The 5 Worst Ingredients Hiding in Your Dog’s Treats (And What to Choose Instead)

Let’s be real. A lot of dog treats out there are dressed up to look “natural” and “healthy,” but flip the bag over and the ingredient list reads like a chemistry assignment. If you wouldn’t eat it, why should your dog?

Here’s the lowdown on 5 of the worst offenders you’ll find lurking in dog treats, and what to look for instead.

1. Meat By-Products (aka Mystery Meat)

If the label says “meat by-products” or “animal digest,” that’s code for: “we don’t actually want to tell you what’s in here” (and they might not even know themselves).

What to look for instead:
Real, named proteins. You want to see “100% Aussie Chicken” or “Tasmanian Salmon” proudly displayed, not vague “meat meals.”

2. Artificial Preservatives

BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin… sounds delicious, right? These synthetic preservatives are used to keep treats shelf-stable for years, but studies have linked them to health issues.

What we do instead:
We dehydrate and freeze-dry our treats to lock in freshness and nutrients naturally. No need for added preservatives or other stuff. Your dog deserves real food, not a science experiment.

3. Added Sugars & Syrups

Molasses, corn syrup, cane sugar, all totally unnecessary for dogs (and their waistlines). Sweeteners don’t belong in your pup’s treats.

The Laila & Me way:
Zero sweeteners. Zero gimmicks. Just the good stuff.

4. Wheat, Corn & Soy Fillers

Cheap fillers bulk out treats and can cause itchy skin, gassy tummies, and runny poos. Dogs thrive on real food, not empty calories.

What we use:
Single-ingredient, grain-free treats designed for clean, functional snacking.

5. Fake Colours & Flavours

If your dog’s treat looks like it belongs in a lolly jar, step away. Dogs don’t care about bright colours, but their bodies do. Artificial dyes and flavourings add no value and may cause reactions.

Our promise:
What you see is what you get. No fake flavours, no artificial colours. Ever.

Bottom Line?

If it sounds dodgy, it probably is.
Your dog deserves real food, not mystery meat, synthetic fillers, or sugary gimmicks.

At Laila & Me, we keep things clean, functional, and 100% transparent. Every treat is made with a purpose, using real Australian ingredients that do something for your dog’s health.

Because good dogs deserve good food, and nothing less!