Grain Free Cheddar Cheese Mini Dog Treats
Verified Jun 11, 2026
A crunchy, grain-free baked dog treat made with sweet potatoes, potatoes, and yellow peas as the base and real cheddar cheese and chicken fat for flavor and added protein and fat. It’s designed as a small, low-calorie (about 7 calories each) reward, not a complete diet, and includes some fruit and vegetable ingredients like carrots, apples, and berries. This can work well as an occasional training or snack treat for most dogs who tolerate dairy and chicken fat.
This is a nicely formulated, grain-free biscuit-style treat with moderate protein and fat for a snack and relatively simple, recognizable ingredients. The main components are starchy vegetables and peas, with cheddar cheese and chicken fat providing flavor and nutrients. It’s suitable as an occasional reward for most dogs but, like all treats, should be fed in moderation alongside a complete and balanced dog food, and it isn’t appropriate for dogs that need to avoid dairy or chicken fat.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Grain-free baked treat using sweet potatoes, potatoes, and peas rather than wheat-based flours, which some owners prefer for dogs that don’t tolerate grains well.
- Includes real cheddar cheese and chicken fat, giving decent protein and fat levels for a treat and making it more palatable to most dogs.
- Relatively low calorie density per piece (about 7 calories per mini treat), which helps with portion control during training or frequent rewarding.
- Contains some fruit and vegetable ingredients such as carrots, apples, cranberries, and blueberries, which can contribute small amounts of natural phytonutrients.
Considerations
- Formulated as a treat only and not as a complete and balanced diet, so it should make up only a small portion of your dog’s daily calories.
- Relies on yellow peas and starchy vegetables as the bulk of the recipe; while fine in treats, dogs with known sensitivities to legumes or high-fiber carbs may not do well with large amounts.
- Contains dairy (cheddar cheese) and chicken fat, so it’s not suitable for dogs with dairy or chicken-related food allergies or intolerances.
- Despite the mention of calcium on the label, the calcium level is tailored for a treat, not a full diet, so this should not be used to meet a dog’s daily mineral needs.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber, vitamins (notably beta‑carotene), minerals and antioxidants, often helping with stool quality and serving as a binder or energy ingredient. It is generally well tolerated by dogs and can support gut health, but because cats poorly convert beta‑carotene to vitamin A and require preformed vitamin A from animal sources, sweet potato is not a substitute for meat-based nutrients; its relatively high carbohydrate content also means portion control is advised for overweight or diabetic pets and it should be cooked for best digestibility.
02
Potato
Potato is commonly used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate source and functional binder, supplying starch, fiber, and modest amounts of vitamins (B6, C) and potassium—often included as cooked or dehydrated flakes, starch, or protein concentrates. While it provides energy and helps formulate grain‑free recipes, potatoes are not a primary protein for dogs or cats (and are not nutritionally required for obligate‑carnivore cats), can contribute to excess calories or affect blood glucose in diabetic animals, and must be cooked and free of green skins or sprouts to avoid solanine toxicity; allergies are uncommon but possible.
03
Yellow Pea
Yellow pea is a common plant-based ingredient in dog and cat foods used as a source of digestible protein, starch and both soluble and insoluble fiber, and it also contributes B vitamins and minerals. It can help increase protein and fiber content and replace grains, but formulators must balance essential amino acids and process peas to reduce anti-nutrients, and pet owners should know that very high inclusion of pulses in some grain‑free diets has been scrutinized for possible links to canine DCM, so feeding complete, balanced diets and veterinary monitoring is recommended.
04
Cheddar
Cheddar is used in pet foods and treats mainly as a flavor and palatability enhancer and can contribute modest amounts of protein and calcium. It is calorie‑ and fat‑dense and often high in sodium, so it should be offered sparingly—both dogs and cats can be lactose‑sensitive and pets prone to obesity or pancreatitis may need to avoid it as a regular ingredient.
05
Chicken Fat
Chicken fat is used in dog and cat foods as a concentrated energy and flavor source that supplies essential fatty acids (notably linoleic acid) and aids absorption of fat‑soluble vitamins, improving palatability and supporting skin and coat health. Because it is calorie‑dense, diets must account for added fat to prevent weight gain, and quality (proper rendering and antioxidant protection to prevent rancidity) is important; although fats are less commonly allergenic than proteins, pets with poultry sensitivities may still react in some cases.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Brand
Darford is a premium brand of all-natural, oven-baked dog treats crafted from North American ingredients. The brand targets pet owners seeking healthy, natural, and preservative-free treats for their dogs, with product lines that include Grain Free, Zero/G, and Organic varieties.
Visit DarfordManufacturer
Darford maintains its own production facilities in British Columbia, Canada, and conducts all baking and quality control in-house. The company adheres to stringent food safety standards and follows guidelines similar to those for human-grade food manufacturing.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Darford Grain Free Cheddar Cheese Mini Dog Treats has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Darford ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Darford. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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