Dog Treat Ingredients to Avoid — And What to Look for Instead
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Most dog owners spend time reading food labels for their own diet. Few do the same for their dog's treats — and the ingredient lists on many commercial treats would surprise them. Here's a clear, honest breakdown of what to avoid and why.
Ingredients to Avoid in Dog Treats
BHA and BHT (Butylated Hydroxyanisole / Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
Synthetic antioxidants used to preserve fats and extend shelf life. Found in many commercial pet treats and foods. Both have been classified as possible carcinogens in various jurisdictions. They're used because they're cheap and effective as preservatives — not because they're safe. Avoid them where possible. Natural alternatives (vitamin E / mixed tocopherols) exist and are used by quality producers.
Propylene Glycol
Used in semi-moist treats to maintain a soft, chewy texture. It's a humectant — it retains moisture. It's related to (but different from) ethylene glycol, the toxic antifreeze compound. In dogs, it can reduce red blood cell survival at high doses. Most regulators allow low levels, but there's no reason to accept it when clean alternatives exist.
Artificial Colours
Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2 — you'll find these in treats shaped and coloured to appeal to owners, not dogs. Dogs are partially colour-blind. The colour has zero benefit for your dog. Some artificial dyes have been associated with behavioural issues and hypersensitivity reactions in susceptible animals. Skip them.
Artificial Flavours and "Natural Flavour"
"Natural flavour" is a broad category that can include almost anything derived from a natural source through processing. It's used to make lower-quality ingredients taste better. If a treat needs artificial or vague flavour enhancement, it's because the underlying ingredient isn't appealing on its own. A piece of dried kangaroo or dried fish is appealing to a dog without any flavour additives.
Sugar and Corn Syrup
Added to treats to increase palatability. Dogs don't need sugar — they have no nutritional requirement for it, and excess sugar contributes to weight gain, dental decay, and inflammation over time. Corn syrup is a cheap sweetener with no place in a quality dog treat.
Unnamed or Vague Protein Sources
Terms like "meat meal", "animal by-products", "poultry derivatives", or "fish and fish derivatives" tell you almost nothing. You don't know which animal, which part, what quality, or what country it came from. This is where sourcing becomes a genuine concern — low-grade protein from unknown sources can contain additives, contaminants, and derivatives you wouldn't knowingly feed your dog.
Sulphur Dioxide (220) and Sulphites
Common preservatives in some dried treats, particularly cheaper imports. Some dogs are sensitive to sulphites, reacting with digestive upset or skin reactions. Check the label for numbers in the 220–228 range.
The Toxic Dog Treats Problem
There have been documented cases in Australia and globally of treats containing undisclosed additives, heavy metals, or contaminants — particularly from imported products with opaque supply chains. The safest protection: buy treats from producers who are transparent about exactly what's in the product and where it comes from. For a full guide on safe chew options, see what chews are actually safe for dogs. Single ingredient, Australian-made treats leave nowhere to hide anything — see our guides to single-ingredient dog treat benefits and why single-ingredient treats are worth the switch.
What to Look For Instead
The positive version of the above:
- One ingredient you recognise as a whole food
- Australian sourced where possible — clearer regulatory framework, better traceability
- Air dried or dehydrated — no chemical preservatives needed
- Named protein source — "kangaroo", "salmon" or "forage fish", "chicken breast" — not "meat"
- No numbers in the ingredient list — a number is a code for something you'd want named
The Simple Test
Read the ingredient list. If you can read it aloud in under five seconds and every word is a food you recognise, it's probably a good treat. If it takes thirty seconds and includes numbers and terms you'd need to Google, put it back.
Every Cooee K9 treat has one ingredient — an Australian whole food, air dried without additives. The label says exactly what's inside because there's nothing else to list. Try our 6 Protein Trial Pack to explore the range or browse individual treats like bully sticks and freeze-dried lamb cubes. Browse the range here.