A Look at What's Really in Your Dog's Treats! (4 common-harmful ingredients) Why Natural Ingredients Matter:

Hey there, fellow pups! It’s Barkley, your favorite furry friend and Woof-Wire editor & chief! (Among my many other roles here!)

Today I’m taking over to talk about something super important......TREATS!

I know, I know… we all love a good treat. Whether it’s crunchy, chewy, or savory, we go bonkers for them! But, have you ever thought about what’s actually in those delicious snacks? Trust me, I’ve been sniffing around and found out that not all treats are created equal. Some have sneaky, yucky stuff that’s not good for us at all!

So, gather 'round, pups, and let me tell you why natural ingredients matter when it comes to our treats and why the yummy snacks from BarkYard BBQ are paws-down the best!

4 Not-So-Great Ingredients in Some Treats!

Okay, so here’s the scoop: not all treats are as good as they seem. Some treats are packed with things that taste good at first but can make us feel ruff later. Here are some ingredients that our humans should avoid when picking out snacks for us:

1. Artificial Colors and Flavors
   You know those brightly colored treats that catch your human’s eye? Well, they’re usually colored with artificial stuff like Blue 2, Red 40, and Yellow 5. Yeah, they look cool, but we dogs don’t care about colors—plus, those fake colors can mess with our tummies! And don’t get me started on fake flavors. It might smell like beef or bacon, but it’s not the real deal, pups!
2. Preservatives (BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin)
   Have you ever eaten a treat and then felt a little weird? Sometimes that’s because of preservatives like BHA, BHT, or Ethoxyquin. These are added to make treats last longer on the shelf, but they’re not good for us. In fact, they could cause some serious health problems. Yikes!
3. Fillers (Corn, Soy, Wheat Gluten)
   Some treats use fillers like corn, soy, or wheat gluten, which don’t really give us the nutrients we need. They just make the treats cheaper to make. For some of us pups, these ingredients can even cause itchy skin or upset bellies. No thanks!
4. Animal By-Products
   Now, this is a weird one. "By-products" sound fancy, but they’re really just the leftover bits of animals that humans don’t want to eat. Things like organs, beaks, and hooves. I mean, I love a good chew toy, but do I really want to eat a hoof? Probably not!

Why Natural Ingredients Make Us Happy and Healthy!

So, why should us pups be barking about natural ingredients? Let me break it down for you, tail-wagging style:

1. Better Nutrition
   When we get treats made with real, natural ingredients like beef, chicken, and veggies, our bodies say, "Woohoo!" These goodies give us the protein, vitamins, and minerals we need to stay strong and healthy. None of that fake stuff—just pure, tasty goodness!
2. Fewer Allergies
   Some of us pups have sensitive tummies or itchy skin (I’m looking at you, Golden Retrievers). Natural treats with limited ingredients help us avoid allergens like corn, soy, or artificial stuff that can make us feel ruff. It’s like having a belly rub, but for your insides!
3. Easier to Digest
   Natural treats are easier for us to digest, meaning fewer upset tummies and better poops (yes, we talk about poop here). Real meat and veggies are closer to what our ancestors used to eat, so our bellies know how to handle them better than processed junk.
4. Long-Term Health Benefits
   Sure, that fake-flavored treat might be tasty for a moment, but what about the long-term? Treats made with artificial ingredients could cause problems like obesity, digestive issues, and even cancer. But with natural treats, we’re setting ourselves up for a long, happy, and healthy life! Woof woof!

Why BarkYard BBQ is My Favorite!

Now let me tell you why I LOVE BarkYard BBQ treats! They’re not only tasty but also made with the best, most natural ingredients. Here’s what makes them pawsitively pawsome:

1. Real, Whole Ingredients
   BarkYard BBQ uses REAL beef, chicken, peanut butter, and veggies like sweet potatoes and broccoli. None of that fake, mysterious stuff. These treats are made from the same kinds of ingredients your humans might eat at their BBQs (but way healthier for us!).
2. No Artificial Preservatives or Fillers
   You won’t find any weird preservatives or fillers here. BarkYard BBQ keeps it fresh the natural way, without adding harmful chemicals that could hurt our health.
3. Allergy-Friendly Options
   For my fellow pups with food allergies, BarkYard BBQ has got your back! They offer simple, limited-ingredient treats that are perfect for sensitive tummies. So, you can snack without worrying about the itchies or the scratchies.
4. BBQ-Inspired Fun
   Let’s be real—these treats are FUN! I mean, who wouldn’t love chomping on a burger-shaped treat or a s'mores treat? They’re shaped like human BBQ foods, but made just for us! It’s like joining in on the BBQ fun without sneaking any table scraps (you know how they get when we do that). 

Making the Switch to Natural Treats:

Thinking about switching to natural treats? Here’s how your human can help you make the switch:

1. Read the Labels
   Have your human check the ingredient list before buying treats. The shorter and simpler, the better! Look for real meats, veggies, and grains—no artificial flavors, colors, or fillers.
2. Start Slow
   If you’re trying new treats for the first time, start slow. Have your human give you a small amount and see how your tummy reacts. Most of us will love the switch, but it’s always good to make sure!
3. Watch the Portions
   Even though natural treats are healthier, they still have calories, so make sure your human doesn’t go overboard. Treats should be a part of a balanced diet, not the whole meal (no matter how much we beg!).

Conclusion:

Listen up, pups: when it comes to treats, natural is the way to go! We deserve the best, and that means treats made from real, wholesome ingredients that taste great and make us feel our best. With BarkYard BBQ’s natural, BBQ-inspired treats, we can enjoy snack time while keeping our health in tip-top shape.

Tell your humans to head over to BarkYard BBQ’s website to check out the menu and start treating you to the good stuff. Because we’re more than just dogs—we’re family!

Woof woof!