true chews dog treats recall
True Chews Dog Treats Review 2024: Pros, Cons, Recalls & FAQ
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True Chews Dog Treats Review 2024: Pros, Cons, Recalls & FAQ
Written by: Misty LayneReview Summary
Our Final Verdict
We give True Chews dog treats a rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars.
True Chews dog treats are part of the Blue Buffalo line (though they werent always) and can be located in most pet stores and online, so you may be familiar with them. The brand offers a fairly good selection of dog treats that feature different kinds of meats as the first ingredient, different textures, and a grain-free option, making them a good choice for most pups. And according to reviews, these treats are definitely dog-approved!
However, there are some downsides to these treatsmostly ingredient relatedthat might make them unsuitable for your pup. Below, youll find all the relevant info you need to make a decision about whether to feed these to your pet or not, including reviews of the best treat recipes, an overview of the good (and less good) ingredients, and more!
At a Glance: The Best True Chews Treats Recipes:
True Chews Dog Treats Reviewed
Though True Chews has been around since 2010, they only became a part of the Blue Buffalo label in 2021. So if you used to give your dog these treats but havent in a while, you might find some things have changed. Two excellent things about these treats are the main ingredients and the fact that ingredients are very limited, which makes them suitable for dogs with allergies.
However, there are also a few ingredients that can be found in certain treats that might have health implications for your pet. Heres what you need to know.
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Who Makes True Chews Dog Treats, and Where Is It Produced?
The True Chews dog treat brand was introduced in 2010 by Tyson Foods but was purchased by General Mills in 2021 (though at the time of purchase, Tyson Foods said it would continue supplying meat for the products). Now True Chews dog treats are packaged under the Blue Buffalo label, which was acquired by General Mills in 2018. Theres little to be found as to where these dog treats are made, but at the time of purchase General Mills also obtained a manufacturing plant in Iowa, so theres a good chance that there is at least one location where True Chews are made.
Which Type of Dog Is True Chews Dog Treats Best Suited For?
Because True Chews dog treats all feature protein from real meat and come in various flavors and styles (chewy, jerky, etc.), they should be suitable for most dogs. The brand even has grain-free treats if your dog requires a grain-free diet, plus they offer alternative protein sources such as duck if your dog is allergic to common proteins found in dog treats. There are also a couple of recipes that contain peas, though, which have been tentatively linked to heart problems in dogs, so you may want to watch for that. But other than the peas, it seems that the only reason it might not be suitable for your pup is if they dont like the taste.
Which Type of Dog Might Do Better with a Different Brand?
If youre worried about the effect of peas on the health of your dogs heart, wed suggest going with a dog treat that doesnt contain them, such as Pup-Peroni Original Beef Flavor Dog Treats. If your pup just doesnt like how any of the True Chews dog treats taste, we recommend going with a such as Greenies Regular Dental Dog Treats.
Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)
Knowing what goes into your pets food and treats is essential since you want them to remain as healthy as possible. So, heres a closer look at the main ingredients of True Chews dog treatsthe good and the bad.
Real Meat as the Main Ingredient
The best thing about True Chews dog treats is that they use real meat as the first ingredient (and occasionally as the first two ingredients), so these treats are not only high in protein, but the protein comes from a quality source. Protein sources include chicken, beef, steak, duck, pork, and turkey.
Limited Ingredients
The next best thing about these dog treats is that they are incredibly limited in the number of ingredients they contain. Most seem to include eight or fewer ingredients, making them a potentially better option for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. That also means they contain no artificial fillers or preservatives.
Potatoes
Heres where the ingredients begin to get a bit questionable. Dogs can eat potatoes, so long as the potatoes are cooked (never feed raw potatoes to your dog!), but its not necessarily healthy. While potatoes do contain vitamins and nutrients a dog needs, they are also a carb-heavy food, which isnt great for dogs with diabetes or those watching their weight. Theres also a chance potatoes fall into the same category as peas when it comes to your dogs heart health (though that link is more tentative than the pea link). So, potatoes arent totally bad for your pup, but they also arent a great regular addition to a dogs diet.
Colored with Paprika
The majority, if not all of True Chews dog treats, appear to be colored with paprika, and, while not toxic to your pet, paprika isnt really dog-friendly. Admittedly, treats being colored with paprika should mean there isnt much there. But if your pup is extremely sensitive to spice, paprika may cause stomach upset.
Contains Peas
As previously stated, a few of the True Chews dog treats (but not all!) contain peas, an ingredient that has been linked to dilated cardiomyopathy in canines. If thats a concern for you, you should check the ingredients to ensure youre getting a treat that does not contain peas.
A Quick Look at True Chews Dog Treats
Pros
- Real meat as the first (and sometimes second) ingredient
- High-protein
- Plenty of options to choose from
Cons
- Some treats contain peas
- Contains potatoes, which are iffy
- Colored with paprika, which may upset the stomach of sensitive dogs
Recall History
True Chews dog treats do not seem to have had any recalls in their history.
Reviews of the 3 Best True Chew Dog Treats
Ready to take a closer look at the three best True Chew dog treats to find out more?
1. True Chews Premium Jerky Cuts with Real Chicken Dog Treats
With 25% crude protein and only 58 calories per piece, these treats offer your dog a high-protein snack. And with real chicken raised with no hormones or antibiotics as the first ingredient, that protein comes from a high-quality source. Plus, these treats are soft and chewy, making them an excellent choice for older dogs who have difficulty chewing hard treats and food.
