If you want to know what's in dog treats, it's smart to look beyond just the front of the packaging. The best dog treats can usually be recognised by a clear composition, a logical ingredient list, and as few unnecessary additives as possible. Especially if your dog reacts sensitively to certain foods, it helps to know exactly which ingredients are used in dog biscuits and snacks. On this page, you'll read what to look out for, what distinguishes healthy dog treats from less good options, and why natural, grain-free snacks are a great choice for many dogs.
What's in dog treats?
The composition of dog treats varies greatly by type of snack. Some snacks consist of a single ingredient, such as 100% salmon skin or 100% rabbit ear. Other dog snacks contain a combination of animal or plant-based raw materials, oils, fibres, and natural aids to give shape, taste, or texture.
Under the EU rules for animal nutrition, including EU Regulation (EC) No. 767/2009 and EU Regulation (EC) No. 68/2013, the labelling of feed materials and complementary animal feed must be clear. This means you should find information on the packaging about the composition, analytical constituents, and any additives used. It's precisely that transparency that helps you better assess dog treats.
In practice, you'll often find these types of ingredients:
- meat, fish, or animal by-products
- single animal ingredients, such as skin, ears, or meat parts
- vegetables or plant-based components
- oils and fats, such as salmon oil or sheep fat
- binders or fibre sources
- vitamins, minerals, or technological additives
The shorter and clearer the ingredient list, the easier it is for you to judge whether a snack suits your dog.
What's the most important ingredient in dog snacks?
The most important ingredient in dog snacks is usually the main raw material the snack is largely made from. In a natural meat snack, that's often a specific animal protein source, such as beef, duck, chicken, fish, or rabbit. In a fish snack, that could be pure salmon skin. In vegan variants, plant-based ingredients form the base.
For many dog owners, what matters most is that the main ingredient is clearly named. A snack with a concretely named ingredient, such as salmon or rabbit, is often easier to assess than a vague description. This is especially helpful when your dog is sensitive to certain proteins or following an elimination diet.
So pay attention to:
- is the main ingredient clearly named?
- is the proportion of that ingredient high, or even 100%?
- does the protein source suit your dog's sensitivities?
- were few additional additives needed?
At Braaaf, this is reflected in snacks with a simple composition, such as snacks based on one clear protein source or products with natural oils as the main component. This makes choosing more straightforward.
How do you recognise healthy dog treats?
What makes a healthy dog treat depends on your dog, but there are clear characteristics that many good snacks share. A healthy snack suits your dog's needs, contains appropriate ingredients, and is intended as a supplement to regular food, not a replacement for it.
- a short, clear ingredient list
- high-quality natural dog snacks
- no unnecessary artificial additives
- grain-free composition if that suits your dog better
- an easily digestible protein source
- a size and texture suited to age and chewing behaviour
For many dogs, snacks without artificial colours, fragrances, and flavours are a logical choice. Snacks without added grains can also be interesting, especially for dogs with sensitive digestion or an allergic tendency. In addition, certain snacks can offer extra benefits, such as support for teeth or ingredients that contribute to skin and coat, for example through the presence of omega-3 and omega-6 from fish or salmon oil.
Ingredients in dog biscuits and snacks that are better kept to a minimum
Not every ingredient is inherently wrong, but some compositions are less appealing if you want to choose consciously. Especially when a label contains many general terms, fillers, or artificial additives, it becomes harder to judge exactly what your dog is getting.
Pay extra attention if you see a long ingredient list with many hard-to-place components. Especially if your dog is sensitive or allergic, simplicity is usually more pleasant.
- vaguely described animal ingredients without a clear origin
- multiple artificial colours, fragrances, or flavours
- unnecessarily high amounts of sugars or sweeteners
- recipes with many fillers while the main ingredient remains unclear
- mixes of many different protein sources in dogs with food sensitivities
A simple, transparent composition helps you more quickly determine whether a snack fits within your dog's daily diet.
Which ingredients suit sensitive or allergic dogs?
For sensitive dogs, clarity is usually most important. If your dog suffers from itching, a sensitive stomach, or a known food allergy, you'd rather choose snacks with a limited number of ingredients and a clearly named protein source. Mono-protein snacks can be a great solution, since they contain only one animal protein source.
