What to Watch for in Pet Treats

What to Watch for in Pet Treats

By Dr Duncan Houston

🔎 Quick Answer

The safest pet treats are properly processed, appropriately sized, not too hard, and fed in moderation. The biggest risks with treats include bacteria, digestive blockages, tooth fractures, excess calories, and poor-quality sourcing.

As a veterinarian, I always look at treats the same way I look at food or medication: what’s in it, how was it made, how hard is it, and what could go wrong if a pet eats too much of it.

Treats are one of the best parts of having a pet. They help with training, bonding, enrichment, and let’s be honest, sometimes bribery with a fluffy audience. 🐶🐱

But not all treats are safe. Some carry hidden health risks, and others are marketed beautifully while being a terrible choice once they actually hit your pet’s mouth and stomach.

Here’s what to look out for before you toss another treat into the treat jar.

🦠 1. Bacteria in Animal-Based Treats

Some animal-based treats, especially raw, dried, or minimally processed parts, can carry harmful bacteria such as Salmonella.

Examples include:

• Pig ears

• Tracheas

• Tendons

• Liver treats

• Other dried animal parts

This matters because contamination can affect:

• Pets

• Adults handling the treats

• Children in the household

• Older adults

• Anyone immunocompromised

Safer choices:

• Treats labelled cooked

• Treats labelled pasteurised

• Treats that clearly state their processing standards

Smart handling tips:

• Wash hands after handling

• Avoid leaving greasy treats on furniture or bedding

• Store them properly in a sealed container

💡 If a treat smells like it was dragged through a swamp and forgotten there, that does not automatically mean it is “natural” in a good way.

☠️ 2. Be Careful With Jerky Treats

Jerky treats have caused major concern over the years, especially certain imported products linked to serious illness in pets.

Problems reported with some jerky-style treats have included:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Lethargy

• Increased thirst

• Kidney-related issues

• Fanconi-like syndrome

That does not mean all jerky treats are unsafe. It means you should be selective.

What to check:

• Country of origin

• Manufacturer transparency

• Recall history

• Ingredient list

• Quality assurance or safety testing information

If you cannot clearly work out where it was made, who made it, and what’s in it, that is already a red flag.

🦷 3. Hard Treats Can Fracture Teeth

One of the most overlooked treat dangers is dental trauma.

Very hard chews can crack premolars and carnassial teeth, especially in dogs that chew enthusiastically like they are trying to settle a personal grudge.

Common offenders can include:

• Antlers

• Very hard bones

• Dense nylon chews

• Extra-hard dried chews

A useful rule:

If you would not want the treat slammed against your kneecap, your dog’s teeth may not love it either.

Warning signs after chewing:

• Sudden reluctance to eat

• Chewing on one side

• Dropping food

• Pawing at the mouth

• Blood on toys or chews

🔪 4. Sharp Pieces and Splintering Risks

Some treats do not just stay hard, they break into sharp or jagged fragments.

That can lead to:

• Mouth injuries

• Gum trauma

• Choking

• Oesophageal irritation

• Stomach or intestinal injury

Cooked bones are especially risky because they can splinter more easily. Even “natural” does not always mean safe.

Better approach:

Choose treats that soften gradually or are designed to be digestible rather than shattering into sharp pieces.

🚧 5. Digestive Blockages Are a Real Risk

Some pets, especially dogs, do not chew thoughtfully. They inhale first and reflect later.

Large chunks of chew treats can become lodged and cause:

• Choking

• Vomiting

• Oesophageal obstruction

• Intestinal blockage

Higher-risk examples include:

• Rawhide chunks

• Thick jerky strips swallowed whole

• Oversized chew fragments

• Treats that become slippery and gulpable

Higher-risk pets:

• Fast eaters

• Puppies

• Small dogs

• Dogs with previous scavenging habits

• Pets that guard or bolt food

🚨 If your pet starts retching, gagging, vomiting repeatedly, or seems distressed after a treat, seek veterinary help promptly.

