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It’s National Dog Day, and one dog treat creator thinks dogs should be included in the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, which emphasizes whole, nutrient-dense foods.
“We have never used anything artificial,” Sarah Goldberger, New York-based founder and CEO of organic dog treat company Lord Jameson, told Digital.
“We’ve never used fake food coloring. We’ve never used fake flavoring. All of our bright, beautiful colors come from real fruits and vegetables.”
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Since becoming an official federal initiative in February 2025, the MAHA Commission has promoted a greater focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods while calling for reductions in refined carbohydrates, added sugars and certain artificial additives.
Goldberger believes those nutritional priorities will “translate into the pet space.”
Lord Jameson founder Sarah Goldberger says her company avoids artificial colors, flavors and preservatives in its dog treats. (Lord Jameson)
“My hope is that as a brand, we can inspire other pet brands to make better choices to really impact the lives and the health and wellness of dogs,” she said.
Goldberger started Lord Jameson in 2019, inspired by her late dog, Jameson, after noticing what she described as a void in the market for healthier dog treats.
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“Jameson had gone through a pretty serious medical issue, and the medication he was being given actually created toxicity in his body,” Goldberger said.
Goldberger said she wanted to offer treats made with “completely clean ingredients, organic, gluten-free, no preservatives, no toxins, no artificial colors or flavors.”
“So we started working with a homeopathic vet, and we were reminded of the power of plant-based medicine. A lot of the formulas, especially in our wellness products, are meant to serve dogs during a time of needed healing with plant-based products, more herbs and botanicals.”
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When she set out to create the brand, Goldberger said she surveyed more than 1,000 pet parents and found that many reported their dogs had allergies or sensitivities to various animal proteins, preservatives and food colorings.
Lord Jameson makes organic, plant-based dog treats using fruits, vegetables, herbs and grains. (Lord Jameson)
Goldberger said she wanted to offer treats made with “completely clean ingredients, organic, gluten-free, no preservatives, no toxins, no artificial colors or flavors.”
Despite not using preservatives, the treats have an 18-month shelf life, which Goldberger said is “very difficult to achieve in production” and is “another key selling point for us.”
Lord Jameson, Goldberger said, has “truly reimagined what dog treats can be and should be.”
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She said she eats the treats herself and even puts them in her children’s lunchboxes.
They’ve been a hit with pet owners for a variety of reasons, including what Goldberger described as their effect on dogs’ digestive systems.
“As a dog mom myself, I know the frustration when you go to the store, you buy food or a treat, you bring it home and all of a sudden they have diarrhea,” she said.
“Because we’re using whole-food ingredients and no preservatives, you’re going to get a nice firm poop after they eat. It sounds funny to say, but this is something you’ll see in a lot of our reviews.”
National Dog Day puts the spotlight on canine health, wellness and the choices owners make for their pets. (Lord Jameson)
Goldberger also said the treats can be suitable for some dogs with colitis, diabetes or other specialized dietary needs.
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Lord Jameson has since launched a line of “protein-inspired” flavors as part of its Love Puffs line, made with organic sorghum, a whole grain that contains protein and fiber.
Another feature that sets Lord Jameson apart, Goldberger said, is that the brand is “completely vertically integrated,” with its manufacturing operations, including its kitchen, warehouse and fulfillment center, based in Boulder, Colorado.
“We’ve had no price increase for three or four years, no issues with any tariffs because everything is sourced primarily in North America,” Goldberger said.
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Lord Jameson treats are sold at 5,500 independent pet retailers in the United States, as well as at some grocery stores, and are available internationally in four countries.
Kelly McGreal of Digital contributed to this report.
