EarthWise Pet Supply & Nature's Pet Market Blog

New Year's Resolutions for Pet People!

2012-01-03T13:48:00.000-08:00

Cartoon from http://www.apariv.org/2011/01/happy-new-year/

Happy New Year from all of us at Nature's Pet Market and Earthwise Pet Supply! I hope that 2012 will bring some great new products, growth, prosperity, and an ever-increasing understanding of our beloved pet's needs! If you are looking for another New Year's resolution (as if you need another!) consider one (or all!) of these suggestions specifically for your pet.

Brush your pet's teeth with pet-specific toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush, such as THESE from Four Paws. Good oral hygiene is very important for pets, and there are now many options available including multiple toothpaste flavors and even an electric toothbrush! Most dogs will tolerate a gentle toothbrush and enjoy the toothpaste thoroughly. Cats do well with a finger toothbrush or an extra-small one, and seem to like the malt flavored paste. Even a quick swipe over the teeth carries a lot of benefits!

Take your dog on more walks or even a few hikes this year! Exercise is the most obvious but the most underutilized weight-loss tool for dogs, and this is especially important when canine obesity is at an all-time high. A chubby dog is NOT a cute dog- a chubby dog is an unhealthy dog that is likely in pain. You are responsible for your dog's weight- change this with a mix of diet AND exercise! Here in the Northwest, we have abundant hiking trails from beginner to the most advanced canine hiker. Our stores carry many products designed to make hiking fun and enjoyable, such as doggie backpacks, rugged booties, and portable water bowls. Good for you and your dog!

Keep up on toenail trimming for your dog and especially your cat! Many people don't realize that most cats take nail trimming very well, and actually need it! Trimming your cat's nails can really help with destructive scratching behavior and prevents ingrown toenails.

Give your dog a RAW bone, such as THESE from Nature's Variety. Raw Meaty Bones are an excellent way to help clean your dog's teeth naturally and are especially good in the summer months when they can be given outside. Feed them frozen, and with supervision of course!

Consider supplementing your cat's dry food with fish oil. Not only do most cats love the taste, but . many cats can benefit from the extra boost of essential fatty acids, even if their dry food is of a premium brand.

Try a new brand of pet food! Rotation of food is natural and healthy, and is well-tolerated by most pets that aren't especially sensitive.

Teach your dog a new trick! Old dogs CAN learn new tricks, and mental stimulation is important for retaining cognitive function into their golden years. Learning new behaviors using positive reinforcement can (and should be!) fun and will strengthen the bond between you and your dog.

Give RAW food a try! Raw food is one of the healthiest and most natural ways to feed your pet. It can be scary at first, but there are many wonderful products on the market that make raw feeding easy and safe. Try Nature's Variety Instinct Raw - The only raw food on the market using High Pressure Processing to kill bacteria, and available in convenient medallions, patties, and chubs for your pets of all sizes!

Consider signing your dog up to be a Doggie Blood Donor. Just like with people, blood is in need! Your young & healthy over 55lb dog can help save lives while getting a new toy, treats, and lots of love!

Donate your time by volunteering at your local animal shelter or humane society, or even open your home to fostering! Fostering gives many dogs and cats a chance for a home that normally wouldn't get adopted in a shelter. This doesn't mean these pets are extra difficult though- they just might be older, plain-looking, have a minor medical issue, need a little training, or even mothers with new babies. Every pet deserves a second chance, and you (and your kids!) can help by fostering or volunteering at a shelter and socializing/exercising pets helping them to become more adoptable.

Tips for a Successful Holiday with Pets

2011-12-20T15:31:00.000-08:00

Tips for a Successful Holiday with Pets

As Christmas grows ever closer, the tree is likely decorated, presents are being wrapped, Christmas cooking is underway, and soon may come a steady stream of friends and relatives. As stressed out and anxious as the holidays might make you feel, it's easy to forget that our pets share the same living space and can easily share similar anxiety this time of year. Take a moment to read a few pointers on how to help your pets cope with the holidays so that everyone can have a safe and relaxing Christmas!

The Tree

Use plain 'ol water to fill up the tree stand. Additives might help the longevity of the tree, but they can be toxic to pets that drink the tree water, in addition to pesticides/herbicides that may reside on the tree's trunk. Keep pets away from this stagnant water.
Of course, cats will almost inevitably attempt climbing the tree. Make sure it is secure and won't topple.
Sometimes, a male dog just can't resist the urge to mark the new large outside thing that's inside the house. Try spraying the base of the tree with D.A.P to reduce anxiety-based marking. Same goes for cats that like to spray new objects.
The tree itself is considered mildly toxic with oils that may irritate the mouth and digestive system, causing excessive drooling and/or vomiting. Munching on the Christmas tree is not recommended.
Tinsel is irresistible to some cats but it can be deadly if ingested, causing internal blockages. Please monitor your cat to make sure she isn't tinsel-crazy, and if you aren't completely confident she won't eat it- use another type of decoration.
Christmas lights can pose an electrical and mechanical danger- they can cause burns and the risk of electric shock if chewed, and the lights themselves easily shatter and become embedded in tender paws. Check cords regularly for signs of chewing. Unplug when not at home!
Use shatter-proof ornaments near the bottom of the tree, and glass ornaments near the top where they are less likely to be knocked off.
Check your tree skirt regularly to make sure it hasn't been used as a nifty new bathroom.
Secure fragile presents and gifts likely to topple over.

Decorations

Much like tinsel, ribbons used for decorating are unfortunately quite popular snacks. Call your vet if you see any signs of distress and suspect that your pet ate ribbons.
Despite insistence otherwise from the pup, large bows stolen off gifts aren't toys!
Please promptly put away and secure wrapping materials. Pens, markers, bows, scissors, and tape have a tendency to find their way to the far corners of the house where picked up by curious pets.
Potpourri is popular this type of year, but it can also pose a hazard to your pets.
Keep candles and other burning objects above tail-level. Pets can singe whiskers, tails can knock over candles, and can be a very real fire hazard!
Many holiday plants can be toxic to animals. Poinsettias and holly are considered mildly toxic and might cause mouth/stomach irritation, but aren't fatal unless ingested in large quantities. Lilies are highly toxic, as well as mistletoe. If you have a kitty prone to plant-munching, best just to go faux.

Festivities

Although the holidays are full of culinary overindulgence, please don't share this tradition with your pets! Keep feeding routines consistent, and treats should be given responsibly and not too often. No fatty leftovers, no turkey skin, no onion, no unbaked dough! If this makes you feel guilty, purchase some pet-specific treats to share during special times.
Please keep holiday chocolates and other sweets out of reach.
Make sure guests know the treat policy, and aren't sharing forbidden foods behind your back!
Also, make sure food garbage is promptly and appropriately disposed of to avoid trash raiding. Cooked poultry bones can easily splinter and be deadly if ingested by a hungry dog.
Sugar-free baked goods and candy may contain an artificial sweetener called Xylitol that is toxic.
Alcohol is toxic to dogs! Ask guests to monitor mulled wine and eggnog, or put the dog away when the party starts.

Christmas Stress

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be a very stressful time, even for a normally calm dog. There are many new objects in the home, people keeping odd hours, blinky lights & odd smells, a constant stream of people coming & going, and unfamiliar strangers infiltrating their once-familiar and safe home.

Make sure your pets have access to their preferred "safe place" where they can retreat from commotion.
Guests that bring children need to be aware that you have pets and of their limitations, for the pet's AND the children's sake. The cat doesn't always like to be picked up, and the dog may not take a treat nicely when excited. It is your responsibility to ensure the safety of your pets and guests in your home! Be fair to your pets and your guests and be considerate of each's needs.
Make sure guests are aware of petting/jumping/treat policies.
Watch your pets for signs of stress (panting, shivering, tension in the face, hyperactivity) and remove them from guests if they appear overwhelmed.
Do not force your pet into unwanted interaction! On the other hand, don't always shut away pets that prefer to be social- this can also lead to anxiety and stress. Try leashing a social dog to your belt loop or the end of a sofa. They can be part of the festivities, but aren't underfoot or constantly pestering guests. Settle them down with a new toy or chew bone.
Stick to your pet's usual routine as much as possible.
Use D.A.P and Feliway to help reduce stress.
Carefully monitor open doors. Many pets unfortunately get lost as guests come and go during holiday festivities.
Children's excited squeals and unusual noises from new toys can agitate pets or cause extreme excitement. Best to put the dog away during the unwrapping of gifts to prevent stolen stuffed animals, stomped-on robots, slobbered-on Bratz dolls, wailing children, and extraction of the dog/cat from under the chair.
If you are feeling stressed or anxious, it's very likely that your pet feels it also! Your stress and attitude affect your pet more than you think. Try a few calming techniques yourself and take it down a notch to help everyone. Relax!

Using a little common sense, some consideration, a few precautions, and a good bit of observation during the next week can help both you, your guests, and your pets enjoy a calm, healthy, and happy holiday.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

-Erika

Chicken Jerky- Smokehouse Products are safe; Feeding guidelines.

2011-12-16T13:19:00.000-08:00

I'm sure most of you have heard that the FDA has issued an official cautionary warning for consumers regarding chicken jerky products (specifically of Chinese origin) due to an unusually high number of complaints received. It's important to remember that this is still only a warning and hasn't been associated with any specific brand, manufacturer, or country of origin, and that the FDA is continuing an investigation. We at Nature's Pet Market and Earthwise Pet Supply only purchase chicken jerky products from the most reputable of suppliers, most of which are made in the USA. However, there are a few products that are of Chinese origin, and we have received repeated assurance that these products undergo stringent and rigorous testing and have not been the subject of any customer complaints.

We have recently received a letter from Smokehouse Pet Products with information about the chicken jerky warning in regards to the safety of their products. Smokehouse, as well as Dogswell, are both trusted brands that are usually found in our stores. Please read the following information from Smokehouse which includes a feeding guide for their treats. Please Note- the feeding guide can be quite generous in some aspects, and this should be used as an absolute maximum amount. Please remember that as with any treat, chicken jerky should be fed SPARINGLY!

"November 30th, 2011"

"The FDA issued a cautionary statement regarding a potential association between chicken jerky treats and the reported 70 complaints of dogs having illnesses like diarrhea and vomiting. FDA has completed extensive laboratory testing and has stated that no contaminants have been found. They have also reported that many of these illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky. The FDA also issued a statement that treats should not be overfed to dogs."

"Smokehouse has all imported chicken products tested here in the United States by an independent laboratory. We test for melamine, cyanuric acid, e-coli, salmonella and tpc. Our extensive testing also includes a full pesticide panel."

"The vast majority of communications that Smokehouse has received about the chicken jerky products are from dog owners who have been using these treats for an extended period of time and have no problems. The common theme for the few people that called us [sic] ,with problems has been overfeeding. Chicken jerky is a treat and is not a suitable substitute for a nutritionally balanced diet and may not provide your dog with the total daily nutritional needs that are required."

"As dog lovers, we are concerned about your dog's health, happiness and well being. Over the last 8 years Smokehouse and others have sold many millions of pounds of chicken treats providing healthy snacks to millions of dogs daily."

"Smokehouse would like to offer the following guidelines:

Smokehouse Chicken Breast Tender Jerky:

Dogs who weigh less than 7lbs. less than 1/2 pieces per day

7-12 lbs. - 1/2 piece/day

13-20 lbs. - 1 piece/day

21-50 lbs. - 1-2 pieces/day

51+ lbs. - 4 pieces/day

Smokehouse Chicken Chips

Dogs who weigh less than 7 lbs. 2 pieces per day

7-12 lbs. - 5 pieces per day

13-20 lbs. - 11 pieces per day

21-50 lbs. - 11-22 pieces per day

51 + lbs. - 44 pieces per day

Smokehouse Chicken Poppers

Dogs who weigh less than 7 lbs. 2 pieces per day

7-12 lbs. - 4 pieces per day

13-20 lbs. - 8 pieces per day

21-50 lbs. - 8-17 pieces per day

51+ lbs. - 34 pieces per day

"Always provide your dog with plenty of fresh water when feeding any type of dried treats or chews.

Experts believe chicken treats should not be more than 5-10% of your dog's daily nutritional requirements." [emphasis added]

"Please be assured Smokehouse will continue to provide you with the safe, healthy, high quality treats you and your pets have come to expect.

Smokehouse Pet Products wants to insure [sic] all of our loyal customers that we go extensive measures to assure the safety of all our products. We are very proud that in the 20 years we have been selling these treats we have never had any product recalled.

We are confident that all of our treats are healthy, safe and of the finest quality."

Sweet Potato Apple Dog Treats

2011-12-13T11:32:00.000-08:00

In the few weeks before Christmas, many an hour is spent in the kitchen busily baking the ever-present Christmas cookies. To look across the counter and see those sweet puppy-dog eyes bright with anticipation, and to have to remind him that no, Buddy, they aren't for you... This time, include Buddy in your holiday baking with these Sweet Potato Apple doggie biscuits, recipe courtesy of Whole Foods Market. Free of added sugar and loaded with vitamins and healthy fiber, these biscuits are a Christmas treat that's perfectly suited to one furry family member's stocking.

Sweet Potato Apple Dog Treats

(Recipe courtesy of Whole Foods Market)

3/4 cup cooked, plain mashed sweet potatoes

3 tbsp chicken/beef broth (or water)

2 cups Organic whole wheat pastry flour

1/2 cup fine yellow cornmeal

1/4 cup finely chopped mint (for fresh breath!)

1 Granny Smith (or other firm, tart apple; peeled, cored, and grated

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together sweet potatoes and broth. Add flour, cornmeal, mint, and apples, and stir until combined. Knead the dough a few times until it holds together. Roll out half the dough onto a generously floured surface until about 1/4" thick. Use cookie cutters (2" to 4") of your choice to cut out treats. Transfer to baking sheets; re-roll and cut the scraps. Bake until dried and just slightly golden on the bottoms, 35-40 min. Turn off oven, leave the oven door ajar and let the treats cool and dry out in the oven for 1-2 hours. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Recipe makes 3-4 dozen.

