Most retail dog treats have very low standards when it comes to packaging requirements. Pick any box on the shelf, open it up, and inside you will find your treats! Unfortunately, you are usually getting a whole lot more then treats...

The treats are made, boxed, and shipped out to retail locations. These boxes are stored in various locations on their journey to your shelves, with shelf lives that can be years from their manufacture date. They move indoors, outdoors, from truck to truck, and from warehouse to store, with nothing more then a thin cardboard box to keep the treats from the "elements". Most common "element" to make it's way through to the treats are bugs. The bugs crawl in, the bugs crawl out, the bugs leave eggs in you dogs future snacks (Ok, so it's not as catchy as the old "worms" song, but it certainly applies).

One of the reasons I began making my own treats was because of the bugs. After countless times of opening the treat jar and finding creepy crawlies... and a horrible infestation of pantry moths... I decided my dogs deserved better. Sure, my pup enjoys a snack from the cats litter box... so who cares if he eats a couple moth larvae, right?! Well even if you don't mind the idea of you pup swallowing a couple critters, please take into consideration the fact that most people keep their dogs treats in their own food pantry. Which means when these bugs are hatching they will be finding their way into your families food supply! Surprisingly enough, not all people food is packaged in airtight containers either. The bugs will find a way in. Most cardboard boxes are printed with a vegetable based ink which also supplies a food source and nesting ground for bugs like pantry moths that take months to cycle, and are very difficult to get rid of. Anyone who has had them can tell you how much time and money go into getting rid of them!