What You Should Know About Our Pet Foods!

1.     All-Natural / Holistic - Both of these terms are somewhat broad and general terms that encompass a wide variety of issues.
The term holistic is regarded as more of a philosophy rather than a science.  It is usually used in a statement like "a holistic approach to pet health and nutrition".  Holistic nutrition sees not just the quality of the end product, but sees each ingredient as having specific importance. Here is the official AAFCO definition for "natural" as the term relates to pet food:
"Natural... A feed or ingredient derived solely from plant, animal, or mined sources, either in it's unprocessed state or having been subjected to physical processing, heat processing, rendering, purification extraction, hydrolysis, enzymolysis, or fermentation, but not having been produced by or subject to a chemically synthetic process and not containing any additives or processing aids that are chemically synthetic except in amounts as might occur unavoidably in good manufacturing practices." 
 
The bottom line is that items like artificial flavors, artificial colors, chemical preservatives and GMO's are examples of things excluded from being all-natural.  Unfortunately, this definition actually allows "meat by-products" to be used and still be "all-natural", although chemical preservatives are almost always used with that grade of material due to rapid spoilage rates. 
 
2.  Human Grade Meats And Grains - This means that each ingredient would be considered fit to be used in human food.  There are only a few products on the market that use this quality of ingredients.  The quality of what you put into the food is the foundation of what you will get from the final product.  The quality of the ingredients affects other important factors such as digestibility and calorie yield, which affect feeding quantities and stool production, and the effects continue like a chain reaction through all aspects of product quality.  If a company is not using human grade ingredients, they are using products deemed "unfit for human consumption".  The quality levels for ingredients allowed to be used in pet foods goes way down to include some very unsavory items like diseased organ tissues and recycled restaurant kitchen grease.  See separate info on by-products, etc.
 
3.  No Wheat, Corn, or Soy - The fastest growing issues in pet health are allergies and skin problems.  Wheat is the number one food allergy among dogs and cats.  Corn is the number one cause of "hot spots", a condition where a skin irritation causes to lose fur in an area called a "hot spot".  This usually progresses into a "lick sore" as the animal licks at the irritated spot until it often causes an open wound to form.  Reports of soy allergies are also rapidly on the rise.  Soy is often used as filler, in place of meat, because it contains a good amount of protein.  Dogs and cats cannot use the soy protein very well (not as well as humans) and could not survive on soy protein alone.  Also of importance is the fact that a high percentage of the soy on the market (globally) has been genetically modified (GMO).  There is only speculation as to the possible long-term health issues, but most people would try to avoid products that they know contain GMO ingredients.  All of Canine Caviar's ingredients are certified to be non-GMO.  Because Canine Caviar doesn't use these ingredients, it is rated very highly for helping to avoid allergies.
 
4.  Natural Preservatives - Number two on the list of the fastest growing issues in pet health is cancer.  Chemical preservatives are believed by many people (in the pet food industry as well as vets and breeders) to be a major contributing factor to the rise in cancer rates.  Most of the chemical preservatives (petroleum-based) used by the other companies are on the list of known carcinogens.  An average sized dog eating a food with chemical preservatives could eat as much as 14lbs or more of those chemicals per year!  One very large company makes pet food both with and without chemical preservatives.  They label the product with the chemicals "Not to be fed to pregnant or nursing dogs".  What they aren't telling you is why, and that's due to the fear of birth defects and other problems that can be caused by the chemicals.  This same company produces a "maintenance" formula and a "sensitive stomach" formula.  Upon inspecting the ingredient label, the only difference to be seen is in the preservatives!  Chemical preservatives include such things as BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, and propylene glycol.  These strong chemicals are necessary to preserve low quality ingredients that spoil rapidly (or may have been already spoiled before processing) and give the product a long shelf life.  Oxidation is the process that causes spoilage and so natural preservatives would be items like vitamin E, vitamin C, and rosemary extract that are considered to be "antioxidants".  Since the natural preservatives do not work as well as the chemicals at preserving the product from spoilage, the type of packaging used becomes very important in providing a good shelf life for the product.  More on that subject can be found in the "Packaging Quality" section.
 
