- This review contains affiliate links. Read more here.
- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
What you feed your diabetic dog will play a huge role in their health and management of their illness and associated symptoms. The right diet will help stabilize your pup’s blood sugar—which means that any treats have to follow suit.
According to Dr. Wendy Hauser, DVM and veterinary advisor to ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, when choosing a treat, keep in mind that the best treats for dogs with diabetes are:
- High-fiber, low-fat kibbles formulated for diabetic dogs
- Prescription treats for diabetic dogs formulated by veterinary diet companies
- Fresh or minimally processed vegetables, like baby carrots, dehydrated sweet potatoes, or green beans
“These treats should [have a high amount of fiber] that contributes minimally to the blood sugar surges that accompany more digestible treats,” explains Dr. Hauser.
There are also some treats that it’s important for dogs with diabetes to avoid. That includes:
- Fruit, which typically has a high sugar content
- Highly processed commercial treats with additives such as salt, sugar, or flavorings
- Canned vegetables, since canned foods often contain high amounts of sodium (pumpkin is an exception)
To help you find a good fit, we’ve rounded up some of the best treats for diabetic dogs and have converted all nutrients to a dry-matter basis so you can compare across recipes with different moisture contents. Before you add any treats to your pet’s diet, remember to consult your vet to ensure the treat is a good choice for your particular dog’s needs.
Our picks
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet
Hill's Prescription Diet
Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic Crunchy Dog Treats
Hill's Prescription Diet Soft Baked Soft & Chewy Dog Treats
Prescription Kibbles
A few pieces of your dog’s usual dry food may be the best “treat” to give them, says Dr. Hauser. After all, she adds, “It is the act of the human giving the treat that makes it special.”
If novelty is important to your pup, you can also consider giving a few pieces of another prescription food formulated for diabetic dogs, like one of the ones below.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Glycobalance Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Glycobalance Dry Dog Food
Available by prescription only, this dry dog food supports optimal blood sugar levels in dogs by providing a lower level of starch and a moderate amount of fat.
This Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Glycobalance dry dog food is formulated with diabetic dogs in mind, helping them to achieve a healthy weight and regulate their blood glucose levels. This kibble is rich in vitamins and minerals to support a dog’s overall health. It also contains less starch than a typical dry dog food to reduce insulin resistance.
With chicken meal as its main ingredient, it’s a great choice for both a regular food as well as a kibble “treat” for diabetic dogs.
Key Nutrients:
- 307 kcal/cup
- Protein: 38.34%
- Fat: 26.20%
- Crude Fiber: 10%
Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food
Hill's Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food
This prescription dry food has a chicken liver flavor and is formulated to help dogs maintain optimal blood glucose levels.
This Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit dry dog food is another good option to treat your dog with. It’s formulated for multiple health conditions that respond to a high-fiber diet, including diabetes. The formula helps dogs regulate their glucose levels and maintain a healthy weight. It also helps promote digestive and urinary health, as well.
The food contains a host of wholesome ingredients, such as flaxseed, chicken meal, and whole grain oats, while the added chicken liver flavor makes it a good choice for picky eaters.
Key Nutrients:
- 255 kcal/cup
- Protein: 20.74%
- Fat: 28.99%
- Crude Fiber: 20%
Prescription Treats
Prescription treats that are formulated by veterinary diet companies for diabetic dogs are also generally safe to give, says Dr. Hauser.
“This is because boarded veterinary nutritionists are overseeing the ingredients, ensuring they are safe and appropriate for the medical condition that they are treating,” she explains.
Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic Crunchy Dog Treats
Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic Crunchy Dog Treats
These crunchy prescription treats are chock-full of soluble and insoluble fiber, thanks to ingredients like carrots and oat fiber.
Developed for dogs on prescription diets, including the Hill’s w/d Multi-Benefit one, these Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic crunchy dog treats make for a great, veterinarian-approved treat for diabetic dogs. These treats are high in soluble and insoluble fiber to help dogs feel full. Plus, they have a pork liver flavor that makes them extra appetizing and a biscuit-like texture that allows the treats to be broken apart into smaller pieces.
Key Nutrients:
- 38 kcal/treat
- Protein: 18.27%
- Fat: 16.64%
- Crude Fiber: 7%
Hill’s Prescription Diet Soft Baked Soft & Chewy Dog Treats
Hill's Prescription Diet Soft Baked Soft & Chewy Dog Treats
These prescription treats contain wholesome ingredients like chicken and potatoes and have a soft texture that’s easy for older dogs to eat.
If your dog prefers a slightly softer treat (or has dental issues that necessitate one), these Hill’s Prescription Diet soft-baked treats are a good choice that the company says complement and won’t compromise the effectiveness of the Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit diet. With chicken and potatoes as the first two ingredients, these treats are also formulated to help support kidney and heart health. Fish oil is also included to promote joint health, an added plus for senior pets.
Key Nutrients:
- 35 kcal/treat
- Protein: 11.03%
- Fat: 17.86%
- Crude Fiber: 4%
Minimally Processed Vegetables
While fresh, high-fiber vegetables make for great treats for diabetic dogs, it can also be convenient to have a bag of treats on hand. When shopping for minimally processed treats for a diabetic dog, make sure to look for ones with only a single ingredient listed with no additives included.
Caledon Farms Sweet Potato Chews Dog Treats
Caledon Farms Sweet Potato Chews Dog Treats
These minimally processed chews contain just one ingredient: sweet potato.
When you don’t have the time to bake or dehydrate a fresh sweet potato for your pup, these minimally processed Caledon Farms Sweet Potato Chews are a convenient alternative. Made with sweet potatoes sourced from the U.S., these chewy treats contain nothing but air-dried sweet potatoes, with no additives or preservatives included. This makes them a good option for a commercial treat to give to a diabetic dog. For smaller dogs, the chews can be broken into tinier pieces for easier chewing.
Key Nutrients:
- 78 kcal/treat
- Protein: 10.16%
- Fat: 13.98%
- Crude Fiber: 4.2%
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 nutrition and high-quality ingredients. 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.
