Grain Free Crunchy Naturals With Chicken & Apples Treats
Verified Jun 16, 2026
This is a crunchy, grain-free dog treat made with chicken as the primary animal ingredient and apples plus peas and potatoes as the main carbohydrate sources. Its moderate protein and fat levels are typical for a biscuit-style reward, and it’s intended to be used alongside a complete and balanced dog food rather than as a main diet. It can suit most healthy puppies (over 9 weeks) and adult dogs as an occasional snack within the usual 10% of calories-from-treats guideline.
Nutritionally, this is a well-formulated, biscuit-style treat that uses chicken and chicken meal for animal protein along with peas, potatoes, and apples for crunch and flavor. It’s designed purely as a snack, not a balanced diet, and its nutrient profile is appropriate for that role. It should work well for most healthy dogs as long as portions are kept modest, especially for dogs watching their weight.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Uses named animal protein sources (chicken and chicken meal) rather than vague meat ingredients, which typically supports good amino acid quality for a treat.
- Grain-free formula that relies on peas, potatoes, and apples for carbohydrates and texture, which some owners prefer if their dog doesn’t tolerate certain grains.
- Moderate fat level and relatively high carbohydrate content make this similar to a traditional crunchy biscuit, which can be useful when you want a lower-fat reward option compared with many soft or meat-heavy treats.
- Clear guidance that this product is for supplemental feeding and that treats should remain under 10% of daily intake, which helps owners avoid unintentional overfeeding.
Considerations
- Contains chicken, a very common food allergen for dogs, so it is not a good choice for dogs with known chicken sensitivities or on elimination diets.
- Relies on peas and potatoes as main carbohydrates; while this is less of a concern in small treat amounts, some cardiologists prefer limiting legume-heavy products in dogs with heart disease or at high risk when possible.
- High carbohydrate, biscuit-style treats can contribute extra calories quickly if you give more than the recommended amounts, so portion control is important, especially for dogs prone to weight gain.
- Includes caramel color, which does not add nutritional value; while generally considered safe, it’s an extra additive some owners prefer to minimize.
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
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
02
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.
03
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.
04
Potato Starch
Potato starch is a highly digestible carbohydrate commonly used in pet foods as a binder, thickener and texture agent to help kibble formation, stabilize wet formulas and create chewy treats. It provides readily available energy but is low in protein, fat and micronutrients, so while generally safe, its high glycemic load and limited nutritional value mean it should be used sparingly—particularly for overweight pets, diabetic animals or cats on low‑carbohydrate diets, and excessive amounts can sometimes contribute to loose stools.
05
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
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.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
Brand
Hill's Natural is Hill's Pet Nutrition's treats line, offering natural and grain-free dog treats such as jerky strips, soft savories, crunchy snacks, and baked biscuits made without artificial flavors or preservatives.
Visit Hill's NaturalWSAVA publishes criteria for evaluating a manufacturer (qualified nutritionists, feeding trials, published research); it does not certify or endorse brands.
Manufacturer
Hill's Pet Nutrition maintains strict quality and safety standards in all of its manufacturing sites, with adherence to rigorous ingredient testing and safety validation procedures. Facilities follow current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and are regularly audited for quality, safety, and consistency. All products meet or exceed AAFCO and FDA regulatory standards for pet food.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Hill's Natural Grain Free Crunchy Naturals With Chicken & Apples Treats has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Hill's Natural ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Hill's Natural. 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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