It took us a long time to formulate and refine our recipes. We knew we wanted to use only ingredients that even people could eat. We wanted to offer treats that have holistic benefits and taste good. There have been many happy dogs (and horses), who have taste tested our various stages of product development. We are delighted with what we arrived at and are proud to be able to offer them to you.
Just like when you make cookies in your kitchen, you mix the dry ingredients, the wet ingredients, combine them, and then get to add the flavorings that make them tasty and special. We have listed our pantry ingredients the same way.
Dry Ingredients
Pumpernickel Flour
Pumpernickel Flour is made from coarsely ground rye berries. It is know for it deep, rich flavor and dark color. This flour is often sought after for its nurtirional benefits as it is high in fiber and a variety of essential nutrients. It has a hearty and slightly sweet flavor that fair well with a wide range of ingredients.
Rye Flour
Ground from the whole kernel. Rye Flour is lower in gluten than wheat flour; it also is higher in soluble fiber. Rye flour is heavier and darker in color than most other flours which is why it produces a dark, dense cookie.
Potato Flour
Potato Flour is ground from whole peeled and trimmed potatoes. Potato Flour has no fat, sodium or cholesterol. It is a great source of vitamin C. Has more potassium than a banana and is good source of vit. B6, magnesium and antioxidants.
Pea Flour, Peas
Green peas offer significant health benefits. For starters, peas are a nutrient-dense complex carbohydrate and rich in antioxidants. Peas provide amino acids such as lysine, and are a source of essential minerals such as magnesium, phosphorous and potassium. Peas also act as a pre-biotic; including pre-biotics in your pet’s diet helps the beneficial bacteria in the digestive system thrive.
Tapioca Flour
Tapioca flour is a very fine, white powder that works well in grain free baking. It helps thicken dough and aids in creating a crisp cookie.
Flax
There is a world of benefits when dogs, (or people), consume Flax. Flaxseed is known for its phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are natural cancer-protective compounds. Flax seed is also high in alpha linolenic acid, which has also found to be promising as a cancer fighting agent. Flax is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. Flax promotes regular bowel movements because it is high in insoluble fiber. The all-natural fiber helps to absorb water, softening the stool, allowing food to pass through the colon easier. Flax is high in Omega 3 fatty acids. One of the great things about Omega 3's is its ability to reduce inflammation. Your active dog will appreciate the help if he or she is feeling some arthritis. Flax is also known for its ability to help fight heart disease and support the immune system.
Rolled Oats, Bran
Oats are a historical and common ingredient in horse feeds. Rolled Oats contains protein, B vitamins, Vitamin E, and plenty of minerals. Rolled Oats also promotes a healthy digestive tract. Oat Bran is the edible, outermost layer of the oat kernel. Oat Bran contains B Complex Vitamins, Protein, fat, minerals and soluble fiber. This is a nutritional power house of an ingredient!
Barley Flour
Barley Flour is one of the oldest known cereal foods and has a sweet nut-like flavor. It has impressive health benefits. A very high fiber content, vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, heart health and diabetes protection are just some of the barley nutrition benefits that make it one of the best whole grain choices.
Dried Whole Eggs
One egg has 13 essential nutrients in varying amounts including high quality protein, folate, iron and zinc. All important for many things, but a dog's coat will benefit!
Wet Ingredients
Canola Oil
Canola oil has the lowest saturated fat of any oil. Canola oil has 6% saturated fat. Canola contains a high level of omega 3 fatty acids, which promotes a shiny and healthy coat. It also contributes to brain growth and development.
Soybean Oil
Soybean oil is low in saturated fat, contains no trans-fat, and is high in poly- and monounsaturated fats. It's also the principal source of omega-3 fatty acids and a great source of vitamin E, also promoting a shiny and healthy coat.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil comes from the meat of coconuts harvested from the coconut palm tree. Coconut oil consists of at least 90% saturated fats, most of which are medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), also known as “good fats”.
Water
We use filtered, pure spring water.
Raw Honey
Not only is honey a great tasting all-natural sweetener, but research has shown it contains a wide array of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants. It is a power packed ingredient.
Maple Syrup
(In horse treats only) Horses love the sweet, natural taste of pure maple syrup. It is an expensive ingredient choice, but we want our animals to have the best and we know you do to!
