Dog treats are very popular snacks and rewards for our canine companions. Walk down any pet supply aisle and you’ll see an assortment of tasty looking biscuits, chews, and jerky made just for dogs. With names like Bacon and Cheese Flavor Treats or Peanut Butter Bites, some of these snacks may look tempting to humans as well. So could people eat treats formulated for dogs? Let’s take a closer look at what’s in them and whether they would be safe for human consumption.
Are the ingredients in dog treats safe for people?
Dog treats are made to be delicious, nutritious snacks for dogs. But the ingredients that make up dog food and treats are not the same as human food products. Here are some things to keep in mind when looking at dog treat ingredients:
- Meat products: Many treats contain meat meals, byproducts, and digests. These are parts of animals not typically used for human consumption, like organ meats or rendered fats, cartilages, bones, etc. The protein quality is not the same as eating whole chicken, beef, etc.
- Artificial flavors and colors: Treats aimed at being irresistible to dogs often contain artificial colors (e.g. Red 40) and flavors (e.g. bacon flavor) that are not necessarily made from the real food source. Studies have linked some food dyes and additives to health issues in humans.
- Preservatives: Preservatives like BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin help maintain the shelf life and safety of dry kibble and treats but have raised health concerns when consumed regularly by people.
- Fillers and byproducts: Cheaper filler ingredients like corn, soybean meal, and wheat mill run are higher in dog treats than human foods. Cellulose products are also sometimes used as fat replacements.
- Sugar and salt: Some treats have higher amounts of sugars, sodium, and fats than recommended for a healthy human diet. Too much can lead to obesity and related problems in pets and people.
So while the main ingredients may seem harmless, dog foods are specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of dogs, which are not the same as humans. Without going through thorough food safety testing for people, the long term health effects of eating pet treats regularly is unknown.
Are there any regulations or safety standards for dog treats?
In the United States, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) provides guidelines and regulations for animal feed and pet food to the FDA and state feed control officials. However, some key differences between pet food and human food safety standards to consider are:
- The FDA allows the use of ingredients in pet food that are not approved for human consumption.
- Requirements for quality, sanitation, processing, and storage may be less stringent than for human foods.
- Pet food labels do not need to disclose exact amounts of ingredients, minerals, vitamins, or nutrients like human labels do.
- There is no requirement to list potential allergens on pet food labels.
- Products do not need premarket approval from the FDA the way human foods or drugs do.
So while it does not contain outright toxic or unsafe substances, pet food is simply not formulated, tested, or regulated to the same extent with humans in mind.
Nutritional comparison of dog treats versus human snacks
Dog treats are meant to provide a nutritious, tasty snack for dogs, not meet the specific nutritional needs of humans. Here is a nutritional comparison of some popular commercial dog treats versus common human snack foods:
| Snack | Calories | Protein(g) | Carbs(g) | Fiber(g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk-Bone Original Dog Treats | 70 (per treat) | 2 | 7 | 1 |
| Purina Waggin Train Chicken Jerky Treats | 70 (per piece) | 9 | 2 | 1 |
| Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks (for humans) | 35 (per pack) | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Nature Valley Oats and Honey Granola Bar (for humans) | 190 | 4 | 21 | 3 |
As you can see, popular dog treats tend to be lower in protein and fiber compared to human snack foods formulated for a balanced diet. While treats are fine as occasional snacks for dogs, they lack the nutrition profile to be a dietary staple for people.
Potential risks of humans regularly eating dog treats
While the occasional nibble of your pup’s treats won’t cause problems for most people, there are some potential risks to keep in mind if making dog snacks a regular part of your human diet:
- Nutritional imbalance – Dog treats are not designed to meet human nutrient needs. Eating them frequently could lead to vitamin, mineral, and protein deficiencies over time.
- High calorie – Some treats like biscuits or jerky are dense in calories and can cause weight gain if over-consumed.
- GI issues – Dog treats may contain a lot of rendered fat, offal ingredients, and lower quality fibers that could cause an upset stomach, especially for those with sensitive digestion.
