Pet Treats: Buyer Beware of These Sweet Snacks of Love

Treats are a tail-wagging delight for dogs and cats, but the sugar in some pet treats warrants caution. Avoid the sugary pet snacks listed here and try our recommended treats to help keep your pet happy, healthy and fit for years to come.

What is it about pet treats that can make even the most unruly pet obey us in exchange for a tiny piece of something that tastes so good they can barely contain themselves? It’s an ingredient that is found in some of the most popular cat and dog treats. It’s addictive, causes weight gain and could ultimately shorten the lifespan of your pet and it's commonly known as sugar.

Kibble Crack

Just like humans, dogs and cats can develop a sweet tooth and crave sugary snacks, which are essentially junk food for pets. The sugar in some pet treats can create almost addictive-like cravings that have earned them the name, ‘kibble crack’.
Read the ingredients label on your pet’s favorite treats. If any of the following are listed as one of the first five ingredients on the label, your pet’s treats are doing them more far more harm than good:
Corn syrup

Sugar

Fructose

Sucrose

Dextrose

Maltodextrin

Sugar-laden treats are one of the primary culprits behind the pet obesity epidemic and over time can lead to excessive weight gain. An overweight pet can suffer from arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure, any of which can shorten their life and impact your wallet due to more frequent visits to the vet.

Calories Count Too

Besides high sugar content, another concern with pet treats is the calorie count per serving. Often not disclosed on the packaging, most of us are unaware of how many calories we’re adding to our pets diet by giving them treats. According to Marion Nestle, author of Feed your Pet Right, if the treat package does not list calories, you should assume 3-4 calories per gram, (i.e. a treat that is 3 grams/serving would be 9-12 calories per serving).

Treats should account for no more than 10% of your pet’s daily calorie requirements to maintain their ideal weight. Some rawhide chews and larger Greenies Dental Chews can contain 100 calories or more, which may far exceed the recommended 10% rule, depending on your dog's size and calorie requirements.

A New Marketing Gimmick

Treats are big business for the pet industry and the newest marketing gimmick is treats that promote healthy benefits, such as healthier hips and joints. There is no government oversight or scientific basis for these claims. When Consumer Lab tested joint health supplements for dogs and cats they found that a popular treat, Dogswell Happy Hips Chicken Breast with Glucosamine and Chondroitin, contained only 6% of its claimed glucosamine and only 15.9% of its claimed chondroitin; amounts too insignificant to provide any claimed benefit.

Healthy Options

With 88% of dog owners and 68% of cat owners giving their pets treats according to the American Pet Products Association, we’re not suggesting pet parents cut out this much-loved ritual. We do suggest the following seven tips to ensure your act of love promotes a healthy pet:

1. Read the Ingredients Label: Pet treats with sugar, corn syrup, fructose, sucrose or dextrose in the first five ingredients should be avoided. A very common filler in pet foods, maltodextrin, is another name to look for on the label. It has a high glucose level, so it should be avoided if it is a primary ingredient.
2. Opt for Natural Sweeteners: Choose treats with applesauce, molasses or honey as a sweetening ingredient if you wish to indulge your pet in a sweet treat.
3. Try Vegetable Dog Chews: Opt for all-natural vegetable-based dog chews made from sweet potatoes over animal-based rawhide chews. Some rawhide is high in calories and may be treated with chemicals and bleach.
4. Consider Home-cooked or Naturally Moistened Cat Treats: Try giving your cat a small piece of cut up chicken or fish as a treat. If you prefer to buy packaged treats look for those moistened with vegetable glycerin rather than chemical humectants such as propylene glycol.
5. Try Fresh Fruit and Veggie Dog Treats: Opt for low-calorie vegetables or fruit as a treat for your dog instead of packaged treats. Baby carrots, cut-up apples and green beans are good choices.
6. Don't Rely on Treats with Health Claims: Discuss supplement options with your veterinarian for your pet’s ailments rather than relying on treats that claim to provide adequate nutrients to maintain a healthy heart or joints.
7. Use VOHC-Approved Dental Chews: Establish a routine of practicing good dental hygiene on your pet and use treats approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council to clean your pet’s teeth.

There are many good options available for pet treats and we’ve listed some of our favorites below. They are low in sugar or calories, all natural and generally easy to find in grocery and big box stores if you don’t have a neighborhood pet boutique or pet supply store nearby.

Recommended Dog Treats:

• Carnivore Crunch or Carnivore Kisses by Stella & Chewy's
• Charlie Bear Dog Treats by Charlie Bear Dog Products
• Jerky Naturals and other treats for dogs by Zukes
• Liv-a-Littles Protein Treats for dogs by Halopets
• Newman’s Own Premium Dog Treats by Newman's Own Organics
• Original Buddy Biscuits or Muttos by Cloud Star
• Sam's Yams Veggie Rawhide Sweet Potato Dog Chews by Front Porch Pets

Recommended Cat Treats:

• Natural Purrz by Zukes
• Liv-a-Littles Protein Treats for cats by Halopets
• Wellness Pure Delights for cats by WellPet LLC

The Pet Obesity Prevention Association’s Top Treats to Avoid

Sugary Dog Treats	Sugar Ingredients
Beneful Snackin’ Slice	Sugar fourth ingredient
Canine CarryOuts Chew-lotta	Dextrose first ingredient
Canine Carryouts Dog Treats	Corn syrup second ingredient
Cesar Softies Dog Treats	Sugar third ingredient
Exclusively Dog Vanilla Flavor Sandwich Creme Dog Cookies	Sugars first two ingredients
Milk-Bone Chewy Chicken Drumsticks	Sugar third ingredient
Milk Bone Essentials Plus Oral Care	Sugar third ingredient
Pedigree Jumbone	Sugar third ingredient
Pedigree Jumbone Mini Snack Food for Small Dogs	Sugars 2 of 3 first ingredients
Pedigree Marrobone	Sugar third ingredient
Pup-Peroni Lean Beef Recipe	Sugar third ingredient
Purina Busy Chewnola	Maltodextrin second ingredient
Science Diet Simple Essentials Treats Training Adult Treats with Real Beef	Sugar third ingredient
Snausages SnawSomes! Beef and Chicken Flavor	Sugars 3 of first 4 ingredients
Three Dog Bakery Lick ‘n Crunch	Dextrose third ingredient

Sugary Cat Treats	Sugar Ingredients
Petrodex Dental Treats for Cats	Dextrose second ingredient
Meow Mix Moist Cat Treats	Corn syrup fourth ingredient
Pit’r Pat Fresh Breath Mint Flavored Cat Treats	Maltodextrin first ingredient

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