Is Natures Recipe Made In The United States
The Natures Recipe brand was only acquired by Big Heart Pet Brands, part of the J.M. Smucker Company, in 2015. According to a spokesperson for the Natures Variety brand, all of their dry dog food and dog treats are produced in U.S. facilities. While most of their wet food products are also made in the United States, some of their grain-free canned foods are made in Thailand.
Is Homemade Dog Food Good For Dogs
While I am not a vet, and I certainly cant speak for all animals , I can tell you that switching to homemade dog food made the world of difference for Rascal. We had a very unique case with him and his food allergies, but we have also seen other positive changes.
On traditional dog food, Rascal was lethargic, he shed in abundance and his appetite was mediocre. He was also low in his weight class, weighing in at just 64 pounds for a full-sized male Golden Retriever.
Since the dog food switch, he has been energetic, focused, and calmer. He has also put on about 15 pounds in just one year after switching to homemade food. On a traditional diet, were vacuuming at least once a day but now only 1-2x a week. We no longer have to coax Rascal into mealtime and have finally developed a great eating schedule.
Made For Growing Pups
To fuel a young pup’s energetic nature, these Puppy formulas are made with a single animal protein source and a specific blend of vitamins and minerals. Omegas are added to start your dog out with healthy skin and a shiny coat, and natural fiber sources like chicory root or pumpkin give him digestive support.
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No Whole Meats/low Protein Content: Potential Issue
Except for their Prime Blends recipes, Natures Recipe doesnt contain any whole meats. Meat meals technically have more protein, but whole meats are still vital for complete nutrition. A lack of whole meat is a sign of low protein content, so keep that in mind when shopping for your dogs diet. For dogs that need more protein, we recommend trying other dog food brands.
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Tools Needed For Cooking Dog Food At Home
- Food Processor: Before I start cooking a batch of homemade dog food, I blend up all the vegetables in my food processor. This Cuisinart food processor is my go-to. Its a bit smaller than traditional food processors but works just as well as a larger model. Blending up the veggies nice and fine will speed up the cooking process.
- Dutch Oven: I make the entire batch in my large Le Creuset round Dutch oven. I love using a Dutch oven because I can ground the meat first, and then finish off the batch right in the same pot. The process is very similar to making chili except for dogs. Ya knowDog Chili. .
- Measuring Cups: Rascal has his own set of measuring cups now because it makes measuring out food ingredients and the finished batch WAY easier.
- Meal Prep Containers: This is basically meal prepping for your dog, so you will need some great Tupperware.
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Natures Recipe Canned Products
Many of the same recipes that are available in dry food form also come in canned food. Natures Recipe offers an assortment of life stages, special needs, and grain-free options for wet food including several limited-ingredient recipes. Here is a list of Natures Recipe canned dog food recipes:
Life Stages Dry Food Recipes:
- Chicken Recipe in Broth
- Chicken & Wild Salmon Recipe in Broth
- Chicken & Turkey Recipe in Broth
- Adult Lamb & Rice Recipe Cuts in Gravy
- Senior Lamb & Rice Recipe Cuts in Gravy
Special Needs Dry Food Recipes:
- Easy to Digest Chicken, Rice & Barley Cuts in Gravy
- Easy to Digest Chicken, Rice & Barley Homestyle Ground
- Easy to Digest Lamb, Rice & Barley Cuts in Gravy
- Easy to Digest Lamb, Rice & Barley Homestyle Ground
- Grain-Free Easy to Digest Chicken & Duck Recipe in Broth
- Grain-Free Easy to Digest Chicken & Venison Recipe in Broth
- Healthy Skin Vegetarian Recipe Cuts in Gravy
Grain-Free Dry Food Recipes:
- Grain-Free Chicken Recipe in Broth
- Grain-Free Ocean Fish & Tuna Recipe in Broth
Pure Essentials Dry Food Recipes:
- Grain-Free Lamb Recipe in Broth
- Grain-Free Salmon Recipe in Broth
- Grain-Free Chicken Recipe in Broth
- Venison Recipe in Broth
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List Of Natures Recipe Recalls
Cause: Potential for salmonella. Announcement: Company news release dated . What was recalled: The following 19-ounce pouches of Natures Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits With Real Chicken:
- Lot Code 2199TP and Best By date of Oct. 11, 2013
- Lot Code 2200TP and Best By date of Oct. 12, 2013
Cause: Mycotoxin contamination. Announcement: Company news release dated . What was recalled: The entire Natures Recipe pet food line produced and shipped May 17July 20, 1995, including the following dog and cat foods:
- Natures Recipe Maintenance Lamb and Rice
- Natures Recipe Puppy Performance and Lactation Lamb and Rice
- Natures Recipe Chicken Rice and Barley
- Natures Recipe Maintenance Lamb, Rice and Barley
- Natures Recipe Senior Pension
- Natures Recipe Optimum Feline Maintenance
- Natures Recipe Optimum Feline Lite
If you have not done so already, we urge you to sign up now for Petfuls FREE recall alerts by email. Our free alerts are saving pets lives.
