How Flint River
Ranch Dog Food is Made:
WHY OVEN-BAKED DOG
FOOD? Flint River Ranch, Super Premium All-Natural
Formula, is slowly TWICE OVEN-BAKED under carefully controlled
conditions and proper temperatures. This unique baking process
changes the hard to digest molecules of "raw"
starches into easy to digest dextrines. This process acts
as a "pre-digest" of the kibble food, resulting
in less strain on the dog's digestive system and produces
a greater degree of food absorption. A dog's intestinal
tract is short; it functions in the most efficient manner
when the food is concentrated and can be quickly digested.
The important vitamins, minerals and food ingredients are
then easily assimilated into the dog's digestive system.
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.
OVEN-BAKING PROCESS:
In the oven-baking process, a small 2 inch size biscuit
is baked, moving slowly through the oven then broken into
smaller, irregular kibble ranging in size from tiny morsels
to about 1/2 inch.
DIGESTIBILITY / PALATABILITY:
Flint River Ranch dog food scores in the high 90's for digestibility
and palatability -while most extruded food is in the low
to mid 80's on a scale of 100.
SMALL / FINE MORSELS:
The smaller morsels are very important as they digest very
quickly in the dog's system helping create immediate nutritional
value for your pet. Dogs don't eat food - they "wolf'
it down - small pieces digest easier in the dog's system.
This is what makes the food so great! The larger, crunchy
kibble naturally cleans teeth, exercises the gums and freshens
breath.
WHY 23% PROTEIN?
It is not the amount of protein in a dog food that is important,
it is the type of protein and how easily it can be digested.
The protein is the right amount for all stages of life.
In some cases of working dogs or dogs under high stress,
the addition of meat protein can be considered.
BAKING TEMPERATURES?
Any cook can mix ingredients - the secret is in the total
cooking process. This is one of the reasons our food is
not easily duplicated by other manufacturers.
COLOR OF THE FOOD?
An oven-baked food will have various shades of colors -
from the soft light inside to the heavy brown crunchy outside
crust. Oven-baked food is food in its' natural state. No
oils or liver digest is sprayed on the food to encourage
a dog to eat. Like all natural things in our environment,
as well as the baking process - color of the food will vary
from time to time. CONCENTRATED TO FEED LESS Since the food
is concentrated, there is more value with less food consumed.
Feeding oven-baked foods require 20-25% less food than steam-extruded
foods. Pet owners will find fewer odors and stool clean
up. Feeding Flint River Ranch quality products, you will
be able to see the difference in your pet's health, skin,
coat, energy level and quality life-style.
OVERWEIGHT DOGS?
We find many pet owners still feed the amount of oven-baked
food they normally would feed with other brands - about
3-4 cups for a 55 lb. dog. With concentrated premium foods,
it is best to feed about 25% less. Dogs may require a little
adjustment over a period of time to shrink their stomach
and reduce their food intake. Lightly cooked vegetables
of all types can help while the dog's system adjusts. Improper
feeding is the greatest cause of a dog being overweight,
not the quality of the food.
