Harmful Ingredients in Dog Treats: A Guide to Safe Snacking for Dogs

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Written By Libby Halpin BCCS.Dip Hth Nut, ISCP.Dip.Canine.Nutrition, Dip.Dog Nutrigenomics

Choosing healthy dog treats is vital for your pet’s well-being. While many treats on the market look appealing, they often contain harmful ingredients that can pose risks to your dog’s health. This guide will help you identify harmful ingredients in dog treats, explain why they’re dangerous, and recommend trusted UK brands for healthy, safe options.

For USA treat brands click here and for AUS treat brands, click here.

Harmful Ingredients to Avoid in Dog Treats

Dog owners must stay vigilant about what goes into their pet’s treats. Here’s a breakdown of the most harmful ingredients commonly found in dog treats:

1. Xylitol (or Birch Sugar)

Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs and even a small amount can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, liver failure, or even death. This ingredient is often found in sugar-free products, including peanut butter, so always check labels.

Xylitol is also known by the following names:

  • Birch sugar 

  • Wood sugar 

  • Birch bark extract 

  • 1,4-anhydro-d-xylitol 

  • Anhydroxylitol 

  • Xylite 

  • Xylitylglucoside 

  • Zylatol

Key takeaway: Avoid any sugar-free foods or treats containing xylitol.

Symptoms of Xylitol Poisoning: Vomiting, lethargy, tremors, seizures, or loss of coordination.

2. BHA and BHT (Butylated Hydroxyanisole and Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

These synthetic preservatives, often added to extend shelf life, are linked to organ toxicity, hormone disruption, and cancer in laboratory animals.

3. Ethoxyquin

A preservative commonly found in some fish-based treats, ethoxyquin is linked to kidney and liver damage and is potentially carcinogenic. It’s banned in the EU but may still appear in imported products.

4. Propylene Glycol

This chemical is used to keep soft treats moist but can cause Heinz body anemia, a condition where red blood cells are damaged. Avoid treats with this ingredient.

5. Grains and Grain Byproducts

Low-quality treats often use grains like wheat, corn, and soy as fillers, along with their byproducts (e.g., corn gluten meal, wheat middlings). These ingredients are cheap and nutritionally poor, and they may trigger allergies or intolerances in sensitive dogs.

Concerns with Grain Byproducts:

• Low-Quality Nutrition: Grain byproducts are often overprocessed and lack nutrients.

• Glyphosate Exposure: Grains like wheat and corn are often sprayed with pesticides like glyphosate, which may have health risks.

6. Legumes and Legume Byproducts

Peas, lentils, and chickpeas are increasingly common in grain-free dog treats. While these legumes aren’t harmful in small amounts, legumes are pro inflammatory and are also considered anti nutrients that can block the absorption of other nutrients. They are primarily used as fillers and offer little nutritional value.

7. Potato and Potato Byproducts

Potatoes, potato starch, and potato protein are often used as fillers. While potatoes provide some energy, they can lead to blood sugar spikes, weight gain, and GI upset in dogs prone to digestive issues.

8. Rendered Fats and Low-Quality Oils

Cheap, low-grade animal fats and oils are often used to enhance the flavor of low-cost treats. These fats may be rancid or contain toxins that lead to GI upset or food poisoning.

9. Corn Syrup and Added Sugars

Corn syrup, cane sugar, and other sweeteners are often added to dog treats to improve taste. However, they provide no nutritional value and contribute to obesity, diabetes, and dental problems.

10. Glycerin and Vegetable Glycerin

Glycerin is used in moist treats to prevent drying out. While generally safe, it may not be suitable for dogs with Medium-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MCADD), a rare metabolic condition, as it interferes with fat metabolism. It can also cause gastrointestinal discomfort and often resorts in sickness and or diarrhoea.

11. Seed Oils

Seed oils such as soybean oil, sunflower oil, and canola oil are common in dog treats as cheap fat sources. These oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which, when consumed excessively, can promote chronic inflammation, worsening joint pain, skin conditions, or other inflammatory issues.

12. Rawhide

Rawhide chews are made from chemically processed animal hides, often treated with bleach or formaldehyde. They’re difficult to digest and can cause intestinal blockages, choking, and chemical exposure.

