what you see is what you get.” If it says salmon skin, it is salmon skin. No sneaky extras, no ingredient lists that need decoding, just one honest, tasty thing that dogs love. Perfect for sensitive tums, elimination diets, or anyone who likes their snacks clean and simple. You can have a wander at our one-ingredient wonders here.
Single-source protein is also brilliant for elimination diets or if you’re slowly introducing new proteins. Some of our novel (and delicious!) protein sources include:
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Wild boar
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Venison
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Goose
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Pheasant
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Duck
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Salmon
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Turkey
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Insects
Perfect for pooches with sensitive tummies or those who just fancy something different.
Gluten- and Grain-Free Doggy Snacks
Grains and gluten can aggravate certain health issues; most notably Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome (Spike’s Disease), which crops up often, in Border Terriers especially.
That’s why most G&W treats are naturally gluten- and grain-free. We don’t use cereals as fillers; just real ingredients with real benefits.
Whether your pup’s had a gluten sensitivity since puppyhood or has developed it later in life, we’ve got plenty of options. Just use the filter on our website to browse our full gluten or grain-free selection.
Treats for Diabetic Dogs
Having a diabetic dog doesn’t mean saying goodbye to treats altogether. It just means making smarter choices.
Here’s what to look for in a treat if your pup has diabetes:
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High in protein (bonus points if it’s the only ingredient)
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Low in fat and carbohydrates
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No added sugars (you won’t find those in any G&W treat!)
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Avoid simple sugars and starches. If you do feed carbs, go for complex ones like sweet potato or carrot
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Natural, high-quality ingredients
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Rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Monitoring portion sizes and total calorie intake is crucial, so always check with your vet before adding anything new.
Some of our diabetes-friendly, healthy treats for dogs:
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Cornish Fishcakes with Salmon, Carrot & Turmeric
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Salmon Skin Rolls
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Fish Deli Cubes
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Fish Crunchies with Chamomile or Charcoal
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Herring Sticks, Plaice Sticks, or Cod Sticks
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Fish Skin Minis
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Beef Jerky
All Dogs Deserve a Treat
Whether it’s a fishy chew, a low-fat bite, or a lick of peanut butter on a toy, there’s always a way to safely show your pup some love.
With a little guidance (and some tasty options), you can find the right snacks for your dog’s condition, overall health, energy, and lifestyle, and keep their tail wagging in the process.
At Green & Wilds, we’ve always believed that every dog deserves a treat, no matter their diet. Ours are made with natural ingredients, minimal processing, and love. So when snack time comes around, you can give them something that’s good for their dental health, easy to digest, and just the right kind of tasty. And because many of our treats come in small pieces, they’re perfect for training or everyday nibbling.