If you’re like most dog parents, you want to reward your pup with something tasty but deep down, you might wonder: “What’s actually in that little treat I’m handing over?” Believe it or not, some commercial dog treats contain questionable additives, fillers, and ingredients that don’t belong in your dog’s diet. In this post, we’ll dig into the hidden risks and highlights why all-natural dog treats are a safer bet.
Why Your Dog’s Treats Matter (More Than You Think)
Dogs aren’t picky about labels. As long as it’s tasty, they’re in. But when we pick for them, our choices matter because treats are a nontrivial portion of their diet (calorie-wise), they repeat over years, and they can come loaded with “empty” or harmful ingredients.
The hidden risks of conventional treats
- Artificial preservatives, additives & fillers Many treats use synthetic preservatives (like BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin) to extend shelf life. Some studies raise concerns about long-term effects, though evidence is mixed. Whole Dog Journal
- Excess salt, fat, or sugar To make treats more palatable, manufacturers sometimes load them with sodium, oils, or sweeteners your dog doesn’t need.
- Allergens and grains Ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy are common allergens in dogs. If a treat is full of them, it might lead to digestive upset or skin issues.
- Low-quality protein sources or “meat meals” When “meat meal” is generic, the source and quality are unclear.
- Label ambiguity Some treats are labeled “natural” or “premium,” but those terms can be murky without regulatory definition.
The upshot? A treat might look cute, but nutritionally, it could be doing more harm than good.
What All-Natural, Healthy, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Safe Dog Treats Really Mean
Let’s break down what those buzzwords should imply and what to watch out for.
What “all-natural dog treats” should mean
- Made with recognizable, real ingredients
- No synthetic colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Minimal processing
Of course, “natural” isn’t a regulated term in pet food, so always read beyond the label.
Healthy dog treats what to aim for
- High protein, moderate fat
- Balanced for occasional snacking, not bulk diet
- Vitamins, minerals, or functional benefits (omega-3s, fiber)
Gluten-free dog treats
- Avoid wheat, rye, barley (which all contain gluten)
- Useful for dogs with celiac-like sensitivities or digestive challenges
Grain-free dog treats
- No grains like rice, corn, wheat, barley, etc.
- Often relies on alternative starches (sweet potato, peas)
- Caution: The FDA has been investigating a potential link between grain-free diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in certain cases. FDA Advisory
- That doesn’t mean all grain-free treats are bad just that they should be formulated smartly, not with unbalanced starch-heavy formulas.
Training treats & safe dog treats
- Training treats should be small, low-calorie, easy to break apart
- “Safe” means free from choking hazards, toxins, or ingredients dogs shouldn’t eat
In short: a truly safe, all-natural, healthy treat will be simple in ingredients, nutritionally appropriate, and transparent in sourcing.
How Hubert Pet’s Treats Stack Up
If you’re curious whether Hubert Pet lives up to those ideals, good news they mostly do. Let’s dig in.
What Hubert offers
From our website:
- Gourmet All Natural Treats duck jerky, cod skin crisps, sweet potato wraps, apple-wrapped treats. See product
- All-Natural Single-Ingredient Treats crunchy cod skins, salmon skins, sweet potato fries (each with just one ingredient). Shop single-ingredient
- Grain-free & gluten-free our duck jerky treats, for instance, are explicitly listed as gluten-free and grain-free (no corn, soy, or wheat). Duck Jerky
- No artificial additives, colors, or preservatives across our treat lines. Browse all
- USA-inspected & tested they emphasize that our treats are inspected/tested in the US to ensure safety. Details
- Low-ingredient, limited-ingredient philosophy many treats are single-ingredient or minimally composed. Learn more
In other words, Hubert Pet’s treats align well with the attributes of all-natural, grain-free, and safe dog treats you’d want.
Which Hubert treats pair best with which goal
- Training: Our single-ingredient cod or salmon skin treats are easy to break into bite-size bits.
- Sensitive pups: If your dog reacts to grains or multiple ingredients, going for the single-ingredient lines (cod, salmon, sweet potato) is smart.
- Daily rewards or indulgences: Our gourmet lines like duck & sweet potato wraps or apple-wrapped treats offer a bit more flavor complexity while keeping it clean.
- General use: Our duck jerky is a good all-around option protein-rich, grain-free, gluten-free. Duck Jerky
If you want to see our full catalog, check our “All Products” page, which highlights grain-free, additive-free options. HubertPet.com All Products
How to Audit Any Dog Treat (Including Hubert’s) Your 5-Step Checklist
When evaluating dog treats whether Hubert or not use this simple checklist:
| Check | What to Look For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredient list (first 3–5 items) | Real proteins, simple plant sources | Most volume comes from first items |
| Additive-free claims | No “artificial flavors / colors / preservatives” | Guards against synthetic chemicals |
| Guaranteed analysis / nutritional profile | Crude protein, fat, fiber, moisture | Helps compare across treats |
| Certifications / inspections | USA-tested, regulatory compliance | Helps validate brand claims |
| Size / breakability | Small, easy to crumble | Ideal for training rewards, lower calories |
Hubert Pet checks many of these boxes already. But make it a habit to read labels even with a brand you trust.
Why All-Natural Is Worth the Extra Effort
Switching to all-natural, clean-label dog treats (like those Hubert offers) adds a few practical benefits beyond peace of mind.
Fewer upset stomachs, fewer allergies
When you remove fillers, artificial preservatives, and common allergens, dogs with sensitivities often do better. That’s why our single-ingredient cod/skin line is popular among allergy-prone dogs. Single-ingredient collection
Clearer sourcing & traceability
If a treat has five ingredients, each one is easier to vet and test. Hubert’s low-ingredient philosophy helps with transparency. Browse all
Real functional benefits
- Omega-3s from fish skins help skin and coat
- Crunch from skins can aid dental health
- Sweet potato or apple wraps bring fiber and vitamins
Mindful calorie control
You’re less likely to overdo it when you know exactly what’s in those treats. Hubert also has a blog post about strategies for rewarding without overfeeding. Read more
Addressing Common Concerns and Myths
Isn’t “all-natural” just marketing fluff?
Yes and no. The term itself isn’t strictly regulated in pet food, so brands can overuse it. But when supported by ingredient transparency, third-party safety measures, and clean formulation (as Hubert does), it’s more meaningful.
What about grain-free controversy?
The FDA is actively investigating possible links between grain-free diets (especially diets heavy in peas, lentils, or potatoes) and canine DCM. FDA Advisory That doesn’t mean every grain-free treat is dangerous it just means we need to ensure formulations are balanced and not overly reliant on those ingredients.
Are preservatives always bad?
Not always. Some manufacturers use “natural” preservatives (like tocopherols or rosemary extract). The issue arises when synthetic preservatives or undisclosed additives are used without transparency. Review on additives in pet food
What about recalls or contamination risks?
Pet treats are regulated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, meaning they must be safe, produced under sanitary conditions, and truthfully labeled. FDA: Pet Food But real-world recalls happen, particularly in mass-manufactured products. That’s why smaller, transparent brands with testing protocols can lower risk.
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
You don’t have to be perfect but you can be better. Choosing better treats doesn’t require a complete diet overhaul, but it is a chance to invest in your dog’s long-term health.
If you want to explore options, start by checking out Hubert Pet’s All-Natural Single-Ingredient line and Gourmet All Natural treats. You can explore our catalog here: HubertPet.com
And if you want help comparing a particular Hubert treat (or another brand) with competitors, or building a treat rotation that balances flavor, nutrition, and safety I’m happy to help with that too.