Grain-free dog treats are also popular for dogs with certain intolerances or sensitivities. That doesn't mean every dog needs to avoid grains, but a grain-free composition can be more calming for some dogs. Easily digestible snacks are also handy for dogs that react quickly to food.
Suitable options can include:
- snacks with one animal protein source
- hypoallergenic dog snacks
- grain-free snacks without artificial additives
- fish snacks with natural fatty acids
- vegan dog snacks when an animal protein source needs to be avoided
If in doubt due to medical issues or a strict diet, it's wise to coordinate snack use with your vet.
Common types of ingredients in natural dog snacks
Animal ingredients
In many dog snacks, meat, fish, or animal parts form the base. Think of beef, chicken, duck, lamb, rabbit, or salmon. Natural chews can even consist of a single ingredient, such as skin, ears, or fish skin. This keeps the composition clear and suits dogs that love to chew.
Plant-based ingredients
Plant-based components appear in vegan snacks or as an addition in soft snacks and biscuits. Think of pumpkin, beetroot, or spinach. These ingredients can add variety in taste and texture.
Oils and fats
Ingredients such as salmon oil are often chosen for their taste and fatty acid profile. They can be a useful addition for dogs that benefit from support for skin and coat.
Functional additives
Some snacks contain extra components aimed at a specific function, such as chewing for dental health or fatty acids for skin and coat. Here it remains important that the base of the snack is still clear and of good quality.
How to read a dog treat label more smartly
A label doesn't have to be complicated if you know what to look for. Always start with the product composition. Then look at the analytical constituents, such as crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, and crude fibre. These values provide extra context, but don't tell the whole story without the ingredient list.
Use this quick step-by-step:
- Read the composition first and find the main ingredient.
- Check whether the ingredients are concretely named.
- See whether artificial additives have been used.
- Assess whether the snack suits your dog's age, size, and sensitivity.
- Use snacks in moderation as a supplement to complete food.
An example of a clear composition is a snack with 100% salmon skin or 100% rabbit ears. Products with a precisely named mix, such as salmon oil with a specified composition, also give you more control over your choice.
Which dog treats suit which moment?
Not just the ingredients, but also the moment of use matters. A training treat calls for a different composition than a long-lasting chew. Soft snacks can be small, tasty, and easy to give, while a chew should be sturdy and durable.
- For training: small soft snacks with a clear, tasty protein source
- For in between: light, easily digestible dog treats
- For chewing needs: natural chews with a firm texture
- For sensitive dogs: mono-protein or grain-free snacks
- For skin and coat: snacks or toppings with fish or salmon oil
This way, you choose not just on taste, but also on function and composition.
Why do many owners choose Braaaf?
At Braaaf, everything revolves around snacks that suit conscious rewarding. Born from a love of dogs and cats, a range of high-quality natural dog snacks has been developed, so you can give your dog something tasty that also fits a careful choice. Many products are grain-free and without artificial additives, with attention to taste, digestibility, and clear compositions.
Within the range, you'll also find different types of snacks for different needs, such as soft snacks, fish snacks, vegan snacks, rawhide snacks, training treats, and toppings. This means there's a suitable option for almost every dog, from puppy to senior and from easy eater to sensitive dog.
Frequently asked questions about dog treat ingredients
What are healthy dog treats?
Healthy dog treats are snacks with a clear and appropriate composition, without unnecessary artificial additives. They suit your dog's needs and are given in moderation alongside complete food.
What are the ingredients in dog biscuits?
That varies per product. Dog biscuits can contain animal or plant-based ingredients, supplemented with oils, fibres, or natural binders. Always check the label for the exact composition.
How do I know if my dog reacts sensitively to certain ingredients?
Signs can include itching, stomach or gut issues, or recurring sensitivity after eating certain snacks. In that case, choose simple snacks with a limited ingredient list, and consult your vet if issues persist.
What does mono-protein mean for dog snacks?
Mono-protein means the snack contains one animal protein source. This makes it easier to tailor snacks to dogs with allergies or a sensitive diet.
Are natural dog snacks suitable for everyday use?
Yes, as long as you give them in moderation and they fit within your dog's daily energy intake. Even a natural snack remains an extra treat, not a main food.
What should I look out for on the label?
Pay particular attention to the product composition, the clarity of the named ingredients, any additives, and whether the snack suits your dog in terms of size, protein source, and digestibility.