Enjoy! :)

Canidae Part II: New "Pure" line & Protein Plus

2011-11-27T14:16:00.001-08:00

In the last blog, I reviewed the well-loved line of Canidae & Felidae's traditional formulas. Within the last year, Canidae hasgreatly expanded their line of products to include long-awaited grain-freeoptions for dogs & cats under the “Pure” name; and also re-introduced their“original” formula for dogs by the name of “Protein Plus.”

To begin, we have the grain-freeversion of the ALS formula, called Pure Elements. It is a combination of chicken,turkey, lamb, & fish protein sources, with potatoes and peas as main carbohydrates.It has 10% more protein and 3.5% more fat than the regular formula at a measureof 34/18, yet it has only 30 kcals per cup more, making it an easy transitionwithout a drastic reduction of amount fed.

The other 3 grain free formulasinclude Pure Sea, Pure Sky, and Pure Land. Pure Sea is the most highlyconcentrated in calories, with a protein/fat ration of 40/20, and has thelowest percent carbohydrates of only 23.5%, making it an excellent choice foractive dogs. It is a salmon-basedformula, and is rich in healthy fatty acids. Pure Sky is a poultry formula,free of red meat and fish. It is duck & turkey based with chicken fat, andhas more moderate nutrient levels of 32% protein and 16% fat. Pure Land is thefinal formula in the new grain-free lineup, and it is a red-meat diet of bisonand lamb. This formula has the lowest amount of protein and fat, and thehighest amount of carbs (but still slightly lower than the traditional grainformulas). Interestingly, Canidae has chosen to supplement this particularformula with Taurine, as lamb does not contain much naturally.

The final new formula in Canidae’slineup for dogs is the reintroduction of their “original” formula, calledProtein Plus. It is much like the ALS formula with a slightly higher protein percentage,but the primary difference is that it only uses a single source ofcarbohydrates: highly digestible brown and white rice. The lack of diversity incarbohydrates makes it a suitable formula for dogs with sensitive digestive systems,as the barley included in the ALS formula can sometimes cause diarrhea.

For cats, Felidae has alsointroduced 2 grain-free options; Pure Sea and Pure Elements. Pure Elements isessentially the same formula as the ALS version with multiple protein sources,higher protein and fat, and lower carbohydrates from potatoes and peas. Pure Seais the highest in protein & fat and the lowest in carbohydrates with poultry-freeprotein from salmon and menhaden fish meal. Both Pure Elements and Pure Sea arevery low in fiber, which is unusual for many grain-free formulas. Each has afiber percentage of 1.5%, thus making them an excellent choice for diabeticcats.

Canidae & Felidae Part 1

2011-11-18T16:08:00.001-08:00

Why feed Canidae?

Started in 1996, Canidae Pet Foods has been one of the most trustedmanufacturers in the pet food industry. With no history of recalls and a widevariety of formula choices, pet owners have many reasons to feel comfortable choosingCanidae to feed their dogs, cats, (& Horses!) Athough Canidae hasn’t beeninvolved in any food recalls; nevertheless they demonstrate a high level ofcommitment to making sure their record remains unblemished. All of the productsare formulated in-house with expert nutritional knowledge, and undergo rigoroussafety inspections during and after production, including 141 ingredient tests,10 finished product tests, and independent laboratory testing.

All of Canidae’s formulas include a variety of beneficialingredients, designed to maximize nutrient absorption and palatability. Tomatopomace, an ingredient which contains lycopenes that are important for cognitivefunction, is present in nearly all varieties of dog formulas. Prebiotics andprobiotics are also included generously and contribute to healthy digestivefunction. Canidae recognizes and valuesthe importance of feeding our pets asnature intended, and this shows in many of their formulas by the high percentageof meat-based protein listed. Another benefit of Canidae is thewell-rounded variety of Omega 3 & 6 ingredients including sunflower oil,chicken fat, and flaxseed meal- all important for maintaining a strong, healthylipid layer to protect against environmental irritants and for developing ahealthy coat.

For the Dogs

Candiae offers 6 traditional dry kibble formulas for dogsthat include healthy whole grains, and 4 new grain-free formulas. Of the traditionalvarieties, the most well-known and loved is the ALS formula (shorthand for All LifeStages- although nearly all formulas are technically for all life stages-moreon that later). The ALS formula is best described as diversity in a bag: itincludes 4 different meat protein sources of chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish,thus providing a well-rounded amino acid profile. It, like the othertraditional formulas, includes diversity in carbohydrate sources includingmillet, alfalfa, peas, potatoes, barley, oatmeal, and rice, each providing individual nutrients that are important for the body. The ALS formula ismoderate in protein, fat, and carbohydrates making it suitable for nearly everydog.

Other traditional formulas are Lamb & Rice, Chicken &Rice, & Beef & Fish. Each of these formulas uses only the specificproteins mentioned in their titles; in the case of Beef & Fish, thespecified fish are herring and menhaden. Like the ALS formula, each of thesehave moderate protein/fat/carb percentages, with Lamb & Rice having thehighest carbohydrates and Chicken & Rice the lowest. Unlike some otherlimited protein diets on the market, Canidae is unique in the face that theyuse the specified protein first onthe ingredient panel in meal form: this means that meat still comprises themost percentage of total weight.

For the Cats

Cat food is found under the name Felidae (both of thesenames derive from the biological names that cats and dogs fall under). Felidaeincludes 3 traditional cat kibbles, all formulated with the same care and dedicationfound in the dog diets. Cat owners have the option of feeding either an ALSformula that is nearly identical in ingredients to the dog version, or aChicken & Rice formula. Both of these are nearly identical in nutrientcomposition, and provide a moderate level of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.

For Weight Loss

The final traditional formulas for Canidae and Felidae ispresented under the Platinum title. This is a lower-calorie, traditional weightloss formula that is a diet version of the ALS line. While I normally am notsupportive of traditional, high-fiber/high-carbohydrate, grain-based diet foodsfor dogs & cats, it is my opinion that the Platinum line is the bestrepresentation. Canidae as a manufacturer does suggest (as do I) that simplyfeeding less of the regular formulas is best, as more high-quality protein andfewer carbohydrates is most effective for weight loss and for senior animals,however they do understand the difficulty that some pet owners face whenneeding to “diet” an animal with a smaller amount of food- thus the reason forPlatinum. What makes the Platinum diets better than other traditionalweight-loss formulas is that it is only 1-4 percent protein less than their normalformulas (compared to other brand’s more drastic reductions). Most of thereduction in calories comes from fat instead. As well as a chubby pet notlosing too much of that all-important protein, Platinum is also better becauseit is not loaded up with insoluble fibers like many other diet foods. Having alower fiber percentage is healthier for animals that are diabetic (fiberdirectly affects glucose & insulin levels), and diabetes and obesity arealso often related.

All of Canidae’s & Felidae’s entire line are availablein canned form. More on the new grain-free lines for dogs & cats later!

Your New Puppy- the Do's and Don'ts!

2011-10-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

Bringing home a new puppy it is one of the most exciting and fun experiences you can have, but it can often be one of the most confusing and frustrating experiences also! However, if you follow a few basic guidelines it can make the growing up process easier and a lot more enjoyable and will enable you to build a strong and lasting bond with your puppy.

Buy a crate, or an exercise pen, or a baby gate- anything to keep your puppy in a contained area when you can’t directly supervise him. Puppies are very good at entertaining themselves, and don’t yet know what appropriate and inappropriate toys are. This can greatly assist in house-training.

Consider buying wee-pads or using newspaper- or not. If you have a small breed puppy, you may consider using wee-pads for house-training. Small dogs=less mess, and many people don’t mind cleaning up after a small dog daily. However, if you have a medium to large breed puppy, it is usually best to skip the “middle” step of wee-pads/newspaper and train him to eliminate outside right away. This way he learns that outside is the ONLY appropriate place to eliminate.

Don’t punish your puppy for “accidents!” They are mistakes, and not intentional! If you catch him in the act of eliminating inside, make a sharp “AH AH!” or other corrective noise, and scoop him up and take him outside immediately. He may not have anything left to eliminate, but tell him he is a good boy anyways and he will begin to understand. If you discover the accident after the fact- this is your mistake for not supervising him, and don’t get him involved. He won’t understand, and if you rub his nose in it he will just become scared of you. Don’t smack or hit your puppy! Physical interactions with your puppy should always be POSITIVE!

Buy your puppy age-appropriate toys to play with and chew on. Your puppy will enjoy fluffy, lightweight toys to play with when he is very young. He will enjoy chew items that aren’t too hard for his teeth. Rope toys, cow hooves, soft & pliable rubber toys are all good choices. Beware of edible chews that may be too much for his tummy- only give him access to these for short, supervised periods of time. As he matures and teethes, he will often need more durable choices such as nylon bones and stuffy toys like the Tuffies brand. Toys can often be frozen to help soothe sore gums from teething.

Don’t punish your puppy for chewing on something inappropriate! He doesn’t understand what’s his yet. Make a corrective sound, and redirect his chewing onto his own toy- then praise him. Use Bitter Apple or other chew-deterrent if necessary. Play-biting is normal, but painful! Hard play biting should be stopped by quickly ending the game- say “OUCH!” (our equivalent of yelping), and if that doesn’t work, stand up and walk out of the room. Give him a time-out until his energy level cools down.

Make training consistent throughout your house. Different words and commands, and different methods for housetraining/play biting/chewing can be confusing and ultimately detrimental.

Choose a food that is appropriate for your puppy’s size and that is easy to digest. There are many, many choices and it can be confusing-we are happy to help you find the right food for your puppy. Ideally, pick a food that is specifically formulated for puppies. Look for foods that are “simpler” with fewer ingredients- his digestive system needs to mature with the rest of his body. Please don’t switch foods too often, this will upset his tummy and can make housetraining quite difficult. It is best to stick with one food until he is at least six months old.

Buy training treats and biscuits that are easy for your puppy to digest. Try to find treats that use the same protein source that is in his regular food if you can. It is important to reward good behavior with treats and praise, but make the pieces small- you don’t want to ruin his appetite.

Buy some “High Value” treats to reward extra-special good behaviors. This should be something especially tasty. Eliminating outside (have a PARTY for this one!), going into his crate by himself, “dropping” a favorite toy when asked- these are excellent times to give a High Value treat and mark that behavior by positive reinforcement, so that he will be more likely to repeat it. *Give High Value treats IMMEDIATELY after the good behavior! Don’t wait until you get inside, or go in the kitchen to retrieve it- by the time you get to it, your puppy will have forgotten what he originally did to earn it.

Buy your puppy an appropriately sized collar and leash. Puppies should always wear a collar with a tag that has your information on it. Strongly consider microchipping him in case he loses his collar. Your puppy will hate his collar and leash for the first few days. Be gentle with him, but firm- don’t drag him, but encourage him to follow you with praise and some treats. Don’t pick him up and carry him- he will need to learn how to walk properly on a leash! Some owners elect to use a harness- this is a personal decision, but often it can encourage more pulling because the puppy can more comfortably center his weight. DON’T use a cat collar, and DON’T use a choke-chain or pinch collar on your puppy- these are for already trained adult dogs. Martingale-style collars can be a good alternative, and often can be adjusted to accommodate a wide range of sizes as he grows.

Please take your puppy to the veterinarian regularly as he grows. Puppies are susceptible to many diseases and parasites. In general, he needs vaccinations and a physical exam every six weeks until he is about six months old because his immune system is still maturing.

Please DON’T take your puppy to a dog-park!! Just like with children in daycare, in a dog-park many viruses abound from the (possibly un-vetted, un-vaccinated) dogs that visit. This is one of the best ways for your puppy to get sick. It is important that he becomes socialized with other dogs, however until he is finished with his vaccination schedule, only take him to play-groups with dogs that you know.

DO take your puppy on regular walks and car rides! Introduce him to children, elderly people, and people of different races and ethnicities. Introduce him to people wearing hats. Put a hat on your puppy. Trim his nails and allow other people to trim his nails- make all of these positive experiences with treats and praise. Get him acquainted with and comfortable with the world!

Please start your puppy on a regular schedule of parasite-control treatment. This includes regular, broad-spectrum deworming and flea/tick/mosquito/heartworm control. These are nasty parasites that not only make your puppy uncomfortable, but that can transmit life-threatening diseases. There are many options for parasite control available, however only purchase from us or your veterinarian as other generic forms may not be safe.

Please ask a reputable source (us, your veterinarian) about any training advice, and your veterinarian especially with health concerns. There is much misinformation on the internet, and poor advice could mean the difference between keeping your puppy healthy and happy; or contributing to illness and damaging your relationship with your puppy.

Above all, have patience with your puppy, and remember to have fun! Your puppy is just a baby, and learns new things every day. Be an important, positive contribution to this learning, and don’t take things too seriously, and your puppy will grow up to be your best friend.

-Erika

Crate Training for Dogs and Puppies

2011-10-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

A crate is one of the most important and essential items for many indoor-dog owners. Not only does it make house-training infinitely easier for both us and our puppies, but it becomes a valuable tool for training in adulthood as well. #1 rule to remember is that the crate is a safe place; your dog’s home. Therefore, punishment in the crate or relating to the crate is strictly forbidden!

How to set up the crate:

· Purchase a crate that is large enough to accommodate your dog at her adult size. Most crates come with a divider panel: use this to create a smaller space when she is a puppy, and then gradually move the divider back as she grows.

· Line it with newspapers or wee-pads to make the inevitable accident easier to clean up and contain.

· Include very washable bedding. Best to use something without stuffing for the first few weeks, in order to prevent the bed being a chew-toy.

· Place the crate somewhere that is not high-traffic, but not solitary. Her room should ideally be quieter than the TV room, but not a bedroom at the end of the hall. She will be most comfortable in a place where she can see her family, but can also sleep without being constantly disrupted.

How to build a positive association with the crate, and how to shut the door:

· Make it comfy. Include toys, and a comfortable sleeping material (if your dog doesn’t eat it, of course). Perhaps use a cloth to cover the top and sides, making it “den-like” if that seems to appeal to your dog.

· Feed your dog in the crate for the first few weeks. Start with the bowl in the front of the crate, and gradually move it backwards so she becomes comfortable with being inside.

· DON’T stuff your dog in the crate! If the dog is hesitant or scared, physically forcing her in the crate before she is comfortable with it will be seen as punishment.

