Dog Treats - “Healthy” & “Natural” Or Just Good Marketing?
Pet food manufacturers know consumers are looking for healthier, less processed foods. They also know consumers will spend big to get them. So they find creative ways to put “natural” on the label … while adding the same harmful, low-quality ingredients you’ll find in the cheap treats. Following on from my instagram live on dog treats I received quite a lot of questions surrounding individual ingredients. So when I asked you guys if this is something you’d like me to talk more about - the response was a unanimous “yes” and so here it is. My treat guide - I’ve taken real uk market examples but the ingredient information can be applied to other treats containing the same ingredients.
Natures Deli
Description; Nature's Deli Chicken Wrapped Rawhide Twist is a premium chicken breast, hand wrapped around a natural rawhide stick, and slowly oven roasted in its own meaty juices for a chewy cheerful treat. With a high protein level, these treats are naturally nutritious and delicious, and great for your dog’s teeth too. Nature's Deli Meaty treats are naturally hypoallergenic and are 100% free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.
Ingredients; 78% Rawhide, 20% Chicken, Potato Starch, Vegetable Glycerine, Salt
What’s wrong with these treats?
Rawhide; I’m not going to go into the ins and outs of raw hides as I have previously spoken about them and Rodney Habib has already done a fantastic job on teaching pet parents about the dangerous and damaging treat. But ultimately it is hide that goes through an extensive chemical process which includes harmful chemicals like bleach etc. They have been known to cause internal obstruction.
20% chicken - not a “high” level of protein at all when there are 100% meat treats readily available on the market.
Potato starch; Dogs have no need for carbohydrates like Potatoes or potato by-products. Starch has a high glycemic load which causes a quick spike in your dogs blood sugar. When your dog eats these carbohydrates, they’re broken down into glucose, which is the form the body can use for fuel. When this happens, insulin is released to move the blood sugar, or glucose, into the cells. And how quickly this happens is the food’s glycemic load. There are so many issues with carbohydrates as a whole - below is DN’s informational graphic on why they should be avoided.
Salt - is most likely added as a preservative or for flavouring. It is likely to be a minuscule amount but I don’t see the need for it to be included.
Smartbones
Description; SmartBones Natural Dog Chews (Chicken) are a healthy alternative to rawhide treats that have been developed using highly digestible, low fat and 100% delicious ingredients.
Made using wholesome vegetables and real chicken, the chews have also been enriched with vitamins and minerals to ensure your dog receives plenty of healthy nutrients.
Ingredients; Cereals, Meat and Animal Derivatives (Chicken 20.0%), Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Vegetables, Minerals
What’s wrong with these treats?
Cereals - dogs have no nutritional requirement for grains that are likely affected by harmful mycotoxins - some of which are carcinogenic (aflatoxins)
Meat & Animal Derivatives - According to European law, 'meat and animal derivatives' is defined as "All the fleshy parts of slaughtered warm-blooded land animals, fresh or preserved by appropriate treatment, and all products and derivatives of the processing of the carcass or parts of the carcass of warm-blooded land animals". It is a purposely generic term that covers all animals and parts such as heads, feet, guts, lungs, hair, feathers and wool! This term can be used to hide undesirable ingredients and allows the manufacturer to change the meat source from batch to batch to whatever is the cheapest available at the time of manufacture. Meat and animal derivatives are used in many successful pet foods because most consumers don't know any better. Avoid!
Derivatives Of Vegetable Origin: This term allows the use of anything that is not classed as a cereal. It is generally waste material from the Human food preparation industry. By the time it is processed at high temperature, it contains no nutritional value except as another fibre source. It is inexpensive to use and is classed as another bulking agent This is yet another term that is commonly used in pet foods that covers many different ingredients so that pet food manufacturers can use the cheapest available.
