Our doggos like dessert, too. That’s why we provide them with tons of flavourful treats in various shapes and styles to please them. Dogs often munch on dental sticks, rawhides, training treats, bones, among other items to satisfy their treat tooth. But treats are just about flavour. They give your dog something to do to alleviate anxiety, and they keep their teeth clean and strong. But what are dog treats made of?
Dogs trust us implicitly to give them the love and nutrition that they need to stay healthy and thrive in comfort. It’s our job to treat them to food that they can safely enjoy while being aware of what goes into them to ensure that they maintain a shiny fur coat, healthy heart, agile body, active mind, and tail-wagging happiness.
Why Are Some Dog Treats Made with Better Ingredients?
Unfortunately, not all dog treats are made with the best ingredients for your best friend. Why do some dog treat companies produce subpar products? Many of the largest dog food and treat companies want to maximize profits by using less expensive elements and processes. And with relatively loose regulation on the dog treat industry, they can easily get away with it.
This problem is further complicated by the fact that the biggest companies take up most of the dog food and treat aisle, so many dog owners wind up with few to no other options at the supermarket.
However, there are many dog treats that are made with better ingredients. These companies forfeit some of their profit margins by investing in higher quality ingredients.
What Are Dog Biscuits Made Of?
Dog biscuits come in all shapes, sizes, and quality levels. When you take a closer look at their labels, you’ll notice most are made from corn, wheat, and other fillers. Those famous bone-shaped treats–their top ingredients are wheat flour, wheat bran, bone meal, and poultry by-product meal.
Ingredients to Avoid in Dog Biscuits:
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- BHA/BHT
- White Flour
- General “Meat” and Meat Meal
- Artificial Colouring
- MSG
- Gluten
- Brewer’s Rice
- Corn Syrup
- Nitrates
- Soy
- Salt
- Vegetable Oil
- Corn
- Pea Protein
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Foods that have these items are using cheap ingredients to create a bad diet for your doggo. Avoid buying foods with fillers to protect your pups’ health. Companies that use these filler ingredients to supplement real ingredients are focusing more on making a profit, more than on your best friend’s well-being. Prioritize shopping from companies that have your furtastic dog’s back.
A Better Biscuit
When choosing a dog biscuit for your best friend, you do not have to feed them doggie junk food. Instead select minimally processed, free-range, and grain-free treats. When you see a long list of ingredients, with vague ingredients that say “meat” or “meal” without distinction, your doggo is likely receiving highly processed meat chock-full of cheap fillers.
Ingredients to Look For in Dog Biscuits
While it’s easy to say what your dog shouldn’t eat, it’s also helpful to know what they should. These ingredients provide optimal health and energy:
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- Meat with distinction: kangaroo, salmon, chicken, beef, whitebait, venison, dried Pilchards, duck, veal, lamb, shark, green-lipped mussels, blue whiting, etc.
- Whole fruits and vegetables: rosehip, bananas, hemp seeds, and pumpkin.
- Healthy fats: peanuts, coconut oil, egg protein powder.
- Bully sticks made from single ingredients.
- Listed as organic.
- Grain-free food, without fillers.
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Sorting Out the Good from the Bad Biscuits
When you have the choice, always find treats that are Australian-made and designed with your doggo in mind. All-natural dog treats with whole ingredients are the most beneficial for their health. Look for transparency in the ingredient list. Lists that are full of familiar and whole foods are the best option for your pooch.
