One treat for senior Lab and young Golden

Two large-breed dogs at very different life stages — that's a common challenge. The best treats are high in protein, low in additives, and sized right for the dog. A lot of popular branded treats are nutritionally weak despite the packaging. Single-ingredient options like dried meat or fish skin are almost always the better call. To find something that genuinely works for both dogs, it helps to know: does your Lab have any joint, weight, or digestive issues at 11? Any allergies or sensitivities on either dog? And what are you mainly using treats for — training, general rewards, something else?

That's really useful. Weight is the main thing to manage carefully with an older Lab — a lot of treats are calorie-dense in a way that adds up fast, especially when you're also giving them to a second dog and losing track of the total. What's the Lab's current weight roughly, and is he on any joint supplement already?

Right, so you need something low in fat and calories that you can give freely to the Golden without it becoming a problem for the Lab. My recommendation is dried sprats — small whole fish, single ingredient, nothing added. They're high in protein and omega-3, which actively supports joint health, so they're doing double duty for your Lab. They're naturally low in fat compared to chicken or beef treats, and because they're small you can give the Golden a couple during training without overloading the Lab on his portion. Both dogs tend to go absolutely mad for them. I'd look at Icelandic+ or a similar whole dried sprat product — widely available, good quality, and you're not paying for filler.

For a Lab trying to drop 4kg, I'd keep it to three or four sprats a day maximum, and factor that into his overall daily intake rather than treating it as extra. They're small — typically under 10 calories each — so it's manageable if you're mindful. The bigger win is that you're replacing whatever he was getting before, which was likely far more calorie-dense. The omega-3 is a genuine bonus for his joints in the meantime while you look into a supplement. The Golden can have five or six without it mattering much at his age and weight.

Icelandic+ Whole Sprats for Dogs is the one I'd go for — it's on Amazon UK, single ingredient, wild-caught, no additives. Markus Muhle also does a dried sprat that's good quality. Either works. Just check the ingredients list when it arrives: it should say nothing other than sprat or fish. If you see anything else on the label, put it back.