Pet Munchies Venison Stix
Description:
Pet Munchies Venison Stix for Dogs are delicious and nutritious moist treats made from only the finest quality human grade real meat. Naturally low in salt and free from artificial colours and flavours, Pet Munchies Stix have been baked to perfection slowly to ensure they retain as much of the flavour and goodness as possible. Perfect for a healthy training reward.
Ingredients:
Venison 20% (max), Venison liver 24.5% (max), Vegetable Protein, Rice Flour, Glycerin, Sugar, Sorbitol, Salt, Natural Colour (E172), Tea Polyphenol, Vitamin E
What’s wrong with these treats?
Rice Flour; a by-product of rice which again is a grain that most likely contains harmful mycotoxins. Rice is high glycaemic which means it will feed inflammation and disease. Most of the rice today is also tainted with arsenic. Apart from that, dogs have no nutritional requirement for grains.
Glycerin; if it’s not listed as vegetable glycerin it is likely to be a petrochemical product.
Sugar & Salt; no need for these to be added as they will be appropriately absorbed by the dogs body if they are fed a species appropriate diet. The addition of salt and sugar is usually to disguise bland, low quality foods/treats.
Sorbitol;A sugar commonly found in berries, but prepared synthetically. an artificial sweetener - there are some serious concerns about how safe they are for our dogs but so far it remains unclear. I personally like to avoid it.
Iron Oxide Aka E172 ; Banned in Germany and these colourings are often made from petroleum by-products and can take years to breakdown in the environment. Dogs are colour-blind so all this effort of adding artificial colours is for the owner's benefit only so there really is no need for it!!!
Forthglade Natural Turkey Soft Bites
Description;Our newest addition to our tasty treats range, these soft bite treats are grain free and made with natural ingredients, making them the perfect treat for mans best friend. Each heart shaped treat can be easily broken in two for smaller dogs, or just to make them last longer.
Ingredients;Turkey Meal (30%), Sweet Potato (24%), Pea Flour (20%), Vegetable Glycerine (15%), Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil (7.5%), Dried Parsley (1%), Dried Sage (1%), Yucca Extract (0.1%).
What’s wrong with these treats?
Turkey Meal; Meat meal is made from the parts of animals that aren't consumed by humans. This could be up to a third to a half of the original animal and generally includes residual meat, offal, connective tissues and in some cases bones. According to UK FeedStuffs Regulations, meat meal "should be virtually free of hair, bristle, feathers, horn, hoof and skin and of the contents of the stomach and viscera" - whilst this isn’t as bad as derivatives I personally avoid it.
Pea Flour; A Legume byproduct. peas are a legume and are naturally high in lectins which cause inflammation. Pea flour is just a filler and serves no nutritional value.
Country Hunter Superfood Bars
Description;Nutritious air-dried superfood bars made from tender turkey cuts, deliciously blended with cranberries and pumpkin plus other wholesome fruits, vegetables and superfoods for a perfect healthy snack
Ingredients;Turkey (65%), Pea Protein, Glycerine, Distilled White Vinegar, Cranberry (4%), Minerals, Pumpkin (4%), Ground Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, Flaxseed, Apple (0.1%), Vegetable Oil
What’s wrong with these treats?
Pea Protein; A Legume byproduct. Peas are a legume and are naturally high in lectins which cause inflammation. Pea flour is just a filler and serves no nutritional value.
Glycerin; if it’s not listed as vegetable glycerin it is likely to be a petrochemical product.
Distilled White Vinegar;I’m actually stumped with this one. I cannot find it used in any other food or treat so I’m unsure as to why it is added (I’ve reached out to natures menu for clarification) there are reports of white distilled causing gastro upset in dogs and you’ll find that many veterinarians do not advocate the usage of vinegar.
Soopa Pumpkin & Carrot Dental Treats
Description;All Natural Grain and Meat Free Healthy Dental Sticks. Low Calorie and Low Fat. Suitable For Dogs With Pancreatitis, skin allergies and obese pets. Made with Pumpkin, Carrot and organic coconut oil. Great for digestion and skin and coat.