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How Do You Make Homemade Dog Food
Is Fresh Food Right For My Dog
While fresh foods for dogs may be the way to go for some pups, there are cases when fresh isnt the right call, including:
- If your dog has a medical issue, they may need a prescription diet thats unavailable in fresh form.
- If your dog is allergic to an ingredient in fresh food, that reaction is likely to outweigh the benefits of fresh food.
Pet parents should also consider their own lifestyle factors:
- Can you afford to buy fresh food?
- Are you able to store the food at a frozen or refrigerated temperature to ensure it doesnt spoil?
Remember: Every dog is unique. Before making any significant change to your pets diet, its important to talk to your veterinarian, who can provide the best advice based on your pets individual health profile.
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DIY dog food can easily be made right in the slow cooker. Its healthier and cheaper than store-bought, and its freezer-friendly!
If you didnt know what your slow cooker is capable of, youll be very happy to know that you can now add dog food to the crockpot list.
Remember that DIY homemade dog food recipe I made recently? Well, this is pretty much the crockpot version, using a blend of different veggies that will hold up a little better in the slow cooker.
Now the best part about this, just like all slow cooker recipes, is that you can simply dump everything right in. Thats it! Simply set it before you go to work and then you can come home to 2 weeks worth of dog food by the time you get home.
Its easy, its healthy, its nutritious, and you know exactly whats going into your pups bowl. This recipe is also completely customizable to veggies that you have on hand just be sure to double check what your pup can and cant eat. You can simply do a can my dog eat xyz search on Google.
But as always, please consult with your pets veterinarian for possible allergies and when applying this information to your own dogs diet.
Natures Recipe Dog Treats
In addition to an assortment of dry food and wet food options, Natures Recipe also offers a collection of dog treats. Here is a list of Natures Recipe dog treats:
Treats:
- Soft Bites Made with Real Beef & Cheese
- Soft Bites Made with Real Chicken & Cheese
- Soft Minis Made with Real Bacon
- Soft Minis Made with Real Chicken
- Soft Minis Made with Real Beef
- Soft Sticks Made with Real Bacon & Cheese
- Soft Sticks Made with Real Peanut Butter
- Grain-Free Biscuits Salmon & Potato Recipe
- Grain-Free Biscuits Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe
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Diy Dog Food Seasoning
While dogs cant have all of the same aromatics as humans can they can have a small variety of dried or fresh herbs and spices that contain great nutrients and help flavor their meals. Use a few teaspoons sprinkled on top or mixed into the food. These are some easily digestible herbs and spices to try:
- Basil
- Ginger
Has Natures Recipe Pet Food Ever Been Recalled
Yes, Natures Recipe has been recalled at least 2 times since 1981, according to extensive research by Petful.
Most recently, in , some of the brands dog treats were voluntarily recalled due to possible salmonella contamination. No pet or consumer illnesses from this product have been reported, the company said, stressing that the limited recall was a result of its commitment to safety and quality.
The only other Natures Recipe recall that we could find was back in but it was a big one. The company began receiving dozens of complaints of dogs refusing to eat, and so an immediate investigation was launched. Following testing of pet food samples, mycotoxin was discovered in amounts 23 times the maximum limit allowed by federal law.
Mycotoxin can cause loss of appetite and vomiting, so just weeks after receiving those initial consumer complaints, Natures Recipe found itself voluntarily recalling a whopping 7,500 tons of its dog and cat foods.
A specific date range of the entire Natures Recipe line of 14 pet foods was pulled around the world, and the products remained off some store shelves for as long as 2 months. The packages of tainted pet food were either incinerated or buried deep in the ground in a landfill.
There are people who will never buy our pet food again, Bennett told a reporter for The Press-Enterprise of Riverside, California.
Full details of every Natures Recipe Pet Food recall appear below.
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Ingredients For Rascals Homemade Dog Food:
- Olive oil
- All-Natural chicken stock or water
- Macaroni noodles
Note: We add in a supplement nutrient blend from a company called Just Food For Dogs very similar to dog vitamins as well as Omega oil to make sure he is getting enough healthy fats. I highly recommend adding both of these into your dog food so you can rest assure that they are getting proper nutrients.
What Kind Of Dog Food Does Natures Recipe Offer
When it comes to their dog food products, Natures Recipe offers a decent variety. Natures Variety dog foods can be divided into three categories: Life Stages, Special Needs, and Premium.
