If you were a pet parent in 2018, chances are the Ol Roy dog treats recall sent a shiver down your spine. Suddenly, the everyday ritual of tossing your dog a chewy reward felt like Russian roulette—with salmonella, elevated propylene glycol, and mold contamination topping the list of unwelcome surprises. Fast forward seven years, and the pet-treat aisle now bristles with new promises: “human-grade,” “single ingredient,” “lab-tested.” But which claims actually matter when safety is non-negotiable?
In this deep dive, we’re peeling back every label, every certification logo, and every buzzword to give you the modern playbook for choosing the safest treats your dog will still drool over. No rankings, no arbitrary “best-of” lists—just a data-driven, dog-centric roadmap that vaults past marketing noise and lands squarely on the ingredients, processes, and transparency principles that separate truly reliable brands from the pack.
Top 10 Ol Roy Dog Treats Recall 2018
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Ol’ Roy Beefhide Chicken Coated Munchy Sticks 40 Count Dog Treats, 16.9 Ounce Bag
Overview: Ol’ Roy Beefhide Chicken Coated Munchy Sticks are chunky, chew-worthy sticks wrapped in a chicken-flavored coating, offered at 40 pieces per 16.9-ounce bag.
What Makes It Stand Out: The beefhide core thickens the chew-time while a noticeable chicken layer kicks in early flavor, giving dogs a two-phase chewing experience. Resealable packaging and lifecycle-wide feeding guide keep the treats fresh and feeding safe for puppies to seniors.
Value for Money: At roughly $1.13 per ounce for 40 sticks, you’re paying about $0.48 per treat—competitive against beefhide-cotton alternatives at big-box aisles.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros include generous count, clear weight-based feeding chart, and a dense hide that satisfies moderate chewers. Cons: coating occasionally flakes on furniture, and very aggressive chewers annihilate a stick in minutes rather than the promised long-lasting stint.
Bottom Line: Solid everyday chew for casual gnawers or price-conscious multi-dog households seeking size-flexible treats. Sword-toothed power chewers may need a sturdier option.
2. Munchy Bone Dog Treats, Variety Pack, 21 Count, 60 oz | Long-Lasting Chews for All Dog Sizes | Assorted Flavors: Chicken, Liver, Peanut Butter
Overview: Munchy Bone’s 60-ounce, 21-piece variety box pairs long-lasting chews with three lip-smacking flavors: chicken, liver, and peanut butter.
What Makes It Stand Out: Triple-flavor jackpot guarantees picky pups stay interested, while enriched vitamins and minerals tag team joint, coat, and immune support. Dental ridges and density promote scraper-like abrasion on teeth, doubling as toothbrush and boredom buster.
Value for Money: At roughly $1.86 per chew, this sits above basic biscuits but remains cheaper than boutique dental chews—especially when you factor nutrition-to-dentiture-in-one.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Sturdy enough for 70-lb Labs yet not rock-hard for 10-lb terriers; flavors are distinct, enticing even finicky seniors. However, caloric density is high, so daily diets need adjustment; some pieces chip into shards under mega-chewers.
Bottom Line: If you want dental aid, enrichment, and three-layer flavor in one purchase, this box delivers impressive variety and moderate longevity. Monitor heavy chewers and reduce meal kibble accordingly.
3. Ol’ Roy Rawhide Free Chicken Flavor Twist Sticks Dog Treats, 16 Ounces
Overview: Ol’ Roy Rawhide-Free Chicken Flavor Twist Sticks ditch rawhide in favor of 50 pliable twists, delivered in a compact 16-ounce pouch.
What Makes It Stand Out: Truly rawhide-free formula appeals to owners worried about blockages. Real chicken stars as ingredient #1, while twist geometry produces soft, springy bites safe for puppies or older jaws.
Value for Money: At $1.32 per ounce, each twist runs about $0.42—middle ground between budget mystery rolls and premium limited-ingredient ropes.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Gentle on sensitive tummies, quick distract-er for nail-trim sessions, and tiny enough for training rewards. Downsides: aggressive chewers finish twists in under a minute, and the mild scent may not hook every palate.