· Give your dog high value treats and toys in her crate; things that are really super-special, things she doesn’t see everyday.

· Once she is comfortable enough for you to close the door behind her, give her a tasty treat immediately after you close it! Repeat, every single time you put her in her crate!

· If you see her go into her crate by herself, especially if she lies down inside to rest, let her know (via treats and praise) that her decision was a good one!

· Eventually, you can start giving a verbal cue that indicates it’s time to go in the crate. She will learn this cue very quickly if you’ve reinforced being in the crate with treats and toys, and will likely run to the crate herself! Keep reinforcing her good, smart, behavior!

How to housetrain your new puppy using the crate:

· You should start crate-training right away. Many puppies can be “rush acclimated” to the crate- this should be an immediate part of her new home with you. All of the above recommendations still apply, just close her door the first night. Yes it can be scary, but usually no scarier than her new home as a whole. Puppies generally acclimate to new experiences much more easily than adult dogs.

· New puppies will always protest being away from the family for a few weeks. Reinforce being in the crate by herself when she quiets down, not when she is in the middle of howling! This includes removing her from the crate: she will equate the crate with “sad alone place” if you always “rescue her” from there. This is called “negative reinforcement”- her howling behavior is reinforced by the “consequence” of the removal of the “negative” situation- the crate.

· Your puppy should sleep in the crate. It can be next to your bed at first- this will help keep her calm, and she will get fidgety and likely wake you up when she has to go outside. Take her outside as soon as she wakes up, don’t dally! You don’t want her to spend too much time fussing or you run the risk of inadvertently reinforcing that behavior as described above.

· Often, puppies want to play in the middle of the night after potty time. This is ok, as long as she isn’t barking or fussing about it. Give her a little chewy toy to keep her occupied until she sleeps.

· Use the divider panel wisely. Don’t give her too much space- she should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably without bumping.

Why can’t she have a bigger “room” when she is puppy? Because puppies will typically use one end as a restroom, and the other to eat/sleep/play. She will be hesitant to potty in her crate if she also has to sleep in it, and this will encourage her to hold it and make house training easier.

· Clean up accidents promptly! It’s never good to let your puppy get used to living in a “messy” house. Keep her home clean, and she will be more likely to keep it clean herself.

· When your puppy can’t be sharply monitored, keep her in her crate.

· Always reward her when she goes potty outside!! Just like with crate-training, every good decision and action by your puppy gets handsomely rewarded, and treats are the best! It’s called positive reinforcement.

· Don’t give your puppy free access to water while in her crate. Not only will she spill it every time, but a puppy that has a consistently-full bladder is harder to house-train.

· As a general rule of thumb for housebreaking: Puppies can only hold their bladder for however many months they are old plus 1, and less when awake and active. For example, an 8 week-old puppy can only hold her bladder for 3 hours at maximum. This might occasionally get stretched at night, but don’t count on it. Use this as a guideline for the next 6 months. An adult dog can hold it much longer, but this doesn’t mean that they should- 6 or 7 hours should be the maximum.

· If you are doing everything else right, and your puppy still soils her crate after a few weeks, try removing her bedding and absorbent material. Prepare for a mess and a few baths- but this usually seems to work. Sometimes the bedding can be so absorbent that she won’t mind messing her crate because she is dry again after a few minutes.

REMEMBER: each dog is an individual! Just because most dogs acclimate well/quickly to a crate doesn’t necessarily mean that your dog will. If after trying all the positive reinforcement and your dog/puppy still doesn’t want to stay in- try it again after a few weeks/months. If you dog/puppy is injuring herself to get out of the crate- stop! Try another method. My puppy hated her crate for the first six months she was with us, even broke teeth trying to get out. However, as she matured into an adult, she became more comfortable and now loves her crate just as much as the rest of the dogs. Above all, have patience and treat your dog with kindness and understanding.

Thanks for reading!

-Erika

Taste of the Wild

2011-09-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

Instantly recognizable by attractive packaging depictingportraits of wolves and mountain lions in various hunting scenarios, Taste ofthe Wild is easily one of the most popular ultra-premium pet foods available onthe market today. A subsidiary of Diamond Pet Foods, Taste of the Wild has madean unmistakable impact by introducing pet owners to grain-free pet food at atruly affordable price.

What's in the Bag

Based on the now- popular premise of feeding your pet “as itwould eat in the wild,” Taste of the Wild currently offers four varieties ofdry dog formulas and two varieties of dry cat formulas in addition to a line ofcomplimentary canned foods , all of which are grain-free and moderate tomedium-high protein percentages. All formulas contain prebiotics in the form ofdried chicory root, and probiotics to assist in healthy digestion. Alsoincluded in all formulas are tomatoes, blueberries, and raspberries whichprovide a valuable source of lycopenes and antioxidants that can aid cognitivefunction and support the immune system. Chelated minerals are used exclusivelyfor better absorption.

For the Dogs

Each of the four available dog formulas has a unique meatprotein blend, and many dog owners choose to rotate between formulas to providetheir dog with the maximum variety of flavors and nutritional benefits. TheWetlands formula is made up of mostly duck and chicken meals, but it doesinclude other forms of poultry such as quail and turkey as well as fish meal,and it has balanced protein/fat/ carbohydrate (approx.) percentages of32/18/34. Next is the High Prairie formula which consists of a red meat blendincluding bison, venison, and lamb, but also includes fish and chicken. Thisformula has an identical nutrient profile as the previous one. The next two formulas are void of chicken, which can be ofbenefit to dogs with poultry intolerances. The third choice is called PacificStream and is a salmon/ocean fish-based diet with more moderateprotein/fat/carbohydrate percentages of 25/14/44 (approx).

Sierra Mountain for Dogs

Created only with lamb and pea proteins, the final andnewest offering for dogs is the Sierra Mountain diet, and it is by far thesimplest formulation. Most formulas contain egg product as an additional sourceof digestible protein, but Taste of the Wild has created Sierra Mountain forthose dogs with the most sensitivities, excluding all egg, poultry, and fishproducts from this particular food. It has the same moderate levels ofprotein/fat/carbs as the Pacific stream formula, but has a slightly lowercalcium percentage that makes it suitable for large-breed puppies, unlike allpreviously mentioned formulas. We are still waiting for a canned version ofSierra Mountain to be introduced.

There is only one element of concern in this formula, andthat is the inclusion of the mysterious “Natural Flavor.” True, this ingredientis present in some of the very best pet foods, but unless the company can verifythat other forms of meat proteins were not used in its fabrication, it has thesmall (but possible) potential to causea reaction in very sensitive dogs. Natural flavor is present in all otherformulations, however, because of the already limited nature of itsingredients, Sierra Mountain customers should be aware of this possibility andcan seek the appropriate information from the manufacturer.

For Cats

Taste of the Wild also offers two dry diets and one cannedfood for cats, both of which have had tremendous success in our stores. The Canyon River formula is a fish-basedformula with Trout, Ocean Fish, and Salmon as meats, and carbohydrate sourcesof sweet potatoes and peas that contribute important vitamins and are low inash. This formula features a well-balanced nutrient profile of 32/16/36. RockyMountain Feline is Taste of the Wild’s original feline formula, and includesboth venison and salmon, however these two ingredients aren’t as prominent inthe formula as the packaging would lead you to believe-it is primarily achicken-based formula that also uses sweet potatoes and peas as carbohydrates.Rocky Mountain Feline has higher protein and fat levels of 42% and 18%, yet thecalories per cup are quite similar. Both formulas are incredibly palatable forfinicky felines and don’t have the crumbling issues that many other grain-freecat foods do. Currently, the only canned food available for cats is the RockyMountain Feline formula.

Somewhat of a Mystery...

In creating Taste of the Wild and offering it at anaffordable price, Diamond Pet Products has enabled many more dedicated petowners to feed a high-quality, grain-free food to increase the health andhappiness of their pets. Taste of the Wild is undeniably an amazing product;however my only complaint lies not with the formulations, but with themanufacturer themselves. On their website there is a distinct lack of informationavailable about the company, about their manufacturing methods, research, etc. Theingredient explanation is quite complete, and they do have a good FAQ section,yet it’s not clear who is answering questions and making statements. Neitherfound anywhere is any reference to their parent company Diamond - a separate Googlesearch reveals that Taste of the Wild is indeed a subsidiary. Although some maybe still be stinging from Diamond’s aflatoxin recalls in 2005, there haven’tbeen any further incidents and none with Taste of the Wild- so, why be socryptic? I would prefer that manufacturers be more publicly forthcoming withinformation regarding their products, especially as they pertain to our pet’shealth.

In Conclusion...

Marketing and advertising falters aside, Taste of the Wildoffers a line of foods that is hard-to-beat in terms of quality and price, andtherefore is justifiably one of our most popular. It has been a stable,consistent product with amazing palatability and rotational variety. Taste ofthe Wild has been an incredibly positive, needed addition to the market ofsuper-premium pet foods and is highly recommended.

-Erika

Photos from SuperZoo: Groomer's Competition!

2011-09-22T17:07:00.000-07:00

As some may have heard, last week was SuperZoo in Las Vegas- one of the largest pet retailer expos in the country. I had the pleasure of going and witnessing some amazing and exciting new products, but I was also lucky enough to catch the very end of the Groomer's competition with the point-and-shoot in hand... I've yet to see anything quite like it! The talent! The imagination! The patience! Please enjoy the following photographs, and try not to let your dog look over your shoulder because laughter isn't nice! ;)

The AT-AT (All Terrain All Transport) Walker from Star Wars

Rainforest Dog and Sea Life Dog (?)

Rainforest Dog

Sea Life Dog

Jurassic Bark

The Queen Bee (I think its a girl?)

My personal favorite: The My Little Pony

The Chinese Lion Dancer

Standard (poodle) of the Opera

- Erika :)

Orijen

2011-09-07T12:15:00.000-07:00

I do apologize for the length of this post, but I think as you read you'll agree that it's all very important information. :)

In last week’s article about Pedigree, one of my chiefcomplaints is the fact that the company uses legitimate scientific research inan unsavory manner designed to boost sales of cheap, unhealthy products withoutregard to the best interest of our pets. In this week’s article, I am pleasedto bring you a review of a food manufacturer that stands in stark contrast toPedigree; a company that values the importance of the latest scientificresearch and applies that research in a way that is appropriate and beneficialto the health of our dogs and cats.

Orijen- Biologically Appropriate

This manufacturer is Orijen, a division of Champion PetFoods in Alberta, CA. Orjien formulatestheir foods on the concept of “Biologically Appropriate,” carefully craftingtheir formulas to best suit the digestive anatomy of carnivores. Unlike otherpet food manufacturers who either choose to ignore scientific research ormisuse it to their own advantage, Orijen elects to design a series of formulas that are based onclinical evidence and mimic as closely as possible the natural diet of ourpet’s species; focusing on high concentrations of meat-derived protein, fewcarbohydrates, and no cereal grains. They emphasize and utilize the evidencethat, as carnivores, dogs and cats derive energy from protein and fats and notgrain-based carbohydrates. For this reason alone (and along with many others),Orijen is one of the most popular natural pet foods available, and is one ofour most highly recommended.

Ethical and Honest for all

While constructing a biologically-appropriate approach tocanine and feline diets, Orijen concurrently places great emphasis onenvironmental sustainability and animal ethics. Orijen is one of few companieswho recognize that the health of our environment and the animals that feed fromit are directly relational to the health of our pets. In addition to neveroutsourcing any processing whatsoever (Orijen owns & operates their ownmanufacturing facility, and never “shares” with other companies) Orijen choosesmeat and fish suppliers that are local to the region, thus reducing emissionsfrom additional shipping costs and helping support their local community.

The Meat of it

The meat is sent directly to Orijen’s own manufacturingfacility fresh every day, eliminating the need for artificial preservatives andheat –processing that destroys vital nutrients. Once the meats arrive, they areground and processed under stringent inspections. Unlike many pet foodcompanies, Orijen is a pet food company that recognizes the value oftransparency in their manufacturing process and ingredients; they are pleasedto inform customers about the source and quality of their meats (certified fitfor human consumption before being delivered to the plant) and they providevideo clips of their meat suppliers on their website. These suppliers raisetheir herds/flocks sustainably and naturally, and don’t administer antibioticsor hormones to their animals.

The Food

Orijen currently offers six varieties of dog formulas, andtwo cat formulas. All include a wealth of locally-grown vegetables included forspecific nutritional benefits, and a special blend of herbal botanicals for amyriad of advantages, including: Chicory root, a valuable prebiotic for betterdigestion; Angelica Root, Fenugreek, Licorice Root, and Pepperment- alsodigestive aids; Lavender and Chamomile flowers to ease nervous tension; andMarigold flowers & Juniper berries for antioxidant activity. All Orijen’sdiets are formulated with high levels of meat protein and low levels ofcarbohydrates from vegetable sources at a ratio of 75-80% meat, and 20-25%vegetables.

For the Dogs

Dog owners have 3 choices of adult formulas, regular puppy& large-breed puppy formulas, and one senior diet. Because Orijen’s formulas arebiologically-appropriate, they place rightful emphasis on protein variety. As aresult, they have developed 3 wonderful formulas for adult dogs that when fed inrotation, provide our dogs with nutrients that mimic the natural variance of acarnivore’s diet. Formulas are: Regional Red, made with a vast array of redmeats, fish, and eggs; Adult Dog, made with free-range poultry and fish; and 6Fish, free of poultry and eggs for sensitive dogs.

As a result of Orijen’s dedication to creatingscientifically-accurate diets for our pets, they have formulated some of thebest puppy and senior-dog foods on the market. The Senior diet reflects thelatest research supporting the older dog’s increased need for high-quality,easily-digested meat-based protein to reinforce healthy renal function, amoderate fat percentage, and limited use of carbohydrates to keep a healthyweight. The Senior diet also includes naturally-present levels of glucosamineand chondroitin, further supporting the aging dog’s joints.

