Nature’s Variety
Lincoln, NE
(888) 519-7387
naturesvariety.com
Prairie is manufactured by Pied Piper
Mills in Hamlin, TX.
Beef Meal & Barley contains: Beef meal, barley, brown rice, oatmeal,
chicken fat, grnd. flaxseed, montmorillonite clay, nat. chicken flavor ...
GA: 26% protein;
14% fat; 3.5% fiber;
10% moisture.
on the label: Best by date; address; web.
extra nutrients on ga: Caloric info.
Company statement: Nature’s Variety is a small, independent pet
food company in America’s heartland, committed to providing superior
nutrition for your companion animals. In order to make our proprietary
and innovative diets, we partner with high-quality manufacturers that
share our passion for safety and ingredient integrity. Dr. Laura Duclos
leads our Quality Assurance team in developing and enforcing our
quality control standards – including ingredient specifications, sourcing
certifications, testing, and product safety. On-site inspections and
continuous monitoring insure our products meet our rigorous Nature’s
Variety standards. We are proud to offer a variety of nutritious choices
for dogs and cats; see our website to learn more about us.
Nutro Products, Inc.
City of Industry, CA
(800) 833-5330
ultraholistic.com
Nutro Ultra dry dog foods are made
at Nutro’s company-owned facilities in
Victorville, CA, and Lebanon, TN.
Adult contains: Chicken meal, whole brown rice, ground rice, lamb
meal, rice bran, soybean oil, sunflower oil, poultry fat . . .
GA: 26% protein;
12% fat; 4% fiber;
10% moisture.
on the label: Best by date; address; phone;
website.
extra nutrients on ga: Linoleic acid; zinc;
iodine; selenium; vitamin E; ascorbic acid; DHA;
ALA; L-carnitine; beta-carotene; total bacillus.
Company statement: Nutro Products has manufactured pet foods for
more than 80 years. Nutro Ultra holistic dry dog foods are made with
natural ingredients including three animal proteins (chicken, lamb, and
salmon) and whole grains including whole brown rice and oatmeal.
Nutro ensures that high quality ingredients are procured from our suppliers;
many of whom Nutro has worked with for over a decade. No
proteins, grains, or fats from China are qualified for use in any of our
products. All Nutro products are tested by independent labs to confirm
that no melamine is detected in Nutro’s pet foods. We have incorporated
this testing into our rigorous Quality Assurance procedures for all
finished products and specific ingredients.
Perfect Health Diet Products
Elmsford, NY
(800) 743-1502
phdproducts.com
PHD foods are made by Chenango
Valley Pet Foods in Sherburne, NY.
PHD Viand contains: Lamb meal, chicken meal, brown rice, whole
corn, Naturox, barley, ground whole oats, chicken liver digest . . .
GA: 26% protein;
16% fat; 3% fiber;
10% moisture.
on the label: Best by date; phone; website.
extra nutrients on ga: None.
Company statement: Fresh batches every three weeks. Each raw
material is rigorously tested to meet or exceed our standards – above
those of the industry. We use low-ash, low-magnesium, #1 & #2 New
Zealand lamb meal and American chicken meals, and many chelated
micronutrients. PHD has never been involved in any recalls. Each batch
is tested throughout manufacturing to ensure the final product meets
or exceeds our propriety specs. PHD has been in operation since 1995.
We have a vet tech (more than 25 years experience) available to assist
clients if needed, as well as a holistic vet on staff for fee-based consultations.
Our products can be fed alone, but if you believe that raw
meats are essential to greater health, either of our diets (in less quantity)
partnered with raw meats reaches another level. Your choice!
Old Mother Hubbard
Chelmsford, MA
(800) 225-0904
oldmotherhubbard.com
Wellness dry dog food is produced in
three plants: Hagen Pet Foods, Waverly,
NY; CJ Foods in Bern, KS; and American
Nutrition, Inc., in Ogden, UT.
Super 5 Mix Chicken contains: Deboned chicken, chicken meal,
oatmeal, ground barley, ground brown rice, tomato pomace, rye flour,
canola oil . . .
GA: 22% protein;
12% fat; 3% fiber;
10% moisture.
on the label: Best by date; address; phone;
website.
extra nutrients on ga: Vitamin E; Omega 6,
3; beta-carotene; lycopene; taurine.
Company statement: We are “passionately picky” and do whatever it
takes to create the healthiest foods for your pets. Unlike most others,
we employ our own quality assurance team and do not rely solely on
external consultants. Our product development and quality assurance
teams include 12 employees, 3 external advisors, and a leading human
food auditing firm. We constantly raise the bar in holistic natural nutrition
through careful research and in-house development of all formulations.
