Turmeric for joints, spirulina for the coat, chia for digestion: dog treats with so-called functional ingredients come with plenty of promises. Some are serious, others pure marketing. Time for an honest look: what can these ingredients really do, and how do you spot treats that are worth your money?
We have a concrete reason for asking: we recently added handmade treats from a small bakery in Lugano to our range, including turmeric, spirulina and chia varieties. The same rule applies to them as to every snack: a treat is a treat, not a medicine. What it can be: a lovely reward made from a few clearly declared ingredients.
What "functional" means for treats
Treats count as functional when they contain an ingredient with a hoped-for extra benefit alongside the basics: a spice like turmeric, an alga like spirulina, seeds like chia or herbs like chamomile. The idea is simple: your dog gets the ingredient in a form he loves to eat.
What matters is perspective. Treats are snacks and make up at most a small part of the daily ration, so the amount of the functional ingredient is small too. Serious makers therefore promise no effects; they rely on good ingredients and say honestly what is inside.
Turmeric, spirulina and chia: the ingredients in profile
Turmeric is the golden-yellow spice from Indian cooking. Many owners value it for older and very active dogs; a proven effect in dogs, however, is not scientifically established. In a treat, turmeric mainly provides the typical colour and a savoury taste that many dogs enjoy.
Spirulina is a microalga with a high protein content and plenty of minerals. It colours treats naturally green, with no added colourings at all. Chia seeds provide omega-3 fatty acids and fibre and work well as a small addition to a biscuit.
The same applies to all three: they are high-quality ingredients, but no miracle cures. If you are hoping for a specific effect for your dog, for joints or skin for example, talk to your vet first instead of relying on a snack.
Reading the ingredient list: how to spot good treats
- A short list: five to eight ingredients you recognise are a good sign. Vague collective terms such as "animal by-products" are not.
- Organic belongs to the ingredient: correctly declared, "organic" sits next to the individual ingredient, for example organic Swiss whole wheat flour or organic Swiss oats. A whole product may only call itself organic if it is certified accordingly.
- Check "gluten free" critically: it is only credible if the flour itself is gluten free, such as coconut or rice flour. A biscuit based on wheat is never gluten free, whatever the label says.
- Allergens declared: egg, dairy, peanuts or almonds should be clearly named, especially for sensitive dogs.
What functional treats cannot do
A treat replaces neither a balanced main food nor the veterinary practice. Claims such as "anti-inflammatory", "calming" or even promises against specific illnesses have no place on a treat bag. If your dog is limping, scratching noticeably or seems constantly restless, that belongs at the vet's, not in the treat jar.
And even the best treat counts towards the calorie balance: as a rule of thumb, snacks should make up no more than around ten per cent of the daily ration, and you deduct that from the main food. You can read how to keep an eye on your dog's weight through the cold season in our article on winter weight gain in dogs.
Handmade in Lugano: our new treats
Our new varieties come from a small bakery in Lugano. Kate, a certified canine nutritionist, bakes every batch by hand and only once it has been ordered. Each recipe uses five to eight ingredients, without preservatives, colourings or flavourings, and the packaging is transparent: what you see is what you get. In return, the treats take 5 to 7 working days to reach you, freshly baked instead of off the shelf.
The classic is the turmeric dog treat, the bakery's very first recipe: organic Swiss whole wheat flour, organic Swiss oats, beef broth, almonds, peanut butter, coconut oil, egg and turmeric, nothing more. If you first want to find out what your dog likes best, the superfood mix with four varieties is the right place to start: turmeric, chamomile (gluten free, made with coconut flour), spirulina and chia in one bag. You can find all varieties in our collection of handmade dog treats from Switzerland.
Our Vico took quality control very seriously, by the way, and made up his mind quickly: turmeric first, questions later.
Frequently asked questions
Are functional treats suitable for every dog?
Healthy adult dogs tolerate them well in normal amounts. For puppies, pregnant dogs, allergies or existing conditions, check with your veterinary practice first and look over the ingredient list for allergens such as egg, peanuts or dairy.
How many treats can my dog have per day?
As a rule of thumb: no more than around ten per cent of the daily calories from snacks, and you deduct that amount from the main food. Crunchy treats break easily into small pieces, so one bag lasts longer and the rewards stay frequent.
Do functional treats replace medication or supplements?
No. If your dog needs treatment or a targeted supplement, both belong in veterinary hands. Functional treats are a lovely reward made from good ingredients, nothing more and nothing less.