Large-Breed Puppies

Orijen offers a traditional puppy formula for small andmedium breeds, but most importantly, they have developed a stellar large-breedpuppy formula that at once tackles the myths of high-protein foods whileaccurately reflecting scientifically-proven data about the nutrientrequirements of large-breed puppies. Unlike popular opinion, it has been proventhrough numerous studies that the protein percentage itself is not a cause oforthopedic growth problems in large-breed puppies, however: the lower-qualityof most rendered meat meals comprising many high-protein diets most often havevery high percentages of calcium and phosphorus as a result of too much groundbone and connective tissues included in the meal, and excesses of thesenutrients have been proven to cause growth disorders.

As previously stated,Orijen has no qualms about being transparent about the quality of theiringredients and their nutrient levels, and this is most obviously reflected inthe large-breed puppy diet. Many pet food manufacturers either won’t disclosemaximum percentages of calcium and phosphorus or simply don’t know because ofinconsistencies in their meat meals. BecauseOrijen knows each meat supplier, they are able to use boneless meat in additionto low-ash chicken and fish meals that enable them to carefully proportioncalcium and phosphorous percentages to minimum and maximum levels that arescientifically appropriate in addition to protein/fat percentages necessary forslow growth and healthy weight- all essential factors for a developinglarge-breed puppy.

For the Felines

Not only has Orijen introduced some of the most advanceddiets on the market for dogs, but we are also very fortunate that our cats havenot been forgotten! Orijen offers 2 dry formulas for cats that are formulatedspecifically to mimic the obligate carnivorous feline diet with no plant-basedproteins or fats. Each formula has a protein percentage of 42% and a fatpercentage of 20%, with oils only deriving from meat sources to closelyreplicate what a wild feline would naturally consume. The Cat & Kittenformula includes chicken & turkey, and a few kinds of fish; the 6 Fishformula is poultry-free with a wide variety of fish including pike, flounder,and salmon to name a few. Of course, allfish meals are naturally preserved. Orijen is careful to craft these feline(and canine) diets at a moderate level of acidity and low magnesium content tohelp sustain the healthy urinary tract.

Drawbacks?

It is certainly hard to find a drawback for a company thatis so obviously dedicated to the health of dogs & cats. Yet, Orijen is atone disadvantage from similar high-protein, low-carbohydrate pet foodmanufacturers, and this is simply because they do not have the facilities toproduce canned foods. This is especially unfortunate for cats, because to becompletely biologically appropriate, felines should have much higher moisturecontent than traditional dry kibble can produce. Certainly, Orijen hasrecognized this flaw, and we hope that they will be able to offer wet foods inthe near future.

Better Regulations

As a Canadian manufacturer and exporter, Orijen is notsubject to the same USDA/FDA regulations that American pet food companies are.However, this is actually a benefit, as explained in the email that Orijen sentto me: “As an exporter, Champion Petfoods must meet all internationalpet food regulations, including those of the European Union which are thetoughest in the world. In order to export to the EU, the government of Canada(Canadian Food Inspection Agency) must certify not only our factory, but alsoour ingredients AND our ingredient suppliers. The standard they are required toverify is that our factory and foods contain only those animal ingredients thathave been passed as fit for human consumption. All our meat ingredientscan only be processed in facilities that are dedicated to the processing ofhuman grade ingredients.” Most certainly, American pet food regulations arenot as stringent as the ones that Orijen must accommodate, and it is partiallybecause of these strict rules that Orijen has developed a far superior pet foodthan the majority of American manufacturers. Orijen does voluntarily complywith AAFCO nutrient recommendations and ingredient descriptions; therefore youcan be assured that their label does indeed reflect what’s actually in the bag.

One of the Finest...

From Biologically-Appropriate, to a commitment to ethics andsustainability, to implementing the latest nutritional research, and toadhering to some of the tightest regulations - Orijen has met each challenge withdeserved bravado and exceeded expectations. Their commitment to our pet’s well-beingand their subsequent effort to creating one of the healthiest pet foods on themarket has not gone unrecognized, and it is therefore one of our mosthighly-recommended foods. When you elect to feed Orijen, you can be certainthat your decision not only makes a difference in the ethics of how pet food iscommonly manufactured, but it is also one of the best ones that you can makefor your pet.

-Erika

Pedigree

2011-09-01T14:56:00.000-07:00

As people who care about our pets, it is natural to be drawnto a visual depiction of something we’d like to emulate and replicate in ourown lives. In Pedigree’s case, it’s hardto ignore the bright yellow bag and the happy dog faces smiling back at us- who wouldn't want their beloved dog to be that obviously healthy and vivacious? Pedigreeis one of the most widely recognized and available pet foods on the market, yetmarketing skills and availability do not a quality pet food make.

New and Improved?

Pedigree was founded-by and is now a subsidiary of thecorporate giant, Mars Inc. Most recently, Pedigree has launched their “new andimproved formulas” based on research from the Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition-also an offspring of Mars Inc. It iscertain that the Waltham Center has performed truly significant and importantresearch in the area of pet nutrition, such as determining the need for taurinesupplementation in feline diets. However, when one inspects the claim and theproduct as a whole, it appears as if it may be another way for Pedigree tore-package and re-purpose the same underwhelming and controversial ingredientsthat comprise their formulas and label them as scientifically-backed.

What's on the Label

When reading one of Pedigree’s pet food labels, there arevirtually no ingredients listed that aren’t controversial, including:unspecified Animal Fat, Ground Wheat and Corn, Chicken By-Product meal, foodcoloring, and the notorious Meat and Bone Meal (MBM). For reference: Meat and Bone Meal, comprisedof the rendered waste products of the meat industry, was initially used as a proteinbooster for livestock and has been blamed for spreading Bovine SpongiformEncephalopathy- commonly known as Mad Cow Disease. It is used as an additive insoaps and cosmetics, and is generally used in Europe as an alternative sourceof fuel because many countries have prohibited its use in animal feed. It isnearly impossible to determine what actually comprises MBM and its grade ofquality (if any). In addition, MBM as an ingredient in pet food cannot benaturally preserved- instead, it is preserved chemically with either ethoxyquinor BHT. Animal Fat is also chemically preserved with BHA, and this is reflectedon Pedigree’s label- all of these chemical preservatives have been implicatedas carcinogens.

Supported by Science?

And yet the nutritional values of these ingredients are purportedlysupported by Waltham’s research. When readingPedigree’s Nutrition Report, several studies are cited that clearly reinforce theimportance of including different nutrients (such as fatty acids, zinc,antioxidants, etc) in pet food; however, what is left unspecified is the importanceof the source of these nutritional elements: the actual ingredients of the food, and their subsequent digestibility andbiological availability. There are many studies that DO address thedigestibility and nutritional value of individual ingredients, but these wereleft out of their Nutrition Report.

It appears as ifPedigree has cherry-picked credible nutritional research in an attempt tovalidate whichever ingredient suits their profit margin best. To clarify, thevery inexpensive MBM is listed as “a source of Calcium” which leads to “leanmuscle, strong teeth & bones,” and Animal Fat is a “source of linoleicacid” which gives a “source of energy, healthy skin & coat.” According toPedigree, “Knowing what the ingredients are is not the same as knowing theirnutritional value and how they help your dog.” The leather and rubber of myshoe also contains proteins and fatty acids, therefore in accordance to Pedigree’slogic, my shoe could be a legitimate source of nutrition. It is blatant thatPedigree wants us to believe that the origin of the nutrients don’t matter atall, and therefore nearly anything can be (and is) included in their foods.

An Era too Late

Ingredients designed for livestock feed were appropriate inthe company’s foundation year of 1957, when household pets were also normally consideredlivestock. Half-a-century later, we are in an era of renewal and commitment tohealth for all- ourselves, our pets, our livestock, and our environment- andthe “standard” for many practices are being re-evaluated. Our household pets are now companion animalsthat we prefer to feed and treat like family; demand for organic food productsand the ethical treatment of livestock animals is ever-increasing; there is aconscientious effort to prevent the spread of disease and decay throughresponsible environmental practices; and Meat and Bone Meal is no longerappropriate for livestock- so why is Pedigree still attempting to validate itsuse in pet food?

It saddens me to think that many caring owners are beingmisled by a clever marketing scheme of cheerful packaging and the fallacy ofcarefully-selected “research” into feeding their beloved pets a grosslyinferior diet that may cause harm over time. What a shame it is, that Waltham’s nutritional research could be used fora myriad of beneficial causes and instead it is being used in a way that iscontrary to the best interests of our pets.

-Erika

Update on Menadione in PureVita and Natural Planet Organics

2011-08-24T15:09:00.000-07:00

I am very pleased to report that Tuffy's listened to our concerns and responded in the best possible manner: menadione has been removed from ALL formulas!

Some may have noticed that the controversial ingredient menadione (synthetic Vitamin K) may appear on new packaging of cat formulas of both PureVita and Natural Planet Organics as "menadione sodium bisulfate complex." The new inclusion of this ingredient was indeed very disappointing, as both lines of food are excellent quality with that one exception. Concerned pet-parents and members of our franchise presented Tuffy's pet foods with our reservations about this inclusion, and after a few weeks of review and investigation it has been removed.

This is very good news!

From the information that I have received, the company has been able to locate a natural form of Vitamin K, and will no longer include the synthetic form. Until new bags/labels can be printed for dry and canned foods, PureVita and Natural Planet Organics are manufacturing stickers to place on foods that will reflect the change in the formula.

Tuffy's pet foods has responded to a valid concern about their products with speed and efficiency. This is an indelible act that speaks well about the dedication of the company to their customers and to maintaining the best-quality products for our cherished pets.

-Erika

Hill's Science Diet

2011-08-23T11:47:00.000-07:00

The story of Hill’s Pet Nutrition took off in the early 1950’s when a research laboratory was established and four prescription diet foods for dogs were developed and made available through veterinarians. The company was purchased by Colgate-Palmolive in 1976, and since then they have become the corporate giant in pet food; expanding in veterinary clinics, pet stores, and feed stores worldwide, and funding pet nutrition lectures in veterinary colleges.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition is made up of 2 distinct lines of products; Hill’s Prescription Diets, formulated for medical conditions and only available through veterinarians; and Hill's Science Diet, formulated for growth and maintenance and available nearly everywhere pet food is sold. This article will focus on Hill’s Science Diet, the products available without a prescription for your healthy dog & cat.

Today, there are more than 50 different types of food formulated for Science Diet; all are touted to be the most nutritious and best quality foods available. Indeed, the company does have an impressive research operation, and you can be assured that every ingredient used in your pet’s food has been researched for its nutritional significance. However, what hasn’t changed over the many years of development is the quality of ingredients used. To clarify, Science Diet still base the majority of their formulas on cheaply-produced ingredients initially researched for herbivores and the livestock industry, such as: ground corn, ground wheat, soybean meal, brewer’s rice… etc. In addition, most formulas use by-product meals and unspecified animal fats. In March of 2007, Science Diet was involved along with several other large pet food conglomerates (Hartz, Iams/Eukanuba, Purina) in a massive recall of pet food contaminated with melamine and cyanuric acid- components found in wheat gluten- invoking severe and often-fatal kidney problems in pets. Even though Science Diet has since stopped using wheat gluten in their products, the ingredient quality of their formulas has not significantly improved.

There have been many innovations and advancements in pet nutrition over the last 20 years, and we at Nature’s Pet Markets and Earthwise Pet Supply believe in the importance of feeding a diet that closely mimics natural canine and feline diets, using whole grains and/or vegetables and most importantly, using quality sources of animal meats as the all-important base for a carnivore. It is very unfortunate that Science diet has not incorporated this view into their manufacturing; with their immense influence in the veterinary industry and their impressive research facility, they could be on the leading edge of the natural pet food market and provide valuable and much-needed scientific research on more natural ingredients. Perhaps, if they were to adopt this view, they could focus on nutrition as a preventative for healthy animals instead of focusing on nutrition as a solution to problems- problems that may well have been initially caused by improper nutrition.

Although Hill’s Pet Nutrition does play a very important role in the pet health industry by offering essential prescription diets for our companions with ailments, Science Diet foods as growth and maintenance formulas miss the mark.

-Erika

Breeder's Choice: Active Care & Pinnacle

2011-08-18T16:15:00.000-07:00

After the introduction and success of AvoDerm, Breeder’s Choice pet foods created two more distinct lines of pet foods with a unique area of focus: Pinnacle pet foods, emphasizing holistic nutrition; and Active Care, formulated especially for joint health.

Active Care- Why is it different?

It is generally common knowledge that supplementing your pet’s diet with glucosamine and chondroitin may help strengthen and preserve the integrity of the joints; it is also common knowledge that many pet food manufacturers add these ingredients to their formulas. However, what is not common knowledge is the actual amount of glucosamine and chondroitin needed in order to obtain a therapeutic dose for your pet. Many pet food manufacturers do add them, but most do not add enough to make much of a difference, if at all, and most add synthetic, processed versions that may not be utilized by the body as efficiently. Breeder’s choice has changed this habit by introducing Active Care, a formula for dogs that contain actual therapeutic levels of glucosamine and chondroitin from the natural source of chicken cartilage. Each cup of Active Care fed contains enough of these ingredients to positively affect your dog, helping to build, maintain, and repair healthy joints.

Active Care comes in two different formulations, and is also accompanied by Active Care biscuits. There is a Lamb Meal & Brown Rice formula with 22% protein, 12% fat, and an acceptable level of carbohydrates at 50%. Also available is a Chicken Meal and Brown Rice formula with 25% protein, 15% fat and 44% carbohydrates.

Pinnacle- The Holistic Option

For those looking for a more holistic-based pet food with unique, high-quality ingredients, Pinnacle offers some wonderful options. All of Pinnacle’s foods are formulated with chelated minerals for better absorption, and contain probiotics and digestive enzymes for an easier backyard “experience.” Available for dogs are three traditional formulas that include whole, healthy grains and three new grain-free formulas. Many are relatively simple formulations, making them suitable for sensitive dogs.

What are the benefits?

