Best Soft Treats for Senior Dogs

For senior dogs, soft treats are the kind move — fewer teeth or a little arthritis in the jaw shouldn't mean fewer treats. Our Wonder Nuggets line is soft and chewy by design, made in small batches at our kitchen on Boston Fish Pier, with four or five ingredients per flavor and no corn, wheat, or soy.

How we chose these

  • Soft, chewy texture — nothing that requires a full set of teeth to enjoy
  • Ingredient lists you can actually read, easy on a stomach that's gotten pickier with age
  • A range of flavors, because a 12-year-old dog has earned the right to be a little picky
  • Small enough to break down further if your senior needs even smaller pieces

The picks

All five Wonder Nuggets flavors — Peanut Butter, Turkey & Cranberry, Apple & Pork, Sweet Potato & Beef, and Whitefish & Kelp — are soft enough for sensitive mouths. Can't pick a favorite? The Wonder Nuggets Bundle gets you three flavors at once. And for a special-occasion treat, Cake Batter is soft, peanut-butter-and-banana flavored, and about as close to a party as a dog treat gets.

Senior dog treat FAQ

What should I look for in a treat for an older dog with few teeth?

Soft texture first, small size second. A treat that breaks apart without much pressure is kinder on a mouth that's done a lot of chewing over the years.

Are soft treats lower in calories than crunchy ones?

Not necessarily — texture and calorie count aren't directly linked. If your senior dog needs to watch their weight, check the label on any treat, soft or crunchy, and adjust portions accordingly. When in doubt, ask your vet what's right for your dog's size and activity level.

Can senior dogs eat the same treats as puppies?

Often, yes — soft treats tend to work well at both ends of the age range. See our puppy training treats guide for the overlap.

We started this because we loved one very good, very scrappy dog. Every treat we make since is still made the same way: for family, at every age. You are what you treat.

See also: Best Training Treats for Puppies · Best Treats for Small Dogs