In 2008 I lost my dog to liver failure because of the toxic treats I was unknowingly feeding him.

The situation was so terrible and heartbreaking at the time, but from then on I made a commitment to never make the same mistake with another pet.

I started researching pet food ingredients, pet nutrition, and pet food production practices — and what I discovered was quite shocking.

I discovered that a particular store-bought dog treat — a famous brand — contained arsenic as a preservative.

Yep, you read that right. Arsenic. How can a major pet food brand get away with such a thing?

Well, they can. The company justified it by saying it was a low dose and wouldn't hurt your pet — but if you're like me, you're thinking a little arsenic every day adds up to a lot. That can't be good.

Sadly, it's not that uncommon. Store-bought dog treats are filled with dangerous chemicals that can slowly poison your favourite canine.

So in the interest of protecting dogs everywhere, here's a list of the five most dangerous — yet common — additives in commercial pet food and treats.

So which treats are safe?

Why I started making my own

Finding the right treat to feed your dog can feel like playing Russian roulette. After I lost Bear to toxic treats I was unknowingly feeding him, I searched all over Australia for the healthiest dog treats available — and found very few that met my standard.

The only real way to protect your dog from dangerous additives is to feed a single-ingredient, real-meat treat. So I decided to make my own, starting with one of the best things you can feed a dog: wild Australian kangaroo meat.

Many vets across Australia recommend kangaroo meat to their patients. It's wild, organic and a known superfood for dogs — packed with protein, omega-3s, and essential vitamins and minerals.