Dog treats for older dogs
The right treat for an older dog is usually softer or easier to chew than the biscuits that suited them at two years old, lower in calories to match a slower metabolism, and still genuinely worth having — an older dog deserves treat time as much as a younger one, just adjusted for what their body needs now.
Texture matters more with age
Older dogs often have less robust teeth and gums than they did as adults in their prime, whether from years of wear, dental disease, or tooth loss, and a very hard biscuit that was fine at five can be genuinely uncomfortable, or simply left uneaten, at twelve.
Softer treats, or ones that break down easily, tend to suit an older mouth better without giving up the ritual of treat time altogether. It is worth watching how your own dog actually manages a treat — dropping it repeatedly, chewing on one side only, or turning away from something they used to love are all worth mentioning to your vet.
Calories add up faster in an older dog
Older dogs are typically less active than they were, and a treat that was a rounding error in an energetic three-year-old's day can be a meaningful proportion of an older dog's calories now. Checking the calorie content of a treat, and cutting larger treats into smaller pieces, both help without cutting treat time out altogether.
This matters more for dogs who have put on weight with age, which is common, since extra weight puts more strain on joints that may already be stiffer than they used to be.
Dental treats can pull double duty
A treat designed to help with dental hygiene gives an older dog something to genuinely enjoy while also doing something useful for a mouth that may be working harder to stay healthy than it used to. This is not a substitute for proper dental care, but it is a sensible thing to build into treat time regardless.
If your older dog has known dental problems, ask your vet what kind of chewing is actually appropriate for their specific mouth before relying on a dental treat as the main plan.
Working treats into a slower day
Older dogs often sleep more and move around less than they used to, which is a good reason to make the treats they do get count for more than just a quick calorie hit. Using a treat to reward gentle activity — a short walk, coming when called, using the stairs carefully — keeps treat time purposeful rather than idle.
Splitting a single treat into smaller pieces across the day, rather than giving one large treat in one go, can also make a small allowance of calories feel like more attention and more occasions to enjoy, which matters for a dog whose day may otherwise be quieter than it once was.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Forthglade Grain Free Soft Bites Fresh Breath Treats 8pk
Chicken soft dog treats with parsley and peppermint oil for fresh breath
£2.45
Pedigree Dentastix Light Dog
Pedigree DentaStix Light dental chews across small, medium and large sizes
From£2.35
Dentalife Dental Oral Care Dog Chicken Chews
DENTALIFE chicken dental chews with medium-dog and large-dog variants
£1.65
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Joints & Bones Treats
Grain-free salmon dog treats with salmon oil, glucosamine and chondroitin
£2.45
Forthglade Grain Free Soft Bites Training Rewards Chicken & Liver 8pk
Grain-free chicken and liver soft bites for dog training rewards
£2.45
Forthglade Functional Soft Bite Treats - Plant Based Banana & Honey
Plant-based banana and honey soft dog treats for training rewards
£2.45
Forthglade Dental Calming Sticks
Dental chew sticks for dogs with added calming botanicals for evening routines
£2.99
NanoSanitas Advanced No-Brush Dental Gel for Dogs & Cats
A brush-free dental gel for dogs and cats, formulated with silver nanoparticles and papaya extract to help reduce plaque and freshen breath.
£14.99
Pedigree DentaStix Daily Dental Chews Small Dog
Daily Pedigree DentaStix dental chews for small dogs over the label age limit
£2.35
Whimzees Toothbrush Daily Dental Dog Chew
A vegetarian daily dental chew for dogs, shaped like a toothbrush
From£0.69
Forthglade Grain Free Soft Bites Calming Treats 8pk
Grain-free turkey soft bites with a declared botanical blend
£2.45
Common questions
- Should I stop giving my older dog treats altogether?
- There is usually no need to. Treats are a normal, positive part of a dog's day at any age, and the sensible adjustment for an older dog is choosing softer, lower-calorie options rather than cutting treats out entirely.
- My older dog has lost several teeth — what treats can they still have?
- Soft, easily-broken-down treats are the safer choice for a dog with fewer teeth, and it is worth avoiding anything genuinely hard that relies on a full set of teeth to chew properly. Your vet can advise on what suits your dog's specific mouth.
- Are joint supplement treats worth it for an older dog?
- Some owners find them a convenient way to give a supplement their vet has recommended, but a treat marketed around joint support is not a substitute for veterinary advice about your individual dog's joints. Speak to your vet before starting any supplement.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.