Bottom Line: Perfect training tidbit or gentle digestive option for light-to-moderate chewers and pups on restricted diets. Powerhouses seeking jaw exercise should look elsewhere.
4. Ol’ Roy Bark’n Bac’n Dog Treats, (Bark’n Bac’n, 50-Ounce)
Overview: Ol’ Roy Bark’n Bac’n crams 50 ounces of bacon-scented, bite-size squares into one shelf-friendly tub, promising irresistible smoky flavor at a rock-bottom price point.
What Makes It Stand Out: Massive 50-ounce volume lasts multi-dog households weeks; no artificial flavors keeps ingredients light while the re-sealable tub prevents staleness. Uniform kibble-like texture hides well in puzzle toys or training bags.
Value for Money: At $0.36 per ounce, these treats rival grocery-story biscuit pricing—making daily rewards guilt-free.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros—wallet-friendly bulk, bacon aroma dogs adore, low calorie for repetitive training. Cons—soft enough that powerful chewers swallow whole, and squares can crumble if stored near heat.
Bottom Line: Excellent high-frequency reward for obedience drills or stuffing Kongs in multi-pet homes needing volume without sticker shock. Not a chew toy substitute.
5. Ol’ Roy 50-Ounce Bark’n Bac’n Treats, Twin Pack, Two 25oz. Stay Fresh Pouches
Overview: Ol’ Roy Bark’n Bac’n Twin Pack ships two 25-ounce Stay Fresh pouches for 50 ounces total, cleverly splitting bulk storage and locking in freshness.
What Makes It Stand Out: Twin-pack split means one bag stays shelf-sealed while the other opens—ideal for travel or splitting between locations. Zip-top pouches resist freezer-bag wrinkles better than tubs, flattening for tighter cabinet real estate.
Value for Money: $19.88 for 50 ounces lands at ~$0.32/oz, shaving a few cents off the single-tub version and beating local pet-store prices by 20-25%.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros—cost-effective, dual portability, and re-closable pouches minimize mess. Cons—soft squares still crumble under weighty paws, and pouches can puncture if dogs discover where they’re hidden.
Bottom Line: Best buy if you juggle home, office, or daycare treats; twin pouches share like vending refills while keeping individual costs ultra-low. Store on high shelves unless you crave bacon-scented corners.
6. Ol~Roy Bark’n Bac’n Lean Dog Treats with Real Bacon Chews ~ 25 Oz Pouch ~ (1 Pack)
Overview: Ol’ Roy Bark’n Bac’n Lean Dog Treats promise big bacon taste in a generous 25-oz pouch designed to delight dogs of every breed and size.
What Makes It Stand Out: Real meat as the first ingredient gives these treats genuine appeal, while the lean formula means fewer empty calories than many bacon snacks. The resealable pouch simplifies daily training rewards.
Value for Money: At roughly $10 for 25 oz, you’re spending about $0.40 per ounce—far less than premium bacon jerkies yet still delivering noticeable pork aroma. Bulk buyers on a strict budget will find this hard to beat.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros include high palatability, soft texture suitable for seniors and puppies, and a low price tag. Cons surface in the ingredient list: added sugars and preservatives place this in the “occasional treat” rather than health-food category, and the pouch can arrive slightly crushed in shipping.
Bottom Line: Perfect for frequent training or topping kibbles when cost is paramount; moderate portions to keep daily calories in check.
7. Ol’ Roy Rawhide Free Peanut Butter Flavor Twist Sticks Dog Treats, 9.7oz
Overview: Ol’ Roy Rawhide-Free Peanut Butter Twist Sticks serve up 50 chews in a 9.7-oz resealable bag, focusing on flavor and dental action without the digestive hazards of rawhide.
What Makes It Stand Out: The twist shape and peanut butter aroma capture a dog’s attention quickly, while the absence of rawhide makes them gentler on sensitive stomachs.
Value for Money: Sixteen-seventy-six for 9.7 oz equates to roughly $1.73 per ounce—on par with boutique dental sticks yet cheaper than many rawhide alternatives.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths are digestibility, twist texture for mild teeth cleaning, and suitable sizing for both 5-lb terriers and 80-lb labs. Weaknesses include wheat in the recipe and the fact that aggressive chewers demolish a stick in under a minute.