5.  Highest Digestibility - This is the subject the big companies really don't want to talk about!  It IS a key benefit of Canine Caviar, and we are the ONLY company on the market that prints our digestibility rating right on our packaging.  Once a pet food has been produced, the big question is "how usable is the food for the animal?"  A core goal of Canine Caviar is to produce products that are as usable for the animal as possible (no filler!)  Unfortunately, the largest selling pet foods are also among the LOWEST in digestibility.  Our research indicates that the best food you could hope to find in a grocery store might achieve approximately a 60% digestibility rating, and most are much lower.  The bottom of the line grocery and feed store pet foods are under 50% digestible!  People will ask how the digestibility is determined.  There is a "standardized" test that chemically simulates the digestion of the product to determine a potential digestibility of the product.  Obviously each animal is different, and will digest food differently (like people do), but that is where the "standardized" test is important.  Standardized means that there is a testing method agreed upon by scientists to be able to consistently achieve accurate and comparable results.  So the other companies can't complain about not being able to "compare apples-to-apples".  The other companies ARE testing their products for their digestibility, and then never telling anyone the bad news.  High digestibility is the number one contributing factor to our "feed less - clean up less" claims.  We have had customers that were able to reduce their feeding quantities by over 50%; this creates value for the customer that goes well beyond the price they see on the bag.  The factors that combine to create our high digestibility are our proprietary combination of ingredients, the quality of the ingredients, and our processing methods.  See the section "Extrusion vs. Baking" for more on our processing methods.
 
6.  Super High Omega3 Content - Omega3 fatty acids are a very beneficial type of fatty acid found in high concentration in fish oils, canola oil and flaxseed.  Canine Caviar uses all of these; white fishmeal, whole ground flaxseed and canola oil so the customer gets three excellent sources of Omega3's.  Most pet foods on the market have very little Omega3's.  One well-known company makes a "sensitive skin" formula and actually lists their Omega6 and Omega3 content on the packaging (though they don't on their "maintenance" formula).  Their Omega6 to Omega3 ratio runs at approximately 10:1, or 10 times the amount of Omega6 for every one part of Omega3.  And this is their sensitive skin formula!  Canine Caviar runs Omega6 to Omega3 ratios between 1.9:1 and 3:1, depending on the diet.  We are running several times the amount of Omega3's of even other brands "sensitive skin" formulas, let alone regular "maintenance" diets.  See our separate info sheet detailing all the benefits of Omega3 fatty acids.
 
7.  Herbal Support System - The ingredients in this category are part of Canine Caviar's holistic approach to pet nutrition.  They have been chosen for their many benefits ranging from antioxidant support, to heart health support, to digestive system support, and many other benefits.  They combine to create a "synergy of nutrition" and generally help the other ingredients to work together to the best of their potential.  You will never find this type of benefit from grocery brands, or even most "premium" and "super-premium" foods.  See our separate sheet on our Herbal Support System for a complete list of ingredients and benefits.
 
8.  High Calorie Output - The fact that Canine Caviar foods yield significantly more calories per unit of measure is the direct result of the quality of ingredients we use and our proprietary processing methods.  Our high calorie output combines with our high digestibility to fulfill our goal of feeding less and cleaning up less than with standard foods.  An "average" adult formula might yield between 300 - 400 calories per cup.  Canine Caviar Lamb and Rice Adult yields 486 calories per cup, and the Chicken and Rice Adult yields 599 calories per cup!  This is achieved without having to push the protein levels too high, which is of concern to some people.  The ability to significantly reduce feeding amounts creates a major value for the customer.  We have actually done some comparative analysis with other brands of foods to evaluate the "cost per feeding" of different products.  On this basis, it quite often cost the same or less to feed Canine Caviar than even some grocery brands.  This does not even take into account all of the other pet health benefits the customer should be able to expect from using Canine Caviar!
 
9.  Chelated Mineral Supplements - Pronounced like "key-laited".  Chelation is the process of attaching the minerals to a chain of amino acids.  This enables them to be much more usable to the animal.  A significant amount of standard supplements can pass through the animals system and go unused.  This type of mineral supplement is 3-4 times more absorbable than standard supplements, and are also called "organic" mineral supplements.  This is most important in relation to the minerals that pertain to bone health like calcium, phosphorus, and iron.  These help with bone development in puppies and kittens as well as bone strength maintenance in older animals.  Chelated mineral supplements are only found in a few of the best foods on the market.
 
10.  Packaging Quality - This is a very important issue when talking about naturally preserved foods.  Paper bags would not allow for a very long shelf life for a naturally preserved product.  Canine Caviar guarantees to deliver fresh product to the customer by using the best packaging available.  Our plastic bags are a true innovation and provide very high oxygen barrier properties.  The bags may seem thin, but they are actually several layers thick!  Our "ziplock" type feature on our two smaller bags is a real convenience and helps keep the food fresh even after the bag has been opened.
 
11.  Ph Balance - This is usually discussed in relation to the urinary struvite crystals that can form in cats.  When the Ph level of a cat food is not acidic enough, the crystals can form.  This is most often seen in male cats.  The rule of thumb used to be to try and achieve a Ph level of below 7 in the urine created in the animal to avoid the formation of crystals.  Our Feline Caviar cat food has been designed to create a consistent Ph level of between 6.1 and 6.4, which is a very tight window to maintain.  Feline Caviar is rated very highly for helping to avoid the urinary tract problems customers have experienced with many other brands.  Ph balance can play a role in canine health as well.  Many white or very light colored dogs can be seen with "tear stains" around the eye area.  These copper or dark brown colored stains are often caused by or made worse by a Ph imbalance in the "tears" of the dog.  We have had many Canine Caviar customers who, over a period of time, have seen these problems greatly reduced or even cured due to the extra care we take in managing the Ph balance of our products.
 
