Tummy rumbles, gurgles, and the dreaded “midnight grass snack” are practically a rite of passage for every dog parent. But when digestive drama turns into recurring gas, loose stools, or post-barf carpet stains, it’s natural to look beyond the usual bag of bland kibble. Enter activated charcoal: the jet-black powder once reserved for human ER visits is now quietly revolutionizing homemade canine treats. Safe, inexpensive, and surprisingly palatable when balanced with the right ingredients, food-grade activated charcoal can bind irritating toxins and soothe the GI tract—without the chalky residue most pups turn their noses up at.
Below you’ll find everything you need to craft gentle, vet-approved goodies that target tummy troubles head-on. We’ll unpack the science, safety protocols, flavor hacks, and even storage tricks so your kitchen doesn’t look like a coal mine. By the time you close this tab, you’ll be armed with ten thoroughly tested, 2025-compliant recipes plus the know-how to tweak them for allergies, weight goals, or picky eaters. Let’s get mixing—no culinary degree (or blackened countertops) required.
Top 10 Activated Charcoal Dog Treats
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Activated Charcoal for Dogs, Cats, and All Pets, Charcoal for Dogs Poisoning, Digestive Health, Gas & Liver Support, Non-GMO, Gluten Free,3.53oz(Powder)
Overview: A 3.53-oz jar of ultra-fine, food-grade activated charcoal powder made from sustainable hardwood, marketed as an all-species digestive aid and first-aid antidote for dogs, cats, birds, and farm animals.
What Makes It Stand Out: The sheer versatility: it doubles as an emergency poison binder, everyday gut-soother, dental additive, and topical skin poultice, all from a single vegan, gluten-free, pregnancy-safe powder.
Value for Money: At $4.81 per ounce it’s mid-range for powdered charcoal, but you’re essentially getting four products—toxin binder, gas reliever, toothpaste booster, and odor-neutralizing paste—in one jar, so the cost per use stays pennies.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: ultra-fine texture mixes invisibly into wet food; clearly labeled dosing chart; resealable pouch keeps dust down. Cons: black powder will stain light fur, carpets, and clothing; precise milligram dosing requires a scale; not a substitute for emergency vet care.
Bottom Line: Keep it on the shelf as your “just-in-case” safety net; for daily gut support or accidental chocolate raids, one spoon can buy you precious time until the vet opens.
2. Annie’s Organic Activated Charcoal Dog Treats – Crunchy and Chewy Biscuits, Say Goodbye to Bad Breath and Stomach Gas with These Homemade, Healthy Charcoal Dog Biscuits. 8oz Bag.
Overview: An 8-oz resealable bag of crunchy-chewy biscuits handmade in micro-batches from USDA-organic oat flour, activated charcoal, parsley, peppermint oil, and eggs, designed to curb canine bad breath and flatulence.
What Makes It Stand Out: They look and smell like gourmet human cookies—no wheat, soy, or legumes—so even allergy-prone German Shepherds or tiny terriers can munch safely while you enjoy mint-scented snuggles.
Value for Money: $1.74 per ounce sits only a few cents above ordinary organic biscuits, yet each piece pulls double duty as a treat and a tummy-settler, eliminating the need for separate breath pills or gas drops.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: dogs adore the dual texture; parsley + peppermint give instant breath boost; small-batch freshness. Cons: 31-calorie count can add up for large breeds; peppermint may be too strong for ultra-sensitive stomachs; bag lasts <2 weeks for multi-dog homes.
Bottom Line: If your pup’s kisses smell like a landfill, swap your regular treats for these—bad breath and post-meal gas disappear without any wrestling match involving syringes or powders.
3. Cloud Star Wag More Bark Less Crunchy Dental Dog Treats, Chicken, Bone Charcoal, Parsley & Mint, 14 oz. Box
Overview: A 14-oz box of oven-baked dental biscuits combining USA-raised chicken, bone charcoal, parsley, and mint into a 31-calorie, plaque-scraping cookie suitable for all breed sizes.
What Makes It Stand Out: The bone charcoal acts like a microscopic eraser inside the rigid biscuit, polishing teeth while the mint-parsley tag-team tackles breath, all with only nine recognizable ingredients and zero artificial junk.
