Managing Canine Obesity: 3 Low-Carb Recipes for Healthy Dog Snacks

Reviewed By Joana Garrido DVM

Carbohydrates are not inherently bad for canine health. However, if dogs with obesity consume it in large amounts, they will end up packing more pounds. Cutting back on carbs can help them gain back their ideal body weight.

Here are 3 recipes that will teach you how to make low-carb healthy snacks for a chubby furry friend.

1. Popcorn Chicken Healthy Snacks for Dogs

Indulge your canine companion with bite-size, high-protein chicken dog treats.

Ingredients

For Marinade

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

For Chicken Popcorn

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 large eggs

Instructions

1. Slice the chicken breasts into ¾-inch cubes.
2. Place it in a large ziplock bag along with the other marinade ingredients.
3. Set aside inside the fridge for around 2 to 6 hours.
4. In a medium-size skillet, pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the panko breadcrumbs and 1½ teaspoons of salt.
5. Lightly toast the breadcrumbs for 4 minutes or until golden brown. Make sure to stir every 30 seconds for them to evenly brown.
6. Transfer the toasted breadcrumbs to a large plate. Combine it thoroughly with the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
7. In a separate bowl, crack the two eggs and beat until the egg yolk and egg white are mixed well.
8. Take the marinated chicken cubes out of the fridge, dip them in the egg mixture and then dredge in the breadcrumb-and-flour mixture.
9. Double-coat them by repeating the previous step one more time, making sure that all sides are evenly coated.
10. Gently shake off the excess flour mixture on each chicken cube.
11. Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Afterward, lightly coat its basket with nonstick cooking spray.
12. Place the chicken cubes in a single layer in the basket. Be sure to leave space between each of these healthy snacks for dogs so they will get evenly cooked.
13. Lightly spray their tops with cooking spray, then cook for about 10 minutes until golden brown.
14. Open the air fryer halfway through the cooking time and shake the basket to flip these healthy snacks for dogs Continue to let them cook for 5 minutes.
15. Remove the popcorn chicken treats from the air fryer and let them cool completely before serving them to your pet.

Notes

• Cook these healthy snacks for dogs in small batches to avoid increasing frying time.
• If you are short on time, it is fine to skip the marinating process, but the taste and texture of the food will not be as tender and flavorful.

Read: 5 Homemade Chicken Dog Treats

2. Cheese Puffs Healthy Snacks for Dogs

Many dogs love the taste of salty savory taste of cheese. If your pooch particularly likes this human food, he will enjoy snacking on homemade cheese puffs.

Ingredients

• ½ cup applesauce
• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 cup coconut flour
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ tablespoon sugar
• 3 eggs

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
3. In a medium-size bowl, thoroughly mix the applesauce and eggs.
4. Once both ingredients are well combined, add the rest of the remaining ingredients. Stir until all of them are properly incorporated but not over-mixed.
5. Place dollops of the mixture on the lined baking tray. Be sure to evenly space the treats from each other to prevent them from sticking to each other.
6. Bake them for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

3. Summer Rolls Healthy Snacks for Dogs

If your furry pal needs more dietary fiber in his diet, these treats for dogs are a great source of this nutrient.

Ingredients

• ½ cup red cabbage
• ½ cup firm tofu
• ¼ cup coriander
• ¼ cup mint
• ¼ cup strawberries
• 1 tablespoon sunflower oil
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened peanut butter
• 1 large cucumber
• 1 zucchini
• 2 red bell peppers
• 6 rice paper wrapper

Instructions

1. Prepare the firm tofu for cooking by squeezing out excess water. To do this, wrap the tofu with a clean paper towel, then place a heavy object on top.
2. Once dry, slice the tofu into long strips with at least 1 centimeter of thickness.
3. Panfry the tofu strips in sunflower oil over medium-high heat until both of their sides are golden brown. Set aside.
4. Rinse the fruits and vegetables and cut the cucumber, zucchini, strawberries, and red bell peppers into 1 centimeter-thick strips. Shred the red cabbage.
5. Arrange all the ingredients neatly on a large plate.
6. Fill a large shallow plate with a third inch of water.
7. Dip a sheet of rice paper wrapper in the water for 2 seconds, then lay it flat on a chopping board.
8. Place the shredded red cabbage on the side of the soaked rice paper closest to you. Make sure to leave an inch of wrapper on the edge for easier folding.
9. Place the sliced strips of vegetables on top of the cabbage followed by the coriander and mint.
10. Pick up the edge of the wrapper closest to you, then roll it up a quarter of the way.
11. While firmly holding the wrapper, continue rolling all the filling into the rice paper wrapper.
12. Fold in both the left and right sides of the rice paper. Proceed to roll from the bottom upward until the wrap is completely sealed.
13. Repeat the process for the rest of the rice paper wrapper.
14. Let these healthy snacks for the dog sit for a minute or two until the rice paper has a soft and pliable texture without tackiness.
15. Slice each of the summer rolls crosswise in 2-inch thickness.
16. Drizzle them with peanut butter and serve them to your pooch.

Notes

• Avoid soaking the rice paper wrapper for too long to prevent it from tearing easily.
• If the wrapper for these healthy treats for dogs accidentally tears, have an extra set of rice paper around to wrap the broken roll.

FAQs About Healthy Snacks for Dogs

1. What Is the Healthiest Snack to Give a Dog?

Some of the healthiest snacks to give a dog are pet-safe fruits and vegetables such as cabbage, strawberries, zucchini, and red bell peppers.

These human foods are loaded with nutrients like beta-carotene, vitamin A, and other antioxidants that promote a strong immune system.

Animal-based protein sources like chicken and cheese make great ingredients for homemade healthy snacks for dogs. Aside from providing essential amino acids, they are also dense with bone-strengthening minerals like calcium, potassium, and phosphorus.

2. Do Dogs Need Snacks Between Meals?

Dogs do not need snacks in between meals if they are fed a nutritionally complete and balanced diet. However, it does not hurt to let them enjoy a treat or two now and then.

Just make sure to avoid indulging them too much as excessive consumption of doggy snacks can contribute to unhealthy weight gain. Also, remember to reduce the amount of calories in their meals every time they eat dog treats.

3. Is Cheese a Healthy Snack for Dogs?

Cheese is a healthy snack for dogs when offered in great moderation. They can serve as high-value training treats, which can be useful in keeping them more focused on the tasks at hand.

However, not all types of cheese are safe for dogs. Skip varieties that contain certain added ingredients like onions, garlic, or chives, which are toxic to dogs.

Another cheese to keep away from dogs is blue cheese since it contain molds that can induce poisoning in canines.

The best choice for overweight or obese dogs is plain cheese with low fat, sodium, and lactose content.

4. How Do I Choose Healthy Snacks for Dogs?

Choose healthy snacks for dogs by reading the ingredient list and minding the labels. The product should be mostly made of fresh ingredients and low in synthetic preservatives and additives.

If your canine companion needs to shed some weight, choosing a high-protein doggy snack with a low-fat and carbohydrate content is recommended.

Be discerning where the dog treat is produced. Avoid products made in countries with less stringent sanitary manufacturing protocols like China to keep your pet safe from food-borne illnesses.

Summary

Obesity is a crippling disease that invites more debilitating health issues in canines. Taking the appropriate steps to manage this condition as early as possible greatly helps in curbing its progression.

One good way is to reduce an obese dog’s carbohydrate intake by feeding him homemade low-carb treats. However, this strategy alone will not work and should be carried out together with other weight loss methods.