Pet Digest

Dog Food Brands Founded by Vets: Should You Trust Them? Last updated: August 2025 Pet parents are bombarded with marketing that says a dog food is “vet-formulated” or “recommended by veterinarians.” But what does that really mean? Does having a vet on staff guarantee a balanced, safe, or effective diet? Or is it often just marketing hype? Some brands go a step further: they are actually founded by veterinarians . Today we take a critical look at some of the most notable vet-founded brands: Dr. Marty, Raised Right, Dr. Harvey’s, and Nine and Line . We’ll examine their credibility, formulation philosophy, scientific backing, and potential pitfalls so you can make informed choices for your dog’s health. Vet-Founded vs. Vet-Advised: Understanding the Difference Before we dive into brands, it’s crucial to understand the difference: Vet-Founded: A veterinarian actually started the company, often influencing ingredient selection and diet formulation. Example: Dr. Marty , cre...

Beat the Summer Heat and Stay Hydrated: Natural Ways to Keep Your Dog Cool and Healthy Summer can be a challenging season for our canine companions. With rising temperatures and long, hot days, it’s more important than ever to ensure that your dog remains properly hydrated. This post explores holistic, science-backed methods to keep your dog cool and healthy, while integrating natural feeding strategies, practical tips, and research evidence to support our approach. The Importance of Hydration for Dogs Water is essential to every life form, and dogs are no exception. Adequate hydration helps maintain vital bodily functions including digestion, temperature regulation, circulation, and waste removal. In hotter months, a dog’s water requirements may increase due to factors like panting, exercise, and environmental heat. Studies have shown that dehydration is not only uncomfortable—it can lead to serious health issues like kidney damage, heatstroke, or even shock ( ScienceDir...

All Natural vs Organic – Is There a Difference? Pet parents are more label-conscious than ever. But in the ever-growing world of dog food marketing, two labels often create confusion: “Natural” and “Organic.” These words may seem interchangeable, but they’re not. Understanding the difference is crucial for making informed, healthy decisions for your dog’s diet. What Does “Natural” Mean in Dog Food? According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), natural dog food must be: Derived from plant, animal, or mined sources Not produced by or subject to a chemically synthetic process Not containing any chemically synthetic additives or processing aids However, the term “natural” is not federally regulated in the U.S., and there is no consistent third-party verification. It’s also important to note that foods labeled “natural” can still contain things like: Preservatives (e.g., mixed tocopherols, used to keep fats from going rancid) Synthetic vitamins or minerals (like V...

Do All Grain-Free Dog Foods Have a Legume Base? Short answer: No. Many grain-free kibbles lean on legumes like peas, lentils, and chickpeas, but not all of them. The real question is balance — not simply “grains vs. legumes.” This post breaks down why legumes show up so often, when they’re a problem, and how to read the label like a pro. What “Grain-Free” Actually Means “Grain-free” simply means the recipe doesn’t include wheat, corn, rice, barley, or oats. Pet food still needs carbohydrate and starch to bind kibble and supply energy, so manufacturers replace grains with other starches and fibers. Common grain substitutes: Legumes: peas, lentils, chickpeas, beans Tubers: potatoes, sweet potatoes Roots & starches: tapioca, cassava, pumpkin If you want a refresher on reading panels, see our guide to decoding dog food labels . Why Legumes Became Popular in Grain-Free Diets Legumes are widely used because they’re cost-effective, supply plant protein and fib...

Ziwi Peak: Gently Air-Dried Goodness from New Zealand Published: July 31 Why Ziwi Peak Is More Than Just Premium Dog Food In the world of dog nutrition, few names evoke the same level of trust and admiration as Ziwi Peak . Made in New Zealand using only ethically sourced meats and nutrient-rich ingredients, Ziwi Peak has created a category of its own: air-dried food that mimics the benefits of raw, without the hassle. With a focus on whole-prey nutrition, minimal processing, and traceability, it's no wonder pet parents globally are making the switch. Origins Rooted in Ethical Farming Ziwi was founded on a simple yet revolutionary belief: that dogs deserve food that mirrors their ancestral diet. Based in New Zealand, the brand takes full advantage of the country's strict biosecurity laws and high animal welfare standards. All meats are sourced from free-range farms or sustainable fisheries. Unlike most commercial brands, Ziwi Peak is independently owne...

When choosing a dog food, many pet parents look at ingredients, price, and packaging—but not many think to ask who actually owns the brand. One of the biggest names behind popular dog foods is Nestlé, a company better known for candy bars, coffee, and bottled water. But Nestlé isn’t just in your kitchen—it’s also in your dog’s bowl. --- 🏢 Meet Nestlé Purina PetCare Nestlé’s pet food division, Nestlé Purina PetCare, is one of the largest pet food manufacturers in the world. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, it dominates both the grocery aisle and pet specialty stores. From economy kibble to high-end performance diets, they have something for every budget—but not always every philosophy when it comes to pet nutrition. --- 🐾 Dog Food Brands Owned by Nestlé Here’s a breakdown of the most common dog food brands under the Nestlé Purina umbrella: 1. Purina Pro Plan Marketed as vet-recommended and performance-driven, Pro Plan is often seen as Purina’s premium line. It’s used by many bree...