Bottom Line: Buy these as a guilt-free, crate-departure chew for average chewers, but skip if your dog has grain sensitivities or needs a long-lasting snack.
8. Ol’s~Roys Rawhide Free Twist Sticks with Chicken Dog Treats, 16 Oz ~ (50 Count) ~ 1 Pack
Overview: Ol’ Roy Rawhide-Free Twist Sticks with Chicken are identical in shape and count to Product 7 but bulk up to a 16-oz bag, promising even better per-stick savings.
What Makes It Stand Out: Real peanut butter plus chicken delivers dual proteins, while rawhide-free construction keeps bellies calm.
Value for Money: $16.70 for 16 oz drops cost per ounce to around $1.04—roughly half of similar dental chews at pet specialty chains.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros include the larger package, resealable zip, and versatile size for many breeds. Cons remain the presence of wheat middlings and the potential for rapid consumption by strong chewers, reducing the dental benefit.
Bottom Line: Ideal for multi-dog homes that tear through treat bags—stock up, seal tight, and parcel out to keep waistlines in check.
9. Ol’~Roy Jerky Stick Dog Treats with Real Beef Chews ~ 25 Oz Box ~ (2 Pack)
Overview: Ol’ Roy Jerky Stick Dog Treats arrive as a two-box bundle totaling 50 oz of beefy jerky chew, positioning itself as the bulk buyer’s dream.
What Makes It Stand Out: Real beef headlines the ingredient panel and the jerky texture offers a quick teeth-cleaning scrub without the mess of rawhide.
Value for Money: At $17.99 for 50 oz, this plummets to $0.72 per ounce—one of the lowest prices on beef-based treats anywhere.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths include massive quantity, appealing aroma, and jerky stick size that can be broken for training or given whole for a reward. Weak spots are higher salt content and fillers like corn gluten, making portion control essential.
Bottom Line: Excellent pantry staple for homes with multiple dogs; break sticks into training chips or reserve for high-value recalls—just balance with overall daily food intake.
10. Ol’ Roy Rawhide 2.5″ Roll with Chicken Dog Treats 36 Count Per Bag
Overview: Ol’ Roy Rawhide 2.5″ Rolls with Chicken combine classic rolled rawhide with a savory chicken coating in a 36-count bag.
What Makes It Stand Out: The compact 2.5-inch size suits small and medium breeds, and the basted chicken layer amps up the flavor compared to plain rawhide rolls.
Value for Money: At $23.99 for one pound, the cost sits at $18.32 per lb—pricier than plain rawhide but still cheaper than most brand-name chews.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths lie in firm chew time for moderate chewers, tight 36-pack quantity, and resealable bag to control odor. The inherent rawhide risks—possible choking, intestinal blockage, and chemical processing—represent clear weaknesses, especially for aggressive chewers.
Bottom Line: A reasonable choice for supervised chew sessions with smaller dogs that need dental abrasion, yet supervise vigilantly and discard pieces once they become small enough to swallow.
Why the 2018 Ol Roy Recall Still Shapes Today’s Shopping List
Regulatory filings from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) spelled out an unnerving timeline: three separate recall announcements between July and August 2018, spanning multiple Ol Roy varieties for potential salmonella cross-contamination, choking hazards, and undeclared allergens. The aftermath illustrates why recalls aren’t just a regulatory footnote—they catalyze reform across the entire sector. Brands that once hid behind proprietary ‘proprietary blends’ suddenly found themselves scrambling to publish full Certificates of Analysis (CoAs). That transparency tidal wave is still rippling today, and smart shoppers know how to spot companies surfing it.
The New Safety Standards Born from Ol Roy’s Fallout
Seven years on, the ripple effects show up as stricter pathogen-testing frequencies, temperature-controlled meat handling requirements, and third-party audits that treat every batch like it could be the next internet sensation. But language like “industry-leading” or “exceeds AAFCO standards” is subjective. Instead, focus on how each safety standard is implemented—pet-treat labels may not list them, but robust companies will explain them whenever you ask.
