Has anyone tried the Yummy Chummies Salmon Treats from Costco?

[Jodi]

I was wondering about the Yummy Chummies Wild Alaska Salmon treats from Costco.   I tried to find a discussion on them but can't seem too.   I was wondering if they are a good brand to buy?  I was given a couple samples bags from the local pet store to try.

The Ingredients are:   Wild Alaska Salmon, preserved with Natural mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E) and Rosemary Extract), Wheat Flour, Vegetable Glycerin, Calcium Carbonate (a natural source of calcium), Propionic Acid, Citric Acid, Kelp, Potassium Sorbate, Natural Smoke Flavor, and Garlic.   They are made by Arctic Paws LLC in Anchorage, Alaska   www.yummychummies.com

I am still trying to learn what ingredients to look for that would indicate not to buy a product.  Is there a list that I can print off and take with me when looking for treats etc.?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, you could use the Dog Food Project's List of Ingredients to Avoid, but that's just a starting point, and it's pretty extensive to carry around with you. The real key is just to start reading, learning, and knowing, lol. And even this list is only those products that are dangerous, or cheap fillers, etc. You still have to look at the company itself, the source (country, 2nd & 3rd party brokers, etc) of the ingredients, and whether a particular ingredient is unhealthy or just a bad idea.

In the Yummy Chummy treats above, for example, we see wheat flour. Now, wheat flour will not kill your dog, or even harm him, unless he already has a known allergy to wheat. But wheat flour is a very common allergen for dogs, and feeding significant amounts of it can promote the development of an allergy. It also just isn't a very good food for dogs. So although it isn't really harmful and all of our dogs get it in some biscuit or treat occasionally, it's best to avoid it if possible. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If I wanted to give JD salmon treats, I'd get him Plato salmon treats. Here's the ingredient & nutritional info:
Salmon Ingredients: Salmon (preserved with natural mixed tocopherols, citric acid and rosemary extract), organic brown rice, natural sea salt, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, coated ascorbic acid (source of vitamin C), glucosamine sulfate.
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude protein: 38% min, Crude fat: 15% min, Crude Fiber: 1% max, Moisture: 28% max, Zinc (as Zinc proteinate) 180mg/kg min, Vitamin E 100 IU/kg min
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) 50mg/kg min*, Glucosamine 100ppm min*, Omega 6 Fatty Acids 0.08% min*, Omega 3 Fatty Acids 2.2% min*

No wheat flour. They're probably twice the price of the Costco treats, but with nutrition, you generally do get what you pay for. There's nothing wrong with the Yummy Chummies from an ingredient standpoint, if you're okay giving your dog wheat flour, and the company claims they're made in the USA, but I'd have to try to research the company to be comfortable giving them. I see that they do make some other varieties of salmon treats that don't have the wheat flour.

[Jill & Tugboat]

I know this is very old thread, but I was searching to see if anyone had discussed Yummy Chummies on DK before and came across this.  We have been giving our dogs (current and previous) Yummy Chummies ever since the company came into existence (approx 1998-99). 

I just wanted to address the question of whether or not they're made in USA and I can personally attest to the fact that they are, indeed, made in Anchorage Alaska.  The company started in warehouse space immediately adjacent to my husband's office and we got to know the owners (Brett and Kelly) over the years they were "neighbors."   Part of their reason for starting the business was that there was so much chum salmon discarded that could be used but wasn't really tasty enough for human consumption.   When they started, it was just the two of them and quickly grew to a couple employees and now much larger (and moved to a larger facility).  My dogs at the time (two Shelties) would often be taste testers for their various "flavors." 

However, I've now been learning a lot more about dog food and treats via DK - much more than I ever had with my previous dogs - so I wanted to see if there had been any opinions given about Yummy Chummies.   I'm not trying to be a commercial for them, just wanting to see if the experts here would consider the treats good, bad or just OK.  We've since moved Washington state but still have them shipped down from AK for our Papillon, Callie, who loves them.   However, with our new doodle, Tugboat, I don't want to start him on something that really isn't good for him, hence the search.

But, regarding the company - yes, they are good people and their products are all made in Anchorage AK. 

[Crazy Doodle Lady]

Just a quick update....These are now grain free. They use pea flour now. Costco had a 40 oz bag for $10. Dexter loves them for his potty treats. I just break them up and keep the stinky salmon in my pocket all day lol