All traditional formulas use oatmeal as one of the primary carbohydrate sources which is low on the glycemic index and good for diabetic animals.
Another ingredient that all formulas share is organic quinoa seed meal: not technically a grain, quinoa is gluten-free, and relatively high in protein with a complete profile of amino acids- a rare find in the plant world.
The 3 traditional diets are comprised of Chicken & Oatmeal, Trout & Sweet Potato, and Duck & Potato- while some do have potatoes, remember: these 3 formulas do contain grain.
The grain-free options are: Salmon & Potato and Turkey & Potato (both of which include quinoa, blueberries, kelp, peas, & pumpkin) - each of these diets are similar in nutrient percentages and have a carbohydrate percent of 43%, which is fairly low in comparison to competitors.
Also available is the grain-free Peak Protein formula which is chicken-based and has higher protein and fat, and a lower carbohydrate percentage of 20% for active dogs and dogs that need to lose weight.

For the cats?

While Pinnacle has included some of the very highest ingredients in their dog formulas, unfortunately, like other Breeder’s choice foods, the cat population has been left out. Pinnacle offers one dry cat recipe and several kinds of canned diets also for cats. The Peak Protein dry formula for cats is grain-free with a low carbohydrate percentage which is good; however it and all of the feline canned food contain the controversial ingredient menadione. You can read more about menadione HERE. It is our hope that Breeder’s choice will remove this controversial ingredient and develop improved formulas for our cats.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, if your four-legged friend is of the canine persuasion, Breeder’s choice offers some amazing formulas in the Pinnacle and Active Care line for dogs of all sizes and activity levels. You can be confident that your pet’s food contains the highest-quality, low- ash meat meals, and is preserved 100% naturally. As the original natural pet food manufacturer since 1947, Breeder’s Choice is continually seeking to improve their formulas and offer pet parents many excellent options to fulfill individual needs. Whether you wish to improve your dog’s joint health without additional supplementation or to feed more holistically, Breeder’s choice makes a recommended diet that your dog will be happy to eat.

-Erika

Breeder's Choice: AvoDerm

2011-08-18T16:00:00.000-07:00

Breeder’s Choice began formulating pet food in 1947, and after years of observing farm dogs grow healthy and happy by gorging on avocado in the groves, they launched their flagship line AvoDerm in 1982. AvoDerm revolutionized the market by providing an oven baked pet food rich in healthy unsaturated fat- an important dietary component missing in many pet foods available at the time. Called a “miracle product” at its introduction, AvoDerm is truly unique as it is formulated with the fruit and oils from the avocado plant, providing a wonderful source of important vitamins and essential fatty acids- vital nutrients to skin and coat health.

Avocado?

There is some controversy surrounding the potential toxicity of avocado to dogs and cats, however AvoDerm has done the research and thus have all their bases covered. While it is true that the avocado plant has a toxic compound in the leaves, bark, and pit, a study from UC Davis has demonstrated this compound to be in the Guatemalan variety of avocado; AvoDerm does not use the Guatemalan variety, nor do they include any other part of the avocado plant- only the flesh of the fruit and its oil. After nearly 30 years of production and millions of pets fed with no negative feedback, you can feel confident in the safety and reliability of Breeder’s Choice and the AvoDerm line.

Benefits

All formulas in the AvoDerm line contain avocado/avocado meal and avocado oil, but the benefits don’t stop there. All diets have chelated minerals for maximum absorption, and all formulas include probiotics to assist in healthy digestion. Avoderm has also included 2 ingredients not commonly seen: Papain and Bromalein- digestive enzymes that assist in the breakdown of proteins. AvoDerm is preserved completely naturally, and I have received assurance that their fish meal suppliers use the natural perservative Naturox instead of the chemical preservative Ethoxyquin.

For the Dogs

AvoDerm offers a wide range of formulas for dogs that span all ages and sizes. Their popular Chicken & Rice diet is fairly simple and wholesome, and is available in the greatest variety; Puppy, Small-breed Puppy, Large-breed Puppy, Adult, Small-breed Adult, and Large-breed Adult. Most are formulated with simply chicken and rice, but a few also include salmon meal. Also offered are Chicken & Rice-based Senior and Weight Control diets. These two formulas aren’t much different from one another, but the Senior diet is an all-around better formulation because it has a lower carbohydrate level, and because chicken cartilage is included as a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin. All Large-Breed formulas have chicken cartilage for this benefit. In addition to the many Chicken & Rice formulas, there is a Lamb & Rice, a Triple Protein (lamb, chicken, turkey), and a Vegetarian option as well.

Oven Baked

Not to be forgotten are AvoDerm’s original oven-baked formulas, manufactured since 1960. Oven-baking kibble is markedly different than the traditional method of extrusion; however whether there is measurable nutritional benefit to oven-baking vs. extruding is a topic of controversy. AvoDerm’s “original” oven-baked diet is available in standard form and in a small breed version; it is formulated with beef meal, rice, and whole wheat flour. Although there are many dogs that can tolerate wheat without a problem, wheat is indeed a common allergen and it is best to choose a formula that does not contain it. Fortunately, AvoDerm does offer another oven-baked formula that is formulated with Lamb, rice, and oatmeal, and has a good balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.

Grain Free

Also available for the discerning canine customer are 2 recently-introduced grain-free formulas; the Salmon formula and the “Red Meat Meal” (beef meal) formula- a combination fairly unusual to the market. Both grain-free diets are made with peas and potatoes as carbohydrate sources, and include apples, tomato pomace, flaxseed, and of course Avocados. Each of these formulas are fairly simple and may be easy on a sensitive stomach. The Salmon kibble has a fairly high carbohydrate percentage at 56% while the Red Meat Meal kibble is only 46%. Both have balanced protein and fat levels, and are suitable for all but large-breed puppies. AvoDerm also offers a wide variety of canned diets (available in loaf form or in stew form) and their very popular oven-baked Kookies.

But what about the Cats?

While AvoDerm offers wonderful foods for dogs, they unfortunately fall short of that mark on their feline diets. All feline kibble with exception of the Salmon diet use ground corn as primary carbohydrate and corn gluten meal as a protein filler, and all of the cat formulas including the canned foods have the controversial ingredient Menadione. You can read more about Menadione HERE. It is our hope that Avoderm will remove this ingredient and improve their formulas for cats.

-Erika

Natural Planet Organics

2011-08-02T14:37:00.000-07:00

Tuffy’s Pet Foods is a family-owned manufacturer that has been producing pet foods since 1947, and with the introduction of the Nutri-Source line in 2003, their products have been improving in quality ever since. 2007 and 2008 saw the launch of their best products yet: the certified-organic line, Natural Planet Organics and the single-source protein holistic line, PureVita.

A Responsible Product

Natural Planet Organics is a good option for the conscious customer. Natural Planet Organics is Oregon Tilth certified, ensuring that farmland used to grow vegetables and grains has not had chemical fertilizers or herbicides applied for at least 3 years, and that organic meats are raised with organic feed. Natural Planet includes grains, meats, and vegetables, all of which are non-GMO and can be traced back to the farm where it originated. The packaging is fully-compostable, which is a step that many other manufacturers offering organic formulas have failed to take. In addition, they also focus on philanthropy by working with several non-profit organizations, such as the Angel of Hope foundation; an organization that places Angel of Hope statues in parks and gardens as symbols of peace and comfort to those that have lost children.

Why Feed Natural Planet Organics?

Natural Planet Organics offers 1 formulation of dry kibble and 2 flavors of canned food for both dogs and cats. This organic line has numerous unique benefits that, in combination, are not often found in many comparable foods. All of the foods have probiotics and chelated/proteinated minerals, which are minerals that are attached to a protein, thus making them easier for the body to absorb. Both dog and cat formulas contain taurine, an important amino acid for the cardiovascular system, and both contain chicory extract which is a source of prebiotics, microorganisms that stimulate digestive action.

The dog formula is made with organic chicken and whole organic grains for maximum nutritional benefit, and has an acceptable carbohydrate amount of approximately 47%. The cat formula is also made with organic chicken, but also includes easily-digestible organic dried egg and tuna meal (which is unfortunately not organic) as additional protein sources. It is a little high in carbohydrates at approximately 40%, but peas are one of the primary carbohydrates which is of benefit to felines. Peas are low in fat, high in fiber and have low ash content, perfect for your kitty to utilize and easily digest. The one flaw in the dry formulas is that salt is listed on the ingredient label. While salt is an essential nutrient, enough salt is generally present in individual ingredients that additional inclusion is not necessary, however, there is some controversy regarding this.

Canned diets for both cats and dogs are formulated with only Organic Turkey or Organic Chicken, and are suitable for use in a limited-ingredient diet.

Healthy for both your pet and the environment, Natural Planet Organics is an extremely nutritious food with little disadvantages, and would be an excellent all-around choice to feed your dog or cat.

PureVita Pet Food

2011-08-02T14:35:00.000-07:00

PureVita is Tuffy’s newest line of premium foods that have been simplified with quality in mind. PureVita features a single source of protein with numerous whole grains and vegetables chosen for their unique nutritional benefits, and uses proteinated/chelated minerals. PureVita supports the local economy by using local produce growers whenever possible, and their products are sold only in independent pet stores.

Why feed PureVita?

PureVita offers 3 traditional and 2 grain-free formulas for dogs, and one grain-free formula for cats; all of which contain numerous nutritional benefits not usually found in this generous combination. All of the dog formulas contain glucosamine & chondroitin for healthy joints, and both dog & cat formulas contain prebiotics & probiotics for digestive benefits, and taurine for cardiovascular health. Introduced into the diets is the spice Turmeric, in which some studies have demonstrated its potential cancer-fighting antioxidant benefits. PureVita also emphasizes the antioxidant benefits from the inclusion of acai berries and pomegranate. While the merits of pomegranate have been scientifically validated, acai berries are relatively new on the market and we are still learning more each day. All formulas have a mixture of animal-based fat, sunflower oil, and whole flaxseed to offer a well-rounded fatty acid profile.

For the Dogs

The three traditional dog formulas include Chicken & Brown Rice, Duck & Oatmeal, and Salmon & Potatoes, all with an acceptable carbohydrate level of 47%. While they do have only one protein source and are suitable for pets with true protein allergies, they also contain a variety of carbohydrates and fibers that may make them unsuitable as a true limited-ingredient diet. However, the grain-free options are much simpler and are a better option for sensitive dogs. There are two grain free formulas to choose from, Salmon and Turkey. The Turkey formula is a rather unique offering in the market as it is completely free of chicken. Also available is a good selection of benefit-specific (hip & joint, skin & coat, etc.) dog treats - some traditional and some grain-free.

For the Cats

PureVita’s dry cat formula is grain-free and based on chicken, peas, & egg product; all extremely digestible ingredients with high protein quality. While the cat formula does contain all previously mentioned benefits of the PureVita line, the carbohydrate percentage is fairly high for grain-free cat food at approximately 34%.

At this time PureVita does not offer a canned diet for either dogs or cats, but we are looking forward to this option in the future.

In conclusion...

Just like all of the foods we carry, we offer a 100% guarantee on PureVita foods, but in our experience it isn't needed! In our stores, the PureVita line has received wonderful feedback with many satisfied furry customers (and their owners!) PureVita is a Top Dog Food recommended by the Whole Dog Journal, and another unique benefit is that their products are made-to-order, ensuring maximum freshness. Altogether, Tuffy's newest food is a fantastic addition to the line, and we know many pets that are grateful their "parents" made the great decision to feed them PureVita.

Questionable ingredients: Menadione and Ethoxyquin

2011-07-13T14:38:00.000-07:00

The safety of the next 2 controversial ingredients that I'll discuss have been highly debated: synthetic Vitamin K, also known as Menadione or Vitamin K3 and the preservative Ethoxyquin.

Menadione- what is it?

Vitamin K is an important vitamin because it contains clotting factors used to stop bleeding, but Vitamin K does not need to be manufactured synthetically; K1 is naturally found in leafy greens and K2 is produced by bacteria in the intestines. While the synthetic form has been present in animal feeds for many years, the lifespan of livestock is drastically less than our companion pets and there has not been any studies done regarding its safety for long-term use.

However, a study done by Oregon State University has determined that Menadione, as injected for its clotting properties, is dangerous and causes oxidative damage leading to anemia and liver toxicity; the FDA has banned the use of synthetic Vitamin K3 in supplements because of its inherent risks.

What is being done?

As an ingredient that is present in natural sources and that is not required by AAFCO to be included in pet food, it makes sense to ask manufacturers to remove it or not include it at all.

This is what has been asked of Earthborn, and Tuffy's products Natural Planet Organics and PureVita-and they responded quickly, removing the ingredient from all their formulations. You may still see Menadione on the Earthborn's label, but this is because new packaging is very expensive- instead of raising prices on the food to cover the cost of new packaging, they elected to continue to use the old packaging until it ran out. I can certainly agree with this decision; however it would be helpful if they, like Natural Planet Organics and PureVita, a package sticker was produced letting us know that Menadione has indeed been removed

Ethoxyquin- what is it?

I have also asked both Earthborn Holistics and Natural Balance about their fish meals and if they have been preserved with Ethoxyquin- another controversial ingredient that has made its way into pet foods. Ethoxyquin is a chemical that is used as a preservative, a pesticide, and a hardening agent for rubber. It has been used in animal feed for over 45 years, but there is debate regarding its safety and it has since been banned from addition in most human foods. While there haven’t been any official studies that have directly implicated the chemical as the cause of pet illness, the manufacturer of the chemical did conduct a study that showed its association with changes in liver pigment and elevated liver enzymes, of which “the health significance… is unknown” (FDA.gov).

What is being done?

Numerous owner reports associating Ethoxyquin with pet illness led to the FDA to lower the maximum allowed amount in pet food. Although officially circumstantial, there is enough implied evidence against its use that most number of high-quality pet food manufacturers have elected to preserve naturally instead, usually with Vitamin E.

However, there is another way Ethoxyquin can make it into pet food: indirectly added from the fish meal suppliers. When a pet food manufacturer directly uses Ethoxyquin as a preservative it must be included on the package label, and this adds the highest quantity of the chemical to the food. Chemical added from indirect sources (such as the fish meal supplier) is of a much smaller quantity, but is there nonetheless, and is not required to be on the label. Federal regulations require that fish meal be preserved before shipment to manufacturers, and for a while Ethoxyquin was used by the suppliers almost exclusively for this purpose.

