APOP Low-Calorie Dog Treats & Meals: Healthy Homemade Options

For pet parents seeking healthier alternatives for their furry companions, homemade low-calorie dog treats and meals offer a nutritious and cost-effective solution. These recipes, designed as occasional snacks, should constitute no more than 10% of a dog’s daily caloric intake. It’s crucial to consult with your veterinarian before implementing any dietary changes, especially for dogs with pre-existing health conditions, as certain ingredients may not be suitable. For instance, ingredients like kale, spinach, and broccoli can be problematic for dogs with kidney disease or specific types of bladder stones.

The following recipes are specifically formulated for dogs and are not intended to be complete and balanced meals. A “complete and balanced” diet provides all essential nutrients in appropriate proportions to meet a dog’s daily needs, as recognized by organizations like AAFCO or FEDIAF. Always seek professional veterinary advice before introducing new foods or making significant dietary adjustments, particularly if your dog has allergies or special dietary requirements.

Healthy, Low-Calorie Options for Dogs

A variety of fresh ingredients can serve as excellent low-calorie additions to your dog’s diet. These can be offered as snacks or incorporated into homemade meals.

Source: Chow Hounds.

Special Meals for Your Canine Companion

These specially crafted meals are designed to be both healthy and appealing, providing balanced nutrition without excessive calories.

Oh-Mega Salmon

This recipe yields approximately 6 cups, with each cup containing around 237 kcal.

Ingredients:

• Salmon, cooked (14.5-oz can or ~3.5 cups)
• 1 cup kale, chopped
• ½ cup green beans, chopped
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 Tbsp kelp powder

Steps:

1. Pulse kale and green beans until finely minced.
2. Combine the minced vegetables, salmon, quinoa, and kelp powder. Mix thoroughly and portion into servings.

Nutritional Information (per cup): ~237 kcal • Protein ~29 g • Fat ~9.1 g • Carbohydrates ~9.8 g • Fiber ~1.2 g

Source: Chow Hounds.

Turkey Pot Paws

Yielding approximately 6.5 cups, this meal contains about 164 kcal per cup.

Ingredients:

• 3.5 cups cooked turkey (white meat), chopped
• 1 cup broccoli, chopped (raw)
• ½ cup apples, chopped
• 1.5 cups cooked millet
• 1 Tbsp kelp powder

Steps:

1. Roast the turkey at 350°F for approximately 20 minutes per pound, then chop.
2. Pulse the raw broccoli and chopped apples until minced.
3. Combine the minced vegetables with the cooked turkey, millet, and kelp powder. Portion as needed.

Nutritional Information (per cup): ~163.5 kcal • Protein ~24.5 g • Fat ~1.4 g • Carbohydrates ~11.8 g • Fiber ~1.1 g

Source: Chow Hounds.

Protein Egg Bites

This recipe makes about 5.5 cups, with each cup containing approximately 160 kcal. Consider incorporating a high-quality supplement for dogs to further enhance nutritional value. best nutritional supplement for dogs

Ingredients:

• ½ cup celery, chopped
• ½ cup carrots, chopped
• ½ cup spinach, chopped
• ~5 boiled eggs, chopped (~2 cups)
• 2 cups 2% cottage cheese
• 1 Tbsp kelp powder
• 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast

Steps:

1. Pulse the vegetables until minced.
2. Mix the minced vegetables with the chopped eggs, cottage cheese, kelp powder, and nutritional yeast. Portion into servings.

Nutritional Information (per cup): ~160 kcal • Protein ~19.2 g • Fat ~13.2 g • Carbohydrates ~5.5 g • Fiber ~1.3 g

Source: Chow Hounds.

Chicken and Rice with Sweet Potato

This recipe produces approximately 5 cups, with about 176 kcal per cup.

Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped
• 1 cup sweet potato, cooked
• ½ cup cooked brown rice
• ½ cup spinach, chopped
• ½ cup celery, chopped
• 1 Tbsp kelp powder

Steps:

1. Sauté the chicken breast and then chop it.
2. Microwave the sweet potato (pierced, wrapped in a damp towel) for 10–12 minutes. Peel and mash the cooked sweet potato.
3. Pulse the spinach and celery until minced. Combine all ingredients with the cooked brown rice and kelp powder. Portion as required.

Nutritional Information (per cup): ~176 kcal • Protein ~23 g • Fat ~2.8 g • Carbs ~13.3 g • Fiber ~1.9 g

Source: Chow Hounds.

Soy Good Veggie Bowl

This recipe makes around 6 cups, with each cup containing approximately 232 kcal.

Ingredients:

• 3.5 cups tofu (~28 oz), crumbled
• ½ cup cooked quinoa
• ½ cup zucchini, chopped
• ½ cup kale, chopped
• 1 cup carrots, chopped
• 1 Tbsp kelp powder
• ¼ cup nutritional yeast

Steps:

1. Warm the crumbled tofu with nutritional yeast over low heat for 5 minutes.
2. Pulse the zucchini, kale, and carrots until minced. Combine these vegetables with the cooked quinoa and kelp powder. Portion as needed.

Nutritional Information (per cup): ~231.6 kcal • Protein ~23.5 g • Fat ~12 g • Carbohydrates ~13.5 g • Fiber ~4.9 g

Source: Chow Hounds.

Sea Snack

This recipe yields approximately 3 cups, with about 187 kcal per cup. For skin health, consider adding supplements like best fish oil for dogs with dry skin.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans sardines (3.75 oz each, packed in water)
• ½ cup celery, chopped
• ½ carrot, chopped
• ½ cup blueberries
• ½ cup low-fat (2%) cottage cheese
• 2 Tbsp parsley

Steps:

1. Pulse the celery and carrot until minced.
2. Combine the minced vegetables with the sardines, blueberries, cottage cheese, and parsley. Portion into servings.