Pumpkin
Digestive Health is the first benefit of pumpkin. Natural pumpkin is a great source of fiber and helps with digestive regularity. In addition, Pumpkin is choc-full of nutrients. It contains loads of vitamin A, respectable amounts of vitamin C, and good quantities of other enriching minerals like potassium. Happily, it’s also low in fat and calories. And, dogs love the taste!
Apple Sauce
Apples contain soluble fiber, which is great for the digestive system. They also contain polyphenols, which have antioxidant effects. We use apples in a sauced form so we can use it as a wet ingredient, keeping the recipe strong and un-diluted.
Yogurt
Yogurt provides probiotic benefits and serves as an excellent source of calcium. We all know probiotics are great help in the digestive system, helping nutrients get absorbed, keeping the system running smoothly and a healthy gut is a must for a healthy dog!
Sugar Cane Molasses
Molasses is rich in antioxidants, contains iron and vitamins, helps with digestion, and keeps its bones strong. Along with that, molasses also helps with dogs’ skin problems.
Peppermint Oil, Leaves
Peppermint is the most commonly used herb for breath freshening. It is also an excellent digestive aid. It releases a very pleasant odor when consumed. Your dog's breath will improve after eating a Peppermint Pine. The oil we use is human grade food ingredient it is not an oil that is diffused into the air.
Treat Flavorings
Peanut Butter
Peanut Butter is one of America's Favorite Foods, and America’s most popular flavor of dog treat. Peanut Butter is naturally high in folate; a form of vitamin B. Folic acid lowers the risk of heart disease. It is also a vegetarian source of protein. Of course, our Peanut Butter is undweetened and made in the USA. And, it just tastes good!
Parmesan, Cheddar Cheese
Cheese is a complete, nutritious food and excellent concentrated source of many key nutrients vital for a well- balanced diet. Cheese is rich in vitamins A, B, and D. The proteins found in cheese are digested more easily than meat proteins. Cheese is rich in minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, important for the health of muscle tissue, etc. We choose these cheeses because of their great taste and strong aroma, (dogs eat with their noses first!)
Roasted Duck
Duck, like other types of poultry, are a good source of protein, iron, selenium, B vitamins, and zinc. We choose duck for our grain free flavoring because it is a special treat for us, and for our dogs also!
Bacon Flavoring
Our bacon flavoring is made with human grade, all natural applewood smoke flavoring and water.
Orange Pieces
Oranges have over 170 different phytochemicals and more than 60 flavonoids. Many of these have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and strong antioxidant effects. And, orange is a natural partner for duck.
Carrots
Carrots are an excellent course of antioxidant compounds. It is the richest vegetable source of the pro-vitamin A carotenes. Carrots help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer. We all know they promote good vision, especially night vision. Did you know, they also help provide protection against macular degeneration and the development of cataracts? Plus, it is our experience, that dogs love carrots!
Parsley
Parsley is loaded with vitamin K. It is also a great source of vitamin C, A, folate, and iron. Parsley has been shown to aid in the prevention of cancerous tumors. It has potent antioxidant capabilities as well as having cardio-protective nutrients. It has also been shown to protect against rheumatoid arthritis. It is an ingredient that all our pets should be consuming.
Blueberries
Blueberries are low in calories and contain high amounts of vitamin C, and fiber. Vitamin C and fiber are vital components of proper canine nutrition. Blueberries are also filled with antioxidants and have been shown to improve the health of animals.
Cranberries
Cranberries are rich in flavonoids. These phytonutrients have been shown to inhibit certain kinds of cancer. If your dog is stressed, cranberries may help, by inhibiting ulcer-causing bacteria from sticking to the stomach wall. Cranberries are an anti-aging tool. They help protect against neurodegenerative diseases, and the coordination loss often associated with an aging dog. We all know cranberries can prevent urinary tract infections. This is because it inhibits E. coli bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract wall.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties as well as the ability to slow or stop bacteria growth. It can also help regulate blood sugar.
Ginger
Inflammatory disease, arthritis, is greatly helped by ginger, as it is a natural anti-inflammatory. It is also good for digestive upset.
Allspice
Allspice helps to increase the production of digestive enzymes. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, is an antioxidant and has many minerals.
Clove
Cloves are a powerhouse of nutrients. They are antibacterial, help regulate blood sugar, may help with ulcers, and help keep bones healthy.