But, there are now other non-chemical and more natural alternatives, such as the product Naturox. Fortunately, most pet food manufacturers have acquiesced to public concern about Ethoxyquin and requested their fish meal suppliers to use Naturox or another natural preservative, but this remains a work-in progress as manufacturers are still becoming aware of their natural options. I’ve asked both Earthborn Holistics and Natural Balance about the preservative used by their fish meal suppliers, and have been assured by Natural Balance that they require the use of Naturox. I’m pleased to report that Earthborn Holistics claims their fish meals are Ethoxyquin-free as well.

Earthborn Holistic

2011-07-07T17:20:00.000-07:00

Of course it’s not unusual to hear words like “natural” and “holistic” on many pet food labels. As we have progressively become more collectively conscious of our environment and the needs of its inhabitants, this awareness has not so much trickled down as it has washed over the pet industry. We are experiencing somewhat of a “re-introduction” of our pets back into nature, with a desire to feed them appropriately as such. Therefore it has become more common than not to see these types of “trigger words” on pet food labels that appeal to our desire to “do our part,” yet often these words contain little substance and manufacturers have difficulty wholly backing up their claims of “natural.” Most earth-friendly trigger words are loosely defined and have little official regulations from the FDA and AAFCO (with the exception of “organic”), therefore making it easy for manufacturers to add to a label without much extra effort towards attaining the implicit value of the terms.

The Green Factor

But, I am pleased to report that Earthborn Holistic is one pet food manufacturer that can live up to its name. It is evident that they are deeply committed to the cause of not only producing excellent food for our pets, but doing it in a way that is sustainable and environmentally-conscious.

Earthborn’s packaging is manufactured using natural gas instead of crude oil, and all of their paper products are made with soy ink and recycled paper- even shirts and aprons are made from recycled cotton or plastic bottles.
They claim to use renewable resources whenever possible, and the website has several links to other ways we as customers can contribute.
But perhaps their most impressive feature is their UPCs for Trees program. We all know that trees help reduce greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming by absorbing Carbon Dioxide. Earthborn Holistic will plant a tree in an area affected by deforestation for every UPC purchased and mailed to them. You can check out the areas that have been planted by clicking on their “Tree Locator” and to date there are over 6100 new trees growing around the world! How easy it is to contribute!

The Food Factor

Even though Earthborn places much emphasis on environmental responsibility, their primary focus is manufacturing a quality food for our pets and at this they perform quite well. To begin, the common mantra of quality in relation to price is that “you get what you pay for” and I’m pleased to say that Earthborn has decided not to play this game and to offer their high-quality food at an affordable price. They are very competitively priced at one of the lowest dollars-per-pound, and this is especially impressive in regards to their grain-free formulas which have little carbohydrates in relation to other brands. Another outstanding feature I noticed is that Earthborn lists the carbohydrate percentage of each formula on the website. This is impressive, as carbohydrate percentages are not required public information for pet food manufacturers- generally we have to do some calculations of other nutrient percentages and perhaps a little song-and-dance in order to find out this number. Earthborn is forward with this important group of nutrients and thus they increase my trust as a customer.

For the Dogs

They have a full line of dog formulas that include two standard adult kibble, a small breed kibble, a puppy kibble, and 3 varieties of grain-free kibble.

All of their adult formulas include glucosamine and chondroitin to assist in building and maintaining healthy joints, and all formulas include probiotics- the beneficial bacteria that live in the intestine and help with healthy digestion.
The adult diets include a chicken-based formula and a fish formula, both of which list that specific meal first on the list of ingredients and are approximately 48% carbohydrates- an acceptable level. The small breed formula is significantly lower in carbs, weighing in around 35.5% which is great for the little guys as they have a tendency to get heavy. Earthborn also has a puppy formula that is made with easily-digestible chicken and fish meal- perfect for puppies’ developing digestive system. The puppy diet is also appropriately formulated for all-breeds of growing dogs with 32% carbs, 28% protein and 20% fat.

We can also choose between 3 different grain-free dog formulas which range between 17.5-29% carbohydrates and 32-38% protein, making them fantastic choices for your dog at any stage of life. They can also be effective weight-loss diets when fed correctly. Primitive Natural is formulated with poultry and fish meals, and also contains tomato pomace which may not produce as much gas as other fibers and is a great source of antioxidants and other nutrients. The Coastal Catch formula is a fish-based diet that has a good blend of soluble and insoluble fiber including tapioca, peas, and sweet potatoes. Great Plains Feast is a red-meat formula with Bison and Lamb and with carbohydrate sources of tapioca and peas.

Eggs?

Yes, eggs. Eggs are also considered a “perfect” protein source with a complete amino acid profile, the standard of which other proteins are compared to. While it’s true that some dogs are allergic to eggs, they are generally well-tolerated by most dogs & cats. Eggs contribute significant nutritional value to our pet’s food, and though it may not be ideal for some dogs, I am pleased that Earthborn has included this important protein source in their formulas. You can see it listed as “dried egg product.”

For the Felines

Earthborn has also produced some excellent options for our cats as well. Their traditional cat formula is made with chicken, egg, and fish; uses brown rice and peas for carbohydrates; and contains plenty of fruits and vegetables for added nutritional value. Carbohydrate percentage is an acceptable 36% for this formula.

Also available are 2 different varieties of grain-free formulas that also use chicken, egg, and fish for protein and peas & potatoes for carbohydrates. Peas are an especially good choice for cat formulas, as they have a naturally low ash content, are relatively low-fat, and are an important source of insoluble fiber that can help with digesting hairballs and assisting in well-formed stool.
Both dry grain-free formulas are between 17.5% and 18.5% carbohydrates with high levels of easily-digestible protein which makes them well-suited for heavy and/or diabetic kitties.
Also offered for felines are 4 varieties of grain-free canned diets, available in a large and small size. They are in a chunk-stew form, which many cats prefer over the more traditional loaf form. The tuna and salmon used in these formulas are wild-caught and dolphin safe, and all flavors are low in carbohydrates and low in ash.
Containing only meat and potato starch, the Chicken Cacciatore and Monterey Medley flavors can easily be used as or incorporated into a limited-ingredient diet.

For Your Consideration…

As Earthborn Holistic is a relative newcomer onto the pet food market, it is impressive to see the type of quality and variety that they already have to offer. However, there are some areas in which they can expand and improve upon.

One area to watch is the high inclusion of ground barley in concurrence with oatmeal in their formulas, especially in the puppy diet. Oatmeal is an excellent choice for carbohydrates as well as ground barley, but because they both contain water-soluble properties called beta-glucans, the two fed together may hold extra water in the intestines therefore potentially causing loose stools. For more information, click here.
Another change I would like to see is a more tangible difference between the two feline grain-free formulas. They contain essentially the same protein sources, only one has more fish vs. chicken and vice-versa. I would prefer if we had markedly different choices, perhaps one that is without chicken and a little more limited in ingredients for our sensitive cats.

Expanding on the holistic theme, I would also like to see Earthborn offer a certified-organic dog formula sometime in the future, preferably one that is low in carbohydrates in order to give a better alternative to other organic formulas on the market. It would also suit them well to incorporate compostable food packaging, and perhaps offer treats in the future.

For Your (& Our) Pleasure

Even though there are improvements to be made, Earthborn Holistic is a brand that I am pleased to recommend with confidence. We strongly believe in the importance of using sustainable business practices and supporting environmentally-conscious products, and it is exciting to be able to offer a high-quality pet food from a manufacturer that is of the same mind. Better for your pets, better for the environment, and better for your pocketbook.

Natural Balance Review

2011-06-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

We've likely all seen Tillman, the famous skateboarding Bulldog that skates for Natural Balance Pet Food. While your dog may not be able to skateboard or boogie board after eating it, you definitely can't make a wrong choice when you pick Natural Balance to feed your pet.

Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods has been a leading force in the natural pet food market since its introduction in 1989. From the beginning, Natural Balance has placed a great emphasis on pet health that is based upon “sound scientific principles and truth”, and from that tenant they have continued to develop high-quality dog and cat foods that are healthy and palatable. Recognizing that no two animals are equal, Natural Balance has given pet owners many formulas to choose from depending on the individual needs of their pet. In addition, Natural Balance helped to pioneer the Limited Ingredient Diet (L.I.D) for pets with food intolerances by offering healthy alternatives to expensive veterinary diets; they currently have one of the widest selections of limited-ingredient and novel-sourced formulas for dogs and cats that are available in a full line of dry, canned, and treats. Natural Balance has been chosen as one of the Whole Dog Journal’s Top Foods for 2010.

What are some unique features of Natural Balance?

Well, for starters they don’t use any color-stabilization agents nor dye in the kibble. Even though those types of coloring agents and dyes aren’t known to pose a hazard to the health, Natural Balance elects to keep unnecessary artificial elements out of our pet’s diet. 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.

Natural Balance also extensively tests their products for contaminants and toxins using their own in-house laboratory team and independently through Midwest laboratories, which means that formulation errors and other problems are caught quickly. Not only do they double-up on laboratories to ensure thorough testing, they also provide you with the ability to check your product online through their “Buy With Confidence” program which allows you to see the actual laboratory results from the same batch of food that you purchased.

A few more things that Natural Balance offers that other manufacturers may not are a charity rebate program, an Organic dog formula, and a Vegetarian/Vegan dog formula. Nonprofit Animal Charities and Rescue programs can receive a check from Natural Balance by collecting UPC’s (attached with receipts) from items you purchased; it’s a great way to donate just by feeding your own pet. Natural Balance offers a certified Organic dog formula that not only is especially healthy for your dog, but production of organic ingredients is also healthier for the environment. The formula includes free-range chicken raised without antibiotics nor hormones, and whole grains, vegetables, and herbs that are grown without traditional pesticides and don’t contain GMOs.

Now for the “meat and potatoes” of it: pun completely intended, because Natural Balance uses plenty of both high-quality ingredients in their formulas. As previously mentioned, they have a fantastic selection of formulas available for both your dog and cat.

For the Dogs

Many of the dog formulas come in small bites for your tiny friends, and the Lamb & Rice formula comes in large bites for the big guys.The Ultra Premium formula for dogs is a solid buy with an acceptable amount of meat-based protein, whole grains including oatmeal, and vegetables. The Lamb & Rice diet is a traditional simple diet that includes lamb meal as the first ingredient and whole brown rice. Other L.I.D.s are grain-free and based on novel protein sources such as Bison, Venison, Duck, and Fish; all contain easily digestible, nutrition-packed carbohydrates such as peas and sweet potatoes. The Sweet Potato & Chicken diet is a newer formula that is also limited in ingredients and grain-free, but with a more traditional protein source. Their Vegetarian formula is for extra-sensitive dogs that cannot tolerate animal-based protein, and is made with whole grains and vegetables. It is also a Vegan and gluten-free choice for conscious owners.

Natural Balance canned diets were chosen as one of Whole Dog Journal’s top canned foods; many formulas are available in both a large and small can, all made without wheat, corn, or soy. They are an excellent compliment to the dry diets, as a special treat, or great when fed alone.

Natural Balance has recently introduced two new diets for dogs, the Synergy formula and Alpha Dog line. Synergy is an excellent choice for almost every dog as it has numerous benefits that help dogs of all ages and conditions. Containing the lowest percentage of carbohydrates and a moderate amount of protein, it is a great formula for growing puppies to eat all the way into their golden years. Synergy also is one of the formulas that has Inulin, a prebiotic that aids in digestion and can help the immune system. Other ingredients include chicken, lamb, and whole grains. One of the most unique additions is a blend of fiber sources that help slow the digestive tract and can help improve stool quality and volume, therefore improving your backyard cleanup experience (always a bonus!). Alpha Dog formulas are lower in carbohydrates than the Ultra formula, have moderate protein levels, and all are grain-free featuring Garbanzo beans, peas, and potatoes as nutritious carbohydrate sources. The 3 formulas are each blended protein sources that are fish-based, poultry-based, and a lamb, chicken, & rabbit formula. Like Synergy, the Alpha Dog line all include prebiotics and a fibrous blend to help with digestion. This is a great choice for all life stages.

*Another benefit of feeding Natural Balance to your dog is that Taurine is added to each and every formula. While Taurine is routinely added to cat food as part of their natural requirements, it is often neglected in dog diets. Studies have shown that dogs deficient in Taurine may be more susceptible to cardiovascular problems; dogs with DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) improved when supplemented with additional Taurine. Since many breeds of dogs are genetically predisposed to DCM, Natural Balance has taken the initiative to add this important amino acid to every formula.*

Ah, but what about our feline friends?

Natural Balance has just as much to offer them, including a full range of dry formulas, an excellent selection of high-quality canned diets, and their new Platefulls pouches. Dry formulas are Ultra, Reduced Calorie, Indoor, the new Alpha Cat line, and 3 choices of L.I.D.s for sensitive cats. With chicken meal and whole grains, the flagship Ultra formula is a great choice for kitties of all life stages and conditions, and is the lowest in carbohydrates. Reduced Calorie and Indoor formulas are higher in fiber which can help reduce shedding and hairballs, and are lower in calories. L.I.D. formulas are all grain-free and include a Green Pea & Salmon, Green Pea & Duck, and Green Pea & Chicken, all of which use peas as a highly digestible carbohydrate source that can help slow transit time through the intestines and be of aid to diabetic kitties. Their new Alpha Cat formulas are created for all life stages, and include the prebiotic Inulin for improved digestion. They are poultry-based and fish-based, and use a blend of Garbanzo beans, peas, and sweet potatoes for their nutritional benefits and digestibility.

Natural Balance recognizes the importance of feeding a high-quality canned diet to cats, and they certainly have not disappointed in this avenue! They currently offer 12 varieties available in two sizes, including 4 different L.I.D. formulas, and they are comprised of digestible meat protein sources that are important to cats’ health, and many are grain-free. Natural Balance canned diets are tried-and-true in our stores, and remain one of the most popular because of their high quality and palatability. Platefulls pouches are new to the cat food lineup, and they are a worthy addition with eight grain-free flavors, four regular formulas and four lower-fat, higher-fiber formulas specifically for indoor cats.

However...

