Some humans as well as pets, are allergic to wheat. However, it is a far better grain for dogs to digest than corn or soy bean. Using a combination of different forms of grain - ground wheat, flour, wheat germ, ground rice is better than just one grain. Humans, as well as pets, have certain foods they should not eat. We realize that one product cannot meet the needs of every pet owner. While a wheat base is acceptable to most dogs, it is up to each pet owner to make this determination. We purchase our grains from General Mills and Pilsbury, not direct from the farm. The cost is greater; however, we are insured of receiving the finest quality without the risk of mold or other harmful toxins.

There is extra calcium and protein in puppy food. This makes the bones grow faster than the body, and can cause problems with the forming of bone and joint. A Canadian study done many years ago concluded that it was a contributing factor in hip dysplasia. Although I have a small breed I still avoid puppy food. It is even more important for large breeds to avoid it.

Remember, the term 'whole chicken' does not mean the same thing in the people food industry and the pet food industry. The 'whole chicken' label in the pet food industry refers, literally, to the whole chicken, including intestines, heads, feet, bones, feathers ... yuck!

Labeling laws require pet food manufacturers to list ingredients in descending order of weight prior to cooking or processing. SinceChicken is 70% water, it looses over half its weight during processing. Chicken meals already have the water and fat removed, and do not change weight during processing. Chicken and Turkey meat contain 70% water and 15% protein before processing. Chicken and Turkey meal contain 10% water and over 50% protein before processing.

So when reading labels, if it just says Chicken first, it may very well drop lower in the list AFTER processing, where chicken meal will not.  So you are getting more quality meat in meals.

It is not only the amount of protein in a dog food that is important but also the type of protein as well as how efficiently it can be digested. Our formulas' protein is the right amount, type and quality for all stages of a pet's life. Our food contains highly digestible proteins sources that provide the essential amino acids in adequate amounts. We include digestible food protein from several sources which is more beneficial and digestable than from only one source.

When properly stored away from moisture and high temps, oven baked food can be fed for about 11 months. However, the ideal period is for 5 to 6 months. Store food in a covered container, in its original bag for optimal shelf life.  Might we suggest our convenient Automatic Delivery Program to keep your food fresh and from running out?

Our all-natural, premium food is very rich and has very little of useless fillers. During a change to premium foods, some pets may have softer stool. A premium food will start cleaning the pet's digestive tract rather than just passing through the system. In time you will have a firmer, much smaller stool for easy clean-up. This is why we recommend new customers mix the new premium food with the dog's previous food during a transition period ( increasing the new premium and decreasing the  previous food ). And one of the most common mistakes when feeding Flint is overfeeding. We personally use2 even less than /is recommended on the Flint River bags.  My yorkies eat    1 and 1/2 to 2 tablespoons twice a day. My chihuahuas eat 1 to 1/2 tablespoons twice a day.  You might try cutting back the amounts given if the stool does not harden after the initial 4-6 week transition period.

We have found that free feeding, especially in puppies creates soft stool. 

Many pet owners still feed the same amount of Flint River Ranch oven-baked food that they normally had been feeding before changing brands. With our concentrated, premium food formulas, it is best to feed at least 20% less. Dogs may require a little adjustment over a period of time. Improper feeding is the greatest cause of a dog being overweight, not the quality of the food. I would recommend 2x a day feedings, rather than free feeding so that your pet does not overeat and gain to much weight.

Only imported fish meal. FRR has their fish shipped in fresh, and makes their own meal. FRR fish meal does NOT contain ethoxyquin.

You might want to consider the Lamb/Millet/Rice Kibble. It has almost 100 less calories per cup than the adult puppy kibble, and is still just as high in nutrients. Of course getting increasing exersice is always important in weight loss as well. Adding green beans to a Flint River meal also creates the fullness your dog may feel it needs without adding calories.

Animal fat is a "generic" fat source that is most often made up of rendered animal fat, restaurant grease, or other oils too rancid or deemed inedible for humans. Look for a named fat source, such as poultry or chicken fat, that is naturally preserved. Avoid tallow.

Poultry fat contains more essential fatty acids than any other animal fat. Poultry fat is high in linoleic acid and arachidonic acid, fatty acids essential to the dog and cat. As the animal matures, its skin and hair coat tends to become dry and brittle. The inclusion of a superior fat such as poultry fat in their diet allows for a shiny hair coat and for healthy skin.

Thanks for asking. The Lamb meal specifically supplies the omega 6's for Flint. I cannot answer about the lack of probiotics in the puppy/adult formula. But I can tell you that they are destroyed in the cooking of food. So be sure in what ever food you chose, that the probiotics are added after cooking as it is in our Lamb/Millet/Rice.  As for supplementing, each dog woud have different needs. Over supplementing is more common than a lack of vitamins & minerals for most animals that are fed a super premium food. Supplementing with Salmon Oil and digestive enzymes however are benefical to all dogs. Vitamin C is another that I consider a good supplement as it is beneficial to arthritic dogs and improves the immune system of all dogs.

Flint Kibble is a high 38% meat. We use quality meat sources for the highest possible protein. If a food claims to have much over 40% question the reliability of their info, as the kibbles will not hold together thru the cooking process if there is an abundance of meat.

Flax Seed is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential fatty acids that are good for skin and coat. Flax seed can also be added to your dog’s diet as a source of fibre. Flax oil is a more concentrated form of omega- 3 fatty acids without the fibre.

No, Lamb, Millet and Rice and Trout and Sweet Potato (Fish 'N Chips) is wheat free.  These formulas are recommended for dogs with sensitive skin or allergies.  

Flint River canine formulas are slowly twice baked under carefully controlled conditions and proper temperatures.  In their oven-baked process, a small 2-inch biscuit is baked, moving slowly through the oven, then broken into smaller, irregular kibble that is the kibble you see in  Flint River Puppy/Adult Kibble and Lamb/Rice/Millet canine formulas.  The Nugget Food and Trout and Sweet potato formulas are first oven baked but they are the standard kibble shape rather than the broken, irregular pieces.

NO, please be wary of department and grocery store foods. Most commercial brands use just enough for advertising benefits, but have little or no nutritional value. Flint River uses top quality ingredients in quanties that benefit your pet.  And they do not use by products or inferior ingredients.

The first numbers of the code are the batch number. This if followed by the use by date, the code for the type of food, and the packers initial.

The food is produced and in the warehouses within two weeks. It is then sent directly to the customers. The use by date that is on your bag of dry kibble is 6-8 months AFTER production. Using this info, you will find that your food is VERY fresh!

I do not know of a feed store that carrys Flint. It is possible however, as they could sign as a distributor and order for the store. But it is not a common occurance to find it on store shelves. It is best to purchase and have it mailed to your home to take advantage of the freshness of the product, and avoid buying food that has been stored to long on shelves, therefore becoming out of date. The charges would remain the same either way, as shipping cost is added  in the product to both distributors and customers.

Jubilee wafers are natural, not a drug. So feeding in conjunction with meds can be useful with no side effects. The only warning issued is as follows. Because glucosamine is an amino sugar, and can raise a subject's blood sugar levels, dogs with diabetes ought to avoid this supplement. Subjects who take any blood-thinning medications or daily aspirin (and many people give their dogs aspirin to ease arthritis pain) should not take chondroitin, which can thin the blood further.

Glucosamine Sulfate does not come in pure form, it is only 74% pure at best. While Glucosamine HCL(which is in Jubilee Wafers) comes 99% pure. Another words you have to use at least 25% more of the Glucoasmine Sulfate to have the same effect as Glucosamine HCL.