How We Make Our Food

As pet owners ourselves, we are committed to making the healthiest and most nutritious food possible to ensure a longer and healthier life for our pets. After losing our dog to what we learned was contaminated pet food, we felt the only we could know with absolute 100% confidence what was in the food we were feeding our dogs was to make it ourselves using fresh, real food that was perfectly balanced and easily digestible.

Making the best quality food on the market is not magic! It is all about finding the highest quality ingredients that are the most digestible for dogs and easiest on their overall system. Our formulas are based upon AAFCO’s published nutrient profiles and proven test results, following years of consultation with veterinarians, animal nutrition experts, and numerous published studies.

We use only fresh, real whole foods that the FDA/USDA have certified as nutritious and safe for every member of the family, the same quality foods that you buy yourself in restaurants or grocery stores. All food is prepared in accordance with FDA food safety standards.

At My Perfect Pet, we invite you to come to our Poway facility and observe our entire operation as we prepare pet food made from the highest FDA/USDA quality fresh, whole foods, according to standards we expect for our own food. Click here to watch us making it.

 
What’s In Our Food:

Our ingredients list is simple. We NEVER use any meals, by products, fillers, artificial flavors or colors, or any processed foods of any kind. EVER. We believe the healthiest and most natural way to supply nourishment to the body is through fresh whole foods that are naturally high in healthy nutrients, the way nature intended. We do not need to add a long list of supplements to our food because we start with whole foods that have been carefully selected to offer the best nutrition for the dog’s system - naturally.

The main ingredients used in our products include:

• USDA Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast & Thigh – Primary source of protein
• USDA Boneless Skinless Turkey Breast – Primary source of protein
• USDA Beef London Broil & Brisket – Primary source of protein
• USDA Salmon Filet – Source of protein and rich in Omega-3 fatty acids
• USDA Lamb Shoulder or Leg – Primary source of protein
• USDA Beef or Chicken Liver – Rich source of fat soluble vitamins and minerals
• Whole Eggs (without the hard to digest shells) – Source of protein, vitamins and minerals
• Whole and Sweet Potatoes (with skins on of course!) – Primary source of fiber, vitamins and minerals
• Whole Grain Brown Rice – Live, sproutable whole grain, rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, low NFE carb (13%), and highly digestible for dogs (79%).
• Raw Spinach – Primary source of fiber, vitamins and minerals
• Organic Safflower and Fish Oils – Each selected for their specific contribution to the balance of fatty acids
• Natural Kelp – Primary source of iodine and antioxidants, naturally harvested and dried
• Vitamin and Mineral Supplements to make it 100% complete and balanced

 
See our Product Details page for a specific ingredients list and nutritional analysis for each product.

Meat and Eggs:

We select only the top quality, USDA prime choices of lean beef and boneless, skinless chicken breast. Visible fat is trimmed, and the meat is gently baked and then ground. You can see the small pieces of chicken and beef throughout the bar.

Whole eggs are cooked, and the shells removed and discarded. While the shell is relatively high in calcium, they can be abrasive to the more delicate digestive tracts, and so these are never included in our products. The eggs are ground in order to blend easily with the other ingredients, but you can still see the pieces of egg white and yellow egg yoke in the finished bars.

Potatoes and Grains:

Potatoes are washed and baked - with skins on, of course! Whole grain brown rice is steamed until thoroughly cooked and tender.The potatoes are ground so they blend easily with the other ingredients, and you can see the pieces of potato and skins mixed throughout the bar.

Oils:

We purchase all oils from companies certified to be in accordance with the Organic Foods Production Act and the National Organic Program using practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.

Vitamins and Minerals:

All vitamin and mineral supplements are FDA certified with FCC and USP grades approved for humans. Our Calcium supplement is organically processed from certified BSE free pasture fed cattle, and is the most absorbable source of natural calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, protein and amino acids normally found in raw bones.

Packaging:

Each individual bar is sealed in its own convenient bag to preserve freshness and to ensure quality. Sealed, frozen bars are then placed in retail packages and remain frozen until purchased.

 
What about fruits and vegetables?

We are often asked why we don’t include more fruits and vegetables in our food, since they are commonly perceived as healthy and nutritious additions to our pet’s diet. The reality is that the dog’s nutritional needs are quite different from ours, and they require a different balance of nutrients. Many fruits and vegetables contain enzymes and other substances that can be harmful to dogs. Most vegetables contain high levels of Vitamin A, a fat soluble vitamin which is stored in the dog’s liver. A good example of this is the carrot – while popular as a treat and commonly found in home diets, a single carrot contains far more Vitamin A than is recommended for the average dog. Over time, excess amounts of fat soluble vitamins may become toxic and contribute to liver problems and other health risks. Many fruits and vegetables contain unique enzymes and other substances that can be harmful to dogs. Stems, seeds, and leaves may be toxic even when the food itself is considered safe. Examples of these include apples, avocados, cherries, citrus, cucumber, tomatoes, and others.