Safe Treats for Diabetic Dogs & Cats

Quick answer

Yes, diabetic pets can have treats. Choose low-sugar, low-starch options — plain cooked lean meat, single-ingredient freeze-dried protein, or low-calorie vegetables — and count them inside the daily calorie total rather than on top of it.

Keep treats consistent, and many vets suggest giving them straight after a meal. Consistency in timing and amount is what the veterinary guidelines actually ask for. The after-dinner habit is a practical refinement on top of that rather than a rule from the guidelines: the thinking is that the insulin given with that meal covers the treat as well.

Avoid added sugars, syrups and honey, semi-moist treats and high-starch biscuits.

And please don't feel guilty for wanting to. Treats are part of how we love our animals. A diabetes diagnosis doesn't end that; it just asks you to choose more carefully and count what you give.

What treats are safe for a diabetic dog?

The safest treats are low in sugar and simple carbohydrate, and high in protein or fibre. Small pieces of plain cooked lean meat, single-ingredient freeze-dried protein treats, and low-calorie vegetables (many dogs genuinely love green beans or cucumber) all work well. Avoid semi-moist treats, anything with added sugars, syrups or honey, and high-starch biscuits — they raise blood glucose quickly.

What treats are safe for a diabetic cat?

For cats, stay high-protein and very low-carbohydrate: small pieces of plain cooked meat or fish, or single-ingredient freeze-dried meat treats. Skip the cereal-based and "dental" treats, which are usually carbohydrate-heavy. The same low-carb principle that guides your cat's food guides their treats.

How do treats affect blood sugar and insulin?

Every treat adds calories and can nudge blood glucose, so treats need to count as part of the daily total rather than sit on top of it — otherwise weight creeps up and control slips. A good rule of thumb many vets suggest is keeping treats to a small fraction of daily calories.

Give treats just after a meal. A veterinary surgeon in clinical practice who reviewed this page in October 2026 said this is what they tell their own clients: a treat given right after dinner is covered by the insulin given with that meal, so it is far less likely to produce a spike than the same treat handed over in the middle of the afternoon. Consistent timing beats random timing, and straight after food is the best slot of all.

Log treats alongside meals in Mello, so nothing slips through unnoticed — and the after-dinner ritual stays a joy, not a worry.

Sources

The pages below were each opened and checked before being listed here, and anything that could not be opened was left off rather than guessed at.

• Feeding treats to your dog — WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee, year not stated. The 10% rule: treats should be less than a tenth of a dog’s daily calories, and conventional treats may not suit a dog on a prescribed diet.
• Feeding treats to your cat — WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee, year not stated. The same 10% rule for cats, and the list of foods to avoid entirely.
• Client Education (Section 8) — 2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs, 2026. The claim this page now leads with: consistent timing and amount of food, treats and exercise is what matters, and treats are worth discussing with your vet rather than improvising.
• Dietary Management in Diabetic Dogs (Section 6) — 2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs, 2026. That treats count inside the daily calorie total rather than on top of it.
• Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs and Cats — MSD Veterinary Manual, reviewed May 2024, updated May 2026. That foods high in simple sugars should be avoided.