Beggin' Strips

Beggin' Strips is a brand of dog treats manufactured by Nestlé Purina PetCare. The product was first introduced in 1989 by Ralston Purina and was initially sold in North America. After the development of the Nestlé Purina business, the brand became part of Nestlé Purina PetCare's portfolio of pet snacks. The defining product characteristic is its imitation-bacon presentation. Beggin' Strips are formed and marketed to resemble strips of bacon, using bacon and other ingredients to create a savory, smoky profile intended to appeal to dogs and to the owners who purchase treats for them. Product formulations may include grain and plant-derived ingredients, sweeteners, humectants, flavorings, acids, and preservatives in addition to bacon. The exact formulation varies by product flavor and market, so ingredient details should be checked on the relevant package. The brand's central advertising proposition is captured by the long-running slogan "Dogs Don't Know It's Not Bacon." Rather than positioning the product as ordinary dry pet food, the marketing emphasizes sensory resemblance, indulgence, and the comic idea that dogs respond to Beggin' Strips as though they were receiving human bacon. This gives the brand a distinctive place in the dog-treat category, where recognizable human-food associations are used to communicate taste and reward. A major visual element is Hamlet, a cartoon dog created in 1994 for the product's packaging and advertising. Hamlet is depicted licking his chops while anticipating a treat and became a representative character for the brand. The character helped make the packaging readily identifiable and reinforced Beggin' Strips' humorous, dog-centered tone. The brand has also been associated with public-facing pet events. Purina held an annual pet parade around the Mardi Gras period in Soulard, a historic neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri. Beggin' Strips was additionally connected with a Stupid Dog Contest reported in 1999, whose earlier prize structure included an annual supply of Beggin' Strips and a trip to New York to attend the Late Show with David Letterman. These activities extended the brand beyond package advertising into participatory pet entertainment. Beggin' Strips remains a dog-snack brand within Nestlé Purina PetCare. Available information identifies the brand's North American origin and its core bacon-themed positioning, but does not establish a complete international distribution map, current product catalogue, current leadership, sales figures, or a standalone corporate structure.

Beggin' Strips originated in 1989 as a dog-treat product sold by Ralston Purina. Its initial commercial focus was North America. The product was designed to resemble strips of bacon, establishing the visual and flavor concept that continues to define the brand. This approach made the treat distinct from conventional biscuits or dry pet food by connecting it with a familiar human food associated with indulgence and strong aroma. The brand's principal marketing idea is expressed through the slogan "Dogs Don't Know It's Not Bacon." The line presents the product as a humorous approximation of bacon from a dog's perspective, while also communicating the intended sensory appeal to pet owners. The product has been offered in more than one flavor, and listed ingredients have included bacon alongside grain, plant-derived, sweetening, flavoring, acidifying, and preservative ingredients. Formulas can vary, and the available reference material does not establish one universal recipe for every Beggin' Strips product. In 1994, the brand added a significant identity asset with the creation of Hamlet, a cartoon dog shown on the trademark bag licking his chops in anticipation of a treat. Hamlet was subsequently used in Beggin' Strips advertising and became a visual representative of the product. The character gave the packaging a more distinctive and playful personality and supported the brand's broader use of comic depictions of canine appetite. Beggin' Strips was also promoted through pet-oriented public events. Purina held an annual pet parade around Mardi Gras in Soulard, a historic French neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri. The brand was further associated with a Stupid Dog Contest, which was covered by the Waterloo Courier on July 4, 1999. Earlier editions reportedly included a grand prize consisting of a yearly supply of Beggin' Strips and a trip to New York to see the Late Show with David Letterman. These events used humor, pet participation, and local publicity to reinforce the brand's entertainment-oriented identity. Following the development of Nestlé Purina PetCare, Beggin' Strips became part of that company's pet-food and pet-snack portfolio. The available reference material describes the brand as manufactured by Nestlé Purina PetCare, with the product having originally been made by Ralston Purina. The sources do not provide a detailed chronology of corporate transfers, a complete list of current markets, or verified information about present-day executives, revenue, ownership percentages, or public-company reporting. Beggin' Strips is therefore best understood as a consumer dog-treat brand housed within the Nestlé Purina business rather than as a separately listed company.

• 1999

  Stupid Dog Contest receives newspaper coverage

  [1]Beggin' Stripsen.wikipedia.org

  A Beggin' Strips-associated Stupid Dog Contest was covered by the Waterloo Courier on July 4, 1999.

• 1994

  Hamlet introduced as brand character

  [1]Beggin' Stripsen.wikipedia.org

  The cartoon dog Hamlet was created for Beggin' Strips packaging and later became part of the brand's advertising identity.

• 1989

  First sale of Beggin' Strips

  [1]Beggin' Stripsen.wikipedia.org

  Ralston Purina first sold Beggin' Strips in North America as a bacon-themed dog treat.

A playful, indulgent dog-treat brand built around bacon-shaped snacks, savory flavor cues, comic advertising, and the promise that dogs will react to the product like real bacon.

• Dog treats · 1989

  Beggin' Strips

  The core Beggin' Strips product is a strip-shaped dog snack designed to evoke the appearance and savory character of bacon. The brand's marketing emphasizes bacon flavor cues, smoky aroma, and use as an indulgent reward rather than as a complete pet food. Products have appeared in multiple flavors, and available ingredient information identifies bacon alongside ingredients such as grains, plant proteins, sweeteners, humectants, flavorings, acids, and preservatives. Specific recipes and pack formats may differ by market and product variant.

• 1999Stupid Dog Contest

  United States

  A Beggin' Strips-associated Stupid Dog Contest was reported by the Waterloo Courier on July 4, 1999. Earlier versions reportedly offered an annual supply of Beggin' Strips and a trip to New York as a grand prize.

  Source
• 1994Hamlet packaging and advertising character

  North America

  Beggin' Strips introduced Hamlet, a cartoon dog shown anticipating a treat. The character appeared on the trademark bag and was used in advertising to personify canine excitement about the product.

  Outcome. Hamlet became a representative visual element of the brand.

  Source
• Soulard pet parade

  St. Louis, Missouri

  Purina held an annual pet parade around the Mardi Gras period in Soulard, a historic St. Louis neighborhood, as part of the brand's pet-focused promotional activity.

  Source

• 1989

  Launch of bacon-style dog treatsProduct launch

  Background

  Ralston Purina introduced Beggin' Strips in North America as a dog snack shaped and marketed to resemble bacon.

  Action taken

  The company launched a strip-shaped treat centered on bacon-related flavor and visual cues.

  Aftermath

  The product became an established brand in the Purina pet-snack portfolio and was later manufactured by Nestlé Purina PetCare.

  Source

• 1999

  Beggin' Strips Stupid Dog Contest reported[1]Beggin' Stripsen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign

  The Waterloo Courier covered a Beggin' Strips-associated Stupid Dog Contest on July 4, 1999. Earlier versions reportedly offered pet-related prizes, including an annual supply of treats and a trip to New York.

• 1994

  Hamlet character created for Beggin' Strips branding[1]Beggin' Stripsen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign

  A cartoon dog named Hamlet was created for the product's packaging and later used in advertising as a recognizable brand character.

• 1989

  Beggin' Strips introduced in North America[1]Beggin' Stripsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  Beggin' Strips were first sold as a Ralston Purina dog-treat product, beginning the brand's North American commercial history.

1. 1Beggin' Stripsen.wikipedia.org