12.  Affordability - Many people would never consider that there could really be excellent value in a product like Canine Caviar that is often one of the most expensive foods carried in a store.  Unfortunately for many animals, but fortunately for us, many people wait to look for a higher quality food until after they experience (often expensive) health issues with their pets.  We can make quite a solid case for the overall affordability of Canine Caviar products when all the benefits are combined.  We have already talked about the concepts of feeding less and a cost per feeding analysis.  These both go directly towards the financial affordability of the product.  Issues to be considered for long term health, and length and quality of life for both pet and owner, are things like cleaning up less, allergy avoidance, our herbal support system, and the expectation of fewer vet bills in the long term.  These things add up to immeasurable value to the customer.
 
13.  Glucosamine / Chondroitin - This has become quite a hot topic lately.  Glucosamine and chondroitin and all of the "joint support" supplements are the number one selling category of supplements for humans.  Pet food manufacturers have tried to jump on board by adding "joint support" formulas to their lineup.  Unfortunately, the levels of joint support ingredients added by theses pet food manufacturers are seldom enough to do much of anything for the animal.  Glucosamine and chondroitin are degraded during the cooking process as well.  Compounding the problem further, recent studies indicate that dogs and cats aren't able to assimilate glucosamine and chondroitin very well, meaning that they must be fed several times the amount that you want them to absorb.  We do know of pet owners that have seen benefits from using these products, but they are the ones adding fresh supplements to the food each feeding, not expecting to get it from the bag of dog food.  Canine Caviar uses yucca root in our formulas because it has long been regarded as a natural joint support helper.  It survives the cooking process well (thanks again to our shorter cooking process) and has a secondary benefit as a stool odor reducer.  If the customer really wants to address joint support issues, we recommend that they enjoy the benefit of the yucca root in our products and add fresh glucosamine, chondroitin, msm, or shark cartilage supplements to the diet.
 
14.  Probiotics - Probiotics are "friendly" bacteria cultures that can be added to a food product to help with digestion.  They can be seen on the ingredient label with names like "lactobacillus" and "acidophilus".  Every animal has live bacteria cultures that reside in the intestines and help to digest food.  Probiotic supplements for humans has been growing rapidly in the last few years.  The better supplements are always kept refrigerated to preserve freshness and potency.  Unfortunately, the types of cultures that are being added to pet foods have been genetically altered to try to make them able to survive the cooking process, and are a GMO product.  They are not exactly the same cultures that are native to the pet's digestive system.  At this time there is no scientific research to indicate what, if any, negative effects may be caused in long-term health through the introduction of non-native cultures to the animal.  One speculation would be that these cultures might begin to dominate the population of organisms in the host and then create a dependency on the food to replenish the population of these non-native cultures.  Many people just categorically avoid all genetically modified products.  Canine Caviar avoids the use of any GMO ingredients in all of our products.  We achieve the highest digestibility ratings without adding probiotics!
 
15.  Kibble Size - There are a number of issues related to the size of the kibble of pet food products.  Small breed animals need and prefer smaller kibble.  Many companies have started introducing "large breed" dog formulas that have very large (we're talking charcoal briquet size with some) kibble.  Some companies believe that larger kibble means that the dog will have to chew the food more, resulting in cleaner teeth.  Our research has led us to believe that most dogs don't chew their food very well, no matter what the size of the kibble.  For the dogs that do spend the time to really chew up large kibble, they often end up inhaling a lot of air trying to keep the food in their mouths as they eat with their heads tilted down.  This can contribute to more flatulence from the animal, which nobody wants to promote.  Canine Caviar uses a smaller kibble in all of our foods.  This makes them perfect for smaller breeds and large breeds.  Smaller kibble is easier to digest than large chunks of food as the canine and feline digestive tract is very short and must complete its job quickly.
 
16.  Bloat - This topic can also be related to kibble size and density.  Bloat (medically known as gastric dilitation & vovlulus, or GDV) is most often seen in large and giant breed dogs like Great Danes, German Shepherds, Rottweillers, etc.  Dogs eating large quantities of food that is heavily based on low quality grains most often cause bloat.  When the dogs drink water during and after their meal, the low-density (due to high grain content) kibble swells like a sponge to a much larger size, overfilling the stomach.  This causes distress on the stomach and it becomes acutely distended with gas and begins to twist on itself.  Bloat is a surgical emergency!  The larger the kibble size and the lower the kibble density is the higher the risk of bloat.  However, it can be totally avoided by feeding Canine Caviar!  Our kibble is small and very dense and will swell less than 10%.  Our higher calorie output and digestibility contribute to feeding considerably less than the type of food usually associated with causing bloat.  Less food + no swell = NO BLOAT!
 
