Pet treats (packaged dog and cat treats) — pet safety profile

What is this product?

Packaged pet treats — dog biscuits, jerky treats, dental chews, rawhide, training treats, and specialty chews — represent a distinct product category with multiple converging chemical and safety concerns. The concerns come from three sources: (1) the treat formulation itself (toxic ingredients at species level, particularly xylitol in dogs and theobromine/chocolate derivatives in dogs); (2) the packaging materials (BPA-lined pouches, plastic packaging migrating into treat); and (3) the ingredient quality and sourcing (jerky treats from China associated with 2007–2015 FDA investigation linking to dog illness/death; pentobarbital contamination in rendered meat ingredients). Pet treats also carry mycotoxin risks from grain ingredients and heavy metal risks from fish-based treats. Children who handle pet treats and engage in hand-to-mouth behavior receive the same chemical exposures as the pets themselves from packaging materials. The xylitol concern is particularly urgent: xylitol (a sugar alcohol sweetener used in 'reduced sugar' and 'dental' pet treats) is acutely toxic to dogs — causing profound hypoglycemia and hepatotoxicity — but was not required to be listed on pet food labels until FDA issued guidance in 2019.

What's in it

Click any compound name for its full safety profile, regulatory consensus, and exposure data.

Who's most at risk

• Pets — Smaller body weight, different metabolism, oral contact with products

How to use it more safely

• Follow portion guidelines on package based on pet weight and age
• Store in cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight
• Check expiration date before serving to pets
• Introduce new treats gradually to prevent digestive upset

Red flags — when to walk away

• 'Dental,' 'reduced calorie,' 'sugar-free,' or 'light' dog treat labeling — These descriptors are associated with xylitol use as a sweetener. Xylitol causes life-threatening hypoglycemia in dogs at doses achievable from a single treat. Before giving any 'dental' or 'sugar-free' treat to a dog, verify the absence of xylitol from the full ingredient list. Xylitol may be listed as 'birch sugar,' 'xylitol,' or 'natural sweetener' in ingredient lists.
• Jerky treats made in China or with unspecified sourcing — The 2007–2015 FDA investigation documented hundreds of dog deaths and thousands of illnesses potentially linked to Chinese-manufactured chicken, duck, and sweet potato jerky treats. The causative agent was never definitively identified despite FDA analysis. FDA issued repeated warnings. Products are still available from some import sources. Unspecified country of origin for jerky treats represents the same sourcing and quality control uncertainty.

Green flags — what to look for

• Single-ingredient, named US-sourced protein with NASC quality seal — Single-ingredient treats with named, sourced protein (US chicken, US beef, Alaskan salmon) and NASC quality seal provide the most transparent formulation available in this category. NASC (National Animal Supplement Council) quality seal requires GMP-compliant manufacturing and adverse event reporting systems. The combination of ingredient simplicity and manufacturing quality assurance addresses both the toxin concern (no hidden additives) and the quality control concern (consistent manufacturing).

Safer alternatives

• Fresh whole foods (carrots, plain chicken) — No additives or preservatives; easier to control portions
• Veterinarian-recommended treats — Tailored to pet's specific health needs and dietary requirements

Frequently asked questions