Why We’re Preservative-Free — And What That Means for Your Pet’s Treats

Welcome to Bayou Barkery.

We’re a small, Texas-based pet bakery focused on simple, thoughtfully made treats for dogs and cats. Everything we make is produced in small batches using real ingredients and no added preservatives — because we believe pets deserve the same care and transparency we expect from our own food.

One of the most common questions we get is why our treats look, store, and behave differently than mass-produced products. That question is actually part of why we started Bayou Barkery.

If you’ve ever picked up a bag of dog treats and wondered how they can sit on a shelf for months (or even years), you’re not alone. That question is a big part of what led us here.

From the beginning, we made a very intentional decision: we do not use preservatives in our treats. That choice affects everything — from how our treats are made, to how they’re stored, to how long they last — and we think it’s important that pet parents understand what that really means.

What “Preservative-Free” Actually Means

Preservatives are added to food to extend shelf life and prevent spoilage. They’re common in both human and pet foods, especially in products designed to sit at room temperature for long periods of time.

At Bayou Barkery, we choose not to use chemical preservatives, artificial stabilizers, or fillers. Instead, we focus on real ingredients and small-batch production. The tradeoff is that our treats don’t behave like mass-produced, shelf-stable products — and that’s by design.

Just like fresh food in your own kitchen, real treats require a little more awareness.

Not All Treats Are the Same

Many pet parents assume all treats are shelf-stable, but there’s a big difference between:

• fully dehydrated treats

• lightly dehydrated products

• raw, preservative-free items

Some of our treats are shelf-stable when stored properly. Others — especially raw or minimally processed items — are intended to be used shortly after purchase or stored refrigerated or frozen until ready to use.

That isn’t a flaw. It’s simply how real food works.

Why Storage Matters (Especially in Texas)

Living in Texas means dealing with heat, humidity, and quick temperature changes. All of those things affect natural foods, and preservative-free treats are no exception.

If a raw or minimally processed treat is left at room temperature for extended periods — especially in a bag — spoilage can occur. Refrigeration or freezing helps slow that process and keeps treats safe for your dog.

If you’re ever unsure how to store something, we always encourage you to ask. We’re happy to help.

Why We Still Choose This Path

So why stick with preservative-free products if they require a little more care?

Because we believe:

• fewer additives are better for dogs

• transparency matters

• pet parents deserve to know exactly what they’re feeding

We don’t want our treats to last forever. We want them to be real, intentional, and thoughtfully made.

Our Promise

We’ll always be honest about what’s in our treats — and what isn’t. We’ll always choose quality over convenience. And we’ll always do our best to help pet parents make safe, informed choices for their dogs.

— Bayou Barkery