Nutritional Information (per cup): ~187 kcal • Protein ~18 g • Fat ~7.5 g • Carbs ~11 g • Fiber ~2 g

Source: Chow Hounds.

Edamame & Veggie Bowl

This recipe makes approximately 5.5 cups, with about 201 kcal per cup.

Ingredients:

• 3.5 cups edamame, cooked and shelled
• ½ cup cooked quinoa
• ½ cup broccoli, chopped
• ½ cup kale, chopped
• ½ carrot, chopped
• 1 Tbsp kelp powder
• ¼ cup nutritional yeast

Steps:

1. Boil the edamame for 3–4 minutes and then drain.
2. Pulse the broccoli, kale, and carrot until minced. Combine these vegetables with the cooked edamame, quinoa, kelp powder, and nutritional yeast. Portion as required.

Nutritional Information (per cup): ~201 kcal • Protein ~17 g • Fat ~12 g • Carbohydrates ~20.3 g • Fiber ~6.6 g

Source: Chow Hounds.

Low-Calorie Treats

These delightful treats are perfect for rewarding your dog in a healthy way.

Sweet Potato Cookies

This recipe yields about 48 one-teaspoon scoops, with each cookie containing approximately 14–15 kcal.

Ingredients:

• 1 large cooked sweet potato
• 1 banana
• ½ Tbsp vegetable oil
• ½ cup quinoa flour

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Mash the cooked sweet potato and banana together.
2. Stir in the vegetable oil, followed by the quinoa flour. Portion the mixture into one-teaspoon mounds and flatten them slightly.
3. Bake for approximately 30 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving.

Source: Chow Hounds.

Quiche Bites

These mini quiche bites make 16 servings, with each bite containing around 11 kcal.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup minced vegetables (e.g., celery, carrots, zucchini, spinach)
• 2 medium eggs
• Pinch of kelp powder

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a mini-muffin pan.
2. Whisk the eggs, then fold in the minced vegetables and kelp powder.
3. Fill each cup of the mini-muffin pan and bake for 10–12 minutes.

Source: Chow Hounds.

Salmon Roll-Overs

This recipe makes 18 treats, with each treat containing approximately 23 kcal.

Ingredients:

• 1 can salmon (7 oz)
• ⅓ cup oat flour
• 1 Tbsp minced parsley

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a baking sheet.
2. Mix all ingredients together until well combined.
3. Roll the mixture into one-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12–15 minutes.

Source: Chow Hounds.

Yogurt Pops

These refreshing yogurt pops make 15 servings, with each pop containing about 15 kcal.

Ingredients:

• 1 small ripe banana
• 1 cup plain, non-fat yogurt

Steps:

1. Blend the banana with the plain, non-fat yogurt until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into an ice-cube tray and freeze. Serve one pop at a time.

Source: Chow Hounds.

Turkey Meatballs

This recipe yields 30 meatballs, with each meatball containing approximately 17 kcal.

Ingredients:

• 6 oz lean ground turkey
• ½ cup chopped carrots
• ½ cup ground quinoa or oatmeal
• Pinch of kelp powder

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Combine the lean ground turkey and chopped carrots. Mix in the ground quinoa or oatmeal and kelp powder.
3. Roll the mixture into one-inch balls and bake for 15 minutes.

Source: Chow Hounds.

Earth Biscuits

This recipe makes about 72 small cookies, with each cookie containing approximately 11 kcal.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups garbanzo bean flour
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ½ cup carrot, chopped
• ¼ cup thawed frozen peas
• ½ cup packed spinach
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• ½ tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp oregano
• ⅛ to ¼ cup water

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Purée the chopped carrots, thawed frozen peas, packed spinach, tomato paste, and water.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the garbanzo bean flour, baking powder, basil, oregano, turmeric, and spices. Add the puréed vegetable mixture and stir until a dough forms, adding more water if needed.
3. Spread the dough evenly in an 8×10-inch baking pan. Score the dough into small squares. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, then cool completely before breaking into squares.

Source: Chow Hounds.

Blueberry Mutt-ins

These mini muffins make about 36 servings, with each muffin containing approximately 20 kcal.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup quinoa flour
• ½ cup oat flour
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¾ cup blueberries
• 1 cup applesauce
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup water

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix the quinoa flour, oat flour, cinnamon, and baking soda.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the applesauce, egg, and water.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Gently fold in the blueberries.
4. Spoon the batter into a mini muffin pan, filling each cup about halfway. Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Source: Chow Hounds.

Zucchini Tarts

This recipe yields 24 tarts, with each tart containing approximately 17 kcal.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup coconut flour
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup applesauce
• 1½ cups grated zucchini

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, mix the coconut flour, baking soda, and cinnamon.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and applesauce. Stir in the grated zucchini.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
4. Grease a mini-muffin pan and dust lightly with coconut flour. Spoon the batter into each cup and bake for 16–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool.

Source: Chow Hounds.

So-Good Smoothie Treats (3 flavors)

Each flavor makes 8 small cups, with approximately 11–13 kcal per mini smoothie.

Blueberry (~13 kcal):

• ½ cup blueberries
• ½ cup plain non-fat yogurt
  Blend until smooth. Pour into 8 small cups and freeze if desired.

Strawberry (~11 kcal):

• ½ cup strawberries
• ½ cup plain non-fat yogurt
  Blend until smooth. Portion into 8 cups.

Pumpkin (~13 kcal):

• ½ cup canned pumpkin
• ½ cup plain non-fat yogurt
  Blend until smooth. Portion into 8 cups.

Source: Chow Hounds.

All recipes and nutritional figures are adapted from Chow Hounds by Dr. Ernie Ward.