While Natural Balance offers some truly great options for dogs and cats, they -like all pet foods- aren’t without some drawbacks. One disadvantage is that not all the formulas contain prebiotics, only the select few previously mentioned. In my opinion, another drawback is the lack of a true kitten and puppy formula. While it’s certainly true that young animals will simply eat more according to their growing needs –there is technically nothing wrong with this stance- it is of note that while they are eating more food, you will be buying more food and cleaning up more food. A dedicated puppy/kitten formula will be formulated differently and with more calories so they won’t have to consume as much; they’d get more nutrition for less quantity.

I’m also disappointed in their reduced calorie formulations for dogs and cats. Indeed, the formulas have fewer calories than others and more satiating fiber, yet in substitution the carbohydrate percentages are quite high and protein percentages are low. There have been numerous studies that have proven the efficacy of a higher-protein low-carbohydrate diet; when compared to traditional high-carb “diet foods” pets that were fed the low-carb high-protein diets lost more weight and retained or even gained lean muscle mass without any additional reduction in calories. This is especially important for cats, as a diet high in carbohydrates may predispose cats to obesity and diabetes by increasing blood glucose and insulin levels, and will certainly not help a cat already suffering from one of these ailments. Scientific research has shown that cats actually use extra protein to build lean muscle mass instead of simply excreting it through the urine. On the same note, Natural Balance doesn’t currently offer a cat treat that isn’t without a lot of sugar and carbs.

One last thought is regarding the inclusion of “Natural Flavor” in their formulas. According to AAFCO, “Natural Flavor” is defined as "materials treated with heat, enzymes and/or acids to form concentrated natural flavors.” Other sources define it as a “blend of digests that cannot be artificial.” Neither of these definitions leave me truly satisfied. I have asked Natural Balance about this, and as of yet I haven’t received a response, and I may never if it is indeed proprietary to the company.

In Conclusion...

When one takes all the elements into consideration with the realistic understanding that no pet food manufacturer is without imperfections, Natural Balance is an upstanding manufacturer that can be trusted to make a generally high-quality and sound product. They use excellent-quality ingredients and you can feel safe when feeding it to your pet knowing that each batch has been thoroughly tested. Their selection of Limited Ingredient Diets cannot be beat, and have been an invaluable addition to the pet food market. All in all, Natural Balance is a solid choice to make for your pet.

Passing Over the Reins

2011-06-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

We have been expanding so quickly nationwide that I have neglected to keep up on this blog as I would like to. Fortunately, we just hired a fantastic pet nutrition expert that is going to be taking over this blog for me.

This post is to formally introduce Erika Fray, our pet nutrition expert. Erika will be providing extremely valuable information over the next several month including: product overviews, nutritional tips, valuable recall information, and other great advice. And who knows, I might throw in a post or two here and there myself!

Blue Buffalo Recall

2010-10-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

Researchers at Michigan State University have announced findings indicating that certain lines of Blue Buffalo Dog Food may be causing adverse effects in dogs. Although little has been ascertained as to the breadth of the problems, a recall has been issued for Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Dog formula, Blue Buffalo Basics Salmon formula, and the Blue Buffalo Large Breed Adult formula. For more information, please visit the following post from the Baltimore Sun or the Michigan State University report.

If you would like an alternative to Blue Buffalo, please contact your local Nature's Pet Market store.

Pet Promise Alternatives

2010-02-20T10:56:00.000-08:00

Pet Promise has been manufacturing natural pet foods for the past 5 years but because of economic hardship has stopped manufacturing of their cat and dog food lines as of January 2010. At Nature's Pet Market, we realize the importance of proper nutrition and want all Pet Promise customers to know of their comparable alternatives. I believe all of the formulas below are improvements on the the Pet Promise formulation but similar enough in ingredients to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Dog Food Alternatives:

1. Canidae Chicken & Rice or Canidae ALS
2. Dog Lover's Gold
3. Nutrisource Chicken & Rice
4. Taste of the Wild Wetlands Roasted Fowl

Cat Food Alternatives:

1. Felidae ALS or Felidae Chicken & Rice
2. Solid Gold
3. Chicken Soup for the Soul
4. Taste of the Wild

Make sure you ask your local Nature's Pet Market for details on transitioning and some of the benefits you should see from changing to these foods from Pet Promise.

Horizon Legacy Pet Food

2009-12-16T14:32:00.000-08:00

The controversy over feeding dogs a high protein diet continues to become more and more heated. This post is not to take sides or defend either position. This is simply a review of a new product, Horizon Legacy, which has recently been launched in the United States and happens to be a high protein, no grain diet.

The staff at Nature's Pet Market is constantly striving to identify and select the best possible food to fit each category of need. Up to this point, the best high protein, no grain option for dogs was one of the following: EVO, Nature's Variety Instinct, Orijen, Canidae Grain Free, GO!, Earthborn Primitive, or Solid Gold Barking at the Moon. Each food offers some unique advantages as indicated below:

-EVO: One of the most reliable manufacturing facilities and testing facilities in the industry
-Nature's Variety: Potato free
-Orijen: Great grain free fish formula
-Canidae Grain Free: New with a great grain free fish formula
-GO!: Made in Canada and the highest kcal/cup
-Earthborn Primitive: Priced under $50 for a large bag
-Barking at the Moon: Beef & Fish based

We wanted to find a product that stood out from the rest in terms of advantages and we found it in Horizon Legacy.

Advantages:

-Manufactured in own facility
-All ingredients sourced within 75-100 miles of facility
-Potato free (Fresh fruits and vegetables, including peas, carrots, apples, broccoli and bok choy add flavour and additional nutrients.
-High meat content
-Naturally Sourced Antioxidants Blueberries, cranberries and pumpkin, all with strong antioxidant properties to protect from free radicals.
-Digestive Enzymes: a custom blend of Protease, Amylase, Lipase, Cellulose, Lactase & Bromelain to enhance absorption of nutrients, deliver nutrients and carry away wastes, digest food, purify the blood and feed the brain to strengthen the immune system.
-Chelated minerals
-Balanced Levels of Essential Fatty Acids: Human grade chicken fat, whole ground flaxseed and salmon balanced to an optimal level. All sources of EPA, DHA, ALA and Omega-6 Essential Fatty Acids.
-Reasonably priced (similar to EVO - around $59.99 for a large bag)

Next time you visit your local Nature's Pet Market, ask the associate for more details. www.NaturesPetMarket.com

Ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, pea, pea starch, turkey meal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols, source of vitamin E), salmon meal, pea fibre, flaxseed, egg product, salmon oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols, vitamin E), carrots, apples, broccoli, bok choy, cabbage, blueberries, salt, fructooligosaccharides, yucca schidigera extract, dried aspergillus niger fermentation extract, dried aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, pineapple, dried trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, dried rhizopus oryzae fermentation extract, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried bifidobacterium bifidum fermentation product, and dried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, d-calcium pantothenate, biotin, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), ferrous sulphate, iron proteinate*, zinc sulphate, zinc proteinate*, manganous oxide, manganese proteinate*, copper sulphate, copper proteinate*, calcium iodate, sodium selenite, magnesium oxide.

Nutritional Information
Crude Protein (min.): 34%
Crude Fat (min.): 15%
Crude Fibre (max.): 3.5%
Moisture (max.): 10%
Ash (max) 8.4%
Omega 3:1%**
Omega 6:3%**

*chelated minerals
**Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles.

New Website Launch

2009-11-29T22:18:00.001-08:00

Just a heads up to Nature's Pet Market customers. We now have a new store website, www.NaturesPetMarket.com, and a new franchise information website, www.NaturesPetFranchise.com. Check out the new look and let us know what you think.

NEW Innova EVO diets coming out soon

2009-10-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

Natura Pet Products has been working on several new diets for dogs and cats for a while now, and they should be available in stores later this month. I plan on monitoring these new items carefully and will have a review posted in the near future.

The new products include a Herring/Salmon grain free dog food, a fish-based grain free cat food, and a reduced fat grain free cat food.

Natural Balance Duck & Potato Formula Change - Good or Bad?

2009-08-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

There has been a recent buzz in the pet industry regarding the changes made to the Natural Balance Duck & Potato Formula in the last couple of months. Many have relized that the latest batch of L.I.D (limited ingredient diet) Natural Balance Duck & Potato no longer contains duck meal. Instead, the new formulation only contains duck, which is a less dense form of duck protein. In order to make sure the protein levels are sufficient, Natural Balance has added potato protein. The bottom line is that there is less meat content in the new formulation.

Is this good or bad? I believe the new formula is definitely a downgrade from the older formula. That being said, however, I believe it is better than the alternative (stocking problems due to a lack of reliable duck meal sources in the United States). The L.I.D. duck formula is still far superior in ingredient quality to the vet prescription alternatives and maintains manufacturing and sourcing integrity.

If your dog is turning its nose up to the new formulations because of the reduced meat content, try supplementing the diet with a can of 100% duck from Evangers or puting a fish oil on top of the food during feedings.

High Protein & Large Breed Puppies

2009-07-16T17:55:00.000-07:00

I feel it important to emphasize that dog kibble diets containing high levels of protein, no grain, and low carbs are not appropriate for large breed puppies. With the excessive hype surrounding high protein diets for dogs and the benefits they may offer, many have overlooked the dangers of feeding this diet to large breed puppies.

Large breed puppies must receive diets that optimize their weight level and skeletal growth. EVO and other high protein, low carb diets are not designed for this purpose. The end result of feeding a large breed puppy these diets is excessive growth causing unnecessary stress on joints and muscles and week skeletal support.

Instead of a high protein and low carb diet, large breed puppies should be fed a diet that includes high quality carbohydrates and the correct mineral formulation. These items are essential to promoting optimal growth and weight until the puppy has reached its full size.

Salmon Oil Follow-Up

2009-06-06T17:48:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who has commented in regards to my post on Salmon Oil and other fish oil alternatives. This post is in response to some of those comments.

Question: Is Salmon Oil bad?
Answer: Absolutely not. Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil and other salmon oils are an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids.

Question: Can your pet develop a resistance to fish oil supplementation?
Answer: Yes. Similar to prolonged exposure to certain grains or proteins in a pet's diet, resistance and sensitivity can occur with prolonged exposure to the same source of Omega 3 Fatty acids or any form of supplementation.

Question: What is the ideal source of Omega 3 Fatty acids?
Answer: A non-predator fish source that minimizes the potential intake of harmful toxins.

Question: What other sources of Omega 3 fatty acids can I use to minimize the development of supplement sensitivity?
Answer: Most high quality foods have a source of fish oil in them, try supplementing your pet with a fish oil or other Omega 3 oil that compliments the one in the food. Some examples are Sardine/Anchovy oil, Flaxseed Oil, Salmon Oil and Sunflower Oil. Most quality foods have flaxseed, sunflower or salmon oil in them so sardine/anchovy oil is usually a great compliment to their diet.

Salmon Oil Alternative?

2009-06-04T20:52:00.000-07:00

For years Salmon Oil has been considered the flagship of fish oil supplements for dogs and cats. Although it is a great source of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, it is not the best source. At Nature's Pet, we recommend a fish oil from sources other than predator fish. Predator fish such as Salmon can often times collect more toxins and unnecessary items during their lifetime. Also, excessive use of salmon oil can make your pet smell like a fish (a very unpleasant potential side effect).

A great alternative that contains high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids and is purified in a manner that almost eliminates the odor is Sea Pet. This fish oil is sourced from sardines and anchovies, and it has an EPA level twice as high as traditional salmon oils. Another great benefit is the cost, Sea Pet retails for 25-40% less than the more common salmon oils.

For those of you not familiar with the benefits of fish oil supplementation, I've included a list of great benefits.

-Natural anti-inflammatory
-Reduces shedding
-Helps condition skin & coat
-Appetite enhancer if applied on top of food
-One of the best sources of fat available (fat is the most efficient energy source for dogs)

(This list is not all-inclusive).

REMEMBER: The balance between Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids is very important, so you should find a supplement that is high in Omega 3 but not necessarily Omega 6. This is another reason a sardine/anchovy based oil like Sea Pet is a superior choice to traditional salmon oils. Check with your local independent retailer for more information.

Pet Supplies

2009-05-24T10:57:00.000-07:00

Nature's Pet offers one of the largest selections of natural pet supplies in the Pacific Northwest.

We are pleased to announce our sponsorship of Paws Across Portland, a pet event in downtown Portland, Oregon on July 25th, 2009. Enjoy the Harley Davidson Parade or check out one of the 40 booths filled with great pet supplies and pet-related vendors in the Pearl District.

If you can't attend this special event, please check out one of your local Nature's Pet stores and view our natural pet supplies selection.

www.NaturesPetFranchise.com

Natural Balance Lamb & Rice

2009-05-23T10:01:00.000-07:00

Only a few days left to take advantage of our Natural Balance Lamb & Rice and Natural Balance Ultra large bag promotion. Through the end of May, take advantage of $5 OFF Natural Balance Ultra and Lamb & Rice bags at all Nature's Pet locations.

Also, $.50 is being donated to the Guide Dogs of the Desert (supported by Paula Abdul) for every Ultra and Lamb & Rice large bag purchased throughout the month of may. So stop in this week and stock up on these great products, and support a great charity in the process!!

NW Naturals Raw Pet Food

2009-05-17T19:43:00.000-07:00

After a long search for a great low-cost raw diet alternative, we are pleased to announce the launch of our new raw diet, NW Naturals. Although this product has been around for a while, some recent additions to the Northwest Naturals line and its great price point have moved us to bring it in to all of our stores.

I had the privilege of visiting the NW Naturals manufacturing facility in Portland, Oregon recently and was very impressed. The facility is clean, inspected daily by a USDA inspector, and contains equipment that is up-to-date and very efficient. I was also very impressed with the staff and management of NW Naturals. They are committed to excellence of manufacturing and offering only products with ingredients sourced in the United States.

Michael Morasch sums up the philosophy of NW Naturals best on their website when he states: "Duke, Vinnie, Kingdom, Shane, Buddy, Dottie, and our family cat Fuzzy. These are some of the names of my families best friends when growing up, and today. From Scotties, to Bulldogs, to Irish Wolfhounds, and our favorite "Mutts" Rescued from the Humane Society, as a family we have cared for our pets so they would live a long happy, healthy, and active life. For 53 years as a family owned business our goal has always been to be #1 quality, #1 in convenience, and #1 in value. Northwest Naturals™ produced "The Original Raw Nugget Diet" for pets and offers you the best raw natural pet food products today."

