Northwest Naturals is making a small but significant change in our pet foods. Knowing that the main nutritional value of our dogs and cats’ diets is derived from the meats, organs, bones, fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc., forming 98 to 98.5% of our pet diets, all of our recipes focus on healthy, natural raw foods. But because of many environmental factors beyond our direct control (poor agribusiness practices resulting in imbalanced soils and poor animal husbandry), most food-producing companies, both pet foods and human foods, add some type of supplementation to their recipes to ensure their products consistently provide complete nutrition as stated on their labels.

In pet foods, if the package states the contents are “complete and balanced,” you can feel assured that your pet is getting adequate nutrition. But can you really rely on that? Many companies’ supplements are totally synthetic, made in questionable foreign laboratories with no reputable oversight or trustworthy guarantees. In actuality, supplementation in pet and human foods can range from totally ineffective to highly effective, with a wide range of effectiveness between the two extremes. So, what is the most highly effective supplement in both human and pet foods? The gold standard is Whole Food Supplementation.

Keeping in mind that the supplement addition in our pet foods is very small (in NWN dog foods, the added supplement is 1.5% of the complete diet, and our cat food supplement is only 2% of their food), we know no matter how small the amount, switching to whole food supplementation is the healthiest and therefore the correct change to make. Our intent has always been to produce the best pet diets on the market, and with that resolve in mind, for the past year we have been studying the whole food supplement research, talking to the experts and doing analytical testing with the products; ultimately we agreed with the nutrition professionals that supplements derived from whole food sources offer the best, the highest quality nutritional value for our pets.

Whole food supplementation honors the synergistic relationship between our food and how our bodies function. The ingredients are a natural component of the human or animal’s food chain and are consequently easier to absorb than synthetic vitamins and minerals, which are often not recognized by our digestive system and are summarily rejected. Synthetic vitamins and minerals negate the entire purpose of dietary supplementation, which is to fill in possible nutritional gaps in the diet and enhance well-being. Instead, they place a burden on the liver, kidneys, intestinal microbiome, and the skin as these organs and systems try to expel the artificial vits/mins substances from the body. On the other hand, the natural elements in whole food supplements have innate cofactors and buffering systems that help fight inflammation, feed the microbiome, and are rich with polyphenols, pre- and probiotic fibers, antioxidants, and a myriad of all-important enzymes. Whole food supplements energize and enliven our pets’ lives, creating harmony and stimulating vigor.

Since whole food supplements offer the best support for our pets’ health (as well as for our own) and for our peace of mind, NWN is now using whole food supplementation in all of our pet food diets. Yes, 1.5 % for dogs or 2% for cats is indeed a minuscule part of their diets, but small changes can be life-changing, especially for pets with assimilation problems. With improved digestibility, vital nutrients quickly go where they are needed, resulting in subtle to dramatic boosts in health.

We are confident that pets will benefit from our new whole food supplementation, and through feeding and performance observation, the new recipes have been consistently well-accepted and effective.  The texture of the diets remains the same, while the taste has a slightly more complex flavor profile from the additional fruits and veggies. Few dogs will notice any difference since their recipes already include 18.5% produce; however, cats with their very sensitive palates may be cautious. Be patient with your felines because this small change may be very helpful for them. One simple suggestion is to add our protein-rich Functional Toppers to entice a picky cat to eat. Another idea is to add some NWN Raw Rewards treats to their food. Feline favorites include Minnows, Whitefish, Salmon, Pork liver or heart, Chicken liver or heart, and Shrimp, to name a few. These ideas will also help if you have a picky dog, too.

We are very pleased to offer this valuable change to your pet’s NWN raw and freeze-dried diets.