TL;DR
Soft treats suit older dogs with sore mouths, missing teeth or weaker jaws, but a "soft" label does not make a treat a good one. Choose treats that are easy to chew, the right size to avoid choking, low in calories and free of toxic ingredients, and keep all treats together under 10% of your dog's daily calories, as the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) advises. Calories add up fast: WSAVA lists 1 oz of cheddar cheese at 120 kcal and a tablespoon of peanut butter at 81 kcal, and a Tufts University study measured bully sticks at an average of 15 kcal per inch. Skip bones, antlers and other very hard chews, which WSAVA says should be avoided. If your dog suddenly needs soft treats because it struggles with hard ones, get its mouth checked: that change is often a sign of dental pain.
Why older dogs often need softer treats
- Dental disease and missing teeth. In a 2026 study of 369 randomly selected dogs examined under anesthesia, more than half had at least one fractured tooth, and lighter dogs had more missing teeth. In over 3 million US vet records, extra-small breeds were up to five times more likely to be diagnosed with periodontal disease than giant breeds.
- Jaw and neck stiffness make gnawing hard work.
- Reduced appetite or sense of smell, which makes soft, aromatic treats more tempting.
- Pills: soft treats are the easiest way to hide medicine. See how to give a dog a pill.
If your dog has started refusing hard treats it used to love, see broken dog teeth and chewing on one side before simply switching.
What to look for in soft treats for senior dogs
Easy to chew and the right size
WSAVA advises choosing treats of an appropriate size and shape to reduce the risk of choking, and supervising your dog with chews and treats. For older dogs that gulp, smaller pieces are safer than one large soft chew.
Calories on the label
WSAVA says treats should always make up less than 10% of daily calories, and advises contacting the maker if calories are not on the label. Older dogs often move less, so treats tip them into weight gain quickly. See senior dog food for weight loss.
Simple, named ingredients
- A named protein first (chicken, turkey, fish) if your dog tolerates it
- No artificial sweeteners
- Check for common allergens if your dog has a sensitive stomach or itchy skin; a review found beef, dairy, chicken and wheat are the most common food allergens in dogs
Nothing toxic
WSAVA lists these toxic food ingredients:
- chocolate
- macadamia nuts
- onions, leeks, shallots, garlic and chives
- grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas
- xylitol (a sweetener)
- alcohol and raw yeast dough
- caffeinated drinks
Xylitol matters most for soft treats: the FDA warns it appears in some peanut butters, chewable vitamins and supplements, and can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar in dogs. Check the label of any human product before using it as a treat.
Calories in common treats
These are figures from the WSAVA treat guide, for foods often given to dogs. For a small dog, one portion can be the whole day's treat allowance.
| Treat | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Ham | 1 oz (28 g) | 46 |
| Lean cooked chicken breast, no skin | 1 oz (28 g) | 47 |
| Lean turkey breast, no skin | 1 oz (28 g) | 50 |
| Lean cooked beef | 1 oz (28 g) | 64 |
| Digestive biscuit | 1 biscuit (17 g) | 75 |
| Peanut butter | 1 tbsp | 81 |
| Cheddar cheese | 1 oz (28 g) | 120 |
| Tripe stick | 1 oz (28 g) | 217 |
| Dried pig's ear | 2 oz (56 g) | 242 |
| Rawhide bone | 6.7 oz (190 g) | 700 |
The Tufts bully stick study measured an average of 15 kcal per inch, ranging from 9 to 22, so a 6-inch stick can be close to 90 kcal.
Treats to avoid for older dogs
- Bones, cooked or raw: WSAVA warns they can be very dangerous and cause significant damage if chewed or swallowed.
- Antlers, hooves and very hard chews: WSAVA says these, and treats with sharp edges, should be avoided; they are a common cause of broken teeth.
- Raw animal treats such as pig's ears: WSAVA notes a risk of germs, and in the bully stick study, 3 of 26 sticks carried bacteria of concern, including MRSA and Clostridium difficile.
- Fatty table scraps: they unbalance the diet and can upset the stomach.
Healthy soft treat ideas
- Pieces of your dog's own food: count them from the daily ration. Soft wet food can be spooned onto a lick mat.
- Small pieces of lean cooked chicken or turkey, plain and unseasoned, within the calorie allowance.
- Soft vegetables such as cooked green beans or carrot, cut small.
- Soft commercial training treats, broken into tiny pieces; dogs care more about the number than the size.
Functional soft chews
Some soft chews are supplements as well as treats. Count them in the daily allowance like any other treat:
- [Brain & Cognitive Support Soft Chews](https://dogevera.com/products/brain-cognitive-support-soft-chews-for-dogs): 90 mg of algal DHA in 180 mg of total omega-3, plus 50 mg of ginkgo, turkey tail, lutein and antioxidants per 2-chew serving. DHA is concentrated in the brain, and in a 2017 study aged Beagles fed a DHA-rich algae improved on initial learning tasks. Contains chicken and soy.
- [Muscle Strength & Recovery Soft Chews](https://dogevera.com/products/muscle-strength-recovery-soft-chews-for-dogs): 150 mg of calcium HMB with amino acids, salmon oil and green-lipped mussel per serving, at amounts below those used in dog studies, as an add-on to diet and exercise. Contains shellfish, fish, chicken and soy.
Neither chew has itself been tested in a clinical trial, and both are made in an FDA-registered facility. See senior dog supplements ranked by evidence.
FAQ
What are the best soft treats for older dogs?
Small, easy-to-chew treats with a short ingredient list, calories on the label, and nothing toxic. Pieces of your dog's own food, lean cooked meat and soft vegetables work well within the 10% calorie limit.
How many treats can a senior dog have a day?
Treats should make up less than 10% of daily calories, according to WSAVA. Check calories on the label and adjust for your dog's size and weight.
What treats can a dog with no teeth eat?
Soft or moist treats broken into small pieces, wet food on a lick mat, and soft cooked vegetables. Avoid anything your dog has to gnaw.
Are bully sticks safe for senior dogs?
They are high in calories (an average of 15 kcal per inch in one study) and some carry bacteria. Supervise closely, choose a size your dog cannot swallow whole, and count the calories.
Can I give my old dog peanut butter?
Only xylitol-free peanut butter, in small amounts. A tablespoon has about 81 kcal.
References
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Feeding treats to your dog. 2025.
- Freeman LM, Janecko N, Weese JS. Nutritional and microbial analysis of bully sticks and survey of opinions about pet treats. Canadian Veterinary Journal. 2013. PMID: 23814301
- Stepaniuk KS, et al. Oral examination in a random anesthetized canine population for the prevalence of periodontal disease and fractured teeth. Journal of Veterinary Dentistry. 2026. PMID: 42095652
- Wallis C, et al. Association of periodontal disease with breed size, breed, weight, and age in pure-bred client-owned dogs in the United States. The Veterinary Journal. 2021. PMID: 34293444
- Mueller RS, Olivry T, Prélaud P. Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats. BMC Veterinary Research. 2016. PMID: 26753610
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Paws Off Xylitol; It's Dangerous for Dogs.
- Hadley KB, Bauer J, Milgram NW. The oil-rich alga Schizochytrium sp. as a dietary source of DHA improves shape discrimination learning in a canine model of senescence. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids. 2017. PMID: 28288702
For individual health questions, your veterinarian remains the best partner.
