The Pantry Test: Can You Recognize Every Ingredient in Your Dog’s Treats?

If you need a dictionary to read the label, it might be time to clean out your treat stash.

We know you love your dog like family—and what you feed them should reflect that. But pet parents are often shocked when they flip over a bag of dog treats and realize they can’t recognize half the ingredients.

Let’s change that.

Let’s talk about The Pantry Test.

 What’s the Pantry Test?

It’s simple:

Step 1: Grab your dog’s favorite treat.

Step 2: Read the ingredient list.

Step 3: Ask yourself: Do I know what these are—and would I eat them?

If you find yourself stumbling over words like “ethoxyquin” or “meat by-product,” that’s a red flag. Your dog deserves better than mystery meat and lab-made additives.

Common Ingredients You Shouldn’t See

These are often hidden in mass-produced dog treats:

Ingredient	Why It’s a Problem
BHA/BHT	Synthetic preservatives linked to health risks
Artificial Colors	Added for appearance, not nutritional value
Corn Syrup	Unnecessary sugar that can lead to obesity
Meat By-Products	Low-quality, vague protein source
Animal Digest	Unregulated “flavoring” from unknown sources
Wheat, Soy, Corn	Common allergens for many pups

 

If it wouldn’t pass your pantry test—it shouldn’t pass your dog’s.

 Ingredients You Do Want

At TheDogBFF Barkerie, we keep it simple. Real food, no fluff.

Here’s what a treat label should look like:

• Pumpkin
  
  
• Oat flour
  
  
• Peanut butter (xylitol-free)
  
  
• Blueberries
  
  
• Apples
  
  
• Coconut oil
  
  
• Eggs

Short, simple, and straight from your kitchen pantry. That’s our standard.

 Do the Test With Us

We created a free printable checklist to help you go through your treat drawer and confidently decide what stays and what goes.

 Download the Pantry Ingredient Checklist → TheDogBFF Barkerie Pantry Checklist

This quick scan will help you feel good about what you’re feeding your pup—and maybe inspire a pantry refresh.

 Why It Matters

Feeding your dog clean, simple treats can help with:

• Fewer allergy flare-ups
  
  
• Healthier digestion
  
  
• Shinier coats
  
  
• Longer, happier lives
  
  

It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being intentional. And choosing treats made with love, not lab experiments.

Final Thoughts

If you wouldn’t bake it at home, your dog probably shouldn’t eat it.

Take the pantry test today—and if your current stash fails, we’ve got fresh-baked hand made coming as soon! 

Download the Pantry Ingredient Checklist → TheDogBFF Barkerie Pantry Checklist

Because your dog deserves a label you can read and ingredients you can trust.

P.S. Simple never tasted better—our Single Ingredient Treats are coming back soon, and they’re worth the wait. Clean, crunchy, and made for even the most sensitive pups. 🐾

Doors reopen soon—make sure you’re on the list to get first dibs! 

Join the List!