Gluten-free dog treats
Gluten-free dog treats are made without wheat, barley or rye, and while a genuine, diagnosed gluten intolerance is uncommon in dogs, some dogs do react to wheat specifically and do better on treats that avoid it. The label word to check is what has replaced the gluten-containing grain, not just what has been removed.
Gluten sensitivity in dogs, honestly
True coeliac-style gluten intolerance is well documented in a small number of dog breeds but is genuinely rare overall, and a lot of what gets labelled a gluten sensitivity in pet food marketing is really a broader wheat or grain sensitivity, or no sensitivity at all in dogs who simply tolerate the treat less well for another reason.
If your dog has a diagnosed condition or a vet has specifically recommended avoiding gluten, that is a different situation to choosing gluten-free treats as a general precaution, and it is worth being clear with yourself about which one applies before paying a premium for gluten-free specifically.
What gluten-free actually means on a label
A gluten-free treat has typically replaced wheat, barley or rye with something like rice, potato, or a single named meat as the main structure, rather than simply having nothing in its place. Check what has replaced the gluten-containing grain, since some substitutes carry their own considerations — potato-based treats, for instance, run higher in carbohydrate than a meat-based one.
Gluten-free is not the same claim as grain-free — a gluten-free treat can still contain rice or oats, which do not contain gluten, so read the actual ingredient list rather than assuming the two terms mean the same thing.
When it is worth trying
If your dog has shown a reaction — loose stools, itching, or general digestive upset — after eating treats containing wheat specifically, trialling a gluten-free option under the same careful, one-at-a-time introduction as any new treat is a reasonable thing to try.
If your dog has no history of any reaction, there is no particular reason to switch pre-emptively; gluten-free is not inherently healthier for a dog with no sensitivity to it.
Which breeds are more commonly affected
Gluten sensitivity has been documented specifically in a small number of breeds, most notably some lines of Irish Setter, where it is a recognised, inherited condition rather than a general dog sensitivity. If you own one of the breeds where this has been documented and your dog shows digestive signs, it is worth raising specifically with your vet.
Outside of those specific breeds, a reaction that looks like gluten sensitivity is statistically more likely to be a reaction to something else in the treat, which is another reason a proper vet-led elimination process, rather than treat-swapping alone, gives a more reliable answer.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Naturo Adult Dog Grain & Gluten Free Poultry Selection in Herb Gravy 12pk
Twelve 390G cans of grain-free wet food, each recipe half chicken, duck or turkey
£17.99
Pedigree Schmackos Dog Treats Meat Variety
Meat-variety dog treat sticks, 20 per pack, under 30 kcal each, banded by dog weight
£2.75
Pedigree DentaStix Daily Large Dog Dental Treats
Daily Pedigree DentaStix dental chews portioned for large dogs
£2.29
Pedigree Rodeo Dog Treats with Chicken
Pedigree Rodeo chicken twists with weekly limits for dogs over the stated weight
£2.75
Pedigree Schmackos Dog Treats with Fish
Pedigree Schmackos fish-flavour strips with daily dog-size allowances
£2.75
Forthglade Grain Free Soft Bites Fresh Breath Treats 90g
Chicken soft dog treats with parsley and peppermint oil for fresh breath
£2.45
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Joints & Bones Treats
Grain-free salmon dog treats with salmon oil, glucosamine and chondroitin
£2.45
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Good Gut Health Treats
Grain-free chicken dog treats with ginger, chicory root and MOS
£2.45
Forthglade Functional Soft Bite Treats - Plant Based Banana & Honey
Plant-based banana and honey soft dog treats for training rewards
£2.45
Bakers Bites Chicken Dog Treats
130G BAKERS Bites Chicken Dog Treats: complementary dog food or treat with composition and analysis made clear
£1.99
Bakers Sizzlers Bacon Dog Treats
315G BAKERS Sizzlers Bacon Dog Treats: complementary dog food or treat with composition and analysis made clear
£4.00
Harringtons Training Treats
A chicken liver training treat for dogs, with liver as the largest named component
£1.89
Common questions
- Is gluten intolerance common in dogs?
- Genuine, diagnosed gluten intolerance is uncommon in dogs overall, though it is documented in a small number of breeds. Many cases labelled as gluten sensitivity are really a broader reaction to wheat or another ingredient, so a vet's input is worth having before assuming gluten specifically is the cause of a reaction.
- Is gluten-free the same as grain-free for dog treats?
- No. Gluten-free means no wheat, barley or rye, but a gluten-free treat can still contain other grains like rice or oats, which do not contain gluten. Grain-free excludes all grains. Check the actual ingredient list rather than assuming the two labels mean the same thing.
- Should I switch my dog to gluten-free treats as a precaution?
- Not unless your dog has shown a reaction to wheat specifically, or a vet has recommended it. Gluten-free is not inherently a healthier choice for a dog with no sensitivity, so switching without a reason to is more about label preference than any real benefit to your dog.
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.