17.  Meat vs. Meal - Many companies use marketing slogans like "made with real meat", "made with fresh chicken", and many more.  Some ingredient labels say the food contains both "chicken" and "chicken meal".  What's the difference?  First let's begin by noting that you can have both human grade meats or meals and you can have meats or meals that are not human grade.  The quality of the ingredients used is still the most important issue.  Many people have the misconception that a "meal" means it cannot be human grade.  Some even equate meals with by-products. This is definitely not so.  A meal product simply means that it has been dehydrated and ground.  There are even different qualities of meals.  A high quality meal, like that used in Canine Caviar products, has both the water and the fat removed, leaving you with a dense protein source.  A quality meal will yield many times the protein content of raw meat.  The water and fat can be added to the mix in prescribed amounts, creating higher quality control and more consistent results.  The "chicken" (non-meal) used in many brands is actually still a dehydrated product, the fat is not removed and it is not ground up.  Most of the machines used to process pet foods cannot use raw meat products, and the plants don't have refrigeration facilities to accommodate raw meats, but that doesn't stop many companies from saying that they use "fresh chicken".
 
18.  Extrusion vs. Baking - Only a very few pet foods actually use a baking method to produce their product.  Their goal, according to those who use baking, is to create a product that preserves nutrient quality and produces a more highly digestible food.  Considering that most people agree that foods that are either raw or less cooked have a higher nutritional value than products that are cooked for long periods of time, the claims of the bakers seem hard to justify.  Baking processes occur at higher temperatures and for longer periods of time than extrusion processes.  Canine Caviar products are extruded through a special proprietary process and we achieve the highest known digestibility rating on the market.  We are the only company that prints our (91%) digestibility rating right on our packaging in the "guaranteed analysis".  Here is an excerpt from one (baking) companies website - 
 
19.  "EXTRUSION vs. QUALITY OVEN-BAKING: Most companies prepare their food by steaming it as quickly as possible, usually less than 3 minutes, then extruding it under extreme pressure through a metal die (A steam extrusion process). This process expands the food with air creating a uniform shape. This method does not produce the highly digestible food that your dogs' system requires. This extruded food (cooked in a very short time) is usually almost "raw" and requires the addition of what many nutritionists feel are harmful chemical preservatives (Ethoxyquin, BHA, and BHT) to maintain a reasonable product shelf life. These chemical products may be associated with dry skin, allergic reactions, dental disease, poor health and degenerative organ dysfunction."  This statement is correct in some aspects in very wrong in others in regards to Canine Caviar products.  We do cook our foods for much less (very much less actually) than 3 minutes, and it does come through the cooking process "almost raw".  There can be a concern about too much air creating a less-dense kibble, but that only happens when the extrusion process is abused to maximize the machine's daily throughput capacity, definitely not so with Canine Caviar.  Our heating process is shortened, our extrusion/shaping process is not, and our kibble is extremely dense.  We employ a longer drying process to the food since our cooking process is so short.  However the drying occurs at only approximately 170 degrees instead of the high temperatures used in the cooking process, so the food is not over-cooked, and this contributes to purging any air left in the kibble.  Chemical preservatives are definitely a concern and that's why we don't use them, only natural preservatives are used.  We believe that we actually achieve the goals that the bakers set out to accomplish.  We maintain the integrity and nutritional value of our ingredients by not over-cooking it, we produce the most highly digestible product on the market, and we print it to prove it!
 
19.  "Prescription" Diets - People who are feeding prescription pet food formulas are the most difficult customers to convert because when asked why they use a prescription formula, their answer is always "because the vet said I have to".  How can a demo rep argue with that?  We obviously would never try to diagnose and suggest treatment regarding a pet's diet when we are dealing with serious medical issues, though we have had quite a number of vets prescribe Canine Caviar to help with a variety of problems.  There are unfortunately a large number cases where "prescription" diets are recommended by vets that can be solved simply by using a high-quality food.  We have heard of people being given prescription diets for allergies, skin problems, vitamin/mineral balance issues, Ph balance issues, and more that can very often be solved with Canine Caviar products.  Especially in regards to allergies, we have had many success stories where Canine Caviar products have been able to cure what the prescription diets have failed to cure!  When working through a demo presentation with a prescription diet customer, we recommend that they take a sample bag to their vet to ask for his/her review.  Our sample bags have a lot of helpful information on them including vitamin and mineral profiles.  Thankfully, there are a growing number of vets trying to follow a more holistic approach to pet health and this often includes the pet foods these vets will recommend.  These vets will rarely work with the standard assortment of "prescription" diets.
 
