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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.
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