We are known for detailed sourcing and nutritional analysis of
specialized ingredients, and active management of manufacturing. All
our manufacturing follows HACCP food safety programs, with stringent
quality criteria taken from human food production, and protocols
such as cleaning equipment between every product run. Our manufacturing
partners say we are THE hardest to please – this is because, like
you, we won’t compromise on your pet’s health.
Petcurean Pet Nutrition
Chilliwack, British Columbia
(866) 864-6112
petcurean.com
Go! Natural is made by Elmira Pet
Products in Elmira, Ontario.
Chicken, Fruit and Vegetables contains: Chicken meal, chicken,
whole brown rice, whole white rice, oatmeal, sunflower oil, chicken
fat, salmon meal . . .
GA: 24% protein;
14% fat; 3.5% fiber;
10% moisture.
on the label: Best by date; address; phone;
website.
extra nutrients on ga: Vit. E; Omega 6, 3.
Company statement: Developed by qualified nutritionists, GO! Natural
foods are solution-based. Our Chicken Fruit and Vegetable Diet has
the best performance, compare the calories! All of our grains, cereals,
fruits, and vegetables are sourced in North America except potatoes,
which are purchased from Canada and Holland. Independent auditing
by NSF-Cook & Thurber and the American Institute of Baking, both organizations
used for human food audits. Ingredients are tested prior to
receiving for quality assurances including but not limited to nutritional
integrity, aflatoxins, microtoxins, and moisture levels.
Peton Distributors
Langhorne, PA
(800) 738-8258
performatrinultra.com
Performatrin Ultra foods are made
by Chenango Valley Pet Foods in
Sherburne, NY.
Salmon and Olive Oil contains: Salmon, salmon meal, oatmeal,
brown rice, pearled barley, chicken meal, whole rice, herring meal . . .
GA: 28% protein; 8%
fat; 6% fiber;
10% moisture.
on the label: Caloric info; best by date;
address; website.
extra nutrients on ga: Calcium; phos.;
vitamin E; Omega 6, 3.
Company statement: Performatrin Ultra dog foods embrace a holistic
approach to pet nutrition, emphasizing fresh, whole ingredients.
These products are differentiated by a high ratio of meat (the first two
ingredients); rigorous processes to ensure high quality, balanced ingredients;
and innovative formulas. Peton Distributors works closely
with manufacturer Chenango Valley Pet Foods to select only high quality
meats and the freshest produce for these products. Chenango receives
its raw ingredients from approved suppliers, selecting North
American, where feasible. It tests these ingredients upon receipt and
throughout production and has the storage capabilities to safely preserve
freshness – maintaining maximum nutrients.
Precise Pet Products
Nacogdoches, TX
(888) 477-3247
Precisepet.com
Precise Plus foods are made on
production lines dedicated to Precise
products by Texas Farm Products in
Nacogdoches, TX.
Adult contains: Chicken meal, ground brown rice, chicken, ground
whole barley, chicken fat, beet pulp, ground oats, flaxseed . . .
GA: 26% protein;
16% fat; 3.5% fiber;
10% moisture.
on the label: Best by date; date of
manufacture; address; phone; website.
extra nutrients on ga: Calcium; phos.;
Omega 6, 3; glucosamine; chondroitin sulfate.
Company statement: Precise Plus offers healthy, all-natural products
made with fresh wholesome ingredients without the use of corn,
wheat, soy, dairy, or grain sorghum, in an AIB-certified factory in Nacogdoches,
Texas. Precise Plus is our natural holistic offering with a
few additional ingredients, including probiotics for added health benefits.
Laboratory analysis is conducted on ingredients before use and
on the finished product to meet rigorous standards, ensure safety,
and deliver the highest quality products possible. Precise never uses
animal by-products or artificial preservatives. Only the highest quality
protein sources from real chicken and real lamb in the form of chicken
meal and lamb meal are used. Natural vitamins C & E are used as
preservatives along with Ester C, a human grade vitamin. Precise Plus
Formulas deliver excellent nutrition, palatability, and digestibility.
SmartPak
Plymouth, MA
(800) 326-0282
smartpak.com
LiveSmart foods are made by
Chenango Valley Pet Foods in
Sherburne, NY.
Lamb and Brown Rice contains: Lamb, lamb meal, brown rice,
barley, oats, beet pulp, canola oil, whole ground flaxseed . . .
GA: 21.5% protein;
11.4% fat; 3.3% fiber;
9% moisture.
on the label: Caloric info; best by date;
address; website.
extra nutrients on ga: Calcium; phos.;
vitamin E; Omega 6, 3.
