The Pet Show Radio Show with Warren Eckstein visits Lucy Pet Foods' Pet Food Safety Lab™

Rick Rockhill on air with The Pet Show

Today, radio veteran Warren Eckstein did a live remote broadcast of The Pet Show from inside the Pet Food Safety Lab™at Breeder's Choice Pet Foods plant, owned by Lucy Pet Foods in Irwindale, California. Warren had a chance to tour our plant, meet members of our team, and most importantly to see for himself how extensive our Quality and Safety Testing protocols are for our Lucy Pet dog and cat foods. The first two hours of the show were live on local Los Angeles radio station KRLA am/870 which was followed by another two hours on the National Broadcast of The Pet Show Program. All four hours of the shows ran live and are archived on Warren's YouTube Channel (link below). 

Warren Eckstein, Joey Herrick, Rick Rockhill

Warren interviewed Joey Herrick (our CEO and founder), Steve Lunetta (VP Quality) and me (COO), where we discussed our standards for pet food safety, pet food nutrition, and some of the less than desirable practices of some of the more unscrupulous brands in the industry. While we didn't "name names" we didn't shy away from spilling the tea on what some companies do. More importantly we each had an opportunity to share what we do at Lucy Pet Foods to ensure our foods are the very best and safe for your dog or cat.  There were a number of people on hold who called in to ask questions, yet even with four hours we didn't even come close to answering everyone. 

Long time readers of this blog know how passionate I am about animal nutrition and pet food safety. It has been such a privilege to now be a partner in our own pet food manufacturing plant. We have direct control over the raw materials we buy, the testing of every ingredient before we use it, testing "in process" while we produce, and then safety testing before we release each production. That means people can use Lucy Pet Foods and know that we have gone through extensive steps to make high quality, safe food for your pet.

Warren is a terrific person, very knowledgable about pet behavior training and animal advocacy. We are grateful to him for being so generous with his time interviewing each of us to share our story about Lucy Pet Foods, our Breeder's Choice Pet Foods plant and our incredible Pet Food Safety Lab™. You can watch the show here and check it out for yourself.

Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods® Celebrates Opening of New Pet Food Safety Lab™

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 10, 2022

Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods® Celebrates Opening of New Pet Food Safety Lab™

Industry leading State-of-the-Art Lab provides extensive Quality and Food Safety testing services in a new modern new facility.

 

IRWINDALE, CA. Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods® newly opened Pet Food Safety Lab™ (PFSL) marked its official Grand Opening on July 29, 2022, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the brand-new State-of-the-Art facility.

Breeder’s Choice invested one million dollars in the Pet Food Safety Lab™ and related facility improvements. The Pet Food Safety Lab™ (PFSL), is a world-class testing facility serving the pet food industry and its consumers with microbiological, chemical, and physical testing methods to assure raw material and finished product quality and safety.

 photo: (L to R): Dave Chase, President, Steve Lunetta, VP Quality & Safety, Joey Herrick, CEO, Jay Trivedi, Sr Manager Quality & Safety, Rick Rockhill, COO.

Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods, originally established in 1947, is currently celebrating its 75^thanniversary this year. Since it was acquired by Lucy Pet Products in December of 2020, the company has invested significantly in its people, infrastructure, quality, safety and new product innovation.
 

The new Pet Food Safety Lab™ enables Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods to offer expanded testing services to its co-manufacturing brand customers and is creating new jobs within the community as the lab boasts a staff of Food Chemists, Microbiologists, and Lab Technicians.

 

The grand opening is a culmination of nearly eleven months of planning, development, and construction. “Every decision we make starts and ends with quality. From the nutrition formulations, raw materials we source, people in our plant, and the Quality Safety testing at every step, everything we do contributes to the pets who eat the foods we produce.” said Joey Herrick, CEO.  “This was a major project for us in the midst of COVID-19 and supply chain disruptions, everything took longer than we anticipated.” Herrick continued.

 

Since its inception in 1947, Breeder’s Choice has produced super premium pet foods and built a reputation for quality that is unrivaled in the industry.  After recent acquisition by Lucy Pet Products led by industry legend Joey Herrick (founder of Natural Balance Pet Foods), Breeder’s Choice has taken quality to a new level by building a laboratory strictly dedicated to analysis of pet food raw materials and finished product.

 

In addition to testing for known microbiological and chemical containments, the new lab includes DNA testing of proteins and dedicated PCR testing capabilities (Polymerase Chain Reaction). PCR is a highly accurate way to diagnose certain diseases and genetic changes. With PCR, the PFSL has the ability to assure that pet food has been vigorously tested for any dangerous microbiological organisms before any product is released to the market.  Further, the state-of-the-art liquid chromatography system equipped with a triple quad mass spectrophotometer detector (LCMS) can test for a variety of contaminants as well as verify nutrient/vitamin levels.

