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Softies Grilled Chicken Flavor Chewy Dog Treats
Cesar

Softies Grilled Chicken Flavor Chewy Dog Treats

Verified Jun 15, 2026

Dog · Treat Adult All Breed Sizes

A soft, chewy treat for adult dogs featuring grilled chicken flavor, made primarily from rice and wheat flours with added animal fat for palatability. At about 7 calories per piece, it’s intended as a small, occasional reward alongside a complete and balanced main diet. This product is best used as a training treat or snack rather than a significant source of daily nutrition.

Over-the-counter No recalls
Official product page
KibbleLab Score
5.6 out of 10

This is an average-quality, palatability-focused soft treat designed for adult dogs of all sizes. It relies mainly on rice flour, wheat flour, sugar, and animal fat, so it’s fine as an occasional reward but not something to feed in large amounts or as a meal replacement. It can work well as a small training treat if your dog tolerates wheat and chicken-flavor ingredients and you keep an eye on overall calories and weight.

The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.

Ingredient composition Quality, beneficial additions, absence of artificial colors/flavors
Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber evaluated for stated life stage and food type
AAFCO compliance Complete and balanced certification; feeding trials valued higher
Health considerations Sensitivity profile, DCM risk, processing method
9.0 – 10 Top Pick
8.0 – 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 – 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 – 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6 Not Recommended

KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.


At a Glance

Suitable For
Adult All Breed Sizes
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Low-calorie per piece (about 7 calories), which can be helpful for training or for dogs that need tighter calorie control when treats are limited.
  • Soft, chewy texture that can be easier for small dogs or dogs with dental issues to chew compared with hard biscuits.
  • Simple formula without added artificial flavors; flavorings are based on AAFCO-defined natural flavors.

Considerations

  • Main ingredients are rice flour, wheat flour, glycerin, sugar, and animal fat, so this is more of a carb- and fat-heavy snack than a protein-rich treat; it should only make up a small portion of your dog’s daily intake.
  • Contains wheat, which can be an issue if your dog has a known wheat allergy or sensitivity.
  • Uses added sugar, which isn’t harmful in small amounts but is best limited, especially for overweight dogs or those prone to weight gain.
  • Includes BHA and other preservatives; these are considered safe at regulated levels, but some owners prefer to minimize them and may want to be aware they are present.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Rice Flour, Wheat Flour, Glycerin, Sugar, Animal Fat (Preserved with BHA), Caramel Color, Natural Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Natural Grilled Chicken Flavor, Calcium Propionate (a Preservative), Potassium Sorbate (a Preservative), Natural Hickory Smoke Flavor, Sodium Tripolyphosphate

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
Rice Flour
Rice flour is a finely milled carbohydrate ingredient commonly used in pet foods as a digestible energy source and as a binder or thickener in kibble, treats, and wet food formulations. It is generally well tolerated by dogs and cats and low in fat, but offers limited protein and essential amino acids (so it should complement animal protein sources), can increase dietary glycemic load which may be relevant for diabetic or weight‑management pets, and may carry low levels of inorganic arsenic depending on sourcing and processing.
02
Wheat Flour
Wheat flour is commonly used in pet foods as a carbohydrate source, binder and extender that provides digestible energy, some protein (including gluten), and small amounts of fiber and B‑vitamins when enriched. While generally safe and economical for many dogs, it is not a required ingredient for obligate carnivores like cats, can contribute to excess calories or a high glycemic load, and can trigger food allergies or gluten sensitivity in susceptible pets, so animals with known wheat sensitivities or weight concerns may benefit from wheat‑free formulations.
03
Glycerol
Glycerol (glycerin) is used in pet foods primarily as a humectant and sweetening agent to retain moisture, improve texture and palatability, and serve as a solvent or carrier in wet foods, treats, and liquid supplements. It provides a modest source of metabolizable energy for dogs and cats, but in large amounts can cause gastrointestinal upset and may affect blood glucose, so products intended for diabetic pets or sensitive animals should be used with caution.
04
Sugar
Sugar is used in pet foods primarily as a sweetener and quick source of digestible carbohydrate to improve palatability, but it provides no essential nutrients and is not necessary in a balanced diet. In dogs and cats excess added sugar can contribute to obesity, dental disease and blood glucose spikes (cats are generally less responsive to sweet taste), and pet owners should avoid foods with unnecessary sugars and be especially cautious about sugar substitutes like xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs.
05
Animal Fat
Animal fat is used in pet foods as a concentrated energy source and palatability enhancer, and can provide fat-soluble vitamin absorption and essential fatty acids (including arachidonic and linoleic acids, depending on the source) that support skin, coat and overall cellular function—particularly important for obligate carnivores like cats. Because it is calorie-dense and prone to oxidation, fats are typically rendered and stabilized; owners should be aware that high-fat diets can contribute to obesity and may trigger pancreatitis in susceptible dogs, so quality, source, and total dietary fat should be considered.

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.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
4.50%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
4.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
1.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
26.00%
Low High
7
kcal / Treat

Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage Adult
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Soft Chew
Food type Treat

Brand

Cesar

Cesar is a Mars Petcare brand focused primarily on small dogs, offering wet trays, pouches, and some dry foods and treats. Marketing emphasizes gourmet-style meals, variety of flavors, and small-portion convenience with a strong lifestyle and companionship focus.

Visit Cesar
Price tier $$$

Manufacturer

Company name Mars Petcare
Parent company Mars, Incorporated
Founded 1935
Headquarters Brussels, Belgium (global Petcare division); McLean, Virginia, USA (Mars, Incorporated global HQ)
Manufacturing type In House
Manufacturing country United States
Manufacturing oversight

Mars Petcare operates large-scale manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America with formal quality and food safety systems modeled on human food standards. Facilities follow HACCP-based programs, Good Manufacturing Practices, and are routinely audited for compliance with local regulatory bodies (e.g., FDA and USDA in the U.S., FEDIAF-related standards in Europe). Mars maintains in‑house research and development centers, employs veterinarians and pet nutrition scientists, and conducts digestibility and palatability studies and AAFCO feeding trials for many of its complete-and-balanced diets.

Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.

Recall History

No recalls on record

Cesar Softies Grilled Chicken Flavor Chewy Dog Treats has no recalls since 2014.

Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily

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5.6 /10 Grade D
Softies Grilled Chicken Flavor Chewy Dog Treats
Cesar · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Cesar ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Cesar. 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.

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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.