Diabetic dog treats: recommendations and recipes

Updated 25/06/2024

Just like diabetic humans, dogs with diabetes have difficulty creating insulin which means they’re unable to control their own blood sugar levels. Diet plays an important part in staying on top of the disease, but that doesn't mean diabetic doggies have to ignore their love for dog treats! We’re bringing you 10 diabetic dog treats and three delicious homemade diabetic dog treats recipes to drool over, so no one has to be left out.       

What are diabetic dog treats?

These aren’t just any old dog treats, they’re diabetic dog treats! What makes them different? Diabetic dog treats are made with your special pooch in mind, formulated with ingredients to keep their glucose levels stable and enrich your dog’s diet with all the necessary nutrients. Dog diabetes treats are low in carbs, high in fiber and animal proteins, and free from additives, sugars, and other unnatural ingredients. 

What treats can I give my diabetic dog? 

When deciding which types of dog treats to feed your furry friend, it’s important to avoid any containing ingredients that are going to spike their blood glucose levels. Fiber-rich vegetables such as carrots, green beans, and zucchini will go down a treat, and low-sugar fruit such as apples and pears are also fine in very small doses. Animal-based products that are high in protein and low in fats are super nutritious, so things like turkey, eggs, and beef are great ingredients to include in your homemade diabetic dog food. If you’re looking to buy dog treats, watch out for added sugar and all of its disguises, which include fructose, dextrose, and glucose.

Buying diabetic dog treats

We know it’s not always possible to spoil your furry friend with special homemade dog treats. So when buying diabetic treats for dogs, make sure they’re rich in complex carbohydrates, vegetables, and animal proteins. Check the labels for nasty additives, sugars, and any other ingredients your diabetic doggo needs to avoid, and where possible, buy treats specially designed for dogs with diabetes. 

Before changing your diabetic dog’s diet or trying any new treats, you must always check with your vet that it’s safe to do so, as diabetes can sometimes be tricky to stabilize and manage, and you don’t want to derail your dog’s progress. 

Diabetic dog treats

Below find a list of dog treats for diabetic dogs that could fit the bill for your canine pal. Before feeding your diabetic doggo any new treats or dog food though, speak to your vet.

1. Old Dog Diabetic Dog Treats
2. Purebites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Dog Treats
3. Darford Zero/G Roasted Duck Diabetic Dog Treats 
4. Blue Buffalo True Chews Natural Premium Morsels Chicken Dog Treats
5. WholeHearted Grain Free Soft and Chewy Beef Recipe Dog Stick Treats
6. Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Single Ingredient Chicken Breast Dog Treats
7. Dogdeli’s dehydrated Chicken Jerky
8. Dogdeli’s healthy Chew Sticks "Light"
9. Lily’s Chomp-Away Chicken Bites
10. Lily’s Scrumptious Duck with Venison Sausages

Old Dog Diabetic Dog Treats

If you’ve got to put your best bud’s health in anyone’s hands, why not choose a company that specializes in natural treats for diabetic dogs? These canine cookies are filled with ingredients that are proven to help slow down the rate of food metabolism, with each and every element carefully selected for its health-promoting properties. Completely free from additives, chemicals, dyes, and any other nasties, these are the paw-fect treat for your diabetic buddy!

Purebites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Dog Treats 

The simpler the better when it comes to diabetic dog treats, and these freeze-dried morsels are about as straightforward as it gets! Made with 100% chicken breast which has been freeze-dried to remove water and retain freshness, these treats are tasty, protein-rich, and contain just three calories a pop!

Darford Zero/G Roasted Duck Diabetic Dog Treats 

Real duck is the number one ingredient in these delicious doggy treats, which is combined with a nutritious blend of diabetic-friendly superfoods. These treats are deliciously au natural, have a low-glycemic index, and are free from grains and gluten - an added bonus!

Blue Buffalo True Chews Natural Premium Morsels Chicken Dog Treats

Made with real chicken as the first ingredient, Blue Buffalo’s True Chews are healthy snacks you can feel good about feeding your furry friend. Packed with only natural ingredients with no corn, wheat or artificial flavors or preservatives, they’re a great choice if you’re after dog treats for diabetic dogs.

