A high-quality pet treat will not contain grains or unnecessary fillers, rendered animal by products, added sugar (sometimes hidden in ingredients like molasses and honey), chemicals, artificial preservatives, or ingredients known to be highly allergenic to pets.  These criteria rule out the vast majority of commercial pet treats on the market.

As is the case with commercially available pet foods, high-quality pet treats aren’t likely to be found in big-box stores, large pet store chains, your local supermarket, or your vet’s office. Your best bet shopping locally is to visit small, independent pet stores with knowledgeable staff who can answer customer questions and are competent to recommend products that make sense for individual pets.

Most excellent quality, human-grade pet food producers – typically smaller companies – also make a few types of treats. So if you’re already feeding your dog or cat a high-quality commercial pet food you trust, see if the manufacturer also makes treats.

Another option is to shop online, especially if you’ve done your research and know exactly what you’re looking for.