The Best Treats For Diabetic Dogs: Reviewed and Ranked

Whether you adopted a dog with diabetes or you just got positive results back from the vet for your family pooch, it’s crucial to give them special treats. A lot of dog treats are packed with filler ingredients, including sugars and fats. 

We can’t blame our dogs for loving tasty treats and they don’t have to miss out on having them, thanks to all of the wonderful diabetic dog treats on the market! It can be overwhelming to know just which one to choose. 

If you’re in charge of managing their diet, regulating their blood sugar levels is essential. Avoiding any food, treats, or chews that are high in sugar or complex carbohydrates is a must! We’ve tested a wide variety of treats for diabetic dogs and found the top four that your hound won’t be able to get enough of! 

It’s always a good idea to look at the ingredients list. We’ve added a handy buyer’s guide to ensure you find the best treat for your specific dog. Onto the reviews! 

Top Picks for the Best Diabetic Dog Treats: Ranked and Rated

#1 Overall Best Diabetic Dog Treat: PureBites Freeze-Dried Treats for Dogs

PureBites Freeze-Dried Treats for Dogs beat out the competition with their tasty morsels. Available in flavors like beef liver, chicken, and lamb, the main ingredient in the treat is the animal product! For example, the only ingredient in the chicken breast variety is chicken

The company takes chicken, lamb, and beef liver and freeze-dries them before shaping them into sizable pieces for your pooch. By freeze-drying, the ingredients help to lock in the taste, nutrients and provide a smell your dog won’t be able to refuse. 

One reason PureBites stands out from the rest is that it’s suitable for all dogs, no matter their age or size. It’s a great option for pups that suffer from obesity and digestive issues as well. You won’t have to worry about any filler ingredients and the treats can easily be broken down into smaller pieces. 

Some reviewers reported that the treats were “mostly crumbs” when they received them.

Pros and Cons of PureBites Freeze-Dried Treats for Dogs

Overall Best

PureBites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats

• Made from freeze-dried chicken, lamb, and beef liver
• Suitable for all dogs
• Treats can easily be broken down into smaller pieces
• Great option for dogs that suffer from obesity and digestive issues

Check Chewy Check Amazon

2. Best All-Natural Diabetic Dog Treat: Diabetic Dog Treats All Natural – Vet Approved

While many diabetic-friendly dog treats are all-natural, Diabetic Dog Treats All Natural – Vet Approved beat out the others. These treats, made by Old Dog Cookie Co., come in bags of 225 or more! These little snacks only have two calories in each one and they’re great for training! 

Dogs that are overweight or have other health issues can benefit from Old Dog Cookie Co’s treats. Because of their size and ingredients, this is a great option for small dogs or pups with dental issues. 

Your pooch will get plenty of vitamins and minerals from the all-natural ingredients. It’s important to note that there isn’t any meat in these treats. Fido will find high-fiber whole grains, healing herbs, and tasty fruit in each bite. If your canine has a wheat allergy, please seek out another option from this list. 

A few pet parents said their dogs didn’t like these treats and refused to eat them.

Pros and Cons of Diabetic Dog Treats All Natural – Vet Approved

Best All-Natural

Diabetic TINY Dog Treats All Natural - Vet Approved

• Only have two calories in each one
• A great option for small dogs or pups with dental issues
• Contains lots of vitamins and minerals 
• Contains high-fiber whole grains and tasty fruit

Check Amazon

3. Best Chewable Diabetic Dog Treat: Nutralin – Exclusively for Supplemental Feeding

Nutralin chewy treats make it easy for dogs that have sensitive teeth, have lost their front canines, or other dental issues to enjoy a yummy morsel without risking raising blood sugar levels. 

These treats are made of a nutritious mix of ingredients that help diabetic dogs with a variety of health struggles, including eye problems and liver function. Nutralin chewy treats should be given two times a day at the same time you give your dog their insulin injection. 

Dogs of all ages can enjoy Nutralin and many senior pups see an increase in energy after taking these regularly. Do not overfeed treats like this to your hound, as they do contain glycerin, which has a high sugar level. 

A few reviewers said that their dogs wouldn’t eat these treats.

