If you’re a dog owner, you probably have a few bags of dog treats hidden away to use for training new skills or for treating your dog during the day. Treats are a common part of any dog’s diet and can be beneficial to their overall health and well-being. 

Just like regular dog food not all dog treats are made the same. Many of the common dog treats you see on supermarket shelves are not as safe as you might think. Supermarket dog treats are often made with low-quality ingredients from large manufacturers who are more interested in making a profit than supporting your dog’s health. 

Are supermarket dog treats healthy? Here are a few reasons why they are not always a healthy option for your pet, and how you can make more informed decisions in the grocery aisles. 

1. They contain long ingredient lists full of unrecognisable additives

Pet owners who research dog treat ingredients to avoid will often find many unpronounceable additives listed on supermarket brands. Many supermarket dog treats are filled with artificial colours, flavours, and additives to make the treat look more appetising for your pet. However, these ingredients provide no nutritional value to your dog and can even cause severe allergic reactions. 

In Australia, “there are actually no specific laws… that force a pet food manufacturer to initiate a recall if their food is making pets sick”. This lack of regulation means even large brands aren’t required to meet consistent pet food manufacturing standards, leaving dog owners uncertain about whether the treats they purchase are truly safe. That’s why it’s important to purchase dog treats that use only simple, quality ingredients without any artificial fillers and chemicals. 

Dog treat ingredient list red flags: 

🚩 Meat by-products or Meat meals - These terms refer to scraps left over once the nutrient-rich muscle meat is removed, offering little nutritional value.
✅ Safer Alternatives - Single protein sources that list the exact type of meal, such as “chicken breast".

See an example of The Treatery meat ingredient lists below.

Now compare that with an ingredient list from a popular supermarket dog treat brand.

🚩 Natural flavours - This terminology is too vague and often hides the truth that the flavouring is chemically processed.
✅ Safer Alternatives - Flavour from real fruits, vegetables, herbs or spices listed by name, e.g. “blueberries” or “ parsley”.

🚩 Unpronounceable ingredients - Long, complicated words often refer to chemicals and artificial fillers that aren’t safe for your dog.
✅ Safer Alternatives - Look for short ingredient lists with recognisable foods you’d eat yourself.

🚩 Corn, wheat and soy - These are cheap fillers with little nutritional benefit for dogs, and can trigger allergies or digestive issues.
✅ Safer Alternatives - Limited-ingredient treats with simple, high-quality meat and vegetables.

🚩 Added salt (sodium chloride) or sugar - Excess sugar and salt can cause harm to your dog’s organs and dental health, just like in humans.
✅ Safer Alternatives - Treats with no added salt or sugar listed in the ingredients.

🚩 Animal digest - The ingredients often come from leftover materials rather than clean muscle. The source is often undisclosed, making it impossible to know what your dog is eating.
✅ Safer Alternatives - Named, single human-grade proteins such as "chicken liver" or "beef heart".

2. They may be irradiated and imported from foreign countries

Australia requires all imported meat products to be irradiated in order to prevent the spread of potentially harmful bugs and parasites. Irradiation refers to the treatment of food to eliminate foodborne pathogens. This can be done by zapping the food with gamma rays or X-rays, and essentially extends the shelf life by slowing spoilage. 

Many supermarket dog treats are imported from foreign countries such as China and Thailand and then shipped to Australia. You may not notice the mention of “irradiation” on the enticing packaging, but if it’s made in a foreign country, it has been irradiated. 

Why are irradiated dog treats bad for your dog?

Irradiated dog treats can be harmful to your dog. The process of irradiating food can break down certain vitamins, such as A, E, and B vitamins. The effects of irradiation are also not as well tested on dogs as they are on humans, and long-term effects in pets are unknown. 

If you’re looking for fresh, natural dog treats, stay away from imported and irradiated dog treats on supermarket shelves.

3. They don’t contain high quality proteins sources

We all know dogs love meat and that they need the nutrition it provides to stay healthy and fit. That’s why so many dog treats advertise meat flavorings and ingredients. However, not all dog treats contain high-quality, real meat ingredients. 

Many cheap treats that you can easily find in supermarkets don’t contain real meat ingredients, but rather meat derivatives that lack any nutritional value. These meat derivatives may include discarded parts of various animals, such as beaks, feet, bone meal, etc. Manufacturers cook these discarded parts at a high temperature and use them to create a type of protein powder. This allows the manufacturer to market the treat as a high-protein option for dogs, when in reality the product is not nearly as digestible or nourishing as high-quality meats. 

Also, be wary of dog treats that advertise themselves as a real meat option, when in reality they are high in carbs and low in meat. Some supermarket dog treat brands may use real meat ingredients, but in very small amounts. Instead, they pack the treat with fillers and cheap carb ingredients, which can cause weight gain and digestive issues in dogs. These dog treats are essentially junk food for your dogs, being marketed as healthy snack options. Always check the ingredient list to see which ingredients are listed first. If grains, starches, or by-products are listed first, then it probably isn’t as healthy a protein snack as you may think. 

Check out this ingredient list from another popular supermarket dog treat brand. These dog treats are advertised as beef treats, yet only 25% of the treat is actually made from beef. 

Instead of opting for fillers and misleading labels, many owners prefer healthy treats for dogs made from natural meats and vegetables. Healthy treats for dogs should include real meat ingredients that are packed with the nutrients and protein that dogs need to grow, stay active, and stay healthy. 

4. Some treats are choking hazards

Identifying supermarket dog treats that pose potential choking hazards can be challenging. When wrapped in nice packaging and labeled as fun and nutritious options for pets, these treats can appear to be great options for your beloved friend. 

However, many cheap supermarket dog treats pose serious choking hazards to dogs. Cheap ingredients and poor shapes can cause your dog to choke. 

Here are a few dog treats that commonly cause a choking hazard in dogs: 

1. Rawhide chews - Low-quality rawhide chews can be difficult for dogs to chew and digest. While chewing, dogs may try to swallow big pieces, which can get lodged in their throats.
2. Antlers & Hooves - Antlers and hooves can be challenging to chew. Dogs may try to swallow pieces whole to avoid having to chew for long periods at a time, which can cause choking. 
3. Oversized jerky treats - Large, tough jerky pieces can be hard to chew, causing dogs to swallow them whole and risk choking. Choose dog jerky treats made from quality ingredients in an appropriate size for your dog.
4. Large, rounded cookies - Cheap, hard-baked cookies don’t soften in the mouth and can become choking hazards. Choose small, baked dog cookies that are easy for dogs to chew and swallow. 
   

How to find the best dog treats for your pet

So, are supermarket dog treats healthy, and should you buy them for your pets? 

Although finding treats for your dog while you’re browsing through the supermarket is a convenient option, it’s not always the best for your dog’s health. If you’re training your pup, the best treats for training dogs are usually small, breakable, and made from natural, high-quality ingredients rather than cheap supermarket fillers.

Here at The Treatery, we make all of our dog treats locally in Australia with a heart for seeing dogs live healthy lives. Shop our collection of Australian-made dog treats, trusted by thousands of pet owners because they know we care for their animals just as much as they do.