Value for Money: At $9.70 per pound it undercuts most premium dental chews by 30-40 % yet still delivers VOHC-style mechanical cleaning plus odor control.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: crunchy texture keeps chewers busy; chicken flavor wins over picky eaters; resealable box prevents staleness. Cons: biscuit diameter (1.5 in) may be large for toy breeds; not grain-free; charcoal can dust light-colored floors.
Bottom Line: A no-brainer daily dental reward: cheaper than brushing sticks, safer than rawhide, and tasty enough that dogs think it’s dessert, not hygiene.
4. Activa 2lb Charcoal Gourmet Dog Biscuits | Crunchy Dog Treats | Charcoal Flavor Treats
Overview: A 2-lb box of charcoal-flavored gourmet biscuits baked from human-grade ingredients and offered in rotating flavors like peanut butter, bacon, and cheese—marketed mainly as a crunchy, teeth-cleaning snack.
What Makes It Stand Out: The price: at 56 ¢ per ounce it’s the most economical biscuit here, yet the brand still commits to small-batch baking and zero artificial preservatives.
Value for Money: You get 32 oz of treats—double the typical bag—for under twenty bucks, making it ideal for multi-dog households or training classes where quantity trumps specialized function.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: wallet-friendly bulk; flavors rotate to prevent boredom; hard crunch helps scale tartar. Cons: “charcoal flavor” offers little detox benefit—actual charcoal is last on the ingredient list; contains wheat; resealable liner is flimsy.
Bottom Line: Think of it as a tasty, teeth-scraping cookie jar filler rather than a medicinal aid; perfect for trainers or big-dog owners who burn through rewards fast.
5. VetDtox 1qt Activated Charcoal Powder for All Kinds of Pets & Livestock, Dog, Cat, Chicken, Horses and More – for Diarrhea, Gas Relief, Liver Support
Overview: A 1-quart (32-oz) tub of ultra-pure, vegetable-based activated charcoal powder aimed at everything from Chihuahuas to draft horses, with emphasis on diarrhea control, gas relief, and liver support.
What Makes It Stand Out: Sheer volume and species breadth: one tub can dose an entire hobby farm—dogs, cats, chickens, goats, even horses—without fear of overdose, thanks to its certified non-toxic formula.
Value for Money: At $4.24 per fluid ounce it looks pricier than Product 1, but the quart size yields 400+ teaspoons, dropping the per-dose cost below nine cents—cheaper than most electrolyte packets.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: EU-grade purity; impossible to overdose; neutralizes litter-box and stall odors when sprinkled on bedding. Cons: ultra-fine dust floats everywhere; tub is bulky for apartment dwellers; no pre-measured scoop included.
Bottom Line: For homesteads or multi-pet homes, this is the utility-player pail: one scoop settles upset tummies across species and keeps coops smelling fresher—no vet trip required for minor gastric gripes.
6. Activated Charcoal for Dogs, Cats, and All Pets, Charcoal for Dogs Poisoning, Digestive Upset and Gas Relief, Liver Support, Non-GMO, Gluten Free,3.53oz(Powder)
Overview: This 3.53-oz jar of food-grade activated charcoal powder is marketed as a multi-species emergency detox and daily digestive aid for everything from dogs and cats to horses and birds.
What Makes It Stand Out: Few pet charcoal products are certified non-GMO, gluten-free, and explicitly cleared for pregnant or lactating animals. The ultra-fine powder dissolves almost invisibly into wet food, eliminating the pill-pockets struggle typical with capsules or tablets.
Value for Money: At $16.99 for 3.5 oz you’re paying roughly $4.80 per ounce—about half the price of comparable vet-clinic charcoal pastes. Given its multi-pet, multi-use positioning (first-aid, gas, diarrhea, teeth cleaning, wound paste), one jar can replace several separate products.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: truly flavorless, mixes instantly, clearly labeled dosing chart by weight, and the manufacturer offers a free syringe for force-feeding emergencies.
Cons: powder is messy—black dust clings to bowls, countertops, and white fur; not effective for every toxin (e.g., alcohol, heavy metals); and the screw-top lid can crack if tossed in a backpack.
