What Is Natural Flavoring in Dog Supplements—and Is It Safe?

If you’re like us, you read ingredient labels before feeding your dog anything. (Okay, maybe not that hot dog they snuck off the counter.) So when you see “natural chicken flavor” in a supplement, you might pause and ask, “Wait... what exactly is that?”

We love that question. Because as dog parents ourselves, we asked the same thing.

So let’s break it down.

What Does "Natural Flavor" Actually Mean?

In the simplest terms, natural flavoring is a flavor derived from real food sources—in our case, chicken. It can be made by extracting or fermenting proteins, fats, or other natural compounds that give food its distinctive taste and smell. The goal? To make your dog’s supplement not just healthy, but irresistible.

Think of it like making a soup: You boil bones, meat, and veggies to create a broth with rich flavor. Natural chicken flavor is similar, just more concentrated and shelf-stable.

Why Use Natural Flavoring in Dog Supplements?

Let’s face it—a supplement only works if your dog will eat it.

You can have the best, most effective joint supplement in the world, but if your dog turns their nose up at it, it’s useless. We specifically chose natural chicken flavoring for our supplement to make it something your dog wants to take.

This is especially true for giant breed dogs, who can be notoriously picky (and very good at spitting things out).

We tested the flavor with our own dogs, and believe us—Lucy was not shy about rejecting things she doesn’ t like. She gave it a tail wag of approval.

Is It Safe?

Yes. Natural flavoring used in pet supplements must meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards. Ours is sourced in the USA from trusted partners who comply with strict safety and quality standards.

It contains no artificial chemicals, no synthetic preservatives, and no questionable fillers. Just real, recognizable flavor from natural sources—designed to entice even the pickiest gentle giants.

How It Supports Consistent Use

You already know joint supplements work best when given consistently, every day. Making sure your dog actually likes the way it tastes is part of that success. Natural flavoring helps:

• Build positive associations around supplement time

• Eliminate the need for hiding pills in peanut butter or lunch meat

• Make it easier for multi-dog households (no skipped doses!)

We designed our chewables to feel more like a treat than a chore—and natural chicken flavor is a big part of that.

Transparency Matters

At The Big Damn Dog Co., we believe you deserve to know exactly what’s in your dog’s supplement—including the flavor. We know the word "flavoring" can raise eyebrows, but when it's derived from real, natural sources and used responsibly, it's not just safe—it's smart.

After all, we give this to our own dogs too.