⚖️ 6. Treat Calories Add Up Fast

A lot of owners focus on ingredients but forget the other big issue: calories.

Treats can quietly sabotage a pet’s weight, especially when:

• Multiple people in the home feed them

• Training treats are given often

• Chews are fed in addition to normal snacks

• Portion sizes are guessed rather than measured

General rule:

Treats should make up no more than 10% of your pet’s daily calorie intake.

That matters because obesity increases the risk of:

• Arthritis

• Diabetes

• Reduced mobility

• Breathing issues

• Poor quality of life

Lower-calorie options can include:

• Small training treats

• Freeze-dried single-ingredient treats in tiny portions

• Vet-approved dental treats used correctly

• Pet-safe vegetables for some dogs

Not every “good dog” moment needs a full buffet.

🐷 7. Pig Hair Is Usually Not the Main Problem

Pig hair on chews tends to horrify owners more than it alarms veterinarians.

It looks gross, yes. It is not winning any beauty pageants. But tiny amounts of residual hair are usually not the real safety concern.

The bigger questions are:

• Was the treat processed safely?

• Is it digestible?

• Is it too hard?

• Could it splinter?

• Could it carry bacteria?

So while pig hair may be unappealing, it is usually less important than the overall quality and safety of the chew.

🧪 8. Read the Label Like a Suspicious Detective

Before buying a new treat, check:

✅ Country of origin

Know where it was made.

✅ Ingredient list

Short, clear ingredient lists are easier to assess.

✅ Processing method

Look for information on cooking, drying, pasteurisation, or quality control.

✅ Brand transparency

A reputable brand should not make you feel like you are solving a mystery novel just to identify the manufacturer.

✅ Recall history

If a brand has repeated safety issues, take that seriously.

✅ Suitability for your pet

Age, size, chewing style, allergies, and medical issues all matter.

🐾 How to Choose a Safer Treat

A safer treat is one that is:

• Appropriate for your pet’s size

• Not likely to splinter

• Not too hard for the teeth

• Made by a transparent company

• Fed under supervision

• Given in sensible amounts

You should also think about why you are giving the treat.

For training:

Use tiny, low-calorie, quick-to-eat rewards.

For chewing:

Choose something digestible and not overly hard.

For dental support:

Use products with proven veterinary value rather than random crunchy optimism.

⚠️ Red Flags That Mean Stop Using a Treat

Stop and reassess if your pet develops:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Constipation

• Choking or gagging

• Broken teeth

• Mouth bleeding

• Loss of appetite

• Lethargy after treat use

A treat should not create more drama than the pet it is meant to spoil.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Treats should be fun, but they should also be safe.

The best approach is to think beyond the front-of-pack marketing and focus on what actually matters:

• How it is made

• How hard it is

• How your pet eats

• How many calories it adds

• Whether it is truly appropriate for that individual animal

A good treat supports your pet’s health. A bad one can buy you an emergency visit nobody asked for.

❓ FAQ

Are natural treats always safer?

No. “Natural” is a marketing term, not a safety guarantee. Natural treats can still carry bacteria, splinter, fracture teeth, or cause blockages.

Are rawhide treats bad for pets?

Not always, but they can be risky for some pets, especially fast eaters or dogs that swallow large pieces. Supervision and pet-specific judgement matter.

What treats are best for training?

Small, soft, low-calorie treats are usually best because they can be given frequently without adding too many calories.

Should I supervise my pet with treats?

Yes. Any chew or larger treat should be supervised, especially if your pet is an enthusiastic gulper.

📲 Need Help Choosing the Right Treat?

If your pet has allergies, digestive issues, dental disease, or you are just not sure what is actually safe, it helps to get tailored advice early.

The ASK A VET™ app can help you track your pet’s health and get guidance when you are unsure about nutrition, treats, or other everyday care decisions.