 

The Pet Food Safety Lab™ also launched is website www.petfoodsafetylab.com to post results of routine testing of pet food with a Certificate of Analysis. Consumers will be able to visit their brand website, look for the Pet Food Safety Testing link, and using the “Best By” date code from their bag of food, view the results of the testing for their specific pet food’s production batch.

 

The PFSL is headed by Steve Lunetta, Vice President of Quality and Safety and Jay Trivedi, Senior Manager of Quality and Food Safety. Steve Lunetta has a BS (Chemistry) from UC Riverside, MS (Chemistry) from UC Davis, and MBA from Lake Forest in Chicago IL. He has 25 years of experience in pharma, diagnostics, nutraceuticals and pet/human food industry. Jay Trivedi has a BS degree in Food Science and Technology from Cal Poly University, Pomona. He is a PCQI Lead Instructor Animal Foods, certified SQF (GFSI system) auditor, and has over 25 years of experience in the pet foods, human foods, and cosmetic industries combined.

  

About Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods 

In 1947, Harold Taylor started Breeder’s Choice Pet Food company with a simple goal: the uncompromising pursuit of the healthiest nourishment for the pets we love. Now owned by Lucy Pet Products, LLC, that same commitment endures today in the high-quality formulas we make in our state-of-the-art facility in California. Our brands include AvoDerm®, Pinnacle® and Lucy Pet Foods™ and are distributed worldwide. Our manufacturing facility located in Irwindale, CA produces extruded kibble, semi-moist dog food rolls and multi-format treats.

 

We provide our customers with flexible manufacturing, superior natural ingredients like fresh meat purees, and a range of packaging options. www.breederschoice.com

 

 

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Iconic Southern California Pet Food Company Revitalized with New Owners

 

Iconic Southern California Pet Food Company Revitalized with New Owners

 

 

The new Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods ownership group is led by pet food pioneer Joey Herrick and includes Los Angeles Dodgers Legend Orel Hershiser, Hall of Fame Broadcaster Jaime Jarrin, and his son Jorge Jarrin.

 

Irwindale, California- Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods, a manufacturer of specialty super-premium dry dog and cat foods, announced today it has been purchased by 30-year pet food veteran Joey Herrick and is becoming an independent business once again.  

 

The new Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods, LLC is a privately held ownership group of Southern California businesspeople led by Joey Herrick and Rick Rockhill, former executive at Natural Balance and Petco. The group also includes Los Angeles Dodger legends Orel Hershiser, Hall of Fame Broadcaster Jaime Jarrin, his son Jorge Jarrin, Frank Koch, former executive with Nature’s Recipe and Natural Balance, as well as Rick Taylor former Breeder’s Choice President and son of the original owner.

 

Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods has produced super-premium dog and cat foods for 73 years at the same location in Irwindale, California. Breeder’s Choice produces AvoDerm® and Pinnacle® pet food brands which are exported globally. In addition to its own brands, Breeder’s Choice is a leading custom manufacturer with extensive export capabilities to produce super premium brands and retailers’ private label brands.

 

Joey Herrick co-founded Natural Balance Pet Foods in 1989 and grew it into a highly respected pet food brand. He also founded The Lucy Pet Foundation, a 501 © (3) charity and then Lucy Pet Products, a premium pet food company dedicated to improving the health of animals. 

 

“Our formula for success is simple, never compromise on quality or ingredients, and always do what is right for the health of animals.” Herrick said. “It starts with good people committed to quality, which is why Clint Hammond the Director of Plant Operations for the past 9 years, along with the production team remains in place at Breeder’s Choice” Herrick added.

 

About Breeder’s Choice Pet Foods

In 1947, Harold Taylor started Breeder’s Choice Pet Food company with a simple goal: the uncompromising pursuit of the healthiest nourishment for the pets we love. That commitment endures today in the high-quality formulas we make in our state-of-the-art facility in California. We provide our customers with flexible manufacturing, superior natural ingredients like fresh meat purees, and a range of packaging options. www.breederschoice.com

What's the best dog food?

 

Over the years I've shared countless articles, blog posts and podcasts about pet food and caring for pets. When I look back on the past twenty-five years in the pet industry I am humbled by how much I have learned from so many people, professional organizations, conferences and companies, with whom I've had the honor to be associated. I've never been shy about sharing and disclosing my professional affiliations, in part as full disclosure and also to lend some credibility to my point of view and knowledge.  