Open Farm: Ethical, Transparent, and Truly Farm-to-Bowl Feeding our dogs is more than just filling a bowl—it’s a commitment to their health, happiness, and well-being. But in today’s pet food market, how can we be sure the food we’re offering is not only nutritious but also ethically and sustainably sourced? Enter Open Farm , a company that is revolutionizing pet nutrition by placing transparency, ethics, and traceability at the heart of everything they do. With Open Farm, you’re not just buying pet food; you’re supporting a movement towards responsible, planet-friendly, and genuinely wholesome pet care. A New Standard in Pet Food Open Farm was founded with a clear and inspiring mission: to set a new standard for pet food that benefits pets, people, animals, and the environment. While many large pet food brands focus primarily on profits and marketing, Open Farm challenges the status quo by embracing total transparency and sustainable practices. Their commitment isn’t just lip se...

Vegan Diets for Dogs: A Trend with Hidden Dangers? Understanding the Link to DCM Last updated: August 2025 Over the last decade, veganism has grown beyond being just a human lifestyle choice. More pet owners are now choosing to feed their dogs plant-based diets, citing ethical, environmental, and health reasons. But with veganism for dogs trending, an important question arises: is this diet truly safe for our canine companions? One of the most alarming concerns linked to plant-based dog diets is the potential connection to canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) , a heart condition that has been reported more frequently in the past several years. In this post, we’ll explore what veganism for dogs looks like, why it’s trending, why even major brands are creating vegan dog foods, and how it may relate to the increased reports of DCM cases. Why Vegan Diets for Dogs Are Trending The push toward plant-based diets for dogs mirrors the rise of veganism among humans. Many dog parents w...

🐾 SquarePet Dog Food: Changing the Tides of the Retail Floor It’s not often that a new brand enters the scene and makes retailers and pet parents alike stop and take notice—but SquarePet is doing just that. With a science-backed philosophy, ingredient integrity, and vet-formulated diets that actually put pets first, SquarePet is quietly—but firmly—changing the landscape of the dog food aisle. 📦 Who Is SquarePet? SquarePet is a **family-owned, independent pet food company** based out of San Diego, California. Founded by veterinarians and industry insiders who were frustrated by the compromises of corporate pet food, their goal is to combine **nutritional science with ingredient purity**—without the marketing gimmicks or misleading claims that have plagued big brands. They offer a focused product line, including: Veterinarian Formulated Solutions™ – for food sensitivities, digestion, kidney support, etc. SquareEgg™ – a novel-protein, egg-based formula for dogs wi...

 Whole-Prey vs Raw Diets for Dogs: Understanding the 80/10/10 Rule and What “Whole Prey” Really Means 🥩 Introduction: The “Natural” Diet Debate Across social media and the raw feeding community, terms like “whole prey,” “prey model,” and “BARF” are everywhere. But what do they really mean? While both whole-prey feeding and raw diets aim to mirror what dogs might eat in the wild, there are important differences in balance, sourcing, and nutrient content — and even more confusion when kibble brands borrow the term “whole-prey” for marketing. Let’s break down what these diets actually involve, how the 80/10/10 ratio fits in, where nutrient differences arise, and what science (and experience) show about the health impact of feeding fresh, whole foods. --- 🐺 1. What Is a Whole-Prey Diet? A whole-prey diet means feeding an entire animal — fur, feathers, organs, bones, and all — often in the form of small prey like rabbits, quail, rats, or fish. This diet aims to replicate what a wild c...

🛑 Royal Canin’s “Fresh Food” Pivot Royal Canin recently introduced Fresh Health Nutrition , a gently cooked, frozen-thawed line for puppies, adults, and seniors—marking their first foray into fresh food despite years of asserting such formats weren’t necessary. They argue this response stems from growing consumer demand, scientific backing, and the need to hold off competitive fresh-food brands. ✅ What Royal Canin Says Consumer Pressure: “Pet parents want transparency, freshness, indulgence.” Staying Competitive: Brands like Freshpet and The Farmer’s Dog have been chipping away. Scientific Alignment: They stress this fresh line was developed with the same nutritional rigor as their classic dry formulas. 😒 Your Perspective (Backed by This Instagram Reel ) "Only ULTRA processed for." The reel points out that RC is simply swapping extrusion for “gentle cooking.” It’s still a highly processed food—just marketed as “fresh.” A late-game piv...

The Honest Kitchen: Human-Grade Pet Food You Can Trust The Honest Kitchen: Human-Grade Pet Food You Can Trust Published: July 31 Human-Grade Pet Food That’s Changing the Industry The Honest Kitchen was one of the first companies to proudly carry the "human-grade" label—meaning their food is legally made to the same quality standards as food for people. Unlike conventional pet food, which is often made with feed-grade ingredients, The Honest Kitchen prioritizes clean, ethically sourced whole foods and transparent manufacturing practices. What Does “Human-Grade” Actually Mean? To qualify as human-grade, every ingredient and every part of the production process must meet FDA standards for human consumption. That includes: Approved human food facilities Traceable, non-GMO produce Real meat without byproducts or preservatives No rendered meals or feed-grade fillers Whole Food Nutrition, Dehydrated for Convenience The Honest Kitchen offers several...