You hear Gourmet or Organic and you think HEALTHY!!!

But is it really.  Today's world tells us organic is healthier and it is when what you are buying is really organic.  Some people offer organic and gourmet treats, but are they just made at home with basic ingredients?

Some common things you should ask for...

1.  Ask if they can provide certification proof of ORGANIC ingredients.  When a company purchases organic ingredients for example flour from a mill, that mill has to provide a certificate stating that the flour is organic according to government standards.  Now there are mills that make organic flour but are not certified.  This means you have no way of actually knowing if the ingredients are organic or not.

2.  Ask if they are Department of Agriculture Registered.  Legally you have to be registered with your states Dept. of Agriculture to sell products.  The bakery will actually be inspected to make sure it is clean and that the ingredients being used are as claimed.  The inspector will actually take samples of the products and test them as well. 

3.  Ask about their labeling.  Labeling laws require certain information to be on the label.  Besides the name address and phone number, it is required that all ingredients be listed as well as the Crude Protein, Crude Fat, Crude Fiber and Minimum Moisture.  Getting these numbers requires that the company send their product away for testing.  This can become expensive for a company that is operating out of a home kitchen. 

4.  Watch the claim Veterinarian Approved.  It is easy to claim this and just as easy to claim to have a letter of proof.  Anyone can make a letter and claim it to be from a veterinarian.  More important is to ask if their products are sold anywhere other than Ebay.  If the answer is no, BEWARE.

5.  Normally a company that makes treats will have a selection always available.  You can buy them by the bag, box, or package, sealed for freshness.

Any company operating properly should have no problem answering and providing any of the above.

This is not to say that the businesses operating out of a home kitchen aren't any good.  I am sure many of them are, but I would rather know what I am buying is healthy and certified.

Gourmet, All Natural...NOT THE SAME AS ORGANIC.

Some companies use all natural  ingredients...this just means that they are not using anything man-made or synthetic in their products.  Organic takes this another step in that the flours, eggs, and other ingredients were grown/raised without the use of chemicals, pesticides, antibiotics ect. 

Why is Organic Better?

Organic products have proven benefits...improved immune function, improved digestive function, and improved environmental conditions.  What a great way to take care of your pets health and the environment's health at the same time.  The chemicals used to grow the wheat for flours used in everyday products are protected form bugs by using pesticides.  This is hard on the environment and it actually bonds to the crop.  Sure your thinking I wash my fruits and veggies anyway.  You may, but do the companies making your dog or cat's treats?  Washing is great, but even that won't get rid of all the chemicals.  This in turn goes into your system and actually weakens it.  Chemicals are not normal for our bodies to try and digest which makes our bodies have to work harder to break them down.  When your body is concentrating on this, it is tiring itself out and letting your other systems go.  Taking the chemicals out of the foods allows for healthy digestion and more of an ability to fight off infections.

Know what is in your normal pet treats?

Milk bone treats contain things such as:  Beef Meal, Bone Meal, Beef Fat, Sodium Selenite.

Milk Bone w/ Bone Marrow treats contain things such as:  Beef and Bone Meal, Sugar, Dried Digest of Poultry Products, Cooked Bone Meal with BHA BHT and Citric Acid, Beef Fat with Preservative, Salt, Red 40

Meaty Bone treats contain things such as:  Meat-By-Products, Animal Fat Preserved with BHA, Salt, Red 40.

Dad's Bones treats contain things such as:  Corn Gluten Meal, Meat & Bone Meal, Poultry and By-Product Meal, Animal Fat Preserved with BHA, Iodized Salt.

When packages tell you the treats contain these things it doesn't make you think mmm...yummy.  Instead the thought of this and the fact that some packages actually tell you that you should wash your hands immediately after feeding this stuff to you pets.  Makes you wonder doesn't it.  This is exactly why the gourmet treats have taken off like they have.

In conclusion...

Knowledge as usual is power.  NEVER be afraid to ask questions.  If someone is not trying to pull one over on you they will never be offended, but rather will realize this person sincerely cares and I want to show them how much I care too!