I am a partner at Lucy Pet Foods, and have an active role in many functions including our nutrition team. I'm one of those folks whose views are rooted in science and fact. I do not tend to follow fads and trends in nutrition. The internet is full of so-called "experts" who mislead people with all kinds of nonsensical ideas about what is right or best for dog and cat food. This post isn't intended to be the complete story on nutrition, but I will say that fads like "high protein", "raw food" , "fresh, gently cooked" diets are misleading to say the least. Domesticated dogs are not wolves, they do not hunt for their meals, they live relatively sedentary lifestyles and eat multiple times a day. High protein is not only not necessary but science has shown it can lead to cancer in the colon. Raw Diets are dangerous and prone to all kinds of nasty bugs. And don't be fooled by those so-called fresh, gently cooked pet foods. They are mostly water, and are not truly balanced. They show you things like fresh vegetables, fresh meats, etc, which are very high moisture, and not the nutrients your dog truly needs. Kibble truly is the very best form of food to feed your dog. Of course there are many ranges in quality kibble. It can be difficult to figure out what brands of kibble are the best. Like many things, you do get what you pay for, and generally I advise people to buy the best you can afford.  

So how do you decide what brand of dog food to choose? Well, it can be overwhelming but do your research. Take the time to read what brands say on their websites. What do they emphasize? Is ti marketing hype, or is it science and fact based? Is the brand transparent with its research, quality and brand experience? Do the people who own and run the company have solid experience in pet food, or are they newbies who raised a lot of investment money and jumped in to the industry to make a quick buck? Experience matters. Integrity matters. Transparency matters. Can you call the owner and talk to the nutritionist? Admittedly I am partial because I am a partner at Lucy Pet Foods, but I also have been in the pet food industry for long enough to know fact from hype. I have seen the tricks that so many pet food companies use to mislead consumers. I'm a purist, and I believe that pet parents deserve to know the facts. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have any time, so feel free to leave a comment or contact me directly.

I am a huge believer in the role our digestive tract (or the Gut) has in total health. In fact there is compelling science that proves conclusively that good gut health can strengthen the immune system, help fight disease, provide more energy, improve mood, and help with a healthy skin and coat. Lucy Pet Foods are built on that science, using a very unique fiber blend, along with quality proteins, fats, carbohydrates and vegetables to deliver superior nutrition to your dog or cat.  So yes I am partial to Lucy Pet Foods, but it is because I have worked with some of the nation's leading nutritionists and industry experts on ingredients to build a pet food that delivers results. Don't just take my word for it, check out our website and read about our Formulas for Life dog and cat foods.

I've been feeding my standard poodles Lucy Pet Duck, Pumpkin & Quinoa dog food for five years and they have really thrived on it. This year we just launched our new Kettle Creations Dog and Cat Stews. These are a really nice stew form, with extra gravy so they are perfect to use as a topper with kibble, or you can feed as a meal. They are made with real salmon, chicken or duck, and not some fake formed mystery meat-like stuff. All our ingredients are real! I should know because I have spent so much time at the plant and was personally involved in their development and production. I hope you check us out sometime and try our foods, you can find our products with free shipping from our own website. We are also available from Chewy and Amazon.

Thanks for reading,

-Rick

P.S.- Funny enough, when I first posted this article, someone sent me a message asking about the two bowls in the photo above. They are Fiesta brand pet food bowls. Fiestaware is one of the most collected and popular brands of dinnerware. Lucy Pet Products website started carrying the Fiestaware dog food bowls and cat food bowls. I was surprised how many people really liked the Fiesta pet food bowls, and that's why we started selling them on our website. Made in USA, chip resistant, and very durable, dishwasher and microwave safe., Fiesta is the brand of bowls I bought for my own dogs...and that was long before Lucy Pet started selling Fiesta. (So that means I actually paid full price!).

Quinoa for Dogs and Cats?

Long time readers know that I've worked in the pet industry for over 20 years. My background is specifically in dog and cat nutrition, and in full disclosure I am a partner at a pet food company called Lucy Pet Products. Many of our recipes include quinoa, which is considered an ancient grain, but is actually a seed and is very healthy for people and pets. Our nutritionists developed dog and cat foods with quinoa because it is a high quality ingredient and an excellent source of energy and nutrients. Here is an excerpt of a blog post from the Lucy Pet website. 

The quinoa phenomenon is truly remarkable in North America. Once a relatively unfamiliar food to the US, this ancient grain has grown in popularity over the past few years, even appearing on pet blogs such as Petnet as a hot new health food for both humans and their four-legged friends. So the question remains: is quinoa good for dogs? In this article, we’ll explore many frequently-asked questions, including the quinoa for dogs benefits  – and what pet foods feature this superfood that has garnered so much attention as of late.

