Tiny training treats for tiny dogs

I was recently asked if I could recommend dog treats specifically for smaller dog breeds. They would have to be small in size, not pack a punch, and ideally be healthy. Meaning no grains, fillers, or any artificial components on the ingredient list.

While my own two pups are large dogs who weigh 50 and 70 lbs, I got to thinking that many of the treats they eagerly perform tricks for are either small in size as it is or can be broken into tiny pieces because of their freeze-dried and dehydrated texture. Since I only use grain-free treats (& food) without any artificial add-ons, that requirement was met as well.

So YES! I CAN recommend dog treats specifically for smaller breeds. What you’ll find below is a list of some of our favorite freeze-dried & dehydrated dog treats that make fantastic training treats but can certainly also be given just because.

Vital Essentials – Minnows

The minnows are a single ingredient, USA sourced & made, freeze-dried fish treat (82 kcal/oz) and are sold in a 1oz bag.

Vital Essentials – Nibs

Tiny pieces of USA sourced & made freeze-dried duck and beef.

The duck treats consist of ground duck with bone, duck liver, duck gizzard, duck skin, herring oil, and mixed tocopherols (118 kcal/oz). 

The beef treats consist of beef, beef lung, beef liver, beef, stomach, beef heart, beef fat, beef kidney, beef blood, herring oil, and mixed tocopherols (128 kcal/oz). 

Side note: Tocopherols are a form of vitamin E and act as a natural preservative.

Raw Paws Pet Food – GreenTripe Treats

The green tripe treats are a freeze-dried, single ingredient superfood treat made from USA raised, free range cows. 

Tripe is the stomach lining of ruminant animals such as cows, sheep, or goats and chock-full of nutrients and minerals. Dogs go bonkers for it and it can also be a great incentive to get a picky K9 to eat when sprinkled on their regular food.

Treats Happen – Beef Lung

The beef lung treats are a dehydrated, single ingredient treat made from Canadian raised beef. 

They come in larger pieces but can be broken apart super easily, as in single handedly.

Dr. Harvey’s – Le Dogue Bites

Tiny bites of USA made, freeze-dried, single ingredient beef and chicken treats.

Dr. Harvey’s – Coconut Smiles

Organic dehydrated, USA made coconut treats.

The coconut smiles can very easily be broken apart into tiny pieces.

Bottom Line

We were able to cover a variety of dog (training) treats suitable for dogs of all sizes because their dehydrated & freeze-dried texture makes it easy to break them into smaller pieces.

My pups Missy & Buzz enjoy diversity in their treats and I like to keep them guessing what Mommy will hand out next, which is why I listed dog treats made of beef, duck, chicken, minnows, cod, and even coconut.