Low-protein training treats for older dogs

Training with kidney monitoring in the picture changes the treat equation quite a bit — the usual high-protein, meat-heavy options are exactly what you need to avoid here. The good news is you can still use small, palatable treats that keep a Border Collie engaged; they just need to be lower in protein and ideally made with wholefood ingredients rather than meat concentrates. Before I point you to something specific: is your dog still doing active training sessions, or are you more focused on gentle reinforcement and mental stimulation at this stage?

That's a really sensible approach for an 11-year-old, and nose work is brilliant for keeping a Border Collie mentally satisfied without the physical strain. For what you're describing, you want something she finds genuinely motivating but that isn't packing in concentrated animal protein. What does she currently get excited about food-wise — is she treat-motivated in general, or do you need something with a strong smell to hold her attention?

Good to know — that narrows it down well. I'd go with Lily's Kitchen Organic Training Treats. They're pea-sized, which is exactly right for short sessions, and they have a noticeable smell without being meat-dense. The protein content is moderate rather than high, and the ingredient list is wholefood-based — organic oats, vegetables, a small amount of organic chicken — rather than the meat meal or liver concentrates you'd find in high-protein performance treats. They're not marketed as a kidney-support product, so I'd still run them past your vet, but the protein profile is meaningfully lower than most training treats and the ingredients are clean. Lots of owners of senior dogs with kidney monitoring have used them without issue. Avoid anything labelled 'grain-free and high protein' — those are built for exactly the opposite of what you need.

Yes — phosphorus is the main one your vet will likely be keeping an eye on alongside protein, because kidneys struggle to filter both. High-phosphorus ingredients to watch for on labels include organ meats like liver and kidney, fish, and anything with added bone meal. Also worth avoiding treats with added salt or artificial preservatives, which put extra load on the kidneys. Stick to short ingredient lists with recognisable whole ingredients, and keep treat quantities small regardless of what you use — even a low-protein treat adds up if you're doing frequent sessions. A handful of pea-sized pieces across a short session is plenty.

That's exactly the right move — bring the packet or just the ingredient list and protein percentage, and your vet can confirm it fits within whatever threshold they're monitoring for. She sounds like she's in good hands, and nose work is genuinely one of the best things you can do for a senior Border Collie. Good luck with the sessions.