Quinoa FAQs: Commonly-Asked Questions About The “Ancient Grain”While many of us may have heard of quinoa – or even eat it ourselves – there is much that people do not know about this nutrient-rich ingredient. According to the Whole Grains Council, the majority of the world’s quinoa crop is grown in South America, about a third of which is organic. While there are hundreds of types of quinoa grown, the most common varieties are either white, red, or tan. Although this gluten-free food dates back thousands of years and is often referred to as an “ancient grain”, quinoa is actually a seed. Used as a healthy substitute for certain gluten-heavy carbohydrates such as rice and pasta, quinoa has continued to grow in popularity as health-conscious people search for ways to reduce their processed food intake and cut their caloric intake – especially the gluten-sensitive set. But how does this grain-free food benefit our dogs? Below, a few frequently asked questions regarding quinoa for dogs:

Q: Is Quinoa Safe For Dogs To Eat?A: A great deal of research has shown that quinoa is a highly nutritious food for humans. But according to the AKC, it’s also safe for dogs and cats, too – in fact, many premium dog kibble brands have begun using it as a substitute for less healthy starches such as wheat, soy, and corn. Loaded with calcium, protein, vitamin E, B-1, B-2, it also touts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, it offers trace minerals such as iron, magnesium, phosphate, and potassium, as well as heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and omega-3 fatty acids – so it’s no wonder that this ‘superfood’ has taken off in popularity for both health-conscious humans and their pets! Since it’s high in both protein and healthy carbs, quinoa is especially beneficial for active dogs and cats.

Q: Is Quinoa Good For Dogs With Allergies Or Food Sensitivities?A: Just as some humans experience food allergies, our canine companions can also experience allergic reactions to certain foods, including dog food ingredients. In the instance that your furry friend has been diagnosed by a veterinarian with canine allergies, the vet’s office may recommend an elimination diet. This type of diet basically entails determining what foods your dog may or may not be allergic to by introducing them to the animal one at a time to see how he reacts. If you notice itching, gastrointestinal problems (such as diarrhea/vomiting/constipation), or even chronic otitis (ear infections), it most likely means he’s allergic to that particular food. Your vet can provide further instructions on this process, but this method – also known as a “restricted diet” – can help to pinpoint what your dog can and cannot eat. In other instances, your dog may have a food sensitivity – such as a reaction to specific foods such as gluten – so he may require a gluten-free diet. In either case, your vet can determine his condition and the best steps to take to ensure he receives the proper nutrition at feeding time.

When diagnosing your dog, some vets will recommend what is known as a “limited-antigen” diet – meaning one protein and one carbohydrate at a time. Furthermore, the foods should be new to the dog – meaning he’s never eaten them before. Among the list of ‘novel’ carbohydrate ingredients – you guessed it, quinoa. Other sources of ‘good’ carbs may include oats, pumpkin, barley, and even dog food containing chickpeas, which is also a great source of protein. If you notice your dog’s allergy symptoms improving, high-quality dog kibble including these ingredients (such as quinoa) may be a great source of nutrition for your pooch.

Can Dogs Eat Quinoa: How To Add It To Their Diet, Naturally
As you can see, there are so many benefits to feeding a diet made with quinoa into your dog’s dietary regimen. Choosing quality dog foods such as Lucy Pet can really make a difference in your pet’s health and longevity. With our scientifically-formulated blends of balanced nutrition, our natural dog kibble and treats take the guesswork out of feeding your pup. Packed with healthful ingredients – including gluten-free, amino-rich quinoa, protein-studded chickpeas, premium meats and fish, vitamin and mineral-packed veggies (such as pumpkin), and other superior whole food sources – our dog food formulas are based on 40 years of research and studies by Dr. George C. Fahey. Take the next step in ensuring your furry friend’s vitality and make him a Lucy Pet dog today.

Lucy Pet has full transparency of every ingredient used in the formulas. You can learn more about each ingredient and where is it sourced from, right from the website.

When is it time to change your dog's food?

During a recent podcast, a caller asked me for recommendations on things to get for their new puppy. I shared a story about a friend who recently added a dog to his family, who also asked me for advice on what he needed. Having spent nearly a quarter of a century in the pet industry, he knew I would be able to answer most of these questions about pet supplies. From the basics like what kind of bowls are best for dogs, the toys, the poop bags, or even deciding the best choice for a harness, collar and leash, I was never at a loss on what to recommend. When it comes to food and treats I am especially opinionated because I am a pet nutrition specialist. Whether you walk into a brick-and-mortar pet store or shop online at Chewy.com or Amazon, it can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of brands or pet food, and it can be very difficult to sort through the marketing claims and labels. My friend was surprised just how many brands were available. When he told me what the dog had been eating previously I was horrified and encouraged him to change the food he was feeding right away. He flat out asked me, "What is the best dog food to feed?" I replied that finding the best dog food for your dog can depend on factors such as health conditions, age, body weight, breed needs, etc. Aside from the brand I recommended, my first advice was to IGNORE the marketing claims on pet food labels. Most marketing claims are there to influence you by getting you to focus on what they want you to respond to, and not necessarily what is best for your dog's health and nutrition needs.

