Purina Busy Twist'd with Beggin' Large Dog Chew Treats - Bacon

by Busy Bone

Overall Score: 45/100

Ingredients

1. Wheat Flour (carbohydrate)
2. Water (other)
3. Hydrogenated Corn Syrup (other)
4. Dried Yeast (other)
5. Wheat Gluten (carbohydrate)
6. Sugar (other)
7. Gelatin (other)
8. Bacon (other)
9. Corn Germ Meal (other)
10. Sodium Caseinate (other)
11. Animal Fat Preserved With Mixed–Tocopherols (other)
12. Phosphoric Acid (other)
13. Salt (mineral)
14. Sorbic Acid (A Preservative) (other)
15. Calcium Propionate (A Preservative) (other)
16. Natural Smoke Flavor (other)
17. Red 40 (additive)
18. BHA (A Preservative) (other)
19. Soybean Oil (fat)
20. Blue 1 (other)
21. Yellow 5 (additive)
22. Yellow 6 (other)
23. BHT (A Preservative) (other)
24. Calcium Carbonate (mineral)
25. Citric Acid (preservative)

Ingredient concerns

• Wheat (medium concern): Wheat is a common allergen in dogs and cats. While it provides digestible carbohydrates and some protein, it is frequently used as an inexpensive filler. Pets with wheat sensitivities may experience skin irritation, gastrointestinal upset, or chronic ear infections.
• Wheat Gluten (medium concern): Like corn gluten meal, wheat gluten serves as an inexpensive plant protein that inflates the total protein percentage. It was also at the center of the 2007 pet food recall when melamine-contaminated wheat gluten from China caused widespread kidney failure in pets.
• Red 40 (high concern): Provides no nutritional benefit whatsoever and is added solely for the visual appeal to human buyers, as dogs and cats have limited color vision. Multiple studies have raised concerns about behavioral effects in children, leading the EU to require warning labels on foods containing Red 40. Some animal studies have suggested potential genotoxicity, though results are debated. The FDA maintains it is safe at approved levels, but many veterinary nutritionists recommend avoiding artificial colors entirely.
• BHA (high concern): Classified as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Animal studies have shown BHA can cause forestomach tumors in rodents. While the FDA still permits its use in pet food at controlled levels, many pet food manufacturers have voluntarily removed it in favor of natural preservatives like mixed tocopherols.
• Yellow 5 (high concern): Like Red 40, Yellow 5 provides no nutritional value and is added only for appearance. It has been associated with hypersensitivity reactions and behavioral effects in children in multiple studies. Banned or restricted in several countries. The EU requires warning labels on products containing tartrazine. No legitimate reason for its inclusion in pet food.
• BHT (high concern): Like BHA, BHT is a synthetic antioxidant with concerns about long-term safety. Some animal studies have shown tumor-promoting effects, though results are mixed -- other studies suggest potential anti-cancer properties. Banned or restricted in certain countries for food use. Many pet food manufacturers now avoid it in favor of natural alternatives.

Dry food, with grains.

Similar products

• Purina Busy Bone Original Large Dog, Long Lasting Chew Treats — 62/100
• Purina® Busy Bone Stuf'D Adult Dog Chews - Beef Flavor 15 ct — 53/100
• Purina Busy Bone Large Dog, Long-Lasting Chew, Peanut Butter Flavor — 47/100
• Purina Busy Bone Orginal Tiny Dog, Long Lasting Chew Treats 35.4 OZ — 44/100
• Hartz Oinkies Hearty Twists Rawhide-Free All Life Stages Dog Chew - Chicken & Sweet Potato 24 ct — 95/100

As an Amazon Associate, KibbleWatcher earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Our scoring is independent of any affiliate revenue.