Canine Carry Outs Grillers

July 29, 2010 6:02 pm | By Zootoo Editor Flinn D.

Grillers, from Del Monte's line of Canine Carry Outs, are relatively basic dog treats made with real chicken. The treats are about the size of a stick of chewing gum and bear the classic black grill marks down their center — as if the treats were pulled off the grill seconds before being slapped into the plastic bag you bought them in. I doubt this is the case.

Aside from “real chicken,” the list of ingredients contained little to no words I would categorize as food. A few of the preservatives that have been used to keep Canine Carry Outs fresh are Glycol, Potassium sorbate and BHA. If these names sound alarming to you, they shouldn’t — these are some of the most common preservatives used in dog treats.

The exterior of Canine Carry Outs is touch and chewy and does a great job of stimulating a dog’s natural chewing instinct. Although many preservatives have been used in creating this treat, the snack is not without its nutrients. The real chicken is a great source of protein and iron, and the wheat flour provides much needed fiber.

Whether or not Canine Carry Outs are for you and your pet depends on your opinion about what dogs should eat in general. The preservatives that are used in Canine Carry Outs have been used in dog foods for years. The natural ingredients craze has only recently swept through the dog food industry, causing dog owners to take a closer look at what's going into their pooch's system. And as preservative-laden foods go, at least Canine Carry Outs uses one or two real ingredients — and at the price of $2.99, this fact is nothing to sniff at.

Pros: Contains more nutritious ingredients than many treats; has a tough but chewy exterior that dogs love.

Cons: Some preservatives detract from the overall nutritious value.