Purina Friskies Party Mix Original Crunch Cat Treats

BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)

Classified by the US National Toxicology Program as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen, and banned from food in parts of the EU and Japan. Natural alternatives (mixed tocopherols, rosemary) do the same job.

BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)

Linked to liver and kidney effects in animal studies at high doses. Widely avoided by premium brands in favour of natural preservation.

Chicken by-product meal

Nutritionally it can be fine (organs are nutrient-dense), but the exact mix isn't disclosed and varies batch to batch, so quality is unpredictable.

Unnamed animal fat

Because the species isn't named, the source can change batch to batch - a problem if your pet has a protein allergy.

Artificial flavours

Usually a sign the underlying ingredients aren't palatable enough on their own. Good food tastes good because of what's in it.

Menadione (vitamin K3)

Banned from human supplements over liver toxicity and red-blood-cell damage at high doses. Still permitted in pet food, and there's no established requirement for supplemental vitamin K in healthy dogs and cats.

Artificial colours

Pets are effectively colour-blind to these distinctions - the dye exists to appeal to the human buying it. Some have been linked to hyperactivity in children and offer zero nutritional benefit.

Sodium metabisulfite

Destroys thiamine (vitamin B1). Thiamine deficiency is a serious, documented cause of neurological illness in cats.