20.  Fiber Content / Beet Pulp - Every pet food must have fiber in it.  Good quality fiber is not "filler"; it is there to do a specific job.  Most pet foods end up with fiber in them mainly due to the lower quality of ingredients used.  When you combine a lot of corn, wheat, and a variety of partial (fractionated) grain components, you automatically end up with more than enough fiber in the product.  Canine Caviar is different in that because of the high quality of our ingredients, we must actually add a fiber-specific ingredient to achieve an optimum amount in our products.  The digestive system in dogs and cats is different than humans in many ways, but especially in the fact that it is (proportionately) much shorter than ours.  Fiber in a pet's diet actually helps the food pass more slowly through the system so it is more fully digested.  Without any fiber, the food would pass through very quickly without being digested.  The use of excess fiber is a gimmick that has been used and abused with lower-quality products to give a false impression of higher digestibility and to create a firmer stool (another mark of higher digestibility).  Canine Caviar has chosen to use beet pulp as a fiber source because it is mildly fermentable and contains natural prebiotics.  Other companies have given beet pulp a bad rap as a "false stool hardener", but the most outspoken one of those companies has recently switched to using beet pulp!  Some other fiber-specific ingredients can have negative effects on the final product in areas like Ph balance.  The beet pulp used in our products has all of the sugar removed and is not made from red beets, so there are no red coloration issues to worry about.  The proof all comes back around to the overall digestibility.  A product that has excess fiber will not be as highly digestible overall (though it may help with the digestion of other ingredients) as a food with high-quality ingredients and just the perfect amount of fiber.  That is Canine Caviar defined!  Beet pulp has even been described as a pre-biotic for the way it benefits the intestinal flora.  See the separate sheet on beet pulp as a pre-biotic.
 
21.  "Hairball" Formulas For Cats - This is a rapidly growing segment of the cat food market.  Most hairball prevention formulas employ one or both of two techniques.  The first technique is to include extra fiber in the diet.  This is supposed to help push hair through the cat's system so they won't regurgitate it back up.  Our Feline Caviar does not use that method because the extra fiber goes against our core philosophy of making a product that is the most usable for the animal.  Fiber also absorbs water as it passes through the system and creates more concentrated urine, which can contribute to other problems like FUS (Feline Urologic Syndrome).   The second technique, which we do employ, is simply to include high amounts of Omega3 fatty acids.  This helps the cat not to lose fur as rapidly so that the hair can pass before it accumulates in sufficient quantities to cause regurgitation.
 
22.  Ash & Magnesium Levels For Cats - It is widely believed, though to varying degrees, that excess levels of both ash and magnesium contribute to, if not directly cause, Feline Urolgical Syndrome (FUS).  FUS is a term used to describe a number of different diseases that occur in the lower urinary tract of cats.  These diseases include urinary tract infections, uroliths (urinary tract stones), urethral obstruction, and cystitis (bladder inflammation).   Some figures are showing estimates that as much as 30% of the cat population will experience some form of FUS in their lifetime.  Ash is suspected of causing cystitis because it irritates the walls of the bladder and causes it to become inflamed.  This can progress to a serious condition and can become a recurring problem if preventive measures are not taken.  Magnesium works to raise the urinary Ph in cats.  This Ph imbalance is the leading cause of urinary tract crystal formation.  This condition can also progress to be very serious and create a full blockage of the urethra, which can lead to uremic poisoning and eventually be fatal.  Many of these conditions cause scar tissue to form, which is more susceptible to irritation or can cause the narrowing of passageways in the urinary tract.  These can both lead to chronic health issues and is why prevention is the key to long-term health for cats.  Our Feline Caviar has the low ash and magnesium levels that keep cats from experiencing these problems.  Our cat food is tested to create a urinary Ph of between 6.1 and 6.4, which is a very tight window to maintain, and is testimony to our high quality control of our ingredients and our processing methods.
 

What Is A Holistic Diet?

Pet parents are more concerned than ever about what they are feeding their four-legged friends.  So many questions are swirling regarding what we are feeding our pets and what all the terms on the bags of kibble mean.
 
What exactly is a holistic diet?  Although there are no accepted standard definitions for holistic, the holistic approach is basically one that treats the whole animal, using nutrition to stimulate the body's ability to heal and maintain itself.
 
Holistic health is based on the law of nature that a whole is made up of independent parts.  When one part is not working at its best, it influences all of the other parts of that animal.  Furthermore, this animal, including all of the parts, is constantly interacting with everything in the surrounding environment.  For example, when a pet is anxious about its owner leaving, their nervousness may result in a physical reaction such as an upset stomach and loose stools.
 
The principles of holistic health state that health is more than just not being sick.  A common explanation is to view wellness as a continuum along a line.  The line represents all possible degrees of health.  The far left end of the line represents premature death.  On the far right end is the highest possible level of wellness.  The center point of the line represents a lack of apparent disease.  This places all levels of illness on the left half of the wellness continuum. The right half shows that even when no illness seems present, there is still a lot of room for improvement.
 