Pros and Cons of Nutralin – Exclusively for Supplemental Feeding

Best Chewable

Nutralin - Exclusively for Supplemental Feeding of Diabetic Dogs

• For dogs with sensitive teeth
• Contains a nutritious mix of ingredients
• Dogs of all ages can enjoy this
• Many older dogs see an increase in energy after taking these regularly

Check Amazon

Choosing the Best: What to Look For

Now that you know about the best options for diabetic dog treats, which one do you think you’ll get for your pup? We understand that it’s difficult to decide between multiple products. If you’re on the fence, here are a handful of things you’ll want to look for when buying diabetic dog treats. 

High Fiber and Protein

Let’s be honest, we could all use more fiber and protein in our diets and the same is true for our dogs. Treats that are high in these ingredients can help their blood sugar levels stay in check. Look for fiber or protein as one of the first ingredients listed on the nutrition label. 

Number of Calories

It’s not uncommon for diabetic dogs to be overweight. A great way to ensure your pooch stays at a healthy weight is by looking for diabetic dog treats with a lower calorie count, such as the Old Dog Cookie Co. option listed above with just two calories per treat. 

Amount of Carbs

In both humans and dogs with diabetes, an excess amount of carbs can be harmful. It can quickly raise their blood sugar. Finding puppy treats with a low glycemic index is best for our furry friends with diabetes. 

High-Quality Ingredients

Stay away from sugar and fat when choosing one of the best treats for diabetic dogs. If you can find ones with natural or organic ingredients, it will be better for your dog. It’s also in your best interest to find dog treats that are the right size for your dog too. The last thing you want is a treat to be too big for your tiny Chihuahua. 

The Different Types of Treats for Diabetic Dogs: Pros and Cons Compared

Knowing the benefits and disadvantages of the different types of diabetic treats for your dog is essential! Similar to dog food, it’s not all the same across the board. Here is what we found for the main types of treats available. 

• Chewable treats are a convenient option for dogs with dental issues. They’re easy to cut up into small pieces if needed. The main downside is that they may contain carbs or sugar. Be sure to read the label.
• All-natural treats for dogs with diabetes are a common choice for pet owners looking to avoid fillers and additives. While these are often the best choice in terms of ingredients, organic treats do tend to be more expensive. 
• Freeze-dried treats for diabetic dogs have a long shelf life and can easily be broken down into smaller pieces for little dogs. Because they can be broken up with ease, some have complained they crumble too much. 

Our Criteria and Experience: How We Chose the Best

To compile our list of the best dog treats for diabetic dogs, we researched products that fit certain criteria we established as necessary to warrant our recommendation. Our criteria included: quality ingredients, flavor, freshness, and value for money. Here are some of our comments on each:

• Quality ingredients: Diabetic dogs must refrain from treats that are high in sugars, complex carbohydrates, and other unhealthy fillers. The products that we have recommended contain healthy amounts of protein such as chicken and pork liver, fiber, natural ingredients like pumpkin, and vitamins and minerals which help counteract spikes in your dog’s blood sugar levels.
• Flavor: In our research, we’ve found that dogs prefer treats that have some sort of meat component in the ingredients. Most of our recommendations do, while a couple have vegetable flavors as their base. For the treats that don’t contain meat, soaking them in something like beef broth shortly before feeding to your hound can make it easier for them to enjoy. 
• Freshness: We’ve included several types of dog treats on our list so you can have an option that works best for you. Our overall best is a freeze-dried option, which seals in meat flavors very well. We also included a chewable treat and a cookie treat. All treats fit our criteria for freshness.
• Value for Money: The treats we have recommended range in value from $30 up to $40. For some folks, that puts a strain on the wallet. That’s why we included our affordable #2 opition, Diabetic TINY Dog Treats, to provide a healthy option at a lower price point.

Related Images

Up Next

• Best Dog Cooling Pads: Reviewed — It’s summer, and your dog is feeling the heat! Help your pet cool down with one of our recommendations for the best dog cooling pads.
• The Best Indoor Dog House: Ranked and Reviewed — Are you looking for a dog house that is suitable for indoor use? Check out our picks for the best indoor dog houses.
• The Best Limited Ingredient Dog Food (Good For Allergies) — If your dog suffers from allergies, finding a food that doesn’t trigger them can be challenging. Read our review of the best dog foods with limited ingredients.