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If you’re looking for some plant-based treats to add to your dog’s diet, there’s no shortage of options. From crunchy biscuits to soft cookies to chewy, jerky-like textures, there are vegetarian and vegan dog treats for every pet to enjoy.
What’s more, you don’t have to switch your dog to an entirely vegetarian or vegan diet to reap the benefits of plant-based foods. Simply offering your pup vegetarian dog treats from time to time may help to cut down your dog’s carbon pawprint.
Also, don’t forget about treats from your refrigerator’s produce drawer. Many (though not all) fruits, veggies, and other whole foods are powerful boosters to your dog’s diet, whether they’re supplementing a healthy kibble or given as a snack.
For vegan and vegetarian dog treats you’ll find online or in stores, we’ve included a whole list below. We’ve also added the nutritional analysis (converted to a dry-matter basis so you can easily compare food types with different moisture contents) for each treat so you and your vet can determine how these treats will fit into your dog’s diet.
Best Crunchy: Halo Plant-Based Dog Treats with Sweet Potato & Carrots
Feed your little sweet puptato a little sweet potato—and carrot, peas, and potatoes—with these baked, vegan dog biscuits free of meat and dairy. Offering a good crunch, these treats feature only eight ingredients and are made in the USA with non-GMO vegetables for healthy fiber and vitamins. The added sunflower oil is also rich in antioxidants and vitamins, like vitamin E, for a shiny skin and coat.
At 15 calories per treat, these bone-shaped biscuits can be broken in half for a smaller (and lower-calorie) bite.
Key Nutrients:
- Calories: 15 kcal/treat
- Protein: 17%
- Fat: 3.4%
- Fiber: 7.9%
Best Soft: Bocce’s Bakery Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter & Banana Recipe Dog Treats
If you have a teething puppy, a senior pup, or simply a dog who prefers softer treats, you can’t go wrong with these peanut butter and banana ones from Bocce’s Bakery. Made in the U.S., these fun B-shaped morsels have a limited plant-based ingredient list.
On the short roster, oat flour and rolled oats offer health-boosting antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, like zinc for a healthy immune system, iron for growth and development, and B vitamins for energy. Flaxseed also provides essential fatty acids, and the coconut glycerin and molasses add extra sweetness your pup may find hard to resist.
Key Nutrients:
- Calories: 9 kcal/treat
- Protein: 15.9%
- Fat: 4.7%
- Fiber: 2.4%
Best Low Calorie: Zuke’s Mini Naturals Peanut Butter & Oats Recipe Training Dog Treats
Let’s face it. Even with veggies leading the ingredients, feeding your dog a lot of treats can push their daily calorie intake into unhealthy territory, posing a problem for pups in training who need constant reinforcement.
At just two calories, these soft Zuke’s minis are squishy enough to break off into tinier pieces to make them go even further. Featuring peanut butter as the first ingredient, they’re also tasty enough to motivate your pup through training sessions.
Key Nutrients:
- Calories: 2 kcal/treat
- Protein: 14.3%
- Fat: 8.6%
- Fiber: 6.7%
Best Jerky: ChewMax Pet Products Meatless Jerky Natural Chew Dog Treats
Jerky often makes for a high-value treat. Plus, the extra chewiness can be calming in stressful situations since chewing helps relieve anxiety for dogs.
While these sweet potato chews may be plant-based, their hickory smoke flavor and texture create a meaty, meatless treat. Pea protein adds a fairly high protein count, too, at 30.4%. Along with flaxseed, the added chia seed provides essential fatty acids to help soothe any inflammation.
Key Nutrients:
- Calories: 14 kcal/treat
- Protein: 30.4%
- Fat: 6.3%
- Fiber: 7.6%
Best Single Ingredient: Wholesome Pride Pet Treats Sweet Potato Fries Dog Treats
If your dog prefers sweet potatoes in their most natural form, these sweet potato fries might be what he’s looking for. Made of only all-natural sweet potatoes and no other ingredients (or added preservatives), these single-protein vegan treats are ideal for dogs with food allergies or sensitive stomachs. Sweet potato is also rich in dietary fiber, vitamins A, B6, and C, and minerals like iron and calcium.
