Best treats for senior dogs: a feeding guide for the older dog

An older dog usually wants what it always wanted, with less tooth to do it with. So the treats that suit a senior are the ones that fit the dog in front of you: soft enough for the teeth they have, small enough for the waistline they're keeping, and simple enough that you know exactly what went in. That means soft cuts broken small, the gentler end of the chew range, and a firmer hand on how much. Not a special "senior" recipe, just the same short ingredient list, fed with more care.

Which treats suit an older dog?

Soft cuts first. Chicken liver is small, soft, and a natural source of vitamin A, B12 and iron. Lung crisp is light, low in fat and crumbles between your fingers. Jerky snapped small is lean muscle protein.

Liver is very rich in vitamin A, so a little goes a long way — a few small pieces a day for a medium dog, with all treats under about 10% of daily food.

Chews second. Older dogs still like to chew; the question is what their teeth can take. Tendons and chicken feet, from the full range, are firm rather than hard and a natural source of collagen. Horns and antlers are the hard end, the ones veterinary dentists warn about: if you can't dent it with a thumbnail, it can break a tooth.

Chew safely. Size it so it can't be swallowed whole, supervise, and take it away once it's small. Very hard chews can crack teeth — not for puppies, seniors or dogs with dental issues. Fresh water always. A treat, not a meal.

How much is enough for a senior?

Less than before, usually. Older dogs move less, need fewer calories, and the treat allowance shrinks with the daily food. The 10% rule works through the maths. Break treats smaller than you think you need to, and count the chew. On a prescribed diet, ask your vet what allowance fits before adding anything, including ours.

What to watch for

A dog that chews on one side, drops the chew, or backs off something it used to enjoy may be telling you about a tooth. Weight moving without a change in feeding, stiffness getting up, drinking more, eating less — those are the ordinary signals of an older body, and the vet is the right person to read them.

Every dog is different. For an ongoing issue, your vet is the first call — this is general information, not veterinary advice.

Keep reading: Treats for puppies: what to start with, and when · Low-fat dog treats for a dog watching their weight

Sources

• WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee. Nutrition Toolkit. wsava.org
• Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Australian Food Composition Database. foodstandards.gov.au
• American Veterinary Dental College. Chew toys and dental fractures / Position statements. avdc.org

Pudel · Reviewed September 2026 · Single-protein, naturally dried dog treats, made in Australia. General information, not veterinary advice.