It turns out that dogs have very specific nutrition needs. Dogs are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and plants. Dogs are not wolves, no more than we humans are not the same as our caveman ancestors. Neither humans or domesticated dogs hunt exclusively for our food. We eat in regular intervals and have relatively sedentary lifestyles. So dogs require very specific nutrition which can come from protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Being omnivores does not mean it is OK to feed them everything. Home cooking, table scraps, etc is not a healthy choice for your dog. If you want to give your dog a treat once in a while, in addition to their kibble, that's generally OK; their main source of nutrition should come from kibble. Dog food kibble is hands down the best option to feed your dog because it is designed to be complete and balanced and provide the 40+ essential vitamins and minerals your dog requires. I also said not to fall for those trendy raw and fresh foods, they just are not scientifically right, and are extremely expensive anyway. Avoid those brands at the supermarket or mass merchant mega-marts.

Instead look for a dog food that talks about all the ingredients, and not just the first few ingredients on the label. Imagine if you were buying a car, and all the car company talked about was the hood and the lights. Most people want to know about the cars interior, engine, wheels, fuel efficiency, trunk space, safety stats, etc, etc. So when you see a dog food label focus on something like "high protein" and focus on the meat ingredients, what are they hiding? Why aren't they talking about the importance of everything in the food?

Most people just don't have time to research pet foods and try to find the best dog food, so they rely on reviews, and what friends say. I do tell people to at least look at the dog food brand's website, and see what the company is focusing on. Look for companies with science based nutrition, and not just marketing fads or slogans. Because I have been closely involved in the development of Lucy Pet Formulas for Life dog foods, I am very knowledgeable about what is in them and why they are the best dog foods on the market. Science now shows that gut health is the key to overall better health. The digestive system in dogs is the epicenter of the immune system, so getting the balance of bacteria is essential. Lucy Pet's dog foods focus on creating better gut health through a proprietary blend of prebiotic fibers that actually change the gut by creating more good bacteria and outnumbering the bad bacteria. The end result is your dog will have a stronger immune system to stay healthy and fight disease as they age. The quality of ingredients Lucy Pet uses in their dog foods will really make a difference to your dog, especially when they have a healthy gut from these diets.

So when is it time to change your dog's food?

• When a pet food company is sold to one of those huge conglomerates, it is time to switch. I have seen, first hand how big companies immediately start looking for ways to save money, cut costs, cheapen ingredients, and change suppliers. So if you have been feeding your dog one of those brands that has been sold, and is now available in the big discount stores, ask yourself, how is it they can afford to do that? The answer is often because they quietly changed the formula and are using cheap ingredients. 

•  If you find that your dog is experiencing ongoing digestive issues that do not clear up in a reasonable time frame, it may be time to switch to a new brand. 

•  Read the pet food bag. If it says "high protein" it is time to switch your dog's diet. There are studies that now show feeding high protein foods over long periods of time can cause cancer. 

•  Read the ingredient panel on your dog food bag. If you see any non-specific animal protein such as "meat by-product meal" or "poultry by-product meal" instead of "beef meal" or "duck meal" or "chicken meal", you should change your dog's food immediately. Non-specific animal protein means the company can use whatever is cheapest and available.

• If the brand says anything about implying your dog is a wolf, or this is an "Ancestral Diet" They are trying to mislead you with marketing hype, instead of proven nutritional science.

It is very hard to navigate all the dog food brands. There are so many brands that are really garbage. There are a handful that in my opinion are decent and safe for feeding. Of course I am partial to Lucy Pet foods, but not only because I work at Lucy Pet, but also because I know first hand what is in the diets and I know how the formulas were developed. Including how they ensure the proper ratios of amino acids, omegas, and proper fiber ratios for gut health. When should you change your dog's food? The answer is now. Dogs don't live nearly as long as we would like them to, so why not feed the best dog food to help them stay health and live as long as possible. That's why I am so passionate about recommending Lucy Pet Formulas for Life dog food.

So what about those other pet supplies I recommend when getting a new dog?

Since I mentioned this at the beginning of the post, I decided to share my opinions on a few other pet supplies when you have a new dog. Bowls: ceramic or stainless steel bowls are best for food and water, because they are durable and can be put in the dishwasher regularly. The choice of toys depends highly on factors such as the age, breed and size of dog you have. Toys are meant to occupy your dog and allow them something that they know is "theirs". Be prepared for toys to get destroyed and worn out, your dog's individual traits will dictate how often you'll need to replace them. I like to have a variety of toys, hard rubber toys (like a Kong), one or two flavored Nylabone bones, an antler for long lasting chewing, tennis balls, and a variety of plush toys with the dreaded squeakers. Personally I choose to avoid any and all rawhide and prefer the antlers or plain large white bones. Depending on your breed/size and how well they are trained, I usually recommend using a harness to walk your dog. However, all dogs should always wear a collar with a name tag. The harness is good for walks because it gives you better control and prevents you from choking your dog if you need to yank the leash suddenly. Remember to get your dog micro-chipped an registered and also have them spayed or neutered.