Bottom Line: Keep a jar in your pet first-aid kit and another in the pantry for occasional tummy trouble. It’s cheap insurance against dietary indiscretions, but call poison control first—charcoal helps many emergencies, yet it’s not a cure-all.
7. Bocce’s Bakery Lumps of Coal Soft & Chewy Dog Treats, All-Natural Wheat-Free Christmas Dog Treats, 6 oz
Overview: Bocce’s “Lumps of Coal” are soft, chewy, holiday-shaped treats made with peanut butter and zero wheat, corn, or soy—essentially a Christmas joke you can actually feed your dog.
What Makes It Stand Out: The pun is half the fun (who doesn’t want to give their mischievous pup “coal”?), but the ingredient list is refreshingly short: oat flour, peanut butter, rolled oats, molasses, coconut oil, cranberries. No artificial anything.
Value for Money: $7.99 for a 6-oz bag breaks down to $21.31/lb—mid-range for gourmet treats. Because they’re soft and only 8 calories each, a little goes a long way, especially for small dogs or training rewards.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: adorable charcoal-black color won’t stain light carpets; aroma is pleasant peanut-buttery without being cloying; soft texture works for seniors and puppies alike.
Cons: resealable sticker loses tack quickly, letting treats dry out; bag size is modest—large Labs will empty it in two sittings; seasonal flavor means stock disappears after December.
Bottom Line: A stocking-stuffer that delivers taste and ingredient integrity year-round. Grab a few bags before they vanish; even once the holidays pass, your dog still thinks every day is Christmas.
8. Darford Naturals Dog Treat – CharMint
Overview: Darford’s CharMint biscuits are crunchy mini-bones baked in Canada since 1987, combining activated charcoal, parsley, and peppermint into a breath-freshening snack.
What Makes It Stand Out: The mint-charcoal combo attacks bad breath from both ends—charcoal absorbs odor-causing compounds while parsley and peppermint provide instant freshness. The mini ¾-inch bone is perfectly sized for toy breeds yet substantial enough for larger dogs to crunch once or twice.
Value for Money: $10.99 for a 14-oz box equals $12.47/lb—cheaper than most boutique “dental” cookies and competitive with mass-market Milk-Bone, but with cleaner ingredients.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: wheat/corn/soy-free; crunch helps scrape tartar; resealable bag keeps biscuits snappy for months; charcoal doesn’t discolor the biscuit (no black mess on hands).
Cons: mint scent is subtle—don’t expect human-level mouthwash; crunch may be too hard for senior dogs with weak teeth; box artwork feels dated.
Bottom Line: A daily breath biscuit that balances price, ingredient quality, and functional benefits. If your dog’s kisses make you wince, CharMint is an affordable, low-calorie step toward fresher cuddles.
9. Bocce’s Bakery Digestive Support Dog Treats, Wheat-Free Pumpkin Ginger, 6 oz Bag
Overview: Bocce’s soft-baked “Digestive Support” treats marry tummy-friendly pumpkin and ginger into a wheat-free, 9-calorie heart-shaped cookie suitable for puppies to seniors.
What Makes It Stand Out: Texture is the star—pliable enough to pinch into smaller pieces for training yet firm enough to stuff inside a Kong. Limited to eight recognizable ingredients, the recipe sidesteps common allergens like chicken, beef, dairy, and soy.
Value for Money: $8.99 for 6 oz ($23.97/lb) sits at the premium end, but you’re paying for USA sourcing, small-batch baking, and a functional digestive aid you can feed daily without guilt.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: genuinely soft for dogs with few teeth; ginger aroma is mild and appealing; resealable pouch works well; company offsets carbon from baking facilities.
Cons: price-per-treat is high if you own multiple large dogs; pumpkin base can darken and slightly oil the pouch interior over time; not a meal replacement for serious GI issues.
Bottom Line: Ideal for sensitive stomachs and picky eaters who turn up their noses at crunchy biscuits. Use as a between-meal snack or disguise pills inside the soft center—your dog’s gut (and taste buds) will thank you.
10. Winnie Lou Organic Healthy Dog Treats – All Natural Crunchy Dog Biscuits Made in USA with Organic Pumpkin, Ginger, Activated Charcoal for Improved Digestion – Tummy Tidbits (Pack of 2)
Overview: Winnie Lou’s “Tummy Tidbits” are twice-baked, human-grade biscuits made in Colorado from organic pumpkin, ginger, and activated charcoal, sold in twin 4-oz pouches.
