What Are Chia Seeds Doing in My Dog's Treats? (6 Scratch Treats Ingredients, Explained)
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We chose every ingredient in Scratch Treats for a reason. Here's what each one actually does.
Oat Flour
The structural base of every kit. Oat flour produces a firm, biscuit-like texture without the digestive downsides that wheat can cause for sensitive dogs. It's naturally lower in gluten-forming proteins than wheat flour, which makes it gentler on most dogs' stomachs. For dogs who struggle with wheat, this distinction matters — we explain it fully in our wheat-free vs. grain-free guide.
Rolled Oats
Added alongside the oat flour for texture. Rolled oats contribute a slight chewiness and visible grain to the finished treat, and provide additional fiber for digestive support.
Chia Seeds
One of the most concentrated plant sources of alpha-linolenic acid, a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid that supports skin health and coat condition. Dogs with dull coats or dry skin often benefit from increased omega-3s. Chia seeds also add a gentle binding quality to the dough.
Golden Flax Seeds
Another excellent omega-3 source, with the added benefit of soluble fiber that supports healthy digestion. We use the whole seed rather than ground flax to preserve freshness and maximize nutritional value through the baking process.
Parsley
A natural breath freshener for dogs, and it adds a faint herbal quality to the dough. It also contains chlorophyll and has been used in dog treat recipes for exactly this purpose for decades. It's safe for dogs in the amounts used here.
Peanut Butter Powder (Peanut Butter Original)
The ingredient responsible for the irresistible smell. Our peanut butter powder is made from peanut powder, palm sugar, and salt. Critically, it contains no xylitol — an artificial sweetener found in some peanut butter brands that is toxic to dogs. This is also why you should read the label on any store-bought treats, as we cover in our guide to what's actually in commercial dog treats.
Nutritional Yeast (Vegan Cheeze)
An inactive yeast with a rich, umami-forward flavor that dogs find genuinely compelling. It provides B vitamins naturally. No dairy, no artificial cheese flavoring. See the full Vegan Cheeze kit.
Beet Powder + Purple Sweet Potato (Purple Pup)
This is where the purple comes from — not dyes, not artificial colors, just the pigments that exist in these plants naturally. Beets contribute antioxidants. Sweet potato is a gentle, digestible carbohydrate. See the full Purple Pup kit.
What we leave out
No artificial preservatives. No artificial colors. No artificial flavors. No corn syrup. No wheat. No meat by-products. No fillers. Our kits are fully plant-based and designed to be as clean as the "homemade" label implies. See the complete breakdown on our ingredients page.
