A biscuit treat for dogs has improved palatability by incorporating a
highly palatable shelf stable meaty filling into a cavity formed upon the
top surface of the biscuit. The meaty filling includes agar as a gelling
agent in combination with sufficient soluble solids to yield a high Brix
number and reduced water activity. Precise quantities of agar and of a
soluble solids concentration exceeding 65% eliminate capillary transfer
of moisture from the highly aqueous meaty filling to the low moisture dry
biscuit. The resulting highly palatable two phase biscuit has a long
shelf life suitable for commercialization in the pet treat market.