What Is in Milk-Bones? Do They Have Dairy?
In short, the answer is yes! These treats are called Milk-Bones for a reason.
Just like with us humans, milk is an excellent source of calcium for our precious companions, so it makes plenty of sense for the Milk-Bone company to include actual milk in their treats.
Milk-Bones contain the three big M’s: milk, minerals, and meat products. They also contain wheat flour and wheat bran as the two primary ingredients.
In addition to their original treats, the Milk-Bone brand has created a snack specifically tailored to puppies.
The recipe doesn’t differ too much from that of the original, but these puppy treats do include nine extra sources of vitamins and minerals for your growing babies.
A big concern over the past few years is the presence of BHA in Milk-Bones. BHA, standing for Butylated Hydroxyanisole, is a food preservative commonly used for dog treats and food.
While BHA has shown to be generally safe in low doses, many pet owners are skeptical.
A few cases have shown BHA leading to the development of cancerous tumors and liver or kidney damage in some dogs. Better safe than sorry, I suppose!
Many dog parents are also not fond of the inclusion of artificial food dyes in Milk-Bones since some dyes have been proven to negatively affect the behavior of dogs.
At the end of the day, it’s the owner’s choice as to what their dogs can eat, but it’s still important to monitor their reactions to the food. Always keep a close eye on your pups, folks!
Milk-Bones are not inherently bad for puppies! As with all good things, you just need to make sure they’re fed in moderation.
As previously mentioned, it’s incredibly necessary to pay close attention to how your puppy is reacting to the foods he eats. Has he been experiencing abnormal vomiting, diarrhea or itchiness? Does it correlate at all with something that he’s eaten?
Since Milk-Bones contain both dairy and grain, they’re a fairly high-risk treat for dogs with food allergies.
Puppies are especially known to have notoriously finicky stomachs, so consider this my way of begging you to please keep track of their behavior around food!
Are There Dangerous Ingredients in Milk Bones?
Artificial preservatives are an essential component of Milk Bone treats. They give the treats a long shelf life by stopping them spoiling, and preventing them being contaminated by molds and bacteria which could make your dog sick.
However, some studies have linked BHA – an important preservative in Milk-Bones – to an increased risk of cancers in some other species. Which has made many dog owners understandably worried about offering them to their pets. Some people are very vocal now about not giving milk bones to dogs. Which can be shocking, confusing, and even scary to hear if you’ve grown up with them your whole life.
Here’s what you need to know about that.
BHA stands for butylated hydroxyanisole. It is an antioxidant widely used in the food industry, and it is credited with triggering huge changes in what foods we eat, by making them easier to store. Specifically, it is very good at stopping fats from going rancid. For example, the beef fat and milk fat in milk bone biscuits.
Some researchers have reported that rats administered high doses of BHS have an increased risk of stomach cancers. And this has put a lot of people off consuming food that contains it, or feeding those foods to their dogs. However, there are some things to bear in mind:
On the evidence currently available, the FDA has decided that the benefits of BHA outweigh any potential toxicity, which is why it is still approved for use.
Since dogs cannot always “tell” us when they’re experiencing an allergic reaction, it’s important to be aware of common symptoms to spot when something’s wrong. Though adverse reactions from Milk-Bones are not common, it is always best to be prepared. In the occurrence of a reaction, be sure to contact your local veterinarian immediately for assistance.
BarkBox or Super Chewer subscriptions allow you to customize every bag of treats you receive (that’s 2 per month, plus two toys and a chew, for BarkBox, and 2 chews for Super Chewer) to ensure your dog and their tummy are happy. Every recipe contains only all-natural ingredients and never any wheat, corn, or soy.
One of the most well known examples of this is the Milk-Bone. Milk-Bones are crunchy, bone-shaped biscuits that are a staple in many dogs’ households. Their popularity cannot be denied, but are these biscuits healthy for dogs to eat?
Despite the name, Milk-Bones are not actual bones, nor are they made from them. Milk-Bones are bone-shaped dog biscuits made from minerals, meat products, and milk. The classic treats are dry and crunchy in texture, but a wide variety of options are now available.
Created in 1908, these classic treats have been making tails wag and tongues drool for over a century! Now there are a variety of bone-shaped biscuits available from many different suppliers, but Milk-Bone has remained a household name for dogs and dog people.
Are Milk Bones Good For Dogs
Dogs, like humans, enjoy treats and comfort food. And no dog treat is more famous or recognizable than the classic Milk-Bone biscuit. But are milk bones bad for dogs? I’ve seen some claims that they contain carcinogens, so are they even safe? Luckily, the scientific research on this is clear – the preservatives in milk bones which have been linked to cancer claims are actually very safe. In this article I’ll explain why, but I’ll also take a look at why milk bones should be saved as an occasional treat for your dog nonetheless!
Milk bones are dog treats that have been around for over 100 years. In fact, Milk-Bone isn’t just a type of biscuit, it’s the brand name of the original milk bone biscuit. Milk-Bones were launched in 1908, and they’ve been made in New York state ever since. Their enduring popularity has spawned dozens of copycat products – usually with names like ‘milky bones’ instead.
Modern milk bones and their tributes come in a variety of flavors including chicken and beef. You can also find different low-calorie options and Milk-Bone brand dental chews to improve your dog’s oral hygiene, reduce plaque, and clean their teeth. But the original Milk Bone with its iconic shape and layers of nostalgia remains the most popular of all these products.