Each year the Pet Food Advisory ranks pet food based on stringent criteria that measures how safe the food is for pets. The prestigious award is given out annually to those who meet or exceed safe and healthy pet factors, in such as areas as ingredient quality, country of origin, packaging safety, company integrity, and customer service.
Susan Thixton is the author of TruthAboutPetFood.com and a founding partner of the international pet food consumer association, Association for Truth in Pet Food. Thixton also has an advisory position to AAFCO’s Pet Food Committee and Ingredient Definitions Committee.
She is the only non-biased source available to consumers when it comes to pet food and safety.
You can purchase her list here. It’s a “pay what you can” type of deal—the monies help fund further pet food research and testing.
What Does it Take to be “Trusted”?
We asked Thixton how she chooses her list of Trusted Pet Food Brands, including awarding the “Most Trusted” award. Here is her response:
The foods are chosen first by quality of ingredients – ingredients have to be human grade (not feed grade which most pet foods are made with and can include very poor quality ingredients).
Next is all ingredients need to be sourced from a safe country of origin.
From there – I communicate with the company – often as an alias at first – to ask questions about the pet food. I also have ‘secret shoppers’ that help me with this – sometimes asking the same questions from different people to see if I get the same answers. You’d be surprised at how many companies avoid questions or give different responses each time you ask the same question.
It boils down to investigating each food thoroughly. I’m very picky for my own pets – and they have to earn my trust through all of the above.
The 2015 Most Trusted Pet Food Is…
For the second year in a row, Hound & Gatos Pