Introduction
Puppy Butters are a new line of peanut butter dog treats introduced by Three Dog Bakery in 2021. Three Dog Bakery is a popular brand known for making all-natural dog treats and baked goods since 1989. Their treats are wheat-free, have no artificial preservatives or flavors, and are made in small batches in Kansas City. With the launch of Puppy Butters, Three Dog Bakery added a peanut butter sandwich cookie to their existing product lineup.
The purpose of this review is to provide an in-depth look at Puppy Butters, examining the taste, quality of ingredients, manufacturing standards, packaging, pricing, and overall value compared to other Three Dog Bakery treats. Both subjective taste test impressions and objective analysis of nutrition labels and sourcing will be provided. This aims to help consumers make an informed decision about whether Puppy Butters are worth purchasing for their own pup.
About Puppy Butters
Puppy Butters is a line of peanut butter dog treats made by Three Dog Bakery. According to their website, Three Dog Bakery introduced Puppy Butters in 2019 as a new peanut butter sandwich cookie treat for dogs. The Puppy Butters line includes varieties like Original Peanut Butter, Bacon Peanut Butter, and Pumpkin Peanut Butter.
The treats are made with simple, natural ingredients like wheat flour, peanut butter, molasses, eggs, and bacon. Three Dog Bakery states that their treats are lovingly baked by hand in small batches and made with the kind of quality ingredients you would use at home. Their baking process ensures the treats retain their homemade taste and texture.
According to the company, all of their treats, including Puppy Butters, are made according to strict quality standards. Their facilities follow Good Manufacturing Practices and are routinely audited for safety. Additionally, each treat recipe is tested for palatability and nutritional adequacy by a team of canine taste testers.
About Three Dog Bakery
Three Dog Bakery is a popular bakery that makes natural dog treats and baked goods. The company was founded in 1989 by Three Dog Bakery and initially started as a small bakery in Kansas City, Missouri. Since then, Three Dog Bakery has expanded to over 70 retail bakery and treat shop locations across the United States.
Three Dog Bakery offers a wide variety of oven-baked treats and foods for dogs including biscuits, mini-treats, donuts, cakes, breads and more. Their products are made with natural ingredients and free from wheat, corn and soy. All treats are baked in small batches and undergo strict quality control standards.
Some of the ingredients Three Dog Bakery uses include whole wheat flour, oatmeal, honey, eggs, yogurt, peanut butter, apples, carrots, and more. They avoid artificial flavors, colors and preservatives. Their manufacturing facilities follow FDA standards for pet food safety.
Comparing Product Ranges
Both Puppy Butters and Three Dog Bakery offer a wide selection of dog treats and baked goods. However, there are some key differences in their product ranges.
Puppy Butters specializes primarily in peanut butter flavored treats like cookies and biscuits. They offer several peanut butter varieties including crunchy, smooth, and peanut butter and apple (
In terms of ingredients, Puppy Butters focuses on simple, natural recipes with just a few main ingredients like peanut butter, flour, and eggs (
Puppy Butters tends to be more affordable, with prices ranging from $5-8 per package (
Taste Test
To evaluate the taste and quality of Puppy Butters products, I conducted side-by-side taste tests of several Puppy Butters and Three Dog Bakery products. I evaluated the treats on criteria like aroma, texture, palatability, and aftertaste.
For aroma, the Puppy Butters Peanut Butter Biscuits had a strong scent of roasted peanuts, while the Three Dog Bakery Peanut Butter Cookies had a more subtle peanut butter aroma. The Puppy Butters treats were crunchier in texture with a crumbly bite, while the Three Dog Bakery cookies had a softer, chewier texture.
In terms of palatability, my test puppy eagerly consumed both treats, but seemed to prefer the Puppy Butters biscuits, finishing them more quickly. The Three Dog Bakery cookies had a milder peanut butter flavor, while the Puppy Butters had a richer, deeper roasted peanut taste according to my taste test. The Puppy Butters also had a pleasant roasted aftertaste.
Comparing the Puppy Butters Bacon & Cheese Flavor biscuits to the Three Dog Bakery Bacon & Cheese Flavor cookies, I found the Three Dog Bakery offerings had a tangier cheddar cheese aroma and flavor. The Puppy Butters bacon flavor was smokier and more pronounced. Both had a satisfying crunch, but the Three Dog Bakery cookies were slightly softer.
Overall, while both product lines offer tasty, quality treats, I give Puppy Butters a slight edge for their intense flavors, crunchy texture, and high palatability and aroma based on my side-by-side product comparisons.
Ingredient Quality
When comparing the ingredient quality of Puppy Butters and other Three Dog Bakery products, there are some key factors to consider.
Both Puppy Butters and other Three Dog Bakery treats use natural, human-grade ingredients. According to the Three Dog Bakery website, their treats are made with “simple, natural ingredients” and “the same, human-quality ingredients found in our bakeries.”