Though the ingredients in these treats are limited, potatoes are the second one listed, and this is a not particularly healthy ingredient to have. These jerky cuts are also colored with paprika, which may upset the stomachs of dogs with sensitive digestive systems.
Pros
- High-protein
- Quality protein source
- Soft pieces, so dogs have an easier time eating
Cons
- Contains potatoes, which arent the healthiest
- Paprika may cause upset stomach
2. True Chews Premium Grillers with Real Steak Grain-Free Dog Treats
The True Chews Premium Grillers have just a touch less protein than the treats above, but that protein still comes from an excellent source in the form of 100% beef and sirloin steak sourced in the U.S. They are also chewy, like the jerky cuts, making them easier for dogs to chew. And the package these treats come in is resealable to keep things as fresh as possible. Several pet owners commented that their picky eaters loved these grillers!
Like most True Chews, these dog treats contain potatoes and are colored with paprika, so be aware of the potential health concerns that come with those ingredients. There were also several reports from 2021 that these dog treats were moldy upon arrival; hopefully, that issue has been cleared up by now.
Pros
- High-protein
- Real beef and steak
- Picky eaters seemed to enjoy
Cons
- Has potatoes and paprika, which arent the healthiest
- Some complaints of product being moldy
3. True Chews Premium Chicken Pot Pie Recipe Dog Treats
These chicken pot pie dog treats will definitely offer your pup a unique taste, and with real chicken as the first ingredient, plenty of protein to boot. The chicken pot pie morsels are chewy and soft enough for any dog to chow down on and are only 40 calories per piece, so theyre reasonably low-calorie. Plus, these treats include carrots, which are beneficial for eye health!
On the downside, these treats contain peas and potatoes, both of which have potential links to adverse effects on the health of a dogs heart. They are also colored with paprika, which could cause upset stomachs in dogs with sensitive digestive systems.
Pros
- Quality protein source
- Carrots for eye health
- Fairly low-calorie
Cons
- Has peas
- Contains potatoes and paprika
What Other Users Are Saying
Theres really no better way to determine whether a dog treat might be suitable for your pet than by finding out what other dog owners have to say about the product. Here are just a handful of things people have to say about True Chews.
- Chewy: He loves the True Chews. Every one that I have given him he cries for it. I dont get that with other treats I have given him. Yes, he knows the difference. All top quality pieces.
- Petco: Love these treats; my dogs have bad allergies and these treats did not cause any allergic reaction to my Frenchie.
- Amazon: Amazon is a fabulous place to read reviews from others about products youre considering purchasing. You can check out a few about True Chews here.
Conclusion
Overall, we give True Chews dog treats 4 out of 5 stars. While the addition of real meat as the first ingredient and the other ingredients being very limited is a plus, a few ingredients might not be that wonderful for your dog on a regular basis. Both peas and potatoes may be linked to dilated cardiomyopathy in canines, while paprika can cause upset stomachs in dogs with sensitive digestive systems.
If neither of those is of concern, though, you may find these treats to be a hit with your pup (especially if you have a pet with allergies or food sensitivities), as most dogs seem to be big fans!
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Summary
- Company Announcement Date:
- FDA Publish Date:
- Product Type:
- Animal & VeterinaryFood & Beverages Pet Food Foodborne Illness
- Reason for Announcement:
Recall Reason Description
Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
- Company Name:
- Redbarn Pet Products
- Brand Name:
- Product Description:
Company Announcement
With an extreme abundance of caution, and with the care and concern of pets top of mind, Redbarn Pet Products, LLC of Long Beach, CA is voluntarily recalling a single product, Redbarns 7-inch Bully Stick three pack, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products. No illnesses, injuries or complaints have been reported.
The recalled products were distributed in pet specialty retail stores. Affected product comes in a 2.4 ounce, green plastic bag marked with an expiration date of 112120ABC stamped on the side. The product UPC is #7 85184 25105 8. You can see examples of the packaging here.
Redbarn takes the safety of pets and pet parents seriously. As company President Jeff Sutherland explained, On 2/5/2018, we were notified by the Colorado Department of Agriculture that a single sample collected from a retail location detected Salmonella. At Redbarn, we test every product lot before it leaves our manufacturing plant. This lot code, expiry date 112120ABC, was tested both at our Redbarn lab and by a third-party testing facility. Those tests were negative for salmonella or pathogens. Despite not being able to replicate these test results or receiving any negative reports from customers regarding these chews, we feel the best course of action is to recall this lot code of the product and keep our customers safe.
Consumers are encouraged to check the lot code to see if their product was affected. Pet owners who have this product matching this lot code in their homes are urged to discontinue use of the product. Consumers who purchased 7-inch Bully Stick multipacks with the affected lot code are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. Again, no illnesses, injuries or complaints have been reported.
Family-owned Redbarn takes the safety of our product, pets, and customers as a number one concern. Redbarn employs an extensive Quality Assurance team that run over 400 safety tests on their products every week. Products like the 7-inch bully sticks are tested multiple times, for bacteria like Salmonella, coliforms and enteros. A product is declared safe to ship only after it tests negatively for these bacteria and other pathogens. As Sutherland explained In issuing this voluntary recall, in conjunction with the FDA, we are standing by our core values of quality and integrity. At Redbarn, we do the right thing for our customers. That means that we hold ourselves to the highest safety and quality assurance standards and take all precautions to prevent situations like a recall from happening.
Consumers with questions may contact the company via email at [email protected] or by phone at at 1-800-775-3849, M-F, 8am-5pm PST.
Link to Expanded Recall.
Company Contact Information
Content current as of:
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