Pet Nutritional Counseling in Durham, NC

All of the food manufacturers that we carry in our store are committed to using ingredients that are of the highest quality and meet the health needs of your pets. There are some “Red Flag” ingredients that are often used to reduce the price of pet food or help increase the shelf life of the food. While these ingredients succeed in that mission, they are not healthy for your pets. Our foods contain human grade ingredients and NO: by-products, wheat, corn, soy, fillers, chemical preservatives, or artificial flavors or colors.

Human food must meet USDA standards but the FDA allows these federal laws to be violated in the pet food industry. That is why it is critical to ask the manufacturer about things that you can’t necessarily tell by looking at the food label. Meats and vegetables that do not meet the standards for human consumption are allowed to be processed into pet food. When it comes to pet food, all chicken, beef, vegetables, grains, and vitamins are not created equally. In fact, some manufacturers will purposefully purchase ingredients that are rejected for human consumption since they are so much less expensive. They call these meats the “4-D meats” (dead, diseased, dying, or disabled). Thankfully there are some pet food manufacturers who are making high quality food with high quality ingredients even though they don’t HAVE to by law. All of the food manufacturers we partner with are committed to using foods that are fit for human consumption.

Another aspect of determining the quality of your pet's food is learning more about where the ingredients are sourced. As we mentioned above all of our vendors are completely transparent about where the ingredients come from and absolutely nothing comes from China. Our vendors certify where and how the ingredients are sourced and often partner with local farmers to help sustain their local communities.

All of our manufacturers produce their products in USDA inspected and approved facilities using clean and hygienic packaging techniques and materials. This ensures that the ingredients are fresh when they arrive at the plant and when they enter the packages that arrive at our store.

The FDA released a report in June 2019 describing the results of their investigation into a potential link between certain diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). In their report, the FDA concluded that “the agency believes that the potential association between diet and DCM in dogs is a complex scientific issue that may involve multiple factors.” We agree with that conclusion.

Unfortunately, some media outlets erroneously reported that the FDA concluded that the sixteen brands of dog food identified in the 524 cases the FDA analyzed "caused" DCM. That statement is simply false and misleading. That being said, there is clinical evidence to suggest that the number of dogs being diagnosed with DCM appears to be increasing.  

We understand that finding the right diet for your dog can be a very simple, or may be a complex situation. We carry a wide range of diets that can accommodate many different nutritional requirements, we will work with you to find a diet that best suits your requirements.

If you have any concerns we encourage you all to read the entirety of the FDA report. We welcome the opportunity to discuss foods, treats, and all things pet related with you at any time! We look forward to having you stop by with any questions you may have. Thank you for your business and support.