Best Treats for Small Dogs in Singapore HDB Flats (2026)

By BEANS Team · Published 2026-11-05

Small dogs and HDB flats go together in Singapore. Poodles, Shih Tzus, Maltese, Chihuahuas and Pomeranians are all on the approved list, and plenty of them live in four-room flats with owners who want to spoil them a little. The catch is that a small dog's treat allowance is tiny, so the treats you choose matter more than they would for a Labrador. This guide covers what to look for, how treat types compare, and which of our single-protein treats we'd pick for a small dog (and when we wouldn't).

Which dogs can live in an HDB flat?

Only breeds on the approved list, and only one dog per flat. HDB's own page says you can keep one dog from the list of approved breeds without seeking HDB's approval, and that owners who breach the rule can be fined up to S$4,000.

The list, published by NParks' Animal & Veterinary Service as "Dog Breeds Approved for HDB Residential Flats", includes the small dogs most of us picture in a flat: the Poodle and Miniature Poodle, Shih Tzu, Maltese, Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Miniature Schnauzer and Yorkshire Terrier, among others. HDB also allows a local mixed-breed "Singapore Special" up to 55cm in height under Project ADORE, and every dog must be licensed with AVS.

So if you live in an HDB flat, you very likely have a small dog, and that shapes how you should treat them.

Why do small dogs need different treats?

Because their calorie budget is small and their mouths are small. A treat that is a sensible snack for a 30kg dog can be a big share of a 4kg dog's day, and large, hard pieces are harder for little jaws to manage.

The usual rule from the AKC and the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention is to keep treats and extras at 10% or less of daily calories. The AKC gives a small-dog example: a dog eating about 182 calories a day has only around 18 calories available for treats.

To see what that means for your own dog, Tufts University's Cummings School suggests a rough starting point for dogs between about 5 and 55 pounds: 30 x ideal weight in kg + 70. For a 4kg Maltese, that works out at about 190 calories a day, so roughly 19 calories for treats. Tufts notes the figures only allow for a modest amount of activity, so your vet is the best judge of your own dog's needs.

Teeth are the other reason. A large study by Mars Petcare researchers, published in The Veterinary Journal, looked at more than three million Banfield Pet Hospital records across 60 breeds in the US. It found periodontal disease in 18.2% of dogs overall, and extra-small breeds (under 6.5kg) were up to five times more likely to be diagnosed than giant breeds. Toy Poodles (28.9%) and Miniature Poodles (28.2%) were among the five breeds with the highest prevalence. Treats don't replace brushing or dental check-ups, but it's a good reason to avoid sticky, sugary treats and to keep regular vet dental checks.

What should I look for in treats for a small dog?

Look for small or breakable pieces, a short ingredient list, a lean protein for everyday use and a price that makes sense for how slowly a small dog gets through a pack.

How we'd choose:

1. Breakable texture. You should be able to snap or crumble a piece into pea-sized bits, so one treat becomes three or four rewards.
2. Lean for everyday. Most small dogs live fairly quiet flat lives. Lean proteins let you give more pieces within the same budget.
3. One ingredient. A single protein is easy to track if your dog has a sensitive stomach or itchy skin.
4. No added sugar. Check the label on soft and chewy treats, especially if dental health is a concern.
5. Pack size that suits a small dog. A 4kg dog takes a long time to finish a big bag. Smaller packs stay fresher in Singapore's humidity once opened.
6. Fits the 10% rule. Count every treat, topper and bit of your own dinner that goes to the dog.

How do common treat types compare for small dogs?

Freeze-dried single-protein treats and plain kibble pieces tend to suit small dogs best for everyday use. Big chews and hard biscuits need more care.

The AKC also suggests low-calorie options such as vegetables or your dog's regular kibble for frequent rewards. Many owners mix the two: kibble for small everyday moments, something more exciting for training and good behaviour.

Which BEANS treats suit small dogs best?

For most small dogs we'd start with lean Turkey or Rabbit, and use Ostrich as a lean but more unusual option. All of our treats are one freeze-dried protein with nothing else added, come in 50g packs, and suit dogs and cats.

Our feeding guide for dogs under 10kg is 4 to 6 cubes a day, and for the smallest dogs we'd break each cube into pieces and count them all.

Turkey Freeze-Dried Pet Treats (SGD $13.90): Pure turkey. Nothing else. Lean white meat that's gentle on the stomach and great for training.

Turkey is our usual first pick for a small dog. It's lean, it breaks into tiny training bits and it's the best value in the range. Skip it if your dog reacts to chicken, since the two birds are closely related.

Rabbit Freeze-Dried Pet Treats (SGD $15.90): Pure rabbit. Nothing else. A classic novel protein, lean and gently digestible.

Rabbit is just as lean and is a common choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs or itchy skin, because many dogs have never eaten it.

Ostrich Freeze-Dried Pet Treats (SGD $22.90): Pure ostrich. Nothing else. An exotic lean red meat that's naturally grain-free and additive-free.

Ostrich is the pick for small dogs who are bored of the usual proteins but still need to stay lean.

When BEANS isn't the right fit: if your small dog is overweight, Kangaroo and Venison are rich, not lean, so keep them as rare rewards or skip them. If your dog has dental pain, loose teeth or trouble chewing, see your vet before trying any new treat. And our supplements are for dogs only and are currently on pre-order, with restock expected on 7 November 2026.

How many treats can a small dog have?

Fewer than most owners think. Aim for no more than about 10% of daily calories, which for a 3 to 5kg dog is only a small handful of tiny pieces a day.

A few practical habits help:

• Break before you give. Snap one cube into three or four pieces. Your dog cares more about how often they get a reward than how big it is.
• Use a treat jar for the day. Count out the day's pieces in the morning, and when the jar is empty, that's it.
• Cut back meals if treats go up. On heavy training days, take a little out of dinner.
• Count the extras. A bite of plain chicken from your own plate counts too.
• Reseal the pack. Singapore's humidity softens freeze-dried treats quickly once opened.

Our guide to how many treats a dog should have a day walks through the maths, and our best training treats guide covers rewards for puppy classes and recall.

Where can I buy them in Singapore?

Order online at beans.sg. Every pack is packed by BEANS in Singapore, ships within 24 hours and arrives in 3 to 4 business days. We deliver within Singapore only.

If your small dog has a tender tummy, the sensitive stomach collection groups our gentlest options, and the best-sellers collection is an easy place to start.

Bottom line

Small dogs in HDB flats need small rewards: lean, single-protein treats you can break into tiny pieces, counted within about 10% of the day's calories. Start with Turkey or Rabbit for everyday use, try Ostrich if your dog is bored, and keep rich Kangaroo and Venison for rare moments. Keep up with brushing and vet dental checks, since small breeds are more prone to gum disease.

Ready to treat your little one the light way? Shop Turkey treats and add a pack of Rabbit to see which they prefer.

This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet has ongoing symptoms, see your vet.