Ingredients;Whole potato flour, potato starch, veg glycerine, carrot pieces dried, calcium carbonate, pumpkin seed flour, organic coconut oil, turmeric, potassium sorbate.
What’s wrong with these treats?
Whole Potato Flour & Potato Starch; Dogs have no need for carbohydrates like Potatoes or potato byproducts. Starch has a high glycemic load which causes a quick spike in your dogs blood sugar.When your dog eats these carbohydrates, they’re broken down into glucose, which is the form the body can use for fuel. When this happens, insulin is released to move the blood sugar, or glucose, into the cells. And how quickly this happens is the food’s glycemic load. There are so many issues with carbohydrates as a whole - refer to the earlier DN informational graphic for clarification on these.
Synthetic Chemical Preservatives; Synthetic preservatives and synthetic flavors have been shown to have various side effects. People may experience migraines, heart palpitations, contact rashes, and allergic responses, and some of these synthetic preservatives and flavors have even been linked to cancer.These are unnecessary risks when we have natural alternatives.
Laughing dog fish & trick dog treats
Description;carefully created by our nutritionists to be a healthy and tasty training treat or snack between meals . Naturally grain and gluten free, our wholesome fish treats are made with natural ingredients (potato flakes, sweet potato, linseed and parsley), with no fillers or nasties, and no added sugar or salt. Formulated free from grains, gluten, sugar, salt, dairy and soya.
Ingredients; Dried Salmon (40%), Potato Starch, Potato Flakes, Salmon Oil, Sweet Potato Flour, Beet Pulp, Linseed (5%), Parsley (1%), Salmon Gravy, Chicory Extract (0.3%).
What’s wrong with these treats?
Potato Starch & Potato Flakes; Dogs have no need for carbohydrates like Potatoes or potato byproducts. Starch has a high glycemic load which causes a quick spike in your dog's blood sugar.When your dog eats these carbohydrates, they’re broken down into glucose, which is the form the body can use for fuel. When this happens, insulin is released to move the blood sugar, or glucose, into the cells. And how quickly this happens is the food’s glycemic load. There are so many issues with carbohydrates as a whole - refer to the earlier DN informational graphic for clarification on these.
Salmon Gravy; my issue with this ingredient is that there is no clarification of what this is. What's the source? Is it farmed or wild? Not all salmon is created equal.
Purina Adventuros
Description; There is nothing more rewarding than giving your dog a treat that is both tasty and nourishing, whilst knowing exactly what it's made from. Purina Adventuros has created a mouth-watering treat that combines Turkey as the number 1 ingredient for a taste of the wild, with the goodness of a natural ancient grain like millet, mixed with added superfoods like peas and cranberry. These high protein treats are made with quality ingredients, no added colours and without any added artificial flavours or preservatives.
Ingredients; Dried turkey protein (29%), Dried beef protein, Glycerol, Dried poultry protein, Dehydrated pea (4%), Millet (4%), Dextrose, Corn starch, Sugar, Minerals, Corn, Corn protein powder, Dried cranberry juice (0.1%*).m*equivalent to 1.14% fresh cranberry juice (obtained from 1.4% fresh cranberry).
What’s wrong with these treats?
Dried Turkey Protein (29%), Dried Beef Protein, Dried Poultry Protein; “Dried x protein” is just a fancy name for Meat meal which is a rendered product made from the parts of animals that aren't consumed by humans. This could be up to a third to a half of the original animal and generally includes residual meat, offal, connective tissues and in some cases bones. According to UK Feed Stuffs Regulations, meat meal "should be virtually free of hair, bristle, feathers, horn, hoof and skin and of the contents of the stomach and viscera" - whilst this isn’t as bad as derivatives I personally avoid it.
