The best soft dog treats for older dogs are small, moist treats that need little chewing, such as Wellness Rewarding Life Soft Dog Treats (our top pick) or the budget-friendly Blue Dog Bakery treats. They’re much easier on sore gums, worn or missing teeth, and sensitive stomachs than hard biscuits.
Below are our five favorites, plus a few tips on giving treats to a senior dog safely.
Why are soft dog treats important for older dogs?
As dogs turn senior, their digestion systems can become less efficient. This means that they might have a tougher time digesting hard dog treats. So, it’s important to find soft dog treats that are easy on their stomach. If you’re not sure whether your dog has reached that stage, our dog age calculator shows when dogs of their size become seniors.
Additionally, senior dogs often have dental problems, such as worn, loose or missing teeth, that make it difficult and even painful to eat hard treats. So, soft dog treats are a great option for older dogs that need a little extra help. If your dog suddenly drops food, chews on one side, paws at its mouth or turns down treats it used to love, have your vet check its mouth, as dental disease is common and treatable.
A few tips for treating a senior dog: keep treats to no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily calories, since many older dogs are less active and gain weight easily; break larger treats into small pieces; and ask your vet which treats are suitable if your dog has a condition like kidney disease, diabetes or a history of pancreatitis. For meals, see how to soften food for a dog with no teeth, our picks for the best food for a senior Chihuahua with no teeth, and how often to feed a senior dog.
What are the best soft dog treats for older dogs?
Our recommendations are based on flavor, softness, quality of the ingredients, and the total value. Let’s take a look at the best soft dog treats for older dogs:
At a glance
5 picks, each best at something different
Check priceBest budget
Blue Dog Bakery Natural Dog Treats
4.9
Check priceBest overall
Wellness Rewarding Life Soft Dog Treats
4.9
Check priceLow-calorie
CESAR SOFTIES Chewy Small Dog Treats
4.6
Check priceBest ingredients
EuroPet Gouda Bites - Premium Dog Treats
4.4
Check priceLimited ingredients
Wag Soft & Tender American Jerky Dog Treats
4.7
1Blue Dog Bakery Natural Dog Treats
As you can tell by the packaging, these dog treats are specifically made to be soft! They’re also really easy to chew and digest, which is perfect for an older dog. We are impressed with the ingredients’ quality (all-natural, human-grade, no artificial flavors or preservatives).
Additionally, it’s always great to hear that the treats are being made in the USA, which helps support American businesses.
We’re more than happy to recommend these treats as a soft, healthy, and delicious option for older dogs.
What we like the most: This product is not only great because of all the features we named, but it is also very affordable!
Pros
- Very affordable
- All natural ingredients
- Human grade ingredients
- No artificial flavors or preservatives
- Made in the USA
Cons
- N/A!
2Wellness Rewarding Life Soft Dog Treats
Another very affordable and great option for soft dog treats are these Wellness Rewarding Life Dog Treats. We love that they’re made with two kinds of meat, as this provides a flavor and texture that your dog will love.
Additionally, the all-natural ingredients and lack of artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives is impressive, to say the least. We’re again glad to see that this product is made in the USA.
Finally, we appreciate that these treats are very versatile: not only are they suitable for your senior dog but also for puppies and all other life stages!
What we like most: We really appreciate the overall quality of these treats, as well as the fact that they’re very affordable
Pros
- Suitable for seniors, and all other life stages
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Made with two kinds of meat
- All-natural ingredients
- Made in the USA
Cons
- N/A!
3CESAR SOFTIES Chewy Small Dog Treats
Believe it or not, these are made from filet mignon! Your pup is sure to be thrilled with the culinary flavor of these dog treats.
We also love that they’re low-calorie, as many senior dogs gain weight easily once they slow down and become less active.
The soft texture is perfect for older dogs that may have trouble chewing, and we appreciate that they come in such a small size (perfect for small breeds).
Overall, we think these are a great option for senior dogs that need something easy to chew and digest.
What we like the most: The flavor and low-calorie content of these treats makes them a great option for senior dogs.
Pros
- Made from filet mignon
- Low calorie
- Soft texture
- Small size pieces
Cons
- Contains preservatives
4EuroPet Gouda Bites - Premium Dog Treats
From a distance, you might think these are your average human cheese snacks. But on closer inspection, you’ll see that they’re actually high-protein dog treats!
We were really impressed with the quality of these treats, as well as the fact that they’re made from 100% human-grade ingredients. Your pup is sure to love the delicious taste and smell of these Gouda cheese bites, and you’ll love knowing that they’re healthy and nutritious.
We also appreciate that they’re vacuum-dehydrated, which helps preserve the natural flavor. Keep in mind that cheese is rich in fat, so give these in small amounts, and skip them for dogs with a history of pancreatitis or trouble digesting dairy. Just be sure not to mix them up with your own snacks!
What we like the most: The fact that these treats are made from 100% human-grade ingredients, and the delicious taste and smell.
Pros
- Made from human-grade ingredients
- Vacuum-dehydrated
- Nutritious and healthy
- Delicious taste and smell
Cons
- Quite expensive compared to other treats
5Wag Soft & Tender American Jerky Dog Treats
Although this product is made by an Amazon brand, it does not disappoint. The ingredients are high quality and the treats are very soft, making them perfect for your senior dog.
These are again made in USA and all the ingredients are USA sourced which is amazing. We also appreciate that there are no added grains, corn, soy or wheat- which can often be difficult to find in dog treats.
Overall, we think this is a great option for senior dogs and would definitely recommend giving them a try!
What we like most: We love that the ingredients are limited and only the best quality- perfect for senior dogs who may have sensitivities.
Pros
- Limited ingredients
- High quality
- Soft texture
- Made in the USA with all American sourced ingredients
Cons
- A bit more expensive
Final thoughts – Best soft dog treats for older dogs
There you have it! All the products on this list are great for senior dogs who may have trouble chewing. Just be sure to pick the right one for your dog, based on their needs and preferences. Fed in moderation, all of these treats are sure to make your senior dog happy. Thanks for reading!