Healthier Alternatives: Consider natural chews like bully sticks, air-dried trachea, or antlers.

13. Artificial Dyes and Flavorings

Food dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5 may make treats more visually appealing, but they offer no benefit to dogs. Artificial flavorings are often used to mask low-quality ingredients, which could lead to allergies or GI upset.

14. Fish Oils

Fish oil is a popular source of omega-3 fatty acids, but low-quality or rancid oils can contain toxins, heavy metals, or PCBs. Always choose high-quality, purified omega 3 oils. More stable options are better utilised like algae or green lipped mussel.

15. Melamine

Melamine, an industrial chemical, has been linked to kidney failure in pets. It’s often found in low-grade protein sources used in treats and chews.

16. Sodium Hexametaphosphate

While often used in dental treats to reduce tartar, excessive use of this ingredient may not be ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or other health concerns.

Trusted UK Brands for Healthy Dog Treats

When in doubt, choose brands that prioritize natural, high-quality ingredients. Below are some UK-based companies renowned for their transparency and dedication to pet health:

• JR Pet Products: Single-ingredient, natural treats and chews.

• Skippers Fish Treats: Sustainably sourced fish-based snacks.

• Fish for Dogs: Omega-3-rich fish products.

• Anco: Natural chews free from artificial additives.

• Finer by Nature: Air-dried, preservative-free treats.

• Nova Dog Chews: Long-lasting chews without harmful fillers.

• Just Ere For Treats: Natural chews free from artificial additives.

Trusted USA Treat & chew brands

Trusted Australian Treat & chew brands

Australia Amazon Treats

  • Alfie’s treato’s - air dried seafood training treats

  • WAG - Air dried treats

  • Beg N Bark - probiotic treats

  • Wholesome pride - sweet potato treats

  • Freeze pet treats - air & freeze dried treats, exotic proteins.

  • RF Deer - Yak Chews (Yak chews are hard, so they’re best suited for older puppies with fully developed teeth, provided they don’t have MCADD.)

  • Chewies - olive wood chews

  • Ziwi Peak - 100% ingredient Chews

  • WAG - Air dried chews, bully chews, antlers, horns.

Trusted Canadian Treat & chew brands

How to Choose the Best Treats for Your Dog

By avoiding the harmful ingredients listed above and opting for treats from trusted brands, you can support your dog’s health and well-being. Always:

• Read Ingredient Labels: Avoid vague terms like “meat meal” or “animal fat.”

• Prioritize Transparency: Reputable brands provide clear ingredient sourcing.

• Choose Natural Options: Look for single-ingredient or minimally processed treats.

Final Thoughts

Your dog deserves the best, and that includes the treats you provide. By steering clear of harmful additives like xylitol, grains, legumes, rawhide, and artificial dyes, and choosing high-quality brands, you can ensure your dog’s snacks contribute to their long-term health and happiness.

Take the time to research and invest in treats that align with your dog’s dietary needs—because their health and joy are worth it!

Libby Halpin BCCS.Dip Hth Nut, ISCP.Dip.Canine.Nutrition, Dip.Dog Nutrigenomics

Libbys Passion For Natural Health And Nutrition Began When she Lost Her Rescue Westie, Poppy - When That Happened, She Vowed She Would Learn More And Do Better For The Next Dog! And With That, Along Came Darcy In October ‘18, Darcy. Darcy Was Libby’s First Cavalier And She Knew She Needed To Learn An Awful Lot About The Breed - In Doing So, Began To Learn That Cavaliers Were Predisposed To Several Serious Health Conditions Such As MVD, SM & CM, Etc. It was at this point She Knew She Had To Do Everything Right From Day One To Ensure She Could Give Her Cavaliers The Best Possible Chance In Life.She joined THCKCS facebook group and became a frequent poster. Eventually, after learning so much, she was invited to become part of the team in 2019 and the rest is history.

Libby has a special interest in probiotics, gut health and has a sharp eye for harmful excipients commonly used in pet foods, treats, supplements & other products. She has studied under DNUniversity in raw feeding, homoeopathy, essential oils and the clinical canine nutrition formulation course from the Raw Vet

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