Are Store-Bought Dog Treats Actually Healthy?

May 23, 2026

Are Store-Bought Dog Treats Actually Healthy? What to Look For on Ingredient Labels

When you stand in the pet store aisle, it can feel like you’re making a healthy choice for your dog. Bags say things like “natural,” “wholesome,” “premium,” and even “vet recommended.” But when you flip them over and read the ingredient list, things often get a little less clear.

So… are store-bought dog treats actually healthy?

The short answer: some are, many are not, and marketing often makes it hard to tell the difference.

What “Healthy” Dog Treats Actually Means

According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), treats are considered “non-complete” foods, meaning they are not required to meet the same nutritional standards as a dog’s main diet and should only make up a small portion of daily intake.

This means treats are often formulated for:

shelf life
cost efficiency
palatability (taste appeal)

Not necessarily optimal nutrition.

Ingredients Dog Parents Should Be Cautious About

1. Artificial Preservatives

Preservatives help prevent fats from going rancid, but some synthetic versions are controversial.

Common ones to watch for:

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
Ethoxyquin

These have been reviewed in animal toxicology studies and regulatory discussions for potential long-term health concerns at high exposure levels. While they are still permitted in regulated pet foods at limited levels, many pet parents and premium brands choose to avoid them in favor of natural preservation systems.

Better alternatives you’ll often see instead:

mixed tocopherols (Vitamin E)
rosemary extract

2. Artificial Colors & Additives

Dogs don’t care what colour their treats are, but humans do.

Common dyes include:

Red 40
Yellow 5
Blue 2

These additives are primarily used for visual appeal and are not nutritionally necessary. Veterinary nutrition discussions often highlight that artificial coloring provides no benefit to the animal and is purely cosmetic.

3. Animal By-Products & “Animal Digest”

One of the most misleading terms in pet food labeling is “animal digest.”

It refers to a flavoring substance created by chemically or enzymatically breaking down animal tissues, often used to enhance taste.

Similarly, vague ingredients like:

“meat by-products”
“animal by-product meal”

can vary widely in quality and sourcing, which makes transparency difficult for consumers.

4. Animal Hide (Rawhide)

Rawhide is one of the most commonly misunderstood treat ingredients.

While technically not toxic, rawhide:

is highly processed (often with chemical treatments to remove hair and fat)
can be difficult to digest
may pose choking or blockage risks if large pieces are swallowed

Because of this, many veterinarians recommend safer chew alternatives, especially for frequent treat use.

The Marketing Problem: Why “Healthy” Doesn’t Always Mean Healthy

Pet food marketing is highly emotional and intentionally so.

Some common tactics include:

1. “Natural” ≠ Regulated

The word natural is not strictly regulated in pet treat marketing in many regions. It can still include heavily processed ingredients.

2. Front-of-Pack Ingredient Highlighting

Brands often highlight:

“real chicken”
“with beef”
“made with sweet potato”

even if those ingredients are not the majority of the formula.

3. “Vet Recommended” Claims

This term is often broad and not always tied to published clinical research or universal veterinary consensus.

4. Greenwashing & Health Halo Effects

Packaging with leaves, earth tones, or farm imagery can create the perception of health even when the ingredient list is highly processed.

Research in food psychology shows that “health halo” effects can significantly influence purchasing decisions, even when nutritional quality is unchanged.