Holistic health is an ongoing process.  The cells in an animal's body are constantly being replaced.  New cells are built from what is available.  Harmful substances or lack of needed building blocks in the body can result in imperfect cells and an inability to do what is required to keep that animal healthy. 
 
When diseases and chronic conditions occur, the holistic health principles can also be applied.  The term usually changes to holistic medicine though and additional factors are added.  A holistic approach to healing means going beyond simply eliminating the symptoms that are present.  For example, giving your pet an inoculation for dry skin and itchiness would be like disconnecting the oil light on the dash of your car when it flashes.  The irritation is eliminated, but the real problem still exists.  In a holistic approach, a symptom is considered a message that something needs attention.  The symptom is used as a guide to look below the surface for a root cause.
 
A holistic pet food is one that supports your pet's health on all levels by using high quality ingredients and proper formulation to insure that optimal amounts of nutrition are being achieved.  If appropriate nutrition is received by the animal, you should not see itchy and dry skin, energy loss, excessive eye drainage or yeast infections in the ears and skin.
 
 
What should you look for in a holistic diet for your pet? 
 
Quality animal based protein sources that are steroid, antibiotic and hormone free.  Keep in mind that ingredients are listed by weight.  Fresh chicken would include the moisture (approximately 70% of its weight), chicken meal does not contain moisture and is cooked prior to being added into the kibble mix, dehydrated chicken is fresh chicken with the moisture removed that has not been exposed to heat. Whole grains and not grain fragments.  Beware of ingredient panels that list three grain parts together as their total weight could add up to more than the animal protein (i.e. rice, rice bran, rice flour).  Look instead for a variety of grains such as millet, oatmeal, brown rice, barley and quinoa. Quality fat sources and a good Omega Fatty Acid Ratio.  Chicken fat, fish oil and coconut oil are all good sources of fat.  Natural preservatives, such as Vitamin E.  Avoid foods that contain chemical preservatives such as BHT, BHA or Ethoxyquin. The diet should be free of added colors or flavors. Beware of diets that heavily market inclusion of fruits and vegetables.  Fruits and vegetables should be fed fresh in order to receive the full value of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants available.  Fruits and vegetables cooked at high temperatures (such as those used in kibble) provide nothing in the end result except for fiber and sugar. Keep in mind that pro-biotics and enzymes added to kibble diets must be genetically modified to remain active.  Once digested these Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) replace what the body has already made on their own.  Look for diets that include pre-biotics (such as inulin sometimes derived from chicory).  Pre-biotics encourage the body's production of beneficial bacteria in the gut, rather than replacing them. Grain Free doesn't mean carbohydrate free.  Watch the ingredients on grain free diets that use large amounts of simple carbohydrates such as potatoes.  In a basic nutritional comparison, grains such as oatmeal or brown rice offer more nutrition and less insulin production than a white potato. 
The best advice when looking for your pet's diet (and yours) is to rely on common sense nutrition rather than what you have "learned" from marketing and what packaging tells you. 

Ingredients & Definitions:

Dehydrated Chicken (Human Grade) is lean carcass that has been dehydrated, contains 8 times more protein than chicken. Chicken provides protein, calcium, phosphorus and many trace minerals. We use anti-biotic, hormone and pesticide free human grade chicken that is raised free range.

Dehydrated Lamb (Human Grade) is the lean carcass that has been dehydrated, contains 8 times more protein than lamb. New Zealand is the source of our lamb meal because it is certified Scrapie-free. Lamb refers to animals less than two years of age. This rich protein source also contributes calcium and phosphorus as well as other vital trace minerals. We use anti-biotic, hormone and pesticide free human grade lamb that is raised in a free range.

Venison Meal (Human Grade) is the lean carcass that has been dehydrated, contains 8 times more protein than venison. This rich protein source also contributes calcium and phosphorus as well as other vital trace minerals. We use anti-biotic, hormone and pesticide free human grade lamb that is raised in a free range.

Split Pea (USDA #1 Grade) are a high protein food and a very good source of potassium and the B-vitamins. Complex carbohydrates, which split peas provide, release energy slowly to the body to maintain a consistent energy level. Split Peas are a good source of folate (heart Health), vitamin K1, which activates osteocalcin (bone health). Split peas are also a good source of iron, necessary for normal blood cell formation and function and a very good source of vitamin C, which protects many energy-producing cells and systems in the body from free radical damage.

Pearl Millet (USDA #1 Grade) is highly nutritious, non-glutinous, non-acid forming, beneficial to the stomach, spleen and pancreas, considered to be one of the least allergenic and most digestible grains available. Millet is a good source of fiber, a complete protein and is rich in phytochemicals, which lowers cholesterol and the risk of cancer. Millet is one of the best grains for intestinal disorders and is ideal for the management of blood sugar.
Brown Rice (USDA #1 Grade) Contains a generous supply of B vitamins, plus calcium, phosphorus and iron. It is also very nutritious, and of all the grains is the most easily digested and least likely to cause allergic reactions. Brown Rice clears up psoriasis, is an anticancer and anti-diarrheal. Brown rice lowers cholesterol and prevents kidney stones.
Chicken Fat (Human Grade) is rich in Omega 6 fatty acid. We use human grade chicken fat that comes from hormone, pesticide and anti-biotic free chickens. 