- Allergies – Pet treats may trigger food allergies or sensitivities, especially since manufacturers are not required to disclose all ingredients.
- Toxicity – While rare, some pet treats have been recalled after causing illness in dogs. There is no way to know how eating them regularly affects human health and safety long-term.
Dog treats are not formulated with human nutrition and health in mind, so there is no research on what their long term effects may be if eaten regularly by people. Moderation and caution are advised.
Groups who should not consume dog treats
The following groups of people are better off avoiding dog treats altogether given the uncertainties around their safety:
- Children
- Pregnant or nursing women
- Those with compromised immune systems
- Diabetics or others with medical conditions affected by diet
- Anyone with known food allergies or intolerances
Children are especially vulnerable since their bodies are still developing. And for pregnant women, toxins, allergens, or nutritional imbalances in pet treats could affect the health of the growing fetus. those with medical conditions need to be extra careful about anything they eat that is not tailored to their treatment plan.
How do dog treats rate in taste for humans?
Flavors and textures designed to appeal to dogs do not always translate well to the human palate. When people have taste tested dog snacks, here are some of their reviews:
- Crunchy biscuits and dental chews are bland, dry, and crumbly with an unpleasant aftertaste.
- Soft and chewy treats tend to rate slightly better for having a moist, meaty bite similar to human snacks.
- Jerky strips get mixed reviews – some have an acceptable smoky, salty flavor while others taste stale, artificial, or just plain weird.
- Meat flavored biscuits like bacon or liver are unappetizing and smell odd to many humans.
- The top tasting treats seem to be those with sweet flavors like carob, yogurt, or peanut butter.
Of course taste is subjective, and some people may find certain dog treats perfectly palatable. But overall, human taste testers say they would not choose to eat pet treats for enjoyment compared to the many snacks made just for people. The flavors are simply tailored to canine preferences over human ones.
Are there any dog treats that would be unsafe to eat?
Most major commercial dog treat brands sold in pet stores do not contain anything toxic, but here are a few specific things to avoid:
- Rawhide or bones – These present a choking hazard and can potentially slice up the digestive tract. Stick to digestible baked treats.
- Xylitol containing products – Xylitol is an artificial sweetener in some candies, gum, and peanut butter that is extremely toxic to dogs. Never feed dogs anything containing it.
- Moldy or spoiled treats – Check expiration dates and discard anything expired or moldy.
- Homemade treats with garlic, onions, nuts – These people foods are unsafe for dogs and should be avoided.
- High fat treats – Too much fat from pig ears, bully sticks, or greasy treats can cause GI upset and pancreatitis in dogs and humans.
As a general rule, stick to reputable commercial brands, inspect treats for spoilage, and avoid any known toxic ingredients. Moderation is key.
Better snack alternatives for humans
Rather than looking to Fido’s snack stash when hunger strikes, here are some healthier, tastier snack options for people:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables – Apple slices, baby carrots, celery sticks, etc.
- Yogurt or cottage cheese
- Nuts, seeds, granola
- Protein bars or shakes
- Microwave popcorn
- Whole grain crackers
- Hummus and veggies
- Protein smoothies or nutrition shakes
- Trail mix
- Dried fruit and nut packs
Choosing snacks meant for human nutrition will be healthier, safer, and probably more delicious in the long run. Leave the dog biscuits for your furry friend!
Conclusion
Dog treats are formulated and produced with canine health and nutrition in mind, but not human. While an occasional nibble likely won’t cause issues for most people, regularly eating pet treats instead of people food can lead to nutritional deficiencies or upset stomach. They also contain various additives and byproducts that have unknown effects for humans long term. Groups like children and pregnant women should avoid dog snacks altogether. While curious pet owners may be tempted to taste Fido’s treats, they are better off choosing healthy snacks meant for people when hunger strikes. Leaving the Milk-Bones and other dog biscuits to your furry companions is the safest approach.