Other things to purchase for your new dog:

• Dog bed
• Brush (type varies on the coat)
• Treats (get biscuits, and also a small meaty treat for training)
• Shampoo (bath your dog regularly to keep their skin and coat healthy)
• Stain/Odor Remover (accidents will happen so be prepared)
• Wire Crate (for sleeping, travel, or for emergency preparedness)
• Exercise Pen and Baby gates (ideal for containment)
• Tie-Out stake for the yard 
• Paw wipes (tidy up after walks)
• More Toys and Balls
• Soft blanket for them to nest or to protect your sofa

I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have questions please feel free to contact me.

Why kibble is still the best choice for dog & cat food

With more than two decades of experience in the pet food industry, I consider myself reasonably well informed when it comes to dog food and cat food. The internet is full of all sorts of misleading and inaccurate information as it relates to pet food. I would like to share my point of view with you. So why is my opinion worth reading? Well, you can decide for yourself.

My professional background and experience is in pet nutrition marketing. I am not a nutritionist. I do work intimately with the process of developing and manufacturing pet foods. I have developed numerous dog and cat foods (dry, wet and treats) that have been marketing around the world. I work closely with some of the top nutritionists and researchers at major US Universities. I have served on the board of a major pet food manufacturer, and currently serve on a nutrition innovation team with a major global ingredient supplier to the pet industry. I also work for Lucy Pet, a California based family-owned pet health company. We make dog and cat food and we are committed to truth, transparency and honesty in pet food.

Throughout my career I have visited nearly every major pet food manufacturing facilities, and numerous small ones too. I regularly attend professional conferences such as the Pet Food Forum, the annual meetings of AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials), and stay current with official publications and pet food conference calls by the FDA, FEDIAF (the European Pet Food Industry body) and of course the National Research Council (NRC), the body that actually sets the nutritional requirements for animals. I have also spent extensive amounts of time on farms, fisheries and ranches where various ingredients are grown, raised or procured. Over the past two decades I have seen all sorts of things that have given me an education as to what can improve or diminish the quality of a pet food.

I am a fact based person, and leery of fads and trend diets (human or animal). I always prefer science over emotion, and look for long term feeding trials before judging a new food or ingredient. Last year I wrote an article here entitled: A Quick Lesson On Pet Food. Feel free check that out later.

What drove me to write this post is the latest trend of alternate forms of pet foods that have no proven science behind them. I welcome new innovation to the marketplace, provided it is proven as safe and made by experienced nutritionists. What alarms me is that trends such as "fresh pet foods" and "raw dog foods" are misleading consumers to think they are properly balanced. Many of these new companies are attempting to gain popularity and market share by making patently false and misleading claims about dog kibble and cat kibble foods. In order to scare consumers, they claim that dry kibble is cooked at such high temperatures, it "cooks out all the nutrients". This is false. Then they extol the virtues of gently cooked, or slow cooked, or raw diets as better. These statements are not only inaccurate but they are misleading. When a nutritionist designs a kibble diet, they take into account cooking temperatures, storage conditions and shelf-life timelines of the pet food and calculate the ingredients accordingly. The pet food formulation and the cooking anticipates how all the raw ingredients, when blended and cooked will react to ensure that your dog or cat has the proper levels of nutrition they require.  The bottom line is that when made properly, by an experienced team of nutritionists, dog kibble and cat kibble offer consistent nutrition in every bite. Kibble is not deficient of nutrients, and in fact, some ingredients actually become more bio-available when cooked. So don't let anyone try to fool you into thinking that all the nutrients cooked out of kibble dog food.

Some of these fad diet companies hire a veterinarian who puts on their white coat, wears a stethoscope and pretends to understand nutrition. I am here to tell you that the overwhelming majority of veterinarians have little to no training and education in nutrition science. The next time a veterinarian tries to tell you what to feed your pet, ask them how many years of education in nutrition they have. Most will admit they had none, or maybe had an hour during one course of their degree.  So just because a pet food brand has a vet talking about the food, that alone does not mean they understand nutrition and can vouch for the diet as properly balanced.

One major issue I have with these trendy "fresh" pet foods, or human-food looking pet foods, or raw pet foods is that they often times are not properly balanced, even when they claim to be "complete and balanced". The concern I have with these fad diets is that the people making them are not experienced nutritionists who understand the complex nature of food ingredients. For example, there are multiple amino acids that animals require at certain levels. In order to formulate correctly, it requires a thorough understanding of the natural chemical composition and functionality of proteins, amino acids, and all sorts of compounds with how they react when ingested and digested by the animal. There are considerable consequences to animal health and well being just when basic ingredient formulas are not balanced properly. Remember that your pet is depending on that meal for all of its nutrition, so feeding a diet that does not take into account the complexity of nutrition science can have an adverse effect on vital organ functionality and life span of the animal. The digestive system plays a very important role in animal health, therefore ingredients and the formulation really matter.