Glycerol; glycerol can actually be produced as a by-product of diesel fuel! This is an ingredient in dog treats that helps make a treat soft and sweet. It is not uncommon for dogs to get a big case of diarrhea from eating treats with this product.
Dehydrated Pea; dried not fresh but I’m not a fan of feeding any form of legumes to dogs. Peas are a legume and are naturally high in lectins which cause inflammation. Pea flour is just a filler and serves no nutritional value.
Millet, Corn, Corn Protein Powder & Cornstarch; Dogs have no nutritional requirement for grains that are likely affected by harmful mycotoxins - some of which are carcinogenic (aflatoxins) Dogs also have no nutritional requirement for grains and There are so many issues with carbohydrates as a whole - refer to the earlier DN informational graphic for clarification on these.
Dextrose & Sugar; I shouldn’t need to tell you this. If we add sugar in any form, we are truly just adding empty calories. Not only are these ingredients bad for our dog’s health, but they will also hop them up, and they can become hyperactive. Sugar can cause a host of health problems in your dog such as diabetes, insulin resistance and not to mention weight gain which can lead to many other diseases.
Rosewood Chicken Fillet Minis Training Treats
Description; delicious bite size treats made with 100% natural chicken breast mat.
Ingredients; Chicken (82%), Potato Starch, Vegetable Glycerin, Soy protein, Sorbitol
What’s wrong with these treats?
Potato Starch; Dogs have no need for carbohydrates like Potatoes or potato byproducts. Starch has a high glycemic load which causes a quick spike in your dogs blood sugar.When your dog eats these carbohydrates, they’re broken down into glucose, which is the form the body can use for fuel. When this happens, insulin is released to move the blood sugar, or glucose, into the cells. And how quickly this happens is the food’s glycemic load. There are so many issues with carbohydrates as a whole - refer to the earlier DN informational graphic for clarification on these.
Soy Protein; Soy is commonly known as a cause of food allergies in dogs. that soy may contain estrogen that might provide some estrogen-like activity in your dog and contribute to slightly lower thyroid hormone levels.
Sorbitol; A sugar commonly found in berries, but prepared synthetically. an artificial sweetener - there are some serious concerns about how safe they are for our dogs but so far it remains unclear. I personally like to avoid it.
Zeus Better Bones
Description; The Better Bones range is safe to chew, easy to digest and help maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Made from real chicken and easily digestible ingredients, these rawhide free soft treats provide pet parents with a healthy alternative for their dogs. Combining irresistible, mouth-watering flavours with chewy goodness, these provide hours of fun while satisfying your dog's natural chewing instinct and promoting good oral hygiene.
Ingredients; Tapioca Starch, Chicken Fillet (8.55%) Glycerine, Sorbitol Liquid, Isolated Soy Protein, Corn Starch, Xanthan Gum, Sunflower Oil, Calcium Carbonate, Chicken Flavour (0.14%), Thyme (0.1%), Rosemary (0.1%) Cellulose, Citric Acid.
What’s wrong with these treats?
Tapioca Starch; Sadly, as a starch ingredient, Tapioca doesn’t supply many of the vitamins that your dog will require. Tapioca also has a very high glycaemic index value, similar to that of White Rice or Potatoes. A high glycaemic index means it raises a dog or humans insulin levels at a fast rate. it is generally regarded as a low grade filler for dogs.
Glycerin; if it’s not listed as vegetable glycerin it is likely to be a petrochemical product.
Sorbitol Liquid; A sugar commonly found in berries, but prepared synthetically. an artificial sweetener - there are some serious concerns about how safe they are for our dogs but so far it remains unclear. I personally like to avoid it.
Isolated Soy Protein; Soy is commonly known as a cause of food allergies in dogs. that soy may contain estrogen that might provide some estrogen-like activity in your dog and contribute to slightly lower thyroid hormone levels.
Corn Starch; These are cheap fillers that most dog treat manufacturers use.
