Ever flipped over a bag of treats in the pet food aisle and wondered… what on earth are these ingredients? Or do you only check the labels on your Hooman food?
If you’ve never checked the label on what you're feeding your four legged best friend, isn't it about time you did?
Mystery Ingredients: The Usual Suspects
Let’s be real: many mass-market pet treats read more like science experiments than snacks. Pet treats can be just as ultra processed as human treats. Here are a few “red flag” ingredients you’ll find in many big-brand treats:
-
Meat By-Products: This can mean any leftover animal parts, yes any — not always high quality or consistent.
-
Artificial Colors & Flavors: Dogs don’t care if it’s bright red, or brown, or white. Those dyes? Just for Hoomans. Guess what? They cause allergies in some pups.
-
Added Fillers: Corn and wheat aren’t necessarily evil on their own, but they are cheap fillers with little nutritional value. Think empty calories. Do you like to eat empty calories?
-
Preservatives: BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin — chemical additives to extend shelf life. They’re controversial for a reason. BHT stands for butylated hydroxytoluene, a synthetic chemical. Keep those synthetics out or your pets body- and your body too!
Why Should You Care?
Your pet relies on YOU to choose what goes in their bowl. Low-quality ingredients can mean:
- Tummy troubles (hello, surprise vet bills)
- Skin irritations & allergies
- Unnecessary weight gain
- Long-term health risks
What Makes a Treat Actually Good?
When you flip over a Rexy Snack bag, you’ll see what we wish all treat labels said:
- Real protein sources as the primary ingredients!
- No mystery fillers.
- No dyes.
- No funky shelf-life chemicals. Relax, the tocopherols (scientific name for Vitamin E) you see in Rexy's ingredient list are a naturally occurring antioxidant that are found in every body- including that of your four legged friend!
Simple.
Clean.
Single-ingredient or limited-ingredient treats do exactly what you want: satisfy your best friend without the hidden junk.
Decode a Label Like a Pro
Want to make better choices? Here’s how:
1️⃣ If you can’t pronounce it, look it up — or skip it. Don't buy that treat.
2️⃣ Look for named meats (chicken liver, silver carp).
3️⃣ Pay attention to ingredient order — the first few make up the bulk of a product.
4️⃣ Less is more. If your treat has five ingredients or fewer, you’re on the right track!
What's The Bottom Line?
Your dog (and cat!) deserves snacks that LOVE them back. Real food, real flavor, real nutrition — that’s what we stand for at Rexy.
Next time you’re in the treat aisle, flip that bag over. Read the fine print.
Remember: Less is more. More years with your best friend.
👉 Ready to switch to treats you can trust?
Shop Rexy’s freeze-dried favorites now!
Made in the USA with ingredients sourced right here in the USA.