Many of these diets promote the fact that they include fresh vegetables or fruits, but this is merely for label appeal to the consumer. Consider that fruits and veggies are mainly water, so in order to derive the amount of vitamins and minerals the dog or cat requires, you would need to feed many times higher levels of those veggies to meet the requirements of the animal. Also consider that after veggies and fruits are picked, and as the age, they gradually begin to loose freshness and the nutrients degrade. So those foods made with fruits and veggies could have older, wilted veggies that are not as potent as when they were fresh. That variability in freshness and their potency, coupled with the fact that you would still need many times more than they are using, makes this aspect of fresh or raw less than desirable as a complete and balanced source of nutrients. I imagine that it is possible some of these new, small fresh made pet food brands are trying to do something better, but the problem is they don't know what they don't know. They created a pet food on a formulated basis only and not tested it or understand how that diet performs over time when digested, and how the vital organs are affected.

Raw pet food is even riskier because in addition to being imbalanced, they present significant health and safety issues to the pet and the consumer. Aside from the risks of  Salmonella, and E. Coli, there are documented studies showing that the gut of the dog or cat has dangerous bacteria that continues to grow and build over time. This has a negative effect on the animals' gut health and ph levels. 

Despite what companies are trying to tell you in their marketing, your dog is not a wolf. Just as we as humans are not caveman anymore, we have evolved, over tens of thousands of years. And as a result our DNA has changed. Just look to science, yes science, not emotion for the facts. Science has documented that there are over three dozen different strands of DNA that are different between the dog and the wolf. Those DNA genome differences are significant because they relate to digestion. So while it may seem fun to think you should feed your dog the same way they would "eat in the wild" and therefore mimic a wolf's diet, the fact is your dog is NOT A WOLF. Keep in mind that that message has been perpetuated by pet food companies trying to sell you something. Personally I would never feed a raw pet food diet, ever.

The tough part for consumers is to figure out which brand of kibble is the best. There are so many brands of dog and cat food now, it can be overwhelming. Of course I have my opinion and preference. Go to a pet specialty store to do research, but don't just go with what the store employee or demo person says. They are paid or commissioned in some way sell a particular brand. My advice is buy the best you can afford, but read up on the brand. Look closely at the brand website, what are they emphasizing? What are they not talking about? Are they trying to fool you by only talking about the first few ingredients on the label, or do they talk openly about the entire formula? Do they share details about their nutritionist? Do they talk about the science behind their food? If they are mostly marketing "feel good" traits, and nothing else, then move on. Just because a food is organic, or natural, or humane, does not necessarily mean it is the best. Our pets only live a short time relative to human lifespan. Don't we owe it to feed them the best possible, so they can be healthy?  I get frustrated by companies, large and small who literally lie and mislead consumers. I am merely advocating FACT and SCIENCE when it comes to nutrition. The point of this article is to assure you that kibble is still the best choice for dog and cat food.

In full disclosure I mentioned previously that I work with Lucy Pet, and we have a kibble dog food. However, even if I did not work for Lucy Pet, I would still be sharing the same information because what I am writing about is rooted in science and facts. I added a few links within this article to things we wrote about on the Lucy Pet Products website. I hope this helps shed some insights into what I have learned over my 23+ years in pet food. If you want to see my other article on A Quick Lesson on Pet Food, click here. 
Thanks for reading.

Sheldon the K9 Product Development Assistant

Sheldon was my trusty assistant for the taste-test panel

This has been a busy year so far, with no end in sight to the fun and interesting projects in my world of pet food. I've just completed a product development project of our new Lucy Pet Hip to Be Square™ dog treats. Sheldon, Ellie and Adele all helped with the formula development and taste testing. They all have such discriminating taste buds, so it took us time to get the formula just right. We make our dog treats right here in sunny Southern California. They are meaty, chewy, semi-moist natural treats. We insisted in using premium ingredients from the US, such as duck meat, wild Alaskan salmon, or free range chicken as the first ingredients of each treat. 

The first batch of treats are made!

We blended in some pumpkin for some fiber and a delicious taste. Since our Hip to Be Square dog treats are grain-free and Limited Ingredient Treats, they are an excellent choice for pets who have sensitivities to grain. 

Like everything we do at Lucy Pet, these are 'Products with a Cause', so proceeds help animals through the Lucy Pet Foundation. I couldn't have done it without my faithful poodle pal Sheldon Gryffindor, who is still going strong at nine years old. I should have asked him to be in this ad for the new treats! Oh well, next time, Sheldon.

