What’s Really in Your Dog’s Treats?

Hans and I were browsing the shelves of our local pet store and we came across a dog treat labelled “100% chicken.” Seems great, right? When we checked the protein content it was a surprisingly low 47%.  That’s a big red flag.

If a treat were truly made from 100% real chicken breast (which is over 90% protein when dried), the protein content should reflect that. The simple answer was that the treat wasn’t chicken meat, low-grade parts like cartilage, skin, and connective tissue were used.  These are far cheaper and drastically lower in protein. That’s not what we pictured when we saw “100% chicken” on the label.

Other Examples We Found on the Shelves

• A treat marked “natural duck fillets” but lists glycerin and propylene glycol as main ingredients;
• “100% chicken bites” with only 30% protein, a chewy texture, and a preservative-laden ingredient list; and
• “Grain-free meat sticks” with BHA, corn syrup, and potato starch, yet still labelled “natural.”

It got me thinking, it’s so common to see packages boasting “100%” or “all-natural” on the front—yet a closer look at the back tells a very different story.  Our dog’s health and happiness depends not just on what they eat—but on what’s hidden inside what they eat.

Digging deeper into the ingredients we found:

🧪 Glycerol (Glycerin)

Used to make treats chewy and moist, glycerol is often added without being listed on the label. It’s sometimes classified as a “processing aid,” which lets manufacturers skip declaring it. Despite being derived from fats, it’s not nutritious—and its regular consumption may cause digestive upset in some dogs.

🧪 Propylene Glycol

A synthetic compound related to antifreeze, propylene glycol is added to maintain moisture. Though technically approved for dogs, it’s banned in cat food and raises health concerns, especially when used frequently. It has been linked to gut microbiome disruption and liver stress in long-term studies. It’s a staple in many semi-moist and chewy treats—and is never necessary in truly natural products.

🧪 Artificial Preservatives (BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin)

These chemicals are used to prevent spoilage and extend shelf life, but they’ve been associated with serious health risks. BHA and BHT have been linked to cancer in animal studies, while ethoxyquin has raised concerns over potential liver and kidney toxicity. Natural air-dried treats simply don’t need any additives.

How to Read Dog Treat Labels Like a Pro

When choosing a treat, always:

• Check the ingredients list. There should be one ingredient: Meat.
• Look at the protein percentage. If it’s under 50%, be sceptical. It’s not really meat.
• Watch for chemicals. Avoid glycerol, propylene glycol, BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin.
• Beware of anything advertised as soft/chewy. These usually mean added humectants or preservatives (and often not declared).
• Ignore marketing buzzwords. “Natural” isn’t regulated. The back of the pack tells the real story.

The Bottom Line

Your dog deserves transparency and real nutrition. Not clever marketing and hidden additives.

At our core, we’re dog people—and we created our treats because we were tired of this deception. That’s why we stand behind every bag of our 100% pheasant breast treats, and why we’ll always tell you exactly what’s inside.

No gimmicks. No chemicals. Just real pheasant treats, for real dogs.

Kate