I encourage anyone who is currently feeding raw to try this great product that retails for $16.99-$22.99 for a 6lb bag. That's only $2.80-$3.80 per pound depending on the protein in the mix. Compared to other leading raw diets, that is a phenomenal value. No more mixing in vegetables or supplementing 100% meat chubs either, the NW Naturals diet is complete and contains AAFCO recommended feeding guidelines for All Life Stages.

For all of our customers currently feeding dry kibble formulas, this offers a great opportunity to try raw and see the benefits of feeding nutrient and enzyme rich foods to your pet.

Benefits of Raw

A series of positive changes will occur in your dog in response to being fed NW Naturals™ dog food. These changes may occur almost immediately, while others appear as prolonged quality of life.

In the first several days, your dog may experience:
~ Decreased anxiety level between meals
~ Decreased hyperactivity
~ Increased energy level
~ Increased food drive
~ Normalization of stools

In the first several weeks, your dog may have:
~ A more attentive disposition
~ An improvement in/or disappearance of skin allergies, disorders and irritation
~ An improvement in colon health
~ Brighter and clearer eyes

In the first several months, you may notice:
~ Your dog has a healthier, shinier, softer coat
~ Your dog completely digests dog food
~ Your dog has more stamina
(Benefits of Raw quoted from NW Naturals Website - http://www.rawnaturalpetfood.com/h_n.html)

For more details on NW Naturals Raw Diets, ask your local Nature's Pet franchise.

Natural Balance May Special

2009-05-16T15:28:00.000-07:00

Times running out on a great Natural Balance promotion at your local Nature's Pet. Throughout the month of May, Natural Balance has teamed up with Nature's Pet to offer $5 OFF large bags of Natural Balance Ultra and Natural Balance Lamb & Rice!!

This is a limited time offer to help support Guide Dogs of the Desert with Paula Abdul. Take advantage of these great savings on a great product throughout this month and look for the Paula Abdul and Dick Van Patten posters at your local Nature's Pet.

NutriSource Lamb & Rice - a great alternative to Nutro Lamb & Rice

2009-05-07T20:55:00.000-07:00

It is a goal of mine to find the best products to fit our customers' needs. Since the pet food industry is constantly evolving, this can be a difficult challenge. One prime example of a product that has changed drastically in both its price and sustainability is Nutro.

As many of our customers have noticed, this product seems to be constantly out of stock and changing prices regularly. With energy prices soaring to all-time highs last year, it was not a surprise to see pet foods incrementally increasing prices as well. However, those times have past and many are no longer in a position to be able to afford foods that keep increasing regardless of economic times.

Realizing a Nutro replacement needed to be found, we searched for a reputable company that had a long history of quality in manufacturing and service. We found the food we were looking for in NutriSource. NutriSource offers a full line of quality products, but their lamb & rice formulas are of particular interest as alternatives to Nutro Lamb & Rice. The upside is a great product (better in my opinion than Nutro) that is less expensive than Nutro and much more reliable.

NutriSource Lamb & Rice and Large Breed Lamb & Rice will be available in Nature's Pet stores mid-May. Come check it out and see what a difference it makes. Obviously, transitioning to a new food is always a concern, so please follow the guidelines on our website for Food Transitioning to avoid any problems.

Exciting New Focus in Stores

2009-04-28T12:48:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce a drastic shift in store branding and philosophy that we are taking and phasing in over the next 6 months. The changes are two fold: 1) more treats, 2) more economical super-premium pet foods.

Treats - Our Nature's Pet stores will be drastically expanding their dog and cat treat sections to offer the largest natural pet treat selection in the Pacific Northwest. New treats will include a whole line of buffalo treats, bulk biscuits, more raw bones, catnip treats for cats, and much much more. Our ultimate goal is to offer you the absolute best selection at the best price.

Food - We realize that economic times have forced many to adjust their budgets, so how do we manage these new times while still giving our pets the best from the best sources? After puting our heads together, we have developed several amazing new options that are coming to market in the next month or two. These new lines offer great products with great ingredients at amazing prices. Imagine a legitimate 40# bag again for under $40. That's right, we found it and are excited to launch it in our stores around mid-May. What about those of you who feed your pets a high protein, no grain diet? We found something for you too - an amazing no-grain large bag product with high meat content that will retail at between $44-$49. We even found diets to fit puppies, overweight pets, dogs with allergies, and active dogs.

So come check out the new Nature's Pet, the first natural pet supply system focused on reasonably priced natural pet foods and treats. You don't have to sacrifice quality to save money in today's market.

EVO Canned Rabbit - Where did it go?

2009-04-09T21:31:00.000-07:00

For months many retailers were wondering when the EVO canned rabbit formulas would be back in stock in the Northwest so we could fill our empty shelves again with a great product with high demand. So where did it go and why can't consumers find this product anywhere?

Answer: Natura Pet Products, maker of EVO, has a strict policy of only sourcing its ingredients from reputable, reliable and sustainable suppliers. However, the list of suppliers that fit those parameters for rabbit meat are few and far between. The inability to sustain the demand caused Natura to make a tough decision of either continuing to offer the product but sporadically or ending the line to maintain their philosophy of only offering sustainable products. They chose the latter and therefore EVO rabbit canned food is no longer offered by Natura.

Pet Blog Syndication

2009-04-09T21:25:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to respond to those who have inquired about posting some of the articles I've written on their blogs and sites. The purpose of this blog is to educate and offer insight to all of us that love our dogs and cats. Therefore, please feel free to post my articles on your blogs or sites as long as the posts have a link to my blog and give credit where credit should be given. Spread the word:)

Great Treat Deal!!

2009-03-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

Finally, a great treat deal for our customers from Merrick Pet Foods!! In today's economy, even though finances are tight, our pets' desire for treats hasn't let up one bit. "Fido" still wants his grub and we love giving it to him. Good news for everyone out there reading this blog, Merrick Pet Foods has come out with a bag of treats called "Hungry Dog". This is a mix-and-match bag of great treats (bully sticks, pig ears, porkhide chews, hooves, etc.) that were essentially leftover scraps during their packing process. There is no consistency in what you get in the bag other than that the weight is about 2#. The great thing about this bag of treats is that it retails for $10-12 and contains over $20+ dollars worth of all natural dog treats. I recommend it to all of our large and small dog owners, especially if your dog is teething or chewing your couch:)

Nature's Pet

Puppies and Teething

2009-03-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

One of the most frequent questions I get asked during this time of the year when working at one of our stores is, "My puppy is going through the chewing stage, what can I do?" The problem is that puppies teeth just like our children when they are getting new teeth. The difference is that our kids usually fuss or cry while our dogs chew everything in sight!

Although there is not a fix all solution, one of the best things you can do to manage the situation is offer your puppy a variety of puppy-appropriate treats. Keep their attention focused on something that is challenging and rewarding and keep your couch from being shredded:)

Some great puppy treats include: beef tendons, bully sticks, puppy nylabones, Everlasting Treat Ball from Star Mark, frozen raw bones.

Remember that children cry and puppies chew, a lot!

Pet Dental Tips

2009-03-09T11:18:00.000-07:00

Our pets' oral health is essential to preventing systemic problems down the road. Oral health is also an indicator of potential internal and systemic ailments. As a former OHSU dental student, I realized a long time ago that we cannot avoid taking care of our teeth and gums if we are to live comfortably for years to come. The same principle applies to our pets. Unfortunately, they cannot take care of their own teeth or we would probably have a bunch of pets much more concerned with what they eat and drink. The responsibility is on our shoulders. Below, I have listed a number of recommendations that will help keep your pet's teeth healthy and strong.

1) Brushing regularly (just as important for our pets as it is for us)
2) Raw bones (from pet store - need to be properly handled and stored); raw bones have intact enzymes that help with digestion as well as keep the oral cavity cleansed (my personal favorite is the Nature's Variety raw bison bones)
3) Mouthwash for dogs/cats (basically the same as over-the-counter human brands but designed specifically for dogs/cats to be placed in their drinking water)
4) High-quality pet food (low-grade pet foods often have simple carbohydrates that convert easily to sugar and change the pH of the oral environment. The drop in pH is the reason for many dental problems, so make sure your pet eats good treats and good food to minimize sugar in the diet)
5) Dental treats (although raw bones are the best dental treat, they are not always the most practical, so research and look for good dental treats to help reduce plaque buildup); some of the best dental treats include - dried sweet potato chews, breath-a-licious, Merrick breath biscuits & the newly reformulated greenies (old formulation caused serious problems so make sure you are getting the new formulation)

Even with the best pet dental hygiene, problems may arise. Visit your local veterinarian regularly for a dental checkup. The time and money saved long-term through good oral care and regular checkups is worth it.

Visit your local Nature's Pet for other great pet oral health ideas.

Low Cost Natural Dog Foods

2009-02-28T21:55:00.000-08:00

In today's difficult economic times, many are searching for reasonably priced alternatives to some of the high cost super premium pet foods. This post addresses 2 foods that are directly targeting the new economy: (1) Dog Lover's Gold & (2)Taste of the Wild.

Dog Lover's Gold: A great low cost super-premium pet food. This food has no corn, wheat or soy and uses lamb meal, chicken meal & fish meal as its primary protein sources. The ingredient list is simple and the formulation is excellent, especially for active dogs. I like this food so much that I recommend it to all customers looking for a great food at a great price (part of the reason it is priced well is the packaging is horrible - looks very generic). My dog loves it and so has just about every dog that's tried it. Cost is between $39.99 - $43.99 for a large bag.

Taste of the Wild: A low cost brand free of corn, wheat & soy with some of the most palatable formulas on the market. This all-stages brand has an excellent allergy fish formula and a bison formula. Cost is in the mid to upper $40s for a large bag.

Customers are often surprised that they can purchase super-premium all natural dog food for less than national brands like: Eukanuba, Science Diet and others. Spend less, get better food, feed less because of the quality of ingredients, and pick up less during walks. Sounds good to me!! Natural Dog Food

How pet food is made

2009-02-24T21:18:00.000-08:00

There are several different methods of how pet food is made. I have attached a link to a podcast by Natura Pet Products (manufacturer of brands such as Innova, EVO, California Natural & Healthwise) that explains the process in detail for anyone interested. http://podcast.naturapet.com/

Chicken vs. Chicken Meal (Which is better?)

2009-02-17T17:16:00.000-08:00

One of the most discussed topics within the pet food industry is whether fresh chicken or chicken meal is a better ingredient. The truth is that both are chicken - plain and simple. The difference is in how much chicken is contained within a given weight.

Let's say you have 1o pounds of either chicken or chicken meal. 10 lbs of chicken equates to about 7 lbs water & 3 lbs actual chicken. That's right, if a pet food label says chicken as the first ingredient, it is important to realize that 70% of the weight of that chicken is water.

Chicken meal, however, is a denser form of weight. Let's look at the same 10lbs. Instead of 70% water and 30% actual chicken meat, chicken meal would contain about 90% chicken meat and 10% water.

So ultimately which is better? The answer is that both are still chicken but the meal ingredient has a more concentrated amount of chicken meat as compared to the water.

Chicken Fat and Allergies

Chicken Fat in Pet Food

2009-02-17T17:11:00.000-08:00

There is some controversy over the use of chicken fat in pet food and whether it is an allergen or not to some dogs and cats. The fact of the matter is that fat in its purest form is not an allergen. Dogs and cats cannot be allergic to pure chicken fat even if they have a chicken allergy. The allergy comes from a reaction to the receptors on chicken protein. Unfortunately, not all pet foods "clarify", or purify their chicken fat enough to eliminate all protein residues. Some of the manufacturers that do "clarify" their chicken fat and essentially eliminate the allergens include: Wellness, Canidae & FirstMate. If your dog or cat has an allergy to chicken and your food has chicken fat, be sure to call the manufacturer and ask if the chicken fat is "clarified" or not. This will help you decide what food is best for your allergy sensitive feline or canine friend.

The Truth about Corn in Pet Food

2009-02-16T13:22:00.001-08:00

There are many sites that have attempted to answer some of these questions, but few if any have been successful. For example, most of us have heard time and time again that corn is bad for dogs and cats. The usual justification for this information is that dogs have a difficult time digesting this ingredient. Also, many argue that corn is one of the leading causes of allergies in dogs and cats. Is this true?

Actual Answer: Yes and No

Yes, it is true that many of the pets that come into our stores that have skin problems benefit substantially from eliminating corn from their diet. Whole corn, corn by-product, or corn meal have virtually no benefit to cats and dogs and should not be in your pet's food.

No, corn is not totally useless. Corn gluten meal has been found to help prevent cataracts in cats. It must be processed, however, in such a way that it is digestible for cats. To my knowledge, only Royal Canin has the ability to process in this manner and therefore contains corn gluten meal in some of its cat products.

Is corn gluten meal necessary? Not according to the majority of super-premium pet foods and I would agree. I think there are more problems than benefits from its inclusion.

Menu Foods Recall Facts

2009-02-16T13:02:00.000-08:00

Since the Menu Foods pet food recall, many pet owners have been concerned about the food they are feeding their pets. Three primary areas of concern about existing pet food brands have been raised: 1) where is the food made (what facility and company), 2)where are the ingredients sourced (USA, China, etc.), and 3) what are the ingredients in my pet's food and are they harmful.

This blog will attempt to break these concerns down and give you the facts as well as links to great informational websites for further investigation.

Natural Pet Food Pet Blog Welcome

2009-02-16T12:33:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the greatest source of natural pet food and supply information on the web. My name is Mike Seitz, and I am one of the founders of the Nature's Pet natural pet food and supply franchise system in the Pacific Northwest.

This pet blog is designed to be a place where I can share what I have learned about the pet food and treat industries as an insider. There are many articles and pet blogs out there that publish unsubstantiated information about various products without knowing all of the facts. I'm going to set the record straight.

What we publish here is the real deal! Our product reviews are unbiased and intended to inform, not to scare or manipulate. I am a firm believer that all of us have an innate ability to make proper decisions about our animals and their health if we have the proper information. This pet blog is a work in progress, so please check back frequently to see updates and the latest in pet nutrition and information.

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