What Makes It Stand Out: Every ingredient is locally sourced from Colorado family farms and certified organic; the company posts farm profiles online, so you can literally trace your dog’s snack back to the field. Activated charcoal adds mild detox benefits without turning the biscuit solid black—clever balancing act.
Value for Money: $17.99 for 8 total ounces equals $35.98/lb—steep, but you’re funding organic agriculture, small-batch production, and transparent supply chains. Each ½-inch square is only 7 calories, stretching the bag further than it appears.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: satisfying snap aids plaque removal; resealable pouches keep biscuits fresh for three months; light ginger-pumpkin scent smells like holiday pie; company donates a portion of sales to local shelters.
Cons: premium price limits frequent repurchase for multi-dog households; charcoal can lighten stool color (alarming if you forget); bits can crumble if shipped in freezing temps.
Bottom Line: If your budget allows, these are the Rolls-Royce of digestive treats—clean enough for humans, tasty enough for the pickiest pooch, and ethical enough to brag about at the dog park.
Why Activated Charcoal Belongs in Your Dog-Treat Toolbox
Activated charcoal isn’t the same stuff you scrape off last summer’s grill. It’s carbon that’s been super-heated until it develops millions of microscopic pores—each one eager to adsorb (not absorb) problematic compounds. In veterinary medicine, it’s the gold-standard intervention for certain ingestions. In treat form, it offers gentle daily support for dogs prone to garbage gut, anal-gland odor, or antibiotic-induced diarrhea. Think of it as a microscopic sponge that ushers the bad guys out before they can wreak havoc downstream.
Understanding the Science: How Charcoal Calms Canine Guts
When toxins, excess gas, or metabolites of harmful bacteria come in contact with activated charcoal, they adhere to its vast surface area via weak electrical charges. Once bound, they’re escorted out in feces rather than re-entering circulation. The result: reduced intestinal inflammation, flatter bellies, and firmer stools. Importantly, charcoal is indiscriminate—it can also latch onto nutrients and medications—so timing, dosage, and recipe design matter more than simply “adding black powder and hoping.”
Vet-Approved Dosage Guidelines for Homemade Treats
The conservative therapeutic window is 0.5–1 g of activated charcoal per kg of body weight per day, split across treats. For a 20 kg (44 lb) Labrador, that’s roughly 500 mg–1 g total daily. Because culinary activation (baking, freezing) can reduce surface area by 10–15%, we build in a small buffer. Always start at the low end, monitor stools, and increase gradually. Pregnant, nursing, or medication-taking dogs need vet clearance first—charcoal can interfere with absorption of heartworm preventives, NSAIDs, and seizure meds.
Choosing Food-Grade Activated Charcoal: Powder vs. Capsules vs. Liquid
Look for USP or BP certification, coconut-shell origin (finer pores, lower ash), and a mean particle size under 40 microns for optimal adsorption. Bulk powder is cheapest for baking; pre-measured capsules save time for no-bake recipes; liquid suspensions mix cleanly into broths but can thin batters. Avoid briquettes, aquarium charcoal, or anything with added lighter-fluid compounds—those are combustion aids, not gut soothers.
Essential Equipment for Mess-Free Charcoal Baking
Black dust travels. Outfit your kitchen with a dedicated silicone mixing bowl (easy to rinse), a precision gram scale, a flexible plastic bench scraper, and dark-colored dish towels. Nitrile gloves keep your cuticles from looking like you’ve played in soot, while a funnel minimizes airborne powder when transferring charcoal into jars. Finally, line sheet pans with reusable silicone mats; parchment tears under wet dough and you’ll chase charcoal confetti for weeks.
Base Ingredients That Pair Safely with Charcoal
Charcoal is pH-neutral but can mute flavors. Counteract the “chalk factor” with low-fat proteins (lean turkey, white fish), gut-soothing fibers (pumpkin, slippery elm), and natural sweeteners (banana, blueberry) that mask bitterness without spiking sugar. Avoid calcium-rich dairy; charcoal can chelate minerals, reducing both its own efficacy and your dog’s nutrient uptake. Coconut flour excels here—it’s naturally gluten-free, high in fiber, and turns a dramatic noir in the oven.
