Treats for Diabetic Dogs: What to Look For and What to Skip

November 02, 2026 • All Posts • diabetic dogs • dog treats • Dogs • Health & Wellness

By Theresa Gibilisco, owner, The Hungry Puppy

Every pup who comes through our door gets a treat at the counter. If your dog has diabetes, just tell us at the register. We'll skip it, or hand it to you so you can give it when it fits your dog's routine. That little moment sums up treats for a diabetic dog pretty well: they're usually still allowed, they just have to be planned.

These are the treat questions we hear most, answered with what the veterinary guidelines and the manufacturers actually say. It's general information. Your vet has the final word on what your dog gets.

Can a diabetic dog still have treats?

Usually, yes, with your vet's OK. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) diabetes guidelines don't ban treats. They say to include them when figuring your dog's daily calories. The bigger rule in those guidelines is consistency: food fed at consistent times in consistent amounts. A treat that shows up at random, in random amounts, works against that.

How many treats is too many?

The AVMA's healthy weight guide suggests keeping treats to less than 10% of your pet's daily calories, and cutting back the regular food by about the calories the treats add. Hill's gives the same 10% limit on its Baked Light Biscuits page. Your vet can tell you how many calories your dog should get in a day, and from there the math is simple.

That's why calories per treat is the first number we look for. Two examples from Hill's own pages: its Science Diet Baked Light Biscuits, small size, are 8 calories each, and its Prescription Diet Metabolic Dog Treats are 38 calories each. One Metabolic treat is close to five little Light biscuits.

What should I look for on the label?

Calories per treat, printed on the bag. If you can't find it, you can't count it.
No added sugars. The Merck Veterinary Manual says to avoid diets high in simple sugars, such as semi-moist foods, for diabetic dogs. Read the ingredient list for sugar, corn syrup, molasses or honey.
Lower fat. AAHA lists fat restriction among its general diet goals for diabetic pets, and it says the diet should be adjusted for problems like pancreatitis. If your dog has that history, ask your vet how lean the treat needs to be.
Small or breakable. A treat you can snap into pieces lets you give more moments of reward for the same calories.
Something your dog will take every time. The point is one reliable treat you can give the same way every day.

What should I skip?

Soft, chewy, semi-moist treats with sweeteners. Merck names semi-moist foods specifically when it warns about simple sugars.
Table scraps. The AVMA lists table scraps, other pets' food and found food as sneaky sources of extra calories.
A cabinet full of different treats. Rotating five kinds makes it hard to keep calories the same from day to day. Pick one or two and stick with them.
Assuming "prescription" means "diabetic friendly." Read every label. For example, Hill's Prescription Diet Soft Baked Dog Treats are listed by Hill's as compatible with w/d, and they're made for dogs on many Prescription Diet foods, but cane molasses is fourth on their ingredient list. They may be fine for your dog. Just ask your vet before you assume.

Which treats do you carry that are worth asking my vet about?

None of these is made to treat diabetes. These are the ones we pull off the shelf when someone asks for a low calorie option to show their vet.

Hill's Prescription Diet Original Dog Treats...Hill's describes them as low calorie and high fiber, at 15 calories per treat, and lists w/d Multi-Benefit among the Prescription Diet foods they're designed to go with. Use only as your vet directs.
Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic Dog Treats...moderate in calories with increased fiber, made to support healthy weight loss and maintenance, per Hill's. Hill's prints a daily treat chart by your dog's ideal weight, with a smaller number for weight loss. These are special order.
Science Diet Baked Light Biscuits, in small and medium...a low calorie baked biscuit made with chicken. Hill's lists the small ones at 8 calories each.
Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Breast...one ingredient, chicken breast, at 74% protein (min) and 3% fat (min), per Stella & Chewy's. It's 105 calories per ounce, so break pieces small and count them.

You'll find more in our dog treats section. Bring the bag, or a photo of the label, to your vet.

What about green beans or pumpkin?

AAHA's guidelines mention that some vets suggest adding canned pumpkin, green beans or a fiber supplement with psyllium or wheat dextrin to a diabetic dog's diet for extra fiber. That's a diet change, though, not a free snack. Ask your vet first, and once you start, give the same amount every day.

When should I give the treat?

Same time, same amount, every day, in whatever slot your vet is comfortable with. The AVMA tells owners to keep medication and feeding schedules as the vet recommends. One thing to avoid: using treats to coax a dog who refused a meal. A skipped meal changes things when insulin is involved, so call your vet instead. AAHA's guidelines ask vets to go over that plan with owners.

Is there a treat I should keep for low blood sugar?

That's an emergency plan, not a treat question. AAHA's guidelines include specific steps for low blood sugar, and your vet should walk you through them for your dog. Ask about it at your next visit and write the answer on the fridge.

Where to go from here

Treats are one piece of the daily routine. For the food side, see the best dog food brands and formulas for diabetic dogs and non-prescription dog foods for diabetic dogs. If you're changing foods at the same time, read how to switch a diabetic dog to a new food safely.

Prescription treats like Hill's need your vet's direction, and we're happy to reach out to your vet for you. Our trucks deliver free on each town's route day, Tuesday through Friday, with a $20 minimum. Find your day on our local delivery page, or call 732-938-4470.

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