Life Stages formulas include classic recipes for puppies, adults and senior dogs as well as some size-specific formula for large- and small-breed dogs. The Special Needs category includes recipes that are specially designed to meet unique nutritional needs there are formulas for healthy skin, easy digestion, healthy weight, and joint health as well as some breed-specific recipes.
The Premium category includes an assortment of grain-free and limited ingredient recipes. All three of these categories include both dry food and wet food products, plus there are several kinds of Natures Recipe dog treats.
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How To Switch To Fresh Dog Food
OK, youve done your research, and decided to feed your pup fresh food. How do you make the switch? Consulting your vet or a veterinary nutritionist is the best way to get the transition just right for your pet.
Your vet can also weigh in on portion control. While most fresh pet foods come with detailed feeding instructions to help you determine how much to feed your dog, some pets may need more or less than what the manufacturer suggests.
However you make a switch to your pets diet, make sure you do it gradually. The last thing we want is for a pet to have diarrhea or vomit or not feel well, Dr. Bullen says. She recommends gradually introducing the food for between five to seven days for typical, healthy dogs, and up to 14 days for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Mix increasing amounts of the food into your dogs current diet over the course of the transition.
What Is Fresh Dog Food
Freshit sounds great, but what does it actually mean? Theres no legal definition of fresh when it comes to dog food, but our experts say there are four common attributes most fresh foods share:
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Prime Blends Salmon Barley & Chicken Recipe Review
Easy To Digest Chicken Meal, Rice, & Barley Recipe
Grain Free Easy To Digest Chicken, Sweet Potato, & Pumpkin Recipe
Grain Free Easy To Digestion Lamb, Sweet Potato, & Pumpkin Recipe
Large Breed Grain Free Easy To Digest Chicken, Sweet Potato, & Pumpkin Recipe
Grain Free Puppy Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe
Grain Free Easy to Digest Salmon, Sweet Potato, & Pumpkin Recipe
Small Breed Grain Free Easy To Digest Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe
Healthy Skin Vegetarian Recipe
Adult Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe
Prime Blends Grain Free Beef, Lamb And Potato Recipe
Adult Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe
Puppy Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe
Prime Blends Grain Free Chicken, Turkey, and Butternut Squash Recipe
Prime Blends Salmon, Barley & Chicken Recipe
Senior Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe
Prime Blends Beef, Barley & Venison Recipe
Small Bites Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe
Wet Dog Food
Prime Blends Grain Free Chicken And Lamb Recipe In Wholesome Broth
Prime Blends Chicken And Turkey Recipe In Wholesome Broth
Prime Blends Chicken And Tuna Recipe In Wholesome Broth
Prime Blends Grain Free Chicken And Beef Recipe In Wholesome Broth
Grain Free Chicken & Turkey Stew
Grain Free Easy To Digest Chicken & Venison Recipe In Broth
Stew Healthy Skin Vegetarian Recipe Cuts In Gravy
Stew Easy To Digest Chicken, Rice, & Barley Recipe Cuts In Gravy
Easy To Digest Chicken, Rice & Barley Recipe Homestyle Ground
Easy To Digest Lamb, Rice, & Barley Recipe Homestyle Ground
Chicken & Duck Recipe In Broth
How To Store Reheat And Freeze
This homemade dog food will last 5-7 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer. We usually make a weeks worth of food at a time and store it in the refrigerator. We store all of the meals in simple Tupperware containers and we ALWAYS save our plastic take-out containers and re-use them for Rascals Dog Food.
When eating time rolls around, simply nuke it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds and cool slightly before serving.
For freezing, I recommend freezer-safe containers or freezer zip-top bags. Thaw overnight in the fridge before feeding and reheat as directed.
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What Are The Benefits Of Fresh Dog Food
So, what does fresh dog food have going for it? Proponents say its benefits include:
Theres one more important thing to consider when it comes to fresh dog food: Studies have not conclusively shown that fresh diets are better for all dogs. There are no actual documented scientific benefits of fresh versus not fresh, Dr. Bullen says. Every pet is unique, just as every human is unique. We all need the same nutrients, but the concentrations, quantities and proportions are all going to be a little different.
That means fresh food isnt the best choice for every single dogbut it might be a great choice for your dog.
Our Backstory: Common Food Allergies For Dogs
After Rascal turned a year old or so, he started developing really strange eating habits. He wasnt finishing his food, had loud intense stomachaches and frequently threw up. We went through a number of blood tests. He had been diagnosed with things like pancreatitis, anxiety and one vet even thought he had parvo. We were stressed and at a loss at how to move forward. That is until we did an allergy test.
We uncovered that Rascal was allergic to a dozen different food items, one being beef, the main ingredient in his traditional dry dog food. Our vet introduced us to an all-natural human-grade dog food company called Just Food for Dogs. The company sells premade food and teaches people how to make a homemade dog food recipe at home. Once we started this all-natural diet, the stomach aches subsided and he was the happiest we had ever seen him.
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