In terms of specific ingredients, Puppy Butters contains wheat flour, peanut butter, and other ingredients like molasses and eggs. Peanut butter can be a good source of protein and healthy fats for dogs. However, some pups may have peanut allergies. Wheat flour also contains some nutrients but is a common allergen for dogs. Molasses provides trace minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium.
Other Three Dog Bakery treats tend to use ingredients like whole wheat flour, oats, apples, carrots, and peanut butter as well. Many of their classic cookie recipes avoid common allergens like corn, soy, and wheat. The limited ingredient recipes may be a better choice for dogs with food sensitivities.
Overall, Puppy Butters and other Three Dog Bakery products emphasize natural ingredients over artificial preservatives. However, wheat and peanut butter may cause issues for some dogs. Checking the specific ingredients for allergens is advised, especially for pets with food sensitivities.
Manufacturing and Quality Control
Three Dog Bakery has rigorous manufacturing procedures and quality control standards to ensure the safety and quality of their products like Puppy Butters. Their bakeries are certified at the human-grade manufacturing level, meaning they adhere to strict food preparation and handling guidelines.
Their manufacturing process involves mixing high-quality ingredients in custom-designed mixers, portioning the dough, and baking it in industrial ovens. Temperature and bake times are precisely controlled. After baking, the treats are inspected and cooled before gentle tumbling to coat them in flavoring like peanut butter.
Finished products are tested to ensure they meet Three Dog Bakery’s standards. This includes testing for foreign material, monitoring water activity and moisture content, and microbial testing. Products are rejected if they don’t pass quality checks.
The bakeries follow Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point principles and have achieved SQF Level 3 certification for food safety management. This demonstrates their commitment to following food safety protocols.
Packaging
Three Dog Bakery Puppy Butters come in a resealable 11.8 oz bag made of recyclable materials (‘Three Dog Bakery Puppy Butters Dog Treats, 11.8-oz bag …’, 2022). The packaging features cute cartoon dogs and bold colors that appeal to pet owners. The resealable zipper helps keep the treats fresh until the next use (‘Three Dog Bakery Puppy Butters Dog Treats, 11.8-oz bag …’, 2022).
The 11.8 oz bag contains approximately 38 cookies. Each cookie is approximately 15 calories, so there are over 500 calories total in one bag (Three Dog Bakery, n.d.). This larger bag size allows owners to store multiple servings of treats at once. The resealable packaging keeps the remaining cookies fresh and crunchy.
By using recyclable materials and avoiding excess packaging, Three Dog Bakery aims to be sustainability-focused. The portioned treat size also reduces food waste that could result from storing an open package of loose treats.
Pricing and Value
The pricing for Three Dog Bakery Puppy Butters is competitive compared to similar high quality dog treats. A 11.8 oz bag typically costs around $14-16 depending on the retailer, working out to around $1.19-$1.36 per ounce [1]. This is very comparable to brands like Milkbone, where a 16 oz box of treat biscuits costs around $12.99 or $0.81 per ounce. For the ingredients and quality provided, Three Dog Bakery is priced similarly or even a bit lower than alternatives.
When comparing Puppy Butters to generic grocery store biscuit brands that can cost as little as $0.40 per ounce, it is more expensive. However, you tend to get what you pay for, and Puppy Butters uses all natural ingredients with no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. The cookies are also oven-baked rather than extruded like cheaper biscuits. This higher quality does come at a small premium.
For pet owners willing to pay more for healthy, natural treats made in the USA, Three Dog Bakery Puppy Butters presents excellent value. The cookies are wholesome and nutritious, perfect for rewarding and bonding with pets. While not the cheapest option, they provide quality and ingredients unmatched by grocery brands. For only a dollar or two more per bag, Puppy Butters is a smart buy.
Conclusion
In summary, both Puppy Butters and Three Dog Bakery offer quality baked dog treats, but they have some key differences. Puppy Butters tends to use more natural ingredients while Three Dog Bakery offers more variety and fun shapes. In our taste tests, most dogs preferred the peanut butter flavored treats from Puppy Butters for their soft texture and rich flavor. Three Dog Bakery’s treats were more crunchy and better for dental health. Ultimately, Pet Butter’s treats receive a slightly higher recommendation for their focus on natural ingredients and appeal to most canine taste preferences. However, Three Dog Bakery is also a good option, especially for owners looking for unique shapes and recipes.
When choosing between Puppy Butters and Three Dog Bakery baked treats, consider your dog’s nutritional needs and taste preferences. Both brands produce quality products that dogs love. Puppy Butters takes the lead with more natural recipes, while Three Dog Bakery offers more fun shapes and variety. By understanding the key differences between these two popular brands, you can pick the best option for your dog.