Bellani Pets FAQ

Below are the questions we're asked most. If yours isn't here, email hello@bellanipets.com and we'll answer within 1 to 2 business days.

Our treats

What makes Bellani Pets treats different?

One ingredient per bag. No fillers, no artificial additives, no glycerin to keep things soft, and no preservatives. Freeze-drying handles preservation on its own, so nothing needs to be sprayed on afterward.

Everything is made by hand in small batches in our home kitchen in Virginia.

What is freeze-drying, and why does it matter?

Freeze-drying removes moisture at very low temperatures instead of using heat. The treat keeps its shape, its aroma, and its nutritional content, and comes out light and crisp.

With oily fish like salmon, this matters nutritionally: omega-3 fatty acids are held in the fat, so a drying method that avoids heat preserves more of what you're buying the fish for.

Why are the chicken feet and duck feet dehydrated instead?

On purpose. Gentle heat is what gives a chew its brittle texture, so it crumbles as a dog works through it rather than splintering the way cooked bone does. Freeze-drying would produce the wrong result for a chew.

What is a whole-animal blend?

Our duck, lamb, and rabbit are whole-animal blends: muscle meat, organ, and bone freeze-dried together, closer to what a carnivore eats in nature than a muscle-only treat.

Organ contributes concentrated vitamins and minerals that muscle doesn't carry, and bone contributes calcium and phosphorus. Because freeze-drying works at low temperature, the bone keeps its original structure rather than becoming brittle as cooked bone does.

Are your treats safe for cats?

Most of them, yes. Cats are obligate carnivores, which makes a single-ingredient meat or fish treat one of the simplest things you can offer one. Our CAT collection lists everything suitable.

Three are for dogs only: chicken feet, duck feet, and frog legs. They're shaped and sized for a dog's jaw, and frog legs contain fine bones that are proportionally much larger in a cat's throat. Those pages say so directly.

How much should I give my pet?

Treats should be no more than 10% of your pet's daily calories, with the other 90% from a complete and balanced diet.

Every product page lists calories per piece and feeding amounts by body weight, with cats given separately rather than scaled down from a dog figure. It's worth checking rather than eyeballing. One of our chicken feet is 56 calories, which is more than a 10 lb dog's entire daily treat allowance, while a chicken heart is two.

My pet has allergies or sensitivities. Where do I start?

Rotating proteins is the usual approach, since sensitivities tend to build against whatever an animal eats constantly. If your pet has already reacted to chicken, beef, and lamb, a novel protein they have no history with is the next step. Rabbit and frog are the most novel proteins we make.

If you're running an elimination diet with your vet, follow their protocol rather than ours. And email us if you want help narrowing it down.

How should I store my treats?

A cool, dry place away from sunlight and moisture. Reseal tightly after opening, since freeze-dried products draw moisture from the air and soften if left open. No refrigeration needed.

How long do they last?

Each batch has a 12 to 18 month shelf life from production when stored properly. Once opened, use within about 60 days for the best texture and aroma. Every pouch carries a Best By date.

Orders & shipping

When will my order ship?

Most orders process within 3 to 5 business days, followed by shipping time based on your location. You'll get an email with tracking once it ships.

Do you offer free shipping?

Yes! Orders over $100 USD ship free within the United States. Below that, shipping is calculated at checkout based on your location and package weight.

Do you ship internationally?

We ship within the United States and to select international destinations. If you're outside the U.S., email hello@bellanipets.com for a custom quote. International orders may be subject to customs fees or duties, which are the buyer's responsibility.

What if my order arrives damaged or doesn't arrive at all?

Email hello@bellanipets.com within 7 days of delivery with your order number, photos, and a short description. We'll provide a replacement, credit, or refund.

Can I return a treat my pet didn't like?

All sales are final, because our products are consumable and can't be restocked once they leave us. But your satisfaction is our number one priority. Email us, tell us what happened, and we'll help you find something that suits your pet better. We'd rather do that than lose you over one bag.

Sourcing & pricing

Where are your treats made?

By hand, in small batches, in our home kitchen in Virginia. Bellani Pets started here in 2023 and still operates the same way.

Are your ingredients organic?

No. Organic is a certification with a specific legal meaning, and we don't hold it, so we won't claim it. What we will tell you is exactly what's in each bag: one ingredient, listed plainly, with full guaranteed analysis on every product page.

Why do some treats cost more than others?

Sourcing. Rabbit and frog cost more than chicken because they're genuinely harder to obtain, and wild-caught fish costs more than farmed. We'd rather price honestly than dilute a product to hit a number.

Do you make health claims?

No. We describe what our ingredients naturally contain, like taurine in chicken heart, omega-3s in salmon, and glucosamine and chondroitin in cartilage. We don't claim what those will do for your pet, because those are regulated claims and we'd rather be accurate than persuasive.

For anything health-related, your veterinarian knows your pet best.

Get in touch

Have a question that isn't here? Email hello@bellanipets.com and we'll reply within 1 to 2 business days. Every message is read by a person.

You can also follow along on Instagram at @bellanipets.