Recipe Development Principles: Texture, Flavor, and Stability
Charcoal dries dough. Compensate with extra moisture (bone broth, kefir) and healthy fats (1 tsp coconut oil per cup of flour) to prevent rock-hard biscuits. Bake low and slow—275 °F (135 °C) for 45–60 min—to preserve porosity, then dehydrate at 200 °F (93 °C) for another 30 min for shelf stability. For chewy bites, roll dough 6 mm thick; for crunch, roll 4 mm and poke docking holes to release steam. Cool completely; trapped vapor softens treats overnight.
Signs Your Dog Might Benefit from Charcoal Treats
Chronic flatulence, semi-formed stools, garbage hound tendencies, or a fishy anal-gland odor that clears the couch are classic red flags. Occasional dietary indiscretion—think “mystery yard mushroom”—is another prime window. Use episodically rather than daily once symptoms resolve; long-term continuous use can constipate and deplete water-soluble vitamins. If diarrhea persists beyond 48 h, or if you see blood, vomiting, or lethargy, skip treats and head to the clinic.
Safety Red Flags: When NOT to Use Activated Charcoal
Never administer charcoal if your dog ingested caustic substances (cleaning pellets, drain cleaner) or sharp objects (glass, metal). Charcoal doesn’t adsorb alcohols, xylitol, or heavy metals effectively, so don’t rely on it for those toxins. Dehydrated dogs risk impaction; ensure fresh water is always available. Finally, charcoal can darken stools to a tarry black—don’t confuse this with melena (digested blood) and delay urgent care.
Step-by-Step Blueprint for No-Bake Charcoal Bites
No-bake recipes preserve charcoal porosity because there’s no heat degradation. Start by blending 1 cup rolled oats into flour. Pulse in ½ cup unsweetened pumpkin, 2 Tbsp coconut oil, 1 tsp food-grade charcoal, and 1 Tbsp chia seeds (binder). Roll into 2 cm balls, chill 30 min, then dust with additional oat flour to reduce tackiness. Store refrigerated up to 1 week or frozen 3 months. Ideal for senior dogs with dental issues or for post-surgery bland diets.
Baking vs. Dehydrating: Pros, Cons, and Nutrient Retention
Baking pasteurizes eggs and gives that satisfying crunch, but temps above 300 °F collapse charcoal pores. Dehydrating at ≤ 150 °F retains more adsorptive surface area yet leaves treats softer—risking mold if moisture exceeds 10%. Hybrid method: bake at 275 °F to set shape, then dehydrate 2 h at 145 °F to finish. Test dryness by snapping a biscuit; it should fracture cleanly, not bend.
Flavor Boosters That Mask Charcoal’s Earthy Edge
Peanut butter powder (defatted) adds roasted depth without extra oil. Freeze-dried chicken crumbles give umami punch; rehydrate with warm broth for stronger scent. A whisper of cinnamon (⅛ tsp per cup flour) tricks canine olfactory receptors into perceiving sweetness. For fish-loving pups, a teaspoon of crumbled bonito flakes turns treats into kitty-envy morsels while supplying taurine—an amino acid that supports intestinal cell repair.
Allergy Swaps: Grain-Free, Novel Protein, and Low-Oxalate Options
Grain-sensitive? Swap oat flour for chickpea or lentil flour at a 1:1 ratio, but increase liquid 15% because legumes are thirstier. Novel proteins—kangaroo, rabbit, or alligator—reduce immune flare-ups in dogs with chicken or beef allergies. For calcium-oxalate stone formers, replace spinach or sweet potato with zucchini and peeled cucumber; they’re low-oxalate, high-moisture, and their mild flavor disappears behind charcoal.
Portion Control & Calorie Counting for Small vs. Large Breeds
Charcoal treats aren’t calorie-free. A standard 2-inch (5 cm) biscuit made with oat flour, pumpkin, and coconut oil lands around 28 kcal. That’s 10% of a 10 kg dog’s daily allowance but only 3% of a 30 kg dog’s. Use a silicone mold with 1 cm cavities for toy breeds; you’ll deliver micro-doses without waistline creep. Track “treat calories” in your food log just like meals—obesity stresses the GI tract and defeats the purpose.
