About & FAQs | Mis-Treated Mutts

About Us

Hi, I’m Kelly — a not-so-typical dog mom who found herself on a furry adventure, all thanks to my husband and kids. I never really planned to have dogs, but here I am: the proud and slightly overwhelmed caretaker of our beloved mutts, Lucy and Gracie.

I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart — a battalion chief and business owner — for 27 years. Together, we have two amazing kids and a beautiful daughter-in-law (who graciously helped me get this site together!). When I’m not covered in dog hair or baking treats, I teach high school history at a small private school. I’m a proud history nerd and have definitely lost count of how many times I’ve watched Hamilton.

This little adventure began earlier this year after I finished my master’s degree. With a light teaching schedule (just 3 hours a day, 3 days a week), I found myself looking for a meaningful way to fill my time — and that’s when Mistreated Mutts was born.

It started with baking treats for Lou and Grace... and quickly turned into something more. Now, I’m sharing those homemade goodies with other mutt-lovers too — mostly because Lou, our head taste-tester, may have gained a little weight. Grace is a bit pickier — she only eats the treats when she thinks she’s missing out.

So, welcome to our cozy corner of the internet! Follow along as we share our misadventures, favorite mutt-approved treats, and boutique accessories. And be sure to look out for the 🐕 symbol — it marks Lucy and Gracie’s top picks!

The Thompsons

Gangster Grandma

FAQ's

~ Do dog treats fall under the Food Home Cottage Laws?
No, they do not. I have to submit each recipe I sell to the Texas State Chemist, who approves the treats. There are guidelines I have to follow and I have my Texas Commercial Feed License, which allows me to sell approved recipes in containers weighting five pounds or less.

~Do I use preservatives in my recipes?
The only preservatives in my treats are natural preservatives such as cinnamon or honey. I do not use any commercial preservatives.

~What kind of food do I use?
I only use human grade food to create my treats. I use all-natural ingredients that are pet safe.

~Do I make all the treats I sell myself?
I do make most of them myself and sometimes Gangster Grandma helps. I may collaborate with another home baker to offer a larger selection of homemade goodies, but anyone I collaborate with will also have their feed license and their recipes must be approved by the Texas State Chemist.

~I have read that certain ingredients that you use, such as baking powder are not safe for dogs?
Good for you, for making sure your mutts are safe! I had this same question when I started. Yes, baking powder is not good for dogs in large quantities! But, when used in minor amounts it is safe. Again, all of my recipes must be approved by the Texas State Chemist, part of the Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service. They only approve recipes that are deemed healthy for dogs. My own mutts get all the treats I bake!

~What is a guaranteed analysis?
A Guaranteed Analysis (GA) on dog treats (or any pet food) is a standardized label required by regulatory bodies (like AAFCO in the U.S.) that lists the minimum or maximum percentages of key nutrients in the product. It helps pet owners understand the nutritional content and compare products. All recipes must be sent to a lab to be nutritionally analyzed. The GA ensures nutritional consistency, helps pet owners make informed dietary decisions, and is required for labeling compliance.