Fish and cod are the leanest choices
When you need to keep the fat down, dried fish is what you should be looking for. Cod is a lean fish, where the vast majority of the meat is protein and water rather than fat, and when it is dried, the result is a crunchy treat with almost no fat. That is why both SMALL COD FISH DELIGHTS and LARGE COD FISH DELIGHTS are among the obvious choices if your dog needs to lose weight or maintain a stable weight. The two sizes cover the same need for different dogs: the small one for small breeds and for breaking into smaller pieces, the large one for dogs that need something to chew on.
ICELAND FISH DELIGHTS and NORTH SEA CHEWY FISH DELIGHTS are also based on fish. The latter has a chewier texture that gives the dog more to chew on, which in itself helps a dog that tends to swallow everything far too quickly. What the fish treats have in common is that they consist of few ingredients, so you can see exactly what your dog is getting.
Why lean treats suit dogs on a diet
A treat is not free. Everything the dog gets in addition to its meals counts in the daily calorie budget, and this is exactly where the fat becomes decisive: fat contains more than twice as many calories per gram as protein. A treat with a low fat content therefore provides fewer calories for the same amount, and that is the difference between being able to reward your dog several times a day or having to hold back significantly.
This makes lean treats relevant for several groups: dogs that need to lose weight, dogs that have become less active with age, and dogs that have put on a little weight after neutering or spaying, where the energy requirement typically falls. For all these dogs, it is about being able to maintain the good habit of rewarding without sabotaging the weight.
How many can your dog have per day?
A widespread rule of thumb is that treats and everything else outside the regular meals should make up no more than around 10 percent of the dog's total daily calories. The rest should come from a complete meal, so the dog still gets all the nutrients it needs. If your dog is on a diet, it may make sense to stay at the low end.
The clever thing about lean treats is that they go further within that limit. You can break a dried fish treat into small pieces and reward many times during a walk without approaching the ceiling. Remember to deduct the treats from the day's food portion if your dog is already at the limit of its ideal weight. If you are unsure where that limit lies, you can read more in our guide to whether your dog has a healthy weight.
Gentle on the stomach thanks to few ingredients
Fat is often what a sensitive dog stomach has the hardest time handling, and a fatty treat can trigger loose stools or discomfort in some dogs. Lean treats are therefore not only a question of weight, but also a question of digestion. Dried cod and fish consist in practice of a single ingredient, with no added sugar, colour or unnecessary fillers, and the shorter the ingredient list, the fewer possible culprits if the stomach reacts.
If your dog already has a delicate stomach, fish is often a good starting point, because it is a protein source that many dogs tolerate well. Always introduce a new treat in small amounts over a few days, so you can see how the dog reacts before giving more. If you want to dive deeper into the topic, we have gathered advice on dog food for a sensitive stomach.
Small pieces make them ideal for training
When you train, the number of rewards is more important than the size. A dog remembers a small bite just as well as a large one, and in a training situation where you reward again and again, the total amount of calories quickly adds up. Lean treats that you can divide into small pieces are therefore well suited: you can give many rewards in a row without filling the dog up.
Dried fish treats are easy to break into smaller pieces, and most dogs find the smell and taste of fish very motivating, which makes them effective when you need the dog's full attention. If you need something even smaller, you can look at training treats, which are made for the purpose. And if you are training a puppy, there is a selection of training treats for a puppy.
Fish provides omega 3 on top
In addition to being lean, fish has the advantage that it contains omega 3 fatty acids, which are linked, among other things, to coat, skin and joints. This means that a low-fat fish treat is not just an empty reward, but actually contributes something good. It is worth remembering that low fat content is not the same as fat-free: the dog needs healthy fatty acids, and the point is to choose treats where the fat does not run wild, not to remove it entirely.
If you want to specifically give your dog more omega 3 fatty acids as a supplement, you can take a closer look at the omega 3 oil.
More treats with low fat content
If you want to see the full selection across the entire range, we have gathered all products with low fat in the collection low fat content. Here you will find both treats and meals that keep the fat down. If you are looking more broadly for rewards, you can also take a look at dog treats, where you can compare texture and size and find the one that suits your particular dog's taste and chewing.