White Fish (Human Grade) is a rich protein source, providing omega-3 fatty acids and valuable bone components such as calcium and phosphorus. White fish is beneficial to heart health, reduces the risk of cancer and Chrohn's diesase, and strengthens the immune system.

Sun-Cured Alfalfa (USDA #1 Grade) aids in healing allergies, neutralizes stomach ailments, contains chlorophyll to help bad breath, helps prevent tooth decay; cleanses the kidneys, removes poisons from the body; neutralizes acids; is an excellent blood purifier; improves the appetite and aids in the assimilation of protein, calcium & other nutrients.
Flaxseed (USDA #1 Grade) is one of the richest known sources for Omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed contains lignins, which may protect against cancer, improves digestion, helps alleviate disorders of the colon, is soothing to the stomach & intestinal linings and helps put sheen on the coat.
Kelp is the mother of all ingredients, a rich source of vitamins, minerals including essential trace minerals for balanced growth, health & reproduction, aids in digestion, helps maintain a healthy stomach, reduces the risk of poisoning from environmental pollution, promotes healthy skin & coat and helps cleans the kidneys, bladder & uterus.
Beet Pulp Shreds (Prebiotic) are the ideal source of moderately fermentable fiber and provides nutrition for naturally occurring prebiotics. Beet pulp in the diet encourages colonization of bacteria, which best ferment or digest and discourage those organisms which do not effectively ferment fiber. There is no red color, since sugar beets are white and has an index of 0 on the glycemic index.

Garlic (USDA #1 Grade) is a natural anti-biotic that has the ability to destroy harmful bacteria and at the same time leave behind beneficial bacteria. Garlic strengthens the heart, nourishes the stomach, spleen & lungs, improves circulation, stimulates the immune system, reduces gastrointestinal upsets, reduces inflammation, reduces fatigue and inhibits cancer cell formation.
Lecithin aids in digestion and absorption of fat, lowers cholesterol, improves physical performance, and liver function.
Chicory Root nourishes the beneficial microorganisms in the colon. Chicory molecules are highly fermentable by select beneficial organisms in the large intestine or colon. Chicory is utilized by Bifidobacterium, Lactobacilli and other beneficial organisms in the colon, aids in healthy digestion, enhances the production of B-vitamins, enhances the uptake of calcium, magnesium and certain vitamins and reduces odors and has an index of 0 on the glycemic index.

Canola Oil (USDA #1 Grade)  is rich in Omega-3 and Vitamin E, contains less than half the saturated fat of any other vegetable oil, has a favorable mix of mono- and polyunsaturated fats, and like other vegetable oils contains no cholesterol.

Yucca Root helps keep hips & joints healthy, helps avoid inflammation; reduces breath & stool odor and helps reduce skin disorders & eruptions.
Peppermint (USDA #1 Grade) is a digestive aid, eases gas & bloat, is an energizer oxygenating the bloodstream & purifying the blood  and helps control flatulence, diarrhea, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease.
Parsley (USDA #1 Grade) contains high levels of beta carotene, vitamin B12, chlorophyll, calcium, more vitamin C than citrus fruits, aids digestion, supports the liver, kidneys & adrenal glands, purifies blood & body fluids,  helps the body's defensive mechanisms; chokes negative bacteria and a great immune booster.

Taurine is an essential amino acid which is not utilized in protein synthesis, but rather is found free or in simple peptides. Low levels of taurine are associated  with cardiomyopathy, retinal degeneration, and growth retardation.

Rose Hips (USDA #1 Grade) have 60 times more vitamin C than citrus fruit; treats muscle cramps, helps prevent & treat infections, curbs stress, builds & strengthen body tissues.
Beta Carotene helps prevent eye problems, skin disorders, enhance immunity, protects against toxins and cancer formations, and infections. It is an antioxidant and protector of the cells while slowing the aging process. Beta-Carotene aids in cancer prevention. It is important in the formation of bones and teeth.

Mono-Dicalcium Phosphate aids in the maintenance of a normal heartbeat and for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles. Also plays a role in multiple phases of blood coagulation and in many enzymatic processes.
Sodium Chloride works with Potassium to regulate the body's water balance, and found essential in small quantities for growth. Also used to maintain osmotic tension of blood and tissues.

DL-Methionine is an essential amino acid. It is used for its protein value and because it is a urinary acidifier.