Too many carbs in your dog’s diet can cause dysbiosis which can become a major health issue. Research done in 2013 by Oxford university found mycotoxin contamination in over 81% of the samples tested. These were grains and byproducts destined for animal foods.” Dogs have no nutritional requirement for grains that are likely affected by harmful mycotoxins - some of which are carcinogenic (aflatoxins) Dogs also have no nutritional requirement for grains and There are so many issues with carbohydrates as a whole - refer to the earlier DN informational graphic for clarification on these.
Xanthan Gum; xanthan gum is just another non-nutritive, carb-based additive in processed pet food. Dogs have no nutritional requirement for it.
Chicken Flavour; This will be artificial flavouring and therefore will be made during a chemical process. I avoid anything with artificial flavouring or colours in.
Powdered Cellulose; Powdered cellulose is actually wood pulp (sawdust), believe it or not. When thinking about the need for fiber in your dog's treats, it's important to remember that they have no physiologic requirement for the plant fibers used in most processed dog food and treats - it should come in the form of fresh fruit & veg.
Whimzees
Description; Whimzees dental dog treats with all natural ingredients.No preservatives, gluten free, sugar free, grain free and GM free.Helps fight plaque and tartar.Lots of exciting shapes and sizes.The Whimzees Toothbrush is a fun and exciting all natural dog treat.The unique shape ensures proper blood flow through the gums, and also prevents bad breath and the build up of plaque and tartar.
Ingredients; Potato starch, glycerin, powdered cellulose, lecithin, yeast, malt extract, lupine.
What’s wrong with these treats?
Potato Starch; Dogs have no need for carbohydrates like Potatoes or potato byproducts. Starch has a high glycemic load which causes a quick spike in your dogs blood sugar.When your dog eats these carbohydrates, they’re broken down into glucose, which is the form the body can use for fuel. When this happens, insulin is released to move the blood sugar, or glucose, into the cells. And how quickly this happens is the food’s glycemic load. There are so many issues with carbohydrates as a whole - refer to the earlier DN informational graphic for clarification on these.
Glycerin; if it’s not listed as vegetable glycerin it is likely to be a petrochemical product.
Powdered Cellulose; Powdered cellulose is actually wood pulp (sawdust), believe it or not. When thinking about the need for fiber in your dog's treats, it's important to remember that they have no physiologic requirement for the plant fibers used in most processed dog food and treats - it should come in the form of fresh fruit & veg.
Lecithin; Unless it is Sunflower Lecithin assume it comes from Soy. 95% of the soy grown is genetically modified and treated with chemicals. Avoid.
Yeast; can be grown on either corn or molasses and therefore is best to avoid.
Malt extract; typically a barley ( a type of grain) byproduct so is best to avoid.
A Word On Glycerin;
You will have seen I didn’t mention the use of vegetable glycerin in my lists. I’m on the fence about glycerin. glycerin is an odorless, colorless, sweet liquid. It serves as a sweetener and protects against mold by drying the product it also is used to keep treats soft and chewy.
I would advise to be mindful about the amount given. Generally, my thought process is as long as it is vegetable glycerin and if it’s a treat that Darcy is going to have as a one off/special occasion (i.e advent calendar treats or treats we’ve received in PR) then that’s fine, but, If it’s not identified as “vegetable glycerin” (a food-sourced product), it’s likely to be a petrochemical product and therefore is harmful and should not be fed. I would rather vegetable glycerin be used than say, propylene glycol which plays the same role in dog treats/food but is HARMFUL.
A list of ingredients to avoid in your dogs treats
Anything with colouring - our dogs don’t need fancy coloured treats and this is purely added for the consumers eyes - both artificial and natural colouring very often is made from questionable ingredients/sources.
Added salt, regular or sea salt: too much can cause problems such as seizures, diarrhea, and extra water intake. A lot of foods have naturally-occurring sodium, so you do not need extra salt added to treats.
