Canine Carry Outs are not poisonous for dogs, but they are a low-nutrition treat best reserved for occasional use due to artificial ingredients.
You spot a bright red bag of Canine Carry Outs at the checkout counter. The price is low, your dog tugs the leash toward them, and you wonder — are these treats secretly harmful? A viral rumor claims they contain anti-freeze and have been recalled, but the real story is less dramatic and more about ingredient quality than safety.
The short answer is that Canine Carry Outs won’t hurt your dog if given in small amounts, but they aren’t a health food either. This article breaks down the facts behind the rumors, the ingredient list, and how to feed them responsibly without guilt or worry.
What Exactly Are Canine Carry Outs?
Canine Carry Outs are a brand of soft, chewy dog treats produced by the J.M. Smucker Company. They fall into the category of “soft-moist” treats — a texture many dogs love but one that typically comes with higher levels of sugar, salt, and artificial preservatives compared to single-ingredient or baked alternatives.
The treats come in flavors like Beef, Bacon, and Chicken, and are widely available at grocery stores and pet retailers. Because they’re inexpensive and dogs tend to gobble them up, many owners buy them habitually without checking the label.
A Quick Look at the Ingredient List
Ingredients include wheat flour, corn syrup, glycerin, artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2), and BHA — a preservative that some pet nutritionists flag as worth avoiding. The garlic powder that appears late on the list is present in very small amounts and is unlikely to cause any problems for a typical dog, per Petco’s veterinarian-reviewed Q&A.
None of these ingredients are acutely toxic at the levels used, but they don’t contribute meaningful nutrition either. The concern is cumulative: if these treats replace part of your dog’s balanced diet or are given multiple times daily, the sugars and artificial additives add up.
Why The “Anti-Freeze” Rumor Won’t Die
The most persistent alarm about Canine Carry Outs is that they contain propylene glycol — a compound found in some antifreeze products — and that this makes them poisonous to dogs. The rumor has circulated on social media for years, causing many owners to throw away uneaten bags.
Here’s the disconnect: propylene glycol in antifreeze is the active ingredient, but the version used in dog food and treats is an FDA-approved food additive. The agency classifies it as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) for use in animal feed. Snopes rates the toxicity level of propylene glycol to dogs as “mild,” and the FDA backs the substance as safe at allowed levels.
The real issue isn’t propylene glycol — it’s the overall nutritional profile. But the rumor scares people into thinking the treats might kill their dog instantly, which the evidence simply does not support.
Ingredient Profile — What’s Actually Inside
To understand the treat’s reputation, it helps to look past the rumor and at the label. A typical Canine Carry Outs ingredient list starts with wheat flour, followed by corn syrup, glycerin, and sugar — all sources of empty calories. Artificial colors give the treat its bright appearance, and BHA is used as a preservative.
According to a USA Today fact-check, the canine carry outs brand The same article confirms that propylene glycol in the product meets FDA safety standards. So the treats are not dangerous in an acute sense, but they are not a high-quality choice for regular feeding.
| Ingredient | Common Concern | How It’s Used Here |
|---|---|---|
| Corn syrup & sugar | Empty calories, blood sugar spikes | Added for sweetness and texture |
| BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) | Some studies link to cancer in lab animals | FDA-approved preservative at low levels |
| Artificial colors (Red 40, etc.) | Allergies, no nutritional value | Gives treat uniform color |
| Propylene glycol | Mislabeled as “anti-freeze” by viral posts | FDA GRAS for animal feed; mild toxicity only at very high amounts |
| Garlic powder | Toxic in large doses to dogs | Amount in these treats is too low to cause harm |
No single ingredient is a deal-breaker on its own, but as a group they make this treat a poor candidate for daily use. If your dog gets a balanced kibble and plenty of whole-food treats, an occasional Canine Carry Out isn’t a worry.
How to Feed Canine Carry Outs Safely
If you already have a bag and want to use them without adding risk, a few simple rules help keep things in perspective. Treats should never make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake, and these particular treats pack calories mostly from sugar and refined grains.
- Stick to the manufacturer’s serving suggestion. The package recommends a specific number per day based on dog size — don’t exceed that.
- Break them into smaller pieces for small dogs. The manufacturer’s FAQ advises this for any dog that tends to gulp food without chewing, especially toy breeds.
- Use them as a training reward once in a while. Reserve them for special moments, not an everyday filler.
- Skip the Chew Bones version for puppies. According to the brand’s FAQ, the Chew Bones product is not recommended for puppies; other flavors are labeled safe for pups.
Overfeeding any treat — Canine Carry Outs included — can contribute to obesity over time. If you’re working on weight management, it’s wise to choose a low-calorie, single-ingredient option like freeze-dried liver or plain carrots instead.
Are There Better Alternatives?
The main reason people worry about Canine Carry Outs is the persistent false rumor. That rumor has been thoroughly debunked by fact-checkers. The Snopes investigation of the anti-freeze rumor false finding is clear — the treats do not contain toxic levels of anything. But “not toxic” doesn’t mean “great nutrition.”
If you’re looking for a treat that adds to your dog’s health rather than just filling a craving, consider swapping to alternatives like real meat jerky (check for no onion/garlic), freeze-dried fish, or dehydrated sweet potato slices. These options typically have shorter ingredient lists and higher protein content.
| Treat Type | Typical Protein | Artificial Additives |
|---|---|---|
| Canine Carry Outs (soft-moist) | Low (corn/wheat base) | Colors, BHA, corn syrup |
| Freeze-dried single-ingredient | High (meat or organ) | None |
| Dehydrated vegetable chews | Low, but fiber-rich | None |
That said, if your dog loves Canine Carry Outs and you keep them as an occasional snack, there is no evidence that they cause harm. The bigger risk to a dog’s health comes from overfeeding treats in general, not from any one brand.
The Bottom Line
Canine Carry Outs are not a dangerous or recalled product, but they are a low-quality indulgence. Use them sparingly — as a training jackpot or a rare treat — and prioritize whole-food options for everyday rewards. Your dog’s weight, coat condition, and energy level will benefit more from treats that offer real nutrition.
If you have a small-breed dog or one with a sensitive stomach, run the ingredients past your veterinarian before making Canine Carry Outs a regular part of the rotation — they can help you match any treat to your dog’s age, weight, and specific dietary needs.
References & Sources
- Usatoday. “Fact Check Dog Treat Canine Carry Outs Has No History Recalls” Canine Carry Outs are a brand of soft, chewy dog treats manufactured by the J.M.
- Snopes. “Canine Carry Outs Anti Freeze Warning” A viral online rumor claiming Canine Carry Outs contain “anti-freeze” (propylene glycol) that is poisonous to dogs is false.