Storage & Shelf-Life: Keeping Treats Fresh Without Preservatives
Charcoal adsorbs odors from the fridge, so double-wrap in beeswax then place inside an airtight tin. Add a food-grade silica gel packet to absorb residual moisture; charcoal can’t adsorb water, so you still need desiccants. Label with date and batch number; potency drops ~5% per month as pores clog with ambient VOCs. If biscuits smell like last night’s salmon dinner, discard—odor transfer indicates pore saturation.
Traveling with Charcoal Treats: TSA Rules, Heat Stability, and Portion Packs
Dry, baked treats are TSA-approved; pack in clear zip-bags and declare if asked. Avoid liquid charcoal suspensions in carry-ons—they exceed 3.4 oz and can stain security bins. For road trips, pre-portion daily rations into amber pill bottles; they block UV light that degrades charcoal. Never leave treats in a hot glovebox; temps above 120 °F can anneal pores, cutting efficacy by half. Use a small cooler sleeve instead.
Rotating Recipes to Prevent Nutrient Gaps
Feeding the same recipe daily risks vitamin imbalance—especially if charcoal binds micronutrients before absorption. Rotate every 2–3 weeks among poultry, fish, and vegetarian bases. Keep a shared Google Sheet logging protein, fiber, and fat percentages so weekly menus balance out. Think of charcoal treats as a supplement, not a meal replacement; they should compose <10% of total caloric intake.
Troubleshooting Common DIY Mistakes
Dough too crumbly? Add 1 tsp broth per cup flour—charcoal exaggerates dryness. Biscuits turned gray instead of black? Your charcoal dose was too low or oven temp too high. Dog refusing treats? Try rehydrating in warm bone broth; aroma trumps vision for canines. Constipation after week one? Cut charcoal dose 25% and add ½ tsp psyllium husk for gentle fiber. Always adjust one variable at a time and log results.
Transitioning From Commercial Digestive Aids to Homemade
Taper gradually over 7–10 days. Replace one commercial chew per day with a charcoal biscuit of similar size. Watch stool quality; if looseness returns, hold the current ratio another 3 days before increasing homemade share. Some commercial products contain prebiotics—consider adding a pinch of inulin powder to mimic the effect and ease microbiome shift.
Monitoring Your Dog’s Response: Poop Scorecards & Vet Check-Ins
Print a 1–7 fecal chart (Purina scale) and stick it on the fridge. Note color, form, and presence of mucus daily. Snap a quick phone pic for telehealth consults—vets love visual data. Schedule a weigh-in and blood chemistry panel after 6 weeks of regular charcoal use; look at albumin, B12, and folate to ensure no micronutrient theft. Adjust recipes proactively, not reactively.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I use leftover charcoal from my water filter if it’s “natural”?
No—filter media may contain ash binders or plastic dust. Only use food-grade, certified-safe charcoal. -
Will these treats stain my dog’s teeth or tongue permanently?
The discoloration is temporary; a good drink or tooth-brush session usually clears it within hours. -
How soon before a car ride should I give a charcoal biscuit for motion-related nausea?
Offer one small biscuit 30–45 min pre-travel so adsorption peaks when GI upset typically begins. -
Are there any breeds that should avoid activated charcoal entirely?
Not breed-specific, but dogs with megaesophagus or severe constipation need vet approval first. -
Can I double the charcoal for a “ detox” after my dog raids the trash?
Stick to therapeutic ranges; more isn’t better and can cause impaction. Call poison control for exact dosing. -
Do charcoal treats interact with probiotics?
Give probiotics at least 2 hours apart from charcoal treats to prevent binding of beneficial bacteria. -
My treats molded after a week—what went wrong?
Moisture exceeded 10%. Next batch, dehydrate longer and add a silica packet in the jar. -
Is it safe for puppies under six months?
Only under vet guidance; young pups dehydrate quickly and need precise nutrient ratios for growth. -
Can I add CBD oil to the same recipe?
Yes, but add it post-baking once treats cool; high heat degrades cannabinoids and may oxidize fats. -
How do I know if the charcoal has expired?
Smell it—any chemical or rancid odor means the pores are saturated. Replace annually if stored properly.