gentle snackers dog treats

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 21, 2024

Contributions sourced from

The 5 best hypoallergenic dog treats

What we love: Based on the science behind Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets, their Gentle Snacker treats come veterinarian recommended for dogs with intolerances or GI problems. And because theyre hydrolyzed and come in a sealed pouch, they can stay fresh and last owners longer than other treats.

What customer reviews say: Dog owners love these treats for their pups with sensitive stomachs or GI tract issues. With over 1,230 ratings and 4.7-star rating on Amazon, these are a favorite for owners and their pups! Dogs with diabetes, pancreatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and general allergies have all seen improvements when switching to these treats from other non-hypoallergenic options.

Calories: 14 calories per treat.

Ingredients: Starch, hydrolyzed soy protein isolate, vegetable oil, dicalcium phosphate, oat fiber, powdered cellulose, partially hydrogenated canola oil preserved with tbhq, potassium chloride, guar gum, lecithin, corn oil, choline chloride, magnesium oxide, dl-methionine, salt, taurine, vitamin e supplement, zinc sulfate, niacin, ferrous sulfate, calcium carbonate, manganese sulfate, vitamin a supplement, vitamin b-12 supplement, copper supplement, garlic oil, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin k activity), calcium iodate, sodium selenite, a-2517.

The seven best healthy dog treats, according to a vet

Does your dog need treats?

Fortunately, many dog treats are nutritious, so dog treats can be part of a balanced diet for your pup. Dog treats are especially helpful when you are training your dog or rewarding them for good behavior. If your dog has food allergies, youll need to pay close attention to treat ingredients, and dogs that are overweight or with certain medical conditions should only follow a veterinarian-recommended diet and may not be allowed to have treats.

Choosing healthy treats for your doggie

When your best friend learns a new trick or behaves really well at the dog park, its tempting to reach for the first treats you can find to praise them. But not all treats are a good reward for good behavior. Unfortunately, some treats may have questionable ingredients or high-calorie counts that can be detrimental to your pups health. To keep your pup healthy and following good nutrition, opt for healthy treats instead.

What to look for in healthy dog treats

If youre ready to start shopping for healthy dog treats for your best friend, there are several things to keep in mind. Take a close look at labels to evaluate the ingredients and calories, but also keep things like size and texture in mind.

Ingredients. One of the most important things to look for in healthy treats is the ingredients list. Stick to treats with an ingredients list of whole, natural foods. Many treats include healthy ingredients like meat, peanut butter, fruits, and vegetables. Our vets also recommend treats with fish or salmon, because omega-3 fatty acids can help with brain and eye development in puppies or boost cognitive function in older dogs.

Brand. Some brands offer higher quality dog treats than others. Our veterinary team trusts brands like Purina Pro Plan, Science Diet/Hills, and Royal Canin. They all avoid cross-contamination between foods and treats during manufacturing.

Calories. Generally, treats should be just that treats! Treats should make up less than 10% of your dogs daily calories, so read the label for the calorie amount per treat and stick to the correct portion sizes.

Texture. You want to choose treats that arent too hard, otherwise, they can pose a choking hazard. Hard treats are difficult for a dog to bite into, so they might only be able to bite them into large pieces, which are hard to swallow. Too-hard treats can also fracture your dogs teeth.

Size. Treats can be a choking hazard if they are too large or too small for your dog. Opt for small treats for puppies or small dogs. Large dogs may enjoy large treats, but also make sure to keep an eye out. Even large dogs can choke on treats that are too big.

Labels. Treats labeled as all-natural can be misleading, as the treats may still be highly processed.

If your dog is overweight or has dietary restrictions, youll need to scrutinize the treat labels very carefully.

Types of dog treats to avoid

There are many popular treats out there that arent good for any dogs. Here are some common treats to stay away from.

Rawhides. Rawhides are inexpensive treats with little nutritional value. Some rawhides are treated with toxins like formaldehyde and bleach. They also pose a huge choking risk as they break down into pieces over time. However, some rawhide-like products, such as Purina Pro Plan Dental Chewz, are VOHC-approved and safe for consumption.

Animal bones. Sure, bones are all-natural but they can be covered in pathogens, such as E. Coli and salmonella. Some people may suggest boiling the bones to sanitize them, but this process actually makes the bones brittle and more likely to splinter. This is a choking hazard for dogs, and splinters and sharp pieces can puncture the intestines.

Jerky-type treats. Since 2007, the FDA has received reports of sick pets after consuming jerky pet treats. Learn more about their ongoing investigationTrusted SourceU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Government agency.Go to source and how theyre testing treats to determine why some jerky treats are making pets sick. While these cases are rare, we recommend avoiding jerky-type treats especially with so many other great options on the market.

Treats with additives. We like treats that dont contain lots of additives or artificial colors. Some additives, such as Red#3, used for coloring or preservatives have been linked to cancer in animalsTrusted SourcePubMed CentralArchive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature.Go to source.

Toxic human food. While dogs may love chicken and sweet potatoes as we do, there are many foods that humans eat that are not suitable for dogs. While you treat yourself with chocolate, you cant do the same for your pup, because the chemicals in chocolate can cause seizures and increased heart rates in dogs. Instead, you can give your dog human food treats like some fresh fruits and vegetables (avoid grapes and items with seeds or pits), like watermelon, broccoli, green beans, bananas, or carrots.

Can you make DIY treats at home?

Its easy to make DIY dog treats at home, and you might be surprised to find your mouth watering as the smell of our favorite peanut butter and oatmeal cookies (yes, these really are for your pup!) fills your kitchen. Making treats at home means you can customize the ingredients based on your dogs dietary needs and flavor preferences. Try one of our tried-and-true all-natural pet treat recipes for your best friend.

Purina Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers

Hypoallergenic Canine Treats

Purina ProPlan Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers Hydrolyzed + Low Fat Hypoallergenic CanineTreats offer a highly palatable solution to pet owners wanting to give treats to dogs on special diets. These unique treats are based on Purina Veterinary Diets HA Hypoallergenic Canine Formula and be safely given to dogs with food allergies and/or sensitive gastrointestional tracts. Gentle Snackers offer a low-fat treat for dogs on a weight loss/maintenance program. These high-quality treats specially formulated with these benefits:

Low fat
Low molecular weight
Great taste
Single hydrolyzed protein source

Gentle Snackers are recommended for:

Dogs with adverse food reactions
Dogs with sensitive gastrointestional tracts
Dogs on a weight loss program
Healthy dogs on a maintenance diet

Medical Contraindications: None

Feeding and Administration

Feed 3 treats per 5 lbs of body weight, not to exceed 20 treats per day. The calorie intake from treats should not exceed 10% of the dog's total daily caloric requirement. If treats are given, the amount of food should be reduced accordingly.

Calorie Content: Metabolizable Energy (ME): 1512 kcal/lb, 3.6 kcal/piece

Ingredients:

Corn starch, hydrolyzed soy protein isolate, natural flavor, powdered cellulose, partially hydrogenated canola oil preserved with TBHQ, vegetable oil, tricalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, guar gum, DLMethionine, choline chloride, calcium carbonate, glycine, taurine, L-Cysteine, magnesium oxide, zinc sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, salt, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin (Vitamin B-3), Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), garlic oil, folic acid (Vitamin B-9), Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin (Vitamin B-7), menadione sodium bisulfite complex (Vitamin K), sodium selenite.

Packaging: 8 oz Pouches (each), and in cases of 3 pouches

Guaranteed Analysis: