EarthWise Pet Supply & Nature's Pet Market Blog

I enjoyed reading your blog. We are big fans of N...

2012-02-09T11:12:16.861-08:00

I enjoyed reading your blog. We are big fans of Natural Balance, and actually think that the fact that there is no puppy/kitten formula is a good thing. We have been able to raise our petkids on the same healthy food and never had to go through switching foods on them – or having to deal with all the digestion issues that go along with switching pet foods. Our dogs and cats have never had any health issues and have wonderful skin and coats. We love Natural Balance!

Just like us, our pet's teeth must also be tak...

2012-01-04T00:17:07.798-08:00

Just like us, our pet's teeth must also be taken care of. They also have feelings thus, if their teeth ached, they would probably feel the pain as well.

Raw diets and a high-protein, great quality, no co...

2011-11-29T23:39:04.405-08:00

Raw diets and a high-protein, great quality, no corn, wheat or preservative dry food would be my ideal first choice, but budget wise, it isn't possible right now, THERE ARE STILL a great selection of wholesome, real meat, no by-products, fillers, or corn, options for dogs and cats out there, within any budget!

Yes, this is true. Unfortunately it seems like a l...

2011-10-18T14:31:22.255-07:00

Yes, this is true. Unfortunately it seems like a large majority of pet food manufacturers have salt listed uncomfortably high on the ingredient panel, with only a few exceptions. While I don't necessarily agree with this, I didn't mention it because of its sheer prevalence in the market. Instead, I chose to mention issues that are more brand-specific or relevant to an individual formula.

Erika you neglected to mention that ALL TotW forum...

2011-10-15T13:11:08.971-07:00

Erika you neglected to mention that ALL TotW forumulas now contain salt as high as the 10th ingredient. This change has caused them to drop significantly in my regard, and I no longer feed this line.

Although it is difficult for us as rescuers/foster...

2011-09-11T07:15:58.013-07:00

Although it is difficult for us as rescuers/fosters to afford Pure Vita and the other known nutritional diets, we have found that Pure Vita has been the best for all of our dogs. It calmed the sensitive stomachs of the dogs that needed it, and all of dogs LOVED the taste!

I agree Orijen is one of the best foods on the mar...

2011-09-08T11:23:42.225-07:00

I agree Orijen is one of the best foods on the market. However, I feel due to the high protein content; it's better suited for large breed dogs.

Pedigree should be ashamed of themselves. I took ...

2011-09-08T11:17:14.172-07:00

Pedigree should be ashamed of themselves. I took the time to research the dog foods and opted for Wellness for my Pug.

So glad to see they listen to their consumers/buye...

2011-09-06T15:44:17.225-07:00

So glad to see they listen to their consumers/buyers and grateful we have people who are watching quality standards.

Thank you so much for this yearly, very informativ...

2011-09-04T11:33:21.488-07:00

Thank you so much for this yearly, very informative article. I have been reading it since 2007. I am considering buying a pet service franchise (dog walking, pet sitting, boarding, overnights…) this year. I am wondering what your thoughts are on the trends for pet owners spending on these particular services. Part of me thinks this is a great time to buy this franchise and the other part thinks perhaps I am insane.
Any thoughts are much appreciated.
Paws Pet Supermarket

This is an interesting blog. I've enjoyed read...

2011-08-21T02:17:30.409-07:00

This is an interesting blog. I've enjoyed reading it. It is useful for the readers to check the high protein & large breed puppies. Your sort is very informative and impressive.. Anyway, thank you for the information, I really appreciated it. Keep it up.

Paws Pet Supermarket blog

This controversial ingredients very interesting. I...

2011-08-13T22:15:01.190-07:00

This controversial ingredients very interesting. I've enjoyed reading your blog and I gathered an additional information about your post. I will check your other blog soon. Keep it up.

Great idea. I agreed what you said from your post ...

2011-07-27T23:13:37.983-07:00

Great idea. I agreed what you said from your post that nowadays the pet usually eat pet food. They should also eat an natural pet food for their health,natural pet food can gets a lot of nutrients. Thank you for the information, I learned something from your post. Keep it up.

Paws Pet Supermarket blog

2011-07-27T06:54:22.506-07:00

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

Hi Megan, The "meats" and "meals&...

2011-07-26T15:13:07.332-07:00

Hi Megan,

The "meats" and "meals" that are used in pet food are unfortunately a very complicated issue, where information is often conflicting and subject to several different definitions and regulatory bodies.

