Good Dogs, Great Questions: What We Learned at Yappy Hour

One of my favorite things about being Chief Treat Officer at Mike's Pet Kitchen is stepping away from the oven to spend time with other neighborhood dogs and their people. Over the past few weeks we've done a lot of that, hosting Yappy Hours and a town-wide Paws in the Parking Lot event at one of our grocery store retail partner locations, Lucky Supermarket, where folks could stop by for free treat samples, photos with their pups, raffle prizes, and even the chance to meet adoptable dogs from a local humane society. Part community hang, part real conversation about ingredients, health, and what actually goes into a dog treat. The dogs were enthusiastic and their owners had questions…and good ones at that. My humans and I took note of them and thought other pet parents might want to hear the answers, too! So, here's a sampling of what came up at some of our most recent dog events.

"My dog has a sensitive stomach. What should I be looking for in a treat?"

This question was asked more than once. Digestive issues in dogs are common, and the pet aisle at stores can make things worse if you're not reading labels carefully.

On any bag of dog food or treats, start with the ingredient list, not the front of the bag. A shorter, cleaner list is almost always easier on a sensitive stomach – it is less for a dog to react to, and easier to troubleshoot if something's not agreeing with them.

Beef. Chicken. Salmon. Those are considered ‘named proteins, so look for them first."Animal protein" and "meat meal" don’t tell you anything about protein quality or digestibility.

Certain ingredients are also common irritants for dogs, such as rendered fats, corn, wheat, soy, corn syrup, artificial flavors, and preservatives like BHA and BHT. According to BetterPet, a vet-reviewed resource, these ingredients are known to cause problems and carry zero nutritional value for dogs with sensitive stomachs. But other fiber sources, like pumpkin and oat fiber, can support healthy digestion. If your dog has ongoing digestive issues, that conversation is one for your vet, but a cleaner label is always a great place to start.

"My dog loves your treats at home but he’s ignoring them here at this event. What happened?"

When a dog is in a new environment surrounded by other dogs, new people, and more smells than they can process, food is often the last thing on their mind. They're not being picky, they're overstimulated. Trainers call it being "over threshold." The brain is taking in so much environmental input that a treat can't compete.

According to Pupford, when dogs are in highly stimulating environments, the distractions simply outweigh the reward. To help your dog integrate into a new situation, we see some pet parents start at the edges of a busy event and just hang out there for a bit before engaging with other pups or heading to the treat table. Giving your dog time to settle in on their own terms is what is key. Some pet parents choose to arrive early and let their dog acclimate before the crowd builds. There's no wrong approach – whatever helps your pup feel comfortable is the right call..

"Why did you start Champ's Pet Kitchen? What makes your treats different?"

The short version: we saw a gap between what treat brands were promising on the front of the bag and what they were actually delivering on the back. And we knew pet owners deserved better, at a price that didn't ask them to pay more for it.

Pet owners are also getting more ingredient-savvy. They want the same standard of food for their four-legged family members that they hold for themselves, and the options on the shelf weren't always keeping up with that.

Champ's Pet Kitchen was built from the back of the bag forward. Every recipe is crafted with a high percentage of quality lean protein (26 to 28%), low fat (2-3%) and a specific health benefit built into each one. Our beef treats support gut health, pork supports immune health, chicken includes glucosamine and chondroitin for bone and joint support in dogs four and older, grain-free chicken features taurine for heart health, and our salmon treats are formulated to support healthy skin and coat.

Essentially, clean, functional ingredients are the star of the show. And then our pet nutrition fact panel on the back of the package tells you exactly what your dog is getting per treat, in plain language we are used to on the backs of human food packaging. Our product packaging is already aligned with AAFCO's 2030 labeling standards because we feel pet parents deserve that clarity now, not in a few years.

"How many treats should I be giving my dog?"

The answer to this question is more treats than most people realize, and if they are being used for training purposes, probably more than they're currently giving.

The general guideline is that treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's total daily calorie intake, with the rest coming from their regular food. What that looks like depends on your dog's size, which is exactly why we list calories per treat on the bag rather than just per 100 grams. You shouldn't need a calculator standing in the kitchen trying to figure out if you've given too many.

Under-treating is just as common as over-treating, especially during training. If the reward isn't frequent or compelling enough to compete with distractions, it stops doing its job. Knowing the numbers helps you use treats more purposefully in both directions.

"My dog has allergies. How do I figure out what's safe?"

Start with your vet to identify the actual triggers; that's the only way to know what you're working around. Once you have that information, treats become part of the same conversation as food

A shorter ingredient list makes this much easier. Vague terms like "natural flavors" or "byproduct" give you almost nothing to evaluate. Recognizable, whole ingredients listed clearly lets you check against your dog's known sensitivities so you can feel good about every treat you give.

Still have questions?

The conversations we have at these events are a big part of why we host them. If you're curious about something, we'd love to hear from you. Reach out anytime at hello@champspectkitchen.com.

Medical Disclaimer: The information here is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Treat and diet decisions — especially for dogs with known health conditions — should always involve your vet.