A quick lesson on pet food nutrition

Ellie loves her Lucy Pet Formulas for Life food

Last week a magazine writer (who was writing an article about Lucy Pet) called us for a few quotes about the company and our new Lucy Pet Formulas for Life dog food. She was writing a broader feature about what's new and truly innovative in pet food, specifically in the area of improving health for dogs and cats. She was particularly interested in our P.B.F. Prebiotic Balanced Fiber blend for Gut Health. Gut health, she said is emerging on the scene to be the next frontier of health benefits for animals, and follows the science in humans. We agreed, and were all too happy to share the science and extensive research that went into formulating our new Lucy Pet dog and cat foods.

The reporter was interested in learning about the role the fiber plays in gut health. I explained that the key is in the variety of fibers used in the food. Since all pet foods contain some fiber, having a prebiotic fiber isn't enough to claim gut health. Lucy Pet is able to claim gut health benefits to dogs and cats because of the extensive research on fiber and gut health by one of the world's leading experts on gut health and fiber, Dr George C Fahey. Our pet foods truly are revolutionary because we combine a variety of quality fibers (soluble and insoluble) along with a range of very high quality proteins and fats to yield a remarkable result in pets. I explained to the reporter that people often misunderstand the role of fiber, and also complex carbohydrates. Those who view them as "unnecessary" are misinformed and have an outdated view about animal nutrition.

Consumers today are searching for the latest and best for their pets. All they seem to find are the endless range of useless things with slick marketing campaigns, claims of "meat first", "high protein" or those raw and dehydrated diets. Those offerings often miss the big picture of what truly improves the health of pets. The reporter was curious to learn more about why "meat first" wasn't the most important indication of a quality pet food. I explained that it is the combination of ingredients in a pet food, when digested contribute to the body in some way. To think that just the meat based ingredients alone are what matter most is highly misleading. For example, if you made a cake and only asked about the flour, and ignored the rest of the ingredients, you would not be fully understanding what went into the cake and how to evaluate it.

Experts agree that having a high quality protein is important, but what is equally important is the quality and role of the fiber, fats, vitamins/minerals, and even the complex carbohydrates as well. Carbohydrates can contribute many things to a pet food; such as a source of energy, fiber, protein, amino acids, etc. Again- anyone who dismisses carbohydrates as bad or unnecessary out of hand is clearly misinformed and does not understand nutrition. Carbohydrates- particularly complex carbs can be very beneficial to dogs and cats when used in conjunction with other quality ingredients.

The fact is that pets are living in domesticated environments with humans and need to consume food that provides the nutrition they need. Pet food has been formulated to provide what is best for the animal, while at the same time making easy to serve, easy to digest, and easy for the human to clean up when our pets poop. Today's pet food diets were developed to meet these needs, and carbohydrates  play an important role in pet nutrition. Recently there was a wave of brands who started marketing against pet foods with carbohydrates, and it turned out to be nothing more than misinformed slick marketers trying to confuse consumers. Fortunately this has been addressed by regulators. AAFCO (The American Association of Feed Control Officers) who oversees pet food, recently ruled that there is no basis to make claims of glycemic levels in dogs and cats, and does not allow claims of "low glycemic" any longer on pet food.

 So just having a meat first formula--even if it is high quality meat, may not be giving your pet what they need to truly excel and be healthy. What should consumers look for in the sea of confusing shelves at the pet store? Read labels, research the brand, and look for what they focus on in their message. Don't be fooled by brands that claim only "meat first" or "high protein" as their key benefits. Look for brands that have high quality ingredients AND formulas based on science. Read brand websites to see if the company is using the latest nutritional science available, or do they seem to be following outdated nutrition from 30-40 years ago?

As we have launched our Lucy Pet Formulas for Life pet food, we have been flooded with testimonials from people telling us how much their cat or dog loves our food. Anecdotally, many veterinarians are reporting that they are seeing cases of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) clear up in pets who started feeding Lucy Pet Formulas for Life. It is exciting to be part of a company that is helping animals and delivering great nutrition.

At the conclusion of the interview, I thanked the reporter for taking the time to hear our story. Lucy Pet is the only brand marketing gut health for pets, and it is exciting to be on the frontier brining years of nutritional research to benefit our dogs and cats. I wouldn't have it any other way.

New Lucy Pet Food Formulas for Life are here

Well I'm pretty stoked. After a lot of planning and hard work, I'm so proud of our new Lucy Pet food Formulas for Life dog and cat food that are now available. This is the only pet food to have our special P.B.F. Prebiotic Balanced Fiber for gut health and a strong immune system. You can try Lucy Pet Formulas for life dog food or cat food from our website, or ask your local pet shop to order it for you. You will see a difference in your pet's health in just two weeks. I saw an increase in energy, brighter eyes, better skin and coat, and better poop too. Give your pet the health they deserve, a strong immune system, shiny coat, healthy digestion and vibrant energy too. Try Lucy Pet Formulas for Life. We are a family owned small pet food brand made in Southern California. Our Products With A Cause program means we support the Lucy Pet Foundation to help reduce pet overpopulation. Check us out today at www.LucyPetFood.com  Thanks!