What 'Natural' Actually Means for Your Dog's Treats
The word 'natural' is everywhere on pet food packaging. Here's what it means, what it doesn't, and how to cut through the noise.
Walk into any pet store and you'll see 'natural' on almost every bag. It's one of the most overused words in pet food marketing — and one of the least regulated. Here's what you actually need to know.
What 'Natural' Means on a Label
The AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) defines 'natural' as a feed or ingredient derived solely from plant, animal, or mined sources — not produced by or subject to a chemically synthetic process. In practice, this means a treat can be labeled 'natural' and still contain multiple ingredients, added vitamins, and processing aids, as long as none of them are chemically synthesized.
What 'Natural' Doesn't Mean
'Natural' does not mean single-ingredient. It does not mean minimally processed. It does not mean free of allergens, fillers, or flavor enhancers. A treat can be 'natural' and still be a highly processed product with a long ingredient list. The label tells you very little about quality.
Single-Ingredient Is the Better Standard
If you want to know exactly what your dog is eating, single-ingredient treats are the clearest standard. One protein, nothing added. No ambiguity, no hidden ingredients, no guessing. That's the standard we hold every Honey's product to.
What to Look for Instead
Skip the 'natural' claim and go straight to the ingredient list. If the list has one item — the protein — you're in good shape. If it has more than five items, ask why. Preservatives like BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin are red flags. So are artificial colors and vague terms like 'meat by-products.'
The Honey Standard
Every treat in Honey's lineup is single-ingredient, made in the USA, and slow-dehydrated or air-dried. We don't hide behind marketing language. The ingredient list is the product.
See the full ingredient list on every product.
No marketing language. Just the protein, the weight, and the facts.
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