For pups who prefer a smaller size, Wholesome Pride also offers these sweet potato treats in tinier bites.
Key Nutrients:
- Calories: 39 kcal/treat (approximately)
- Protein: 7.1%
- Fat: 0.6%
- Fiber: 7.1%
Best Hypoallergenic: Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers Dog Treats
Pet parents working with their vet to identify their dog’s allergens may use a hydrolyzed prescription diet to find the culprit behind their dog’s allergy symptoms. However, this makes it difficult to find appropriate treats.
These Gentle Snackers by Purina might feature hydrolyzed plant protein specifically created for dogs with food sensitivities. Free of meat, these vegan treats may also be helpful for dogs on an elimination diet if a protein is the suspected allergen.
Key Nutrients:
- Calories: 6 kcal/treat
- Protein: 20.5%
- Fat: 6.8%
- Fiber: 4%
Best Dental: Whimzees Veggie Strip Dental Dog Treats
These dental chews are not only meat-free but also free of gluten and grains. They contain clove bud oil to help freshen your dog’s breath, and the grooves on the surface of the treat can help cut down on plaque and reduce tartar buildup. With a chewy texture and a high level of fiber, these vegetarian dental treats are recommended for dogs aged 9 months and older.
Key Nutrients:
- Calories: 44 kcal/treat (medium size)
- Protein: 1.25%
- Fat: 2.3%
- Fiber: 15.6%
Best for Training: Bright Planet Pet Better Bac’n Pork Flavored Soft & Chewy Dog Training Treats
Most dogs go wild over bacon and bacon-flavored treats, making them especially useful for training. But real bacon can be high in both fat and calories.
For a plant-based alternative, Bright Planet offers these Better Bac’n bites that are low-calorie but packed with flavor. Cane molasses and natural smoke flavors come together to create that delicious bacony taste. And the best part? Bright Planet will donate money for every bag you buy to plant one tree.
Key Nutrients:
- Calories: 2 kcal/treat
- Protein: 13.2%
- Fat: 5.3%
- Fiber: 5.3%
Best for Large Dogs: Pet Ervescence Treat-A-Balls Peanut Butter, Banana, and Blueberry Dog Treats
For big dogs who’d appreciate a more substantial treat, consider these high-calorie and large-sized vegan treat balls. Each Treat-A-Ball is not only packed with peanut butter, blueberry, and banana, but also hearty ingredients such as dates, pear, dried pumpkin, and dried coconut. Free of animal products, these snacks are also available in mango, chia, and spinach, as well as a cranberry, pumpkin, and apple recipe.
Key Nutrients:
- Calories: 41 kcal/treat
- Protein: 7.6%
- Fat: 14%
- Fiber: 6.9%
Best with Transparent Ingredient Sourcing: Open Farm Be Good Bites Plant Recipe with Pumpkin
One of the best ways to help the environment is to use food that would otherwise go to waste. That’s exactly what Open Farm has done with these vegetarian dog treats. These soft bites feature non-GMO fruits and grains, with 30% coming from upcycled ingredients like rice bran and apple pomace—both a rich source of fiber. And while the ingredient list is relatively small, you can trace where every piece of food comes from. Not to mention that the package is completely recyclable.
At less than two and a half calories per treat, these vegan niblets are great for weight management. Pet parents also say they’re easy on sensitive stomachs.
Key Nutrients:
- Calories: 2.35 kcal/treat
- Protein: 14.3%
- Fat: 7.1%
- Fiber: 10%
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 dog treats that promoted ethical vegetarianism, veganism, and sustainability and had a shorter list of ingredients to accommodate certain health restrictions. 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.
