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If your dog has dietary restrictions, finding treats that work well with their overall nutritional program can be challenging. Low-sodium diets can be especially tricky since many products don’t single out sodium content in their nutritional information. So, how do you find the best low-sodium dog treats?
According to Dr. Lisa Weeth, DVM, DAVCIM, and board-certified veterinary nutritionist, too much sodium isn’t usually a concern for pet treats. “The vast majority of commercial dog foods and treats are already low sodium by a human food standard (i.e., they contain less than 1 gram of sodium per 1000 kcal of food, whereas most humans eat on average 2-3 grams of sodium per 1000 kcal).”
But, while many dogs do just fine with regular treats that make up no more than 10% of their daily diet, some pups with health issues may need to follow a low-sodium feeding plan. “Just like for people, dogs with heart disease, hypertension, kidney, or liver diseases should avoid higher sodium foods and treats,” Dr. Weeth explains.
If your dog falls into one of these categories, or your vet has determined they need less sodium in their diet, here’s a list of low-sodium dog treats you can buy or find at home.
Best Low-Sodium Treats for Prescription Diets: Hill’s Prescription Diet Soft Baked Treats
The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends a minimum of 0.3% sodium (measured on a dry matter basis) in a dog’s daily diet. However, for dogs with health issues, your vet may recommend feeding low-sodium meals and treats that fall around or under 0.3%.
These Hills prescription treats offer a low-sodium count at 0.16%, offering a low sodium count. They’re also made to support dogs who are already on prescription diets—which include most of Hill’s formulations, from weight management to kidney care.
With no sodium added, these chicken-based treats are also low-protein, low-fat, and have an average fiber content. While they’re billed as soft treats, some reviewers say they are not as soft as expected, so you’ll want to take care when feeding them to senior dogs or pups with dental issues.
Key Nutrients:
- 35 kcal/treat
- Sodium: 0.16%
- Protein: 15%
- Fat: 11.5%
- Fiber: 1.7%
Best Low-Sodium Soft Treats: Hills Natural Soft Savories
For a softer dog treat, Hills also makes these Natural Soft Savories. Shaped like mini cinnamon rolls, these fun treats get high marks from pet parents who say they’re easy for their dogs to chew. Reviewers also like that the treats break apart into smaller bites—ideal for training or maximizing your treat budget.
Available in beef and cheddar, chicken and yogurt, and peanut butter and banana flavors, the latter has the lowest sodium content at 0.16%. Free of corn, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, these tasty bites are suitable for puppies, adults, and mature dogs.
Key Nutrients:
- 27.3 kcal/treat
- Sodium: 0.16%
- Protein: 17.6 %
- Fat: 19.5%
- Fiber: 1.2%
Best Low-Sodium Biscuits: Nutro Crunchy Treats
If your dog prefers more of a hearty crunch, these Nutro treats offer a classic biscuity texture. While the sodium count isn’t listed online, the mixed berry and apple flavors are recommended as a dog treat in the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University’s most up-to-date, low-sodium guidelines.
Whole brown rice, oatmeal, and chicken meal take the three top spots on the ingredient list, providing rich flavor and fiber. These treats are also low in calories at 5 kcals per treat if you’re also working to manage your dog’s weight. Plus, they’re affordable to boot!
Key Nutrients:
- 5 kcal/treat
- Protein: 13.5%
- Fat: 7.3%
- Fiber: 2.2%
Best Low-Sodium Pantry Items
Since it can be difficult to find dog treats that list the sodium count, using food you already have at home as treats can be a great solution. Dr. Weeth warns, however, that human food can be pretty high in sodium, so you’ll want to use caution and avoid most types of packaged convenience foods since they generally have more salt in them. For pre-prepared foods, she recommends:
- Plain unsalted rice cakes
- Plain unsalted and unbuttered popcorn
- Plain Cheerios
When using a breakfast cereal as a dog treat, check the label first to ensure it says it’s a “very low sodium food.” The guidelines set by the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (listed above) state that the cereal should have less than 80 mg sodium per 100 calories.
rfranca via iStock
Best Low-Sodium Fruits & Vegetables
While most fruits and vegetables might seem suitable for dog treats, some have a lower sodium count than others. For instance, the following veggies make excellent low-sodium snacks for a dog:
Celery, on the other hand, is pretty high in sodium, which Dr. Weeth says tends to surprise most people. Frozen and canned veggies can also serve as treats, but you’ll want to check that no salt has been added. You’ll also want to avoid garlic and onion, as both are toxic to dogs.
Good low-sodium fruits for dogs include:
But you’ll want to stay away from grapes and raisins, which are also dangerous to dogs.
Best Low-Sodium Meats
When it comes to meats, cooked chicken, turkey, and fish are also treats you can make at home. However, pet parents should avoid sandwich meats, rotisserie chicken, and marinated meats, as they likely contain added salt.
While most canned meat or tuna is too high in sodium, you can find some brands with a lower salt count, like Wild Planet’s No Salt Added Skipjack Tuna and No Salt Added Organic Roasted Chicken Breast. Both are low in sodium, with the tuna coming in at 43 mg sodium per 100 calories and the chicken featuring 33 mg sodium per 100 calories.
Best Low-Sodium Home Treats for Hiding Pills
If your dog has health issues that require a low-sodium diet, chances are they’re also likely taking pills regularly. Luckily, pet parents have some low-sodium options that they can find in their fridge or pantry.
While homemade pill pockets will vary depending on your dog’s preference, Dr. Weeth offers a few suggestions:
- No-salt-added cottage cheese or cream cheese
- Unsalted peanut butter
Regarding peanut butter, she adds, “Just watch the amount used, as the fat level in peanut butter can be too high for some dogs that also need to watch their sodium intakes.”
If you opt for peanut butter to hide the pills, look for brands that offer tasty blends without added salt, sugar, or oils—like Big Spoon Roasters Wag Butter. This peanut butter is specifically formulated for dogs and features only three ingredients: peanuts, banana, and golden flaxseed meal. While it’s a little messy, you can always pop it in the fridge to thicken it up for better pill hiding.
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. We prioritized commercial treats that listed their low sodium counts and treats and whole foods and home items with little to no salt. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.