Choline Chloride is a B vitamin and prevents the deposition of fat in the liver; is essential in synaptic transmission of nerve impulses.

Vitamin C is as an anti-oxidant. Vitamin C reduces arterial aging & prevents plaque buildup on blood vessels, boosts the immune system, promotes healing & reduction of inflammation, helps repair joint injuries and helps create energy & production of anti-stress hormones.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant vital to normal reproductive processes and to help maintain the stability of cellular membranes throughout the body.

Riboflavin (B2) promotes growth and is important in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. It is used for the nervous system, utilization of energy, healthy skin and coat and tissue repair.

Zinc forms an essential part of many enzymes and plays an important role in protein synthesis and cell division. Zinc is an essential mineral and plays a vital role in prostate gland function, as well as the growth and health of the reproductive organ. Zinc protects the liver from chemical damage. It is also vital for bone formation as well as being a constituent of insulin and many important enzymes.
Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate is a trace mineral that is known to be required for several hundred different functions in the body.  A significant portion of the symptoms of many chronic disorders are identical to symptoms of magnesium deficiency. 

Calcium is needed in every organ of the body, including the brain. Calcium is valuable for tone, power, strength, longevity, vitality and endurance, healing of wounds, and for counteracting of acids. Calcium also helps regulate metabolism. Calcium is used for muscle tissue, cells and blood.
Pantothenic Acid (B5) is essential for a number of basic bodily functions--from growth to reproduction. It participates in the continual breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins from food, converting them into compounds the body can use. This vitamin also produces numerous enzymes and helps maintain precise communication between the central nervous system and the brain.

Vitamin K is necessary for normal blood clotting and synthesis of proteins found in plasma, bone, and kidneys. It is also involved in bone formation and repair. In the intestines it also assists in converting glucose to glycogen. Vitamin K may decrease the severity of slow bone loss.
Vitamin B12 is needed for the formation of red blood cells and the normal functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B12 functions as a methyl donor and works with folic acid in the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells and is vitally important in maintaining the health of the insulation sheath (myelin sheath) that surrounds nerve cells.

Mixed Tocopherols refers to the family of structures recognized as Vitamin E and is used as an antioxidant to preserve the food.

Niacin also known as Vitamin B3 helps process carbohydrates, protein and fat. Necessary for a healthy nervous system and brain functions.   Niacin has earned a reputation as a natural cholesterol-lowering agent. It may also help to prevent or treat a number of other disorders, from arthritis to diabetes.

Vitamin A Acetate is necessary for the maintenance of eyesight, skin tissue, the respiratory-, urogenital- and digestive tract and the immune system. This form is readily available to those animals such as cats that are not capable of converting beta-carotene to Vitamin A.

Copper is a trace mineral that helps the body function normally. It works in respiration, synthesis of hemoglobin and the production of collagen. Copper prevents heart disease, maintains healthy skin and hair color and alleviates rheumatoid arthritis-related inflammation. It's also critical for the creation of collagen, a core protein found in bones, connective tissues, and skin.

Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (B6) aids in the maintenance of the neuromuscular and neurological systems. Important to nitrogen metabolism and red blood cell formation. It is also used in the processing and metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, while assisting with controlling mood as well as behavior. Pyridoxine assists in the prevention of dandruff, eczema and psoriasis. It assists in the balancing of sodium and potassium as well promotes red blood cell production. It is further involved in the nucleic acids RNA as well as DNA. and linked to cancer immunity and fights the formation of the toxic chemical homocysteine, which is detrimental to the heart muscle.
Vitamin D3 regulates calcium and phosphorus absorption from the digestive tract. It promotes normal bone calcification and is necessary for bone formation in the young animal and the normal maintenance of adult bone In some recent studies it has also shown great promise in assisting psoriasis, the immune system, thyroid function as well as normal blood clotting.

Cobalt Carbonate is required in the manufacture of red blood cells and in preventing anemia.
Folic Acid is involved in every bodily function that requires cell division. It is used to generate red blood cells, help wounds heal, build muscle, and produce brain and nervous-system chemicals. Folic acid fights anemia, retards gum disease, improves fertility and prevents birth defects and lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Thiamine Mononitrate (B1) is a water soluble B Vitamin that promotes good appetite and growth. Aids in digestion of carbohydrates, keeps muscles from degenerating, promotes skin healing and is required for normal functioning of the nervous system.

Biotin is required for normal skin and hair coat, prevents dermatitis and is essential for normal metabolism of fatty acids and the deamination of certain amino acids.

Sodium Selenite helps to boost the immune system and fight off infection, providing a general increase in the body's defense against dangerous bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Selenium helps mop up dangerous molecules known as free radicals that can damage healthy cells. Selenium helps prevent dermatitis.

Chelated Minerals - A process in which mineral substances are changed into their digestible form. Amino acid bound chelated mineral supplements provide 3 to 10 times greater assimilation than common minerals do.