Glycerine in Dog Treats

When you see jerky treats described as being soft and chewy, do you stop to think why that might be the case?

Jerky is not normally soft - chewy yes, but not soft. 

When you look at the label and it says 100% Australian chicken, do you assume that's all that's in the treat?

I bet you said yes - and who can blame you. But words can be deceiving. There is a well known chicken jerky treat sold in a major big box retailer that is described as natural. The label says 100% Aussie chicken. But if you look at the small print where the ingredients are listed, it states 100% Aussie chicken, vegetable glycerine, natural antioxidants. 

So - how can it be 100% chicken and yet have glycerine added? Great question. It can't. And it isn't. But it doesn't contravene any labelling laws. 

Glycerine is added for a number of reasons. Yes, it does make the treat softer. It also makes the treat heavier - meaning you're getting less meat for your money. And finally it's a mould inhibitor - but if the meat was dehydrated to the correct standard, it wouldn't go mouldy.

What about natural antioxidants, they must be ok surely? Well, no, not really. Glycerine is deerived from an oil, and so the antioxidants are added to prevent oxidation and ensure the treat remains edible for a longer period.

The example I'm talking about is from an Aussie company and uses vegetable glycerine. But there are other treats out there, imported from China and similar countries, where the glycerine used is not vegetable based. It's petroleum based. The label simply states glycerine, not vegetable glycerine. And those treats are sold here in Australia. Yuck. Not so much of a treat now is it? So if you buy treats from the big box retailers, or supermarkets, please make sure you read the labels. Not just the headline. 

I can promise you that all our meat and fish treats are single origin, 100% protein. There is absolutely NOTHING added. They are all sourced from reputable Australian sources with the appropriate accreditations. I would give any of the treats we sell to Baldrick Beagle or Marvinnotabeagle - that is the yardstick by which I judge whether the treat is good enough to sell. And I hope that reassures you that our treats are good enough for your dog too.