Company statement: LiveSmart dog food represents a breakthrough
in quality and freshness. In producing LiveSmart, we start with the
kind of ingredients you use in cooking for your own family: humangrade
meats such as chicken and lamb, whole grains, fresh fruits and
vegetables, tasty herbs. We use all-natural flavors and preservatives;
no artificial sweeteners or chemicals. We produce small batches that
go straight to your dog’s bowl in a fraction of the time most brands
spend in the distribution channel. And, LiveSmart dog food is only available
in SmartPaks, pre-measured portions of dog food packaged for
individual meal-feeding. Best of all, LiveSmart dog food is automatically
shipped right to your door every month. No running out of dog
food or struggling to find a store that sells super premium dog food in
your area. Also, we test every batch of food that goes in SmartPaks to
ensure no melamine is detected.
Taplow Feeds
North Vancouver, BC
(800) 658-1166
firstmate.com
FirstMate dry dog food is made
at Taplow’s own plant outside of
Vancouver, British Columbia.
Ultra Premium Naturally Holistic contains: Whole chicken, chicken
meal, whole ground brown rice, pearled barley, organic spelt, whole
steamed potatoes, herring meal, chicken fat . . .
GA: 25% protein;
15% fat; 4% fiber;
12% moisture.
on the label: Best by date; address;
website.
extra nutrients on ga: Ash; calcium;
phosphorus; calcium/phosphorus ratio.
Company statement: FirstMate Potato & Fish Original has been in
the market since 1997, and is one of the original grain-free products.
The fish that is used in all our products comes from herring, sardines
or anchovies. The FirstMate Potato & Fish Original (All Life Stages) has
been expanded to include a Puppy food, a Large Breed and a Senior.
The Chicken Fat used is rendered protein free and therefore not a possible
source of allergies. Our new Potato and Chicken with Blueberries
diet also contains only one source of animal protein, traditional
chicken meal. This blueberry product contains a minimum of 5% whole
blueberries. Blueberries are one of the best sources of antioxidants,
compounds that help neutralize free radicals.
VeRUS Pet Foods, Inc.
Abingdon, MD
(888) 828-3787
veruspetfoods.com
VeRUS’s foods are made by Texas
Farm Products, Nacogdoches, TX,
and Eagle Pack Pet Foods, Inc.,
Mishawaka, IN.
Life Advantage contains: Chicken meal, ground oats, ground brown
rice, rice bran, chicken fat, dried beet pulp, suncured alfalfa,
flaxseed . . .
GA: 25% protein;
15% fat; 4% fiber;
12% moisture.
on the label: Best by date; address; phone;
website.
extra nutrients on ga: None.
Company statement: Henry, Mike, Gus, Phillip, Francis, Butter, Little,
Pinky, Bobby, Bill, and Willie. These are my dogs and cats. I don’t just
make the food, I feed it. I’m Russell Armstrong, owner of VeRUS Pet
Foods, not a corporate bigwig, just someone who loves his dogs and
cats like you. There are thousands of foods, but my pets are the only
ones I have, so I made VeRUS! Not a ton of marketing, flash, or glitter,
just a great food for your pets. I prepare my foods with hormone- and
antibiotic-free chicken, lamb, and Omega-3-packed fish; nutrient-dense
whole grain oats and brown rice; and organic nutrient sources like kelp,
flaxseed, chicory, and alfalfa. Combine with natural antioxidants, chelated
minerals, and first-rate manufacturing and you have the best!
Wysong Corporation
Midland, MI
(800) 748-0188; wysong.net
Wysong manufactures its dry foods
at its own plant in Lake Mills, WI.
Anergen contains: Lamb, ground brown rice, ground oat groats,
ground flaxseed, dried yeast, dl-methionine, taurine, lecithin . . .
GA: 24% protein;
12% fat; 4.5% fiber;
12% moisture.
on the label: Best by date; address; phone;
website.
extra nutrients on ga: None.
Company statement: Founded and still led by Dr. Wysong, Wysong
has hundreds of veterinary clinical consultants. For 30 years, tens of
thousands of animals through multiple generations attest to the dramatic
benefits of our products. We research, develop, and manufacture
our own products. We do not market with fads (such as “no corn,”
“no soy,” “human grade,” etc.) that distract people from the essentials
of optimal feeding: variety (no one food is “100% complete”),
appropriate supplementation, archetypal genetic appropriateness, and
rawness. Wysong products are meat- and organ-based, enhanced with
nutraceuticals, natural micronutrients, enzymes, pro- and prebiotics,
and protected with antioxidants, processing, and barrier packaging.
After we were done, it took two trips to bring all the products submitted for our
review to the Northwest SPCA in Oroville, California, for donation. Our thanks
to the companies that submitted more than necessary for this purpose.