5 Ingredients to Look Out for on a Dog Treat Label

Choosing a natural dog treat isn't just about what goes into the bag. It's also about recognising the ingredients that don't always add nutritional value.

Packaging can be persuasive, but the ingredient list tells the real story. Here are five things we encourage dog owners to look out for when comparing treats.

1. Artificial Colours

Dogs don't care whether a biscuit is bright red or vibrant green.

Artificial colours are added to appeal to people rather than dogs, so they offer little nutritional purpose. Choosing treats with their natural colour is often a sign that the focus has been placed on the ingredients instead.

2. Artificial Flavourings

Quality ingredients should provide their own flavour.

If a treat relies on added flavourings to make it more appealing, it's worth asking why. Treats made from quality meat or fish generally don't need extra flavour enhancers.

3. Unnamed Meat Ingredients

Transparency matters.

If a label simply says "meat and animal derivatives" without telling you which animal the ingredient comes from, it's difficult to know exactly what you're feeding.

Look for clearly identified proteins such as beef, duck, rabbit, turkey or venison.

4. Added Sugars

Some treats include sugars, syrups or sweeteners to improve taste or texture.

Dogs don't need added sugar in their diet, so it's worth checking whether these ingredients appear on the label, particularly if treats are given regularly.

5. Long Lists of Fillers

Ingredients such as wheat, maize and other cereal fillers aren't automatically bad, but if they dominate the ingredient list, they may be there to bulk out the product rather than provide high-quality nutrition.

The first few ingredients listed on a label make up the largest proportion of the recipe, so they're always worth checking first.

What Should You Look For Instead?

When comparing treats, we recommend looking for:

• Clearly named protein sources.
• Short, easy-to-understand ingredient lists.
• Natural ingredients with no unnecessary colours or flavourings.
• Single-protein options where appropriate.
• Treats designed for your dog's size, age and chewing style.

A simple ingredient list is often a good sign that the manufacturer has confidence in the quality of the product.

At Betty & Butch, we've spent more than 15 years selecting treats based on ingredient quality rather than marketing claims. We believe dog owners deserve to know exactly what they're feeding, which is why we favour straightforward recipes made with clearly identified ingredients.

Wellness Begins in the Bowl.

Formulated to meet the Betty & Butch standard for natural canine nutrition.