Sugar of any kind, including high corn fructose corn syrup or cane sugar.
Sorbitol: A sugar commonly found in berries, but prepared synthetically.
By-products or digest:! I want to make sure Darcy receives healthy food and for meat, I always feed human grade.
Flavors - whether artificial or “natural flavouring” - truly natural; treats shouldn’t need to have anything added to them.
Animal fat or anything “animal”or “meat”: What kind of animal or meat? Ingredients like these can come from just about anywhere - like leftover scraps not fit for human consumption etc.
Chemical Preservatives: Chemical preservatives of any kind should be avoided. Healthy does not equate to chemicals. Here are some common artificial preservatives: sodium nitrate, ethoxyquin, potassium sorbate, BHA, calcium propionate, and BHT. These type of preservatives are potentially dangerous to your pet and can easily be avoided. BHA, BHT, and Ethoxyquin are banned in human foods.
Corn, wheat, Soy (and other Grains, grain byproducts), legumes and legume byproducts; dogs have no nutritional requirement for them. A lot of dogs are allergic or have a low tolerance to these ingredients. According to UC Davis, that excessive soy may contain estrogen that might provide some estrogen-like activity in your dog and contribute to slightly lower thyroid hormone levels.
Glycerin, or glycerol: Glycerin or glycerol can actually be produced as a by-product of diesel fuel! It will be unlikely you will know the difference from reading the ingredient list (although vegetable glycerin is plant-based, not from fuel). This is an ingredient in dog treats that helps make a treat soft and sweet. It is not uncommon for dogs to get a big case of diarrhea from eating treats with this product. If it does have glycerin make sure it’s vegetable glycerin and I would advise to be mindful about the amount given. Generally, my thought process is as long as it is vegetable glycerin and if it’s a treat that Darcy is going to have as a one off/special occasion (i.e advent calendar treats or treats we’ve received in PR) then it’s ok. But if it’s a treat you’re going to use regularly I.e for training then I would avoid it.
Chemical humectants- If you can’t even pronounce it, it is not meant for your dog to eat. The most common chemical humectant you want to avoid is propylene glycol. The main purpose of this type of chemical is to keep the dog treats soft and chewy. The good news is there are better ways of preserving food using natural sources.
Avoid any treats with peanut butter in - peanut butter, though popular is actually quite detrimental to pets health as peanuts are a legume and not a nut and so contain lectins which amongst other things, promote inflammation.
Avoid chemically processed and/or bleached treats like puffed pig snouts and puffed chicken feet.
Avoid large dehydrated bone treats like doe legs. Stick to smaller dehydrated bones like chicken necks, wings etc.
So How Do I Pick My Dogs Treats Safely?
Keep the ingredient panel short and sweet! - the shorter the ingredients list, the better! 100% meat or fish treats are fantastic. Some good brands are Anco, T.Forrest, JR Pet Treats and Hollings.
Choose treats where you know all the ingredients i.e. avoid those that only provide categories of ingredients
Avoid treats containing anything from those I listed above.
Check the ingredients list for foods your dog may be allergic to or intolerant of.
Dog food manufacturers are not required to put the caloric content of their products on their labels so be mindful as to how many treats you feed your dog.
Offer treats that have added nutrients and/or specific benefits such as treats that aid flexibility or treats that help clean plaque and tartar, Fish treats for omega 3 etc.
Some more tasty treat examples - generally any dehydrated 100% meat/fish product is going to be a healthy choice for your dog:
Tendons
Rabbit ears (fur on)
Deer hide (fur on and off)
Rolled pig skin
Pizzles
Beef lung
Beef liver
Paddywack
Oxtail
Cow udder
Rolled beef gullet
Trachea
Tripe sticks
Beef tails
Deer lung
Fish skins
Plutos bones
Yak chews
Chicken feet
Fish cubes
Dehydrated liver
Dehydrated hearts
Beef lips
Beef testicles
