How to Tell If a Dog Treat Is High Quality

Let's talk dog treats!

With so many options at the store, it can be hard to know what is actually good for your pup, and what to avoid. Bright packaging and bold claims can be misleading, but the truth is: not all treats are created equal.

To make things easier, here's exactly what to look for, what to skip when choosing, safe, healthy treats. Learn how Billie Bites checks every box! 

1. Short, Simple Ingredient Lists

Fewer ingredients = fewer chances for hidden fillers or additives.

Prioritize treats that include:

• Ingredients you can pronounce and recognize as real foods
• One clear protein source (like chicken, turkey, salmon, or beef)
• Simple whole-food ingredients (like apples, blueberries, pumpking, or sweet potato)

Steer clear of:

• Long ingredient lists filled with chemicals or numbers
• Generic "meat meal" or "animal fat" without naming the animal source
• Corn, wheat, or soy used as the first ingredients (these are cheap fillers, not nutrients)

Pro Tip: If you wouldn't eat it yourself, your pup shouldn't either.

2. No Fillers, By-Products, or Mystery Ingredients

Transparency matters. You should always know what's going into your dog's body.

Avoid treats that contain:

• Meat by-products or by-product meal
• Artificial preservatives like BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin
• Artificial colors or flavors
• Sweeteners like xylitol (toxic to dogs) or corn syrup
  

Instead, choose treats crafted with:

• Named animal proteins (like chicken breast, salmon, or turkey)
• Natural preservatives such as rosemary extract or mixed tocopherols
• Real fruits and veggies for added nutrition

3. Human-Grade Quality

Treats should be as safe as your own snacks.

Opt for treats that are:

• Clearly labeled as "human-grade"
• Made in the USA in facilities that follow food safety regulations
• Proud to share where their ingredients come from

This ensures you pup's treats are safe, clean, and carefully crafted. Not mass-produced mystery bites.

4. Built-In Health Benefits

Treats can (and should) support your pup's health.

Reach for treats that naturally support your pup's well-being with:

• blueberries or cranberries - antioxidants for immunity
• pumpkin or sweet potato - fiber for digestion
• salmon or flaxseed - omega-3s for skin & coat
• parsley or mint - natural breath fresheners

Skip empty-calorie treats that are just carbs or sugar with no functional purpose.

Why Billie Bites Check Every Box

At Good Boy Billie, we believe treats should be made with the same care and honesty as the meals you'd make at home.

That's why Billie Bites are:

• Made with real chicken, naturally sweet apple, and rosemary extract
• Contains no by-products, no fillers and no artificial preservatives
• Human-grade and made in small batches
• Crafted with antioxidant-rich ingredients to natural immunity support with every bite

Because your pup deserves treats that are as wholesome as the love you give them.

Shop Billie Bites

Want to feel confident about what's in your pup's treats?

Shop Billie Bites and give your best friend the goodness they deserve.