WholeHearted Grain Free Soft and Chewy Beef Recipe Dog Stick Treats

These sticks from WholeHearted are great to feed your diabetic dog - packed with protein and enhanced with rosemary extract and natural smoke flavor, they’re sure to get tails wagging.

Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Single Ingredient Chicken Breast Dog Treats

Made with 100% chicken breast, you won’t find any nasties in these dog treats. That’s no added sugars, preservatives or any other ingredients your diabetic dog shouldn’t be having - just plain, simple nutrition.

Dogdeli’s Dehydrated Chicken Jerky

Also made with 100% chicken breast, these dog treats for diabetic dogs are made with no added salt, preservatives or artificial flavors, and are also fab for picky snackers.

Dogdeli’s healthy Chew Sticks "Light"

As far as diabetic treats for dogs go, these sticks tick a few boxes many pet parents care about, including improved dental and joint health.

Lily’s Chomp-Away Chicken Bites

These grain-free bites are great treats for diabetic dogs as they’re packed with protein - not only from chicken but also a sprinkling of quinoa, plus there’s no sugar.

Lily’s Scrumptious Duck with Venison Sausages

Who said dogs with diabetes have to miss out? Lily’s are diabetes-friendly, so pet parents can treat pups with these grain-free duck and venison sausages that have a taste and texture your pup might just go crazy for.

Homemade diabetic dog treats 

When dealing with a doggy with special dietary requirements, making your own dog treats can help bring you peace of mind. These diabetic dog treat recipes are nutritionally dense and deliciously tasty, plus they’re so easy to make, you and your dog sitter will be able to whip up a batch in less than 30 minutes!

Beef Liver Diabetic Dog Treats Recipe

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of whole wheat flour
• 1 ½ pounds of beef liver
• 2 eggs 

Method: 

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Finely chop the liver using a food processor or by hand. 
• Add in the flour and eggs and blend until you have a smooth mixture, or use a wooden spoon to mix the ingredients together in a bowl. 
• Spread the mixture evenly across your baking sheet and put in the oven for 15 minutes. 
• Remove from the oven and leave to cool before cutting the treats into chomp-sized cubes. Keep your homemade dog treats out of reach of prying paws if you don’t want them to be gobbled up all at once!

Carrot and Oatmeal Diabetic Dog Treats Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of oat flour
• 1 cup of shredded carrots
• 1 tablespoon of flax meal
• 3 tablespoons of water
• 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce (homemade if possible!)

Method: 

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Mix the flax meal with the water and set aside for five minutes.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the oat flour, carrots, and applesauce.
• Add the flax meal mixture and combine the ingredients together to form a wet dough. 
• On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thick. If the dough is too sticky to roll out, add a little more flour.
• Use cookie cutters to cut the treats into fun shapes.
• Put them in the oven for about an hour, by which time the cookies should be deliciously crunchy and ready to chow down on (although make sure they’ve completely cool before your pup digs in!).

Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Diabetic Dog Treats Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups of whole wheat flour
• ½ cup of pumpkin puree
• ½ cup of peanut butter (make sure it’s made from 100% peanuts)
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon 

Method: 

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine the whole wheat flour and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.
• In a separate bowl, mix the peanut butter with the eggs and pumpkin puree. 
• Slowly mix together the wet and dry ingredients. 
• Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and cut into dog-themed shapes. Add a little extra flour or water if you have trouble working with the dough.
• Bake in the oven for around 40 minutes and make sure they cool off before Fido starts tucking in!

Meet our veterinary expert, Holly

This article has been checked by veterinarian Holly Anne Hills BVM BVS BVMedSci. After graduating from the University of Nottingham, Holly spent two years working as a farm animal vet. She then spent some time traveling and volunteering in India, working at neutering clinics and with injured street dogs. Holly now works in small animal practice, and balances this with writing, volunteering with the comms team at Vet Sustain, and she is also a marine mammal medic!

Whether you choose to feed your pooch pal store-bought treats or home-baked delights, diabetic dog treats should always be enjoyed as part of a well-balanced diet. It’s important not to over-feed diabetic dogs, rather, these tasty treats for dogs with diabetes should be reserved as a healthy reward for good behavior and dog training.