That being said, there is a legitimately substantial difference in quality from un-named "meat meal" and specific, named sources of meal, such as the "lamb meal" and "chicken meal" used in Natural Balance and many other high-quality foods. Non-specific ingredients such as "meat meal," "by-product meal," and "animal digest" are most likely to include 4-D animals, and this is why we choose not to carry foods with these kinds of ingredients in our stores.

However, most experts agree that a named meal source is an excellent choice to be included in pet foods. The AAFCO definition of specific named meal is: "the rendered product from mammal tissues, exclusive of any added blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents except in such amounts as may occur unavoidably in good processing practices. It shall not contain added extraneous materials not provided for by this definition."

The reason many quality pet food companies use specific meat meals is the reason that we at Nature's Pet Markets and Earthwise Pet Supply recommend food with these ingredients: it is because it allows for a greater quantity of meat to be included in the food, as the water has already been removed.

In regards to the comment about testing standards and nutrient levels; that claim seems vague and unsubstantiated. I cannot find any valid information that attributes the "nutrient levels" of a meal as any lower that "meats" also destined for pet food. In contrast, "meals" may actually be more "nutritious" than meat because it contains the minerals from bones and additional vitamins from internal organs. It may not be appetizing to us, but all ingredients of "meal" are part of a natural carnivorous diet.

Every pet food manufacturer does have a choice of which "grade" of meats/meals to purchase, and we trust that the companies we carry in our stores purchase a high quality. However, if you are concerned, I wouldn't hesitate to approach the manufacturer with your questions, as they should be forthcoming in their answers. I hope this helps!

I have fed dogs Natural Balance over the years, bu...

2011-07-24T12:15:21.161-07:00

I have fed dogs Natural Balance over the years, but am uncomfortable that as you noted, in the case of the Lamb and Rice food, lamb meal is the main ingredient. "Meal may include “4-D” meat (meat from diseased, dying, dead, or disabled animals)and "meal" as opposed to meat is not subject to testing for quality standards or nutrient levels, so it may vary widely from batch to batch." This info is from a Halo dog food review: http://www.halopets.com/chickenmeal/index.php.

What do you think about "lamb meal" being the first ingredient?

In the case of Halo they use only whole meats and substitute eggs & peas "in place of meat meals to provide a very highly digestible and natural source of protein."

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

I found so many interesting stuff in your blog esp...

2011-07-11T00:15:28.602-07:00

I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. Thanks for writing this. I feel like I know everyone There won’t be any fun colors nor little bone or fish-shapes in our pet’s food, but this is just one of the ways Natural Balance keeps it natural! You may occasionally notice the kibble change color, but this is just due to natural variations in the colors of the ingredients themselves. I never would have thought about before reading it. Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing with us.

online pet

Good info Erika. Very helpful - Thanks!

2011-07-01T16:02:06.667-07:00

Good info Erika. Very helpful - Thanks!

Great 1st article Erika!

2011-07-01T10:27:12.172-07:00

Great 1st article Erika!

WOW! What a fantastic Blog! I felt really inspired...

2011-06-14T01:15:18.633-07:00

WOW! What a fantastic Blog! I felt really inspired so and I think it is a great way to ease into the whole blogging thing! This is especially important if your animal is being treated for specific health conditions and may already be provided with antioxidants via other means of dietary supplementation.
Make sure you use the correct form of the supplement. As an example, vitamin E and alpha tocopherol, while often used interchangeably, are not the same.I am going to post a link to these on my blog if that is ok with you. I know that my followers will love these. Thanks so much!!
online pet

Wonderful tips, I will use it for my yorkies!

2011-05-19T20:50:35.899-07:00

Wonderful tips, I will use it for my yorkies!

Good covered point, lots of people simply put some...

2011-04-18T23:34:16.502-07:00

Good covered point, lots of people simply put something weired theories in front of public.
But it doesn’t work i think because know one sure how it will going to happen
It looks like just coping ideas which someone has already written. I found even on
popular blogs guest bloggers bring same theories which I already know. I observed they
just try to spice up their article without knowing what really audience want to read.

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Getting information through this site and happy to...

2011-03-12T02:54:21.909-08:00

Getting information through this site and happy to read about raw pet food. Thanks for giving wonderful information.
Pet Supplies Online

Thank you for information!

2011-01-30T10:57:04.117-08:00

Thank you for information!

Excellent alternative. Thanks for the suggestion....

2010-11-15T22:42:07.218-08:00

Excellent alternative. Thanks for the suggestion.