Material Transparency: How to Decode Ingredient Lists Like a Pro
The first five ingredients often make up 70–80 % of the treat’s volume. If chicken “meal” appears before whole deboned chicken, it’s rendered powder—nutrient-dense, but more vulnerable to oxidation if antioxidant drops are skimped. Look past the order, however. Functional ingredients like chelated minerals signal bioavailability tweaks, while split-name tricks (“corn, corn gluten, corn starch” instead of “corn”) can push a lower-quality carb to the tail of the list.] Always check whether declared weights are pre-dehydration or post-baking; that one asterisk tells you how inflated the protein percentages look on paper.
Veterinary Oversight: What to Expect from a Brand That Takes Health Seriously
Rigorous brands employ in-house veterinary nutritionists certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN), not just consultants flown in for the photo shoot. These pros set pathogen “kill steps,” validate sourcing regions for heavy-metal risk, and design feeding guidelines that skirt calorie creep. If you can find a treat brand whose medical team has peer-reviewed publications on oral health, dermatology, or taurine levels, you’ve likely struck gold.
Supply Chain Traceability: From Pasture to Pup
Ask any leading manufacturer today and they’ll gush about “farm to bowl” storytelling. The real litmus test is batch-level GPS tracking and digital twin technology—each pallet scanned in and out of temperature-monitored storage, with timestamps accessible to customers on demand. Generic farms in multiple jurisdictions? Red flag. Cooperative networks where a specific turkey ranch number is etched into the QR code? Cyber-transparency in action.
Single-Ingredient vs. Fortified Formulas: Weighing the Safety Trade-offs
A single-ingredient freeze-dried liver cube offers purity but little safety net against nutrient imbalances in heavy chewers. Fortified biscuits, conversely, plump up the micronutrient spread but require more excipients, raising the microbial risk surface. Blending both categories—rotating textures and macros—hearkens back to the ancestral diet’s variety, effectively diluting single-point safety failures.
Certifications That Actually Matter in 2025
Look beyond the red-carpet accolades. The following marks carry legal clout:
– Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-benchmarked audits such as SQF or BRC
– USDA Organic vs. simple “organic” claims tied to marketing copy
– NASC Quality Seal for supplements disguised as treats
– UPC QR triangulation verifying hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) on every batch
If the logo links to no publicly available audit summary, treat the badge as décor.
Manufacturing Protocols: Kill Steps and Cold-Chain Handling Explained
The best facilities enforce high-pressure processing (HPP) or thermal extrusion setpoints calibrated to the exact surface-area-to-mass ratio of each treat shape. Don’t just read “cooked at 165 °F”; look for language like “validated lethality cycle per CFR 508.3 with lethality factor F0 ≥3 minutes.” Bonus points if carbon dioxide pascal levels act as additional bacterial inhibitors without altering taste.
Ingredient Sourcing Ethics: Domestic, Global, and the Gray Area of Labels
Domestic sourcing lowers the international freight carbon footprint and simplifies recall paths when the supply chain goes sideways. But “global” isn’t a dirty word if traceability is laser-guided—think New Zealand grass-fed lamb under bilateral export agreements that mimic the FDA’s FSMA regime. Pro tip: Ethical audits (RSPCA, FairFarms) tend to overlap with superior livestock welfare, which correlates with lower pathogen loads in end products.
Heavy Metals & Contaminants: How to Read Test Certificates
A legitimate CoA shows micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg) for mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and lead side-by-side with maximum allowable levels established by the FDA or EU. Chronic exposure to low-dose mercury, for example, can damage a dog’s kidneys decades before symptoms appear. Ask for lot-specific CoAs; blanket-cert documents dated two quarters ago scream cut corners.
Calorie Density 101: Why Size Serving Labels by Breed Weight Matters
A Miniature Dachshund that inhales a 42-kcal “training bite” every 30 seconds can rack up an extra 336 kcal in one session—roughly 30 % of her entire daily budget. Choosing treats lightened with air-drying or starch micro-expansion helps you control treat creep without spoiling the reward loop. Always cross-check the kcal/gram figure and your dog’s body-condition score spreadsheet before re-ups.
Novel Protein & Limited-Ingredient Models: Allergy Safety Layer
Chicken and beef still top the canine food-allergy prevalence charts in 2025, but so do rendering aflatoxins from grain molds. Novel proteins—kangaroo, invasive carp, or even cultured fungi—slash exposure to common triggers while staying environmentally efficient. When paired with 1-to-3-ingredient formulas, these treats offer the gold standard for elimination-diet sleuths.
Decoding Packaging Claims: Air-Dried, Freeze-Dried, and Dehydrated
All three methods pull water out to stifle microbial growth, but residual water activity (aw) differs. Air-dried sits at ~0.4 aw, balancing moisture for palatability; freeze-dried hovers nearer 0.2 aw, crispier but prone to lipid oxidation without oxygen absorbers. Dehydrated treats crunch like chips yet can exceed 0.6 aw if the drying curve is rushed. Look for “<7 % moisture” plus oxygen-barrier mylar pouches with nitrogen flush to stay inside maximum shelf-lives.
Brands that Welcome Independent Consumer Testing
Legit outfits partner with independent labs like Eurofins Food Integrity or WEF laboratory consortiums to blind-sample products pulled directly from retail shelves—not just gift-wrapped test batches. Search the brand’s FAQ for proactive third-party testing schedule; bi-annual or quarterly full panels covering nutrition, pathogens, and mycotoxins speak louder than glossy infographics.
Real-World Customer Reporting: Forums, Social Media & Transparency Dashboards
A single photo of mold on Instagram gets weighed against thousands of untouched bags. Brands bold enough to host open comment threads or real-time batch-issue dashboards breed a level of communal accountability some competitors filibuster. Keep a “three-strike” mental tally: if the same complaint (bloated pouches, off-odor) surfaces from unique IP addresses within 30 days, switch lots pending brand investigation.
Where the Industry is Heading in 2025 and Beyond
Blockchain QR tags tied to instantaneous salmonella DNA sequencing kits, AI-enabled air-quality scrubbers in plant HVAC systems, and cultured-protein bits that replicate the amino-acid profiles of raw organ meat—all within three to five years. Expect the treat aisle to mirror human ultra-fresh meal kits: single-day farm-to-pup cycles, subscription biometric data flowing back to veterinarians, and dynamic macro balancing for individual caloric micro-adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How long after a recall announcement should I stop feeding my dog any remaining treats?
Pull them immediately—pathogen loads can spread inside the bag even when refrigeration is used.
Q2. Can dogs develop new allergies later in life even to previously safe proteins?
Yes. Immune systems evolve, so limited-ingredient rotation schedules safeguard against late-onset sensitivities.
Q3. Are human-grade facilities always safer than pet-only plants?
Rule of thumb: it’s the controls and audits inside the walls that matter more than the human label on the door.
Q4. What minimum documentation should I request a brand supply on demand?
Batch-specific CoA, GFSI audit report links, veterinary-nutritionist credentials, and treat-calorie database updates.
Q5. Do air-dried treats have higher rancidity risk because fats stay intact?
Slightly, but nitrogen-flushed packaging plus mixed tocopherol preservatives mitigate oxidation better than synthetic BHT/BHA.
Q6. Is it realistic for boutique producers to match the rigorous testing of megabrands?
Surprisingly, limited scale can enable faster batch retesting and tighter cold-chain handoffs—if transparency dashboards exist.
Q7. How often should I rotate treat types to prevent gut floral plateau?
Every 4–6 weeks is safe for healthy dogs, adding probiotics for the first 48 hours of each switch.
Q8. Can a high-temperature ‘kill step’ wipe out both bacteria and nutrients?
Vacuum-sealed extrusion minimizes nutrient loss because water evaporates at lower temperatures under negative pressure.
Q9. Are recalls always published on the FDA website in real time?
Most are, but small firms may sign voluntary recall agreements handled privately—always cross-check brand press releases.
Q10. What’s the safest social-distanced path to sample new treats without full-bag commitment?
Single-serve foil sticks sold as “trial packs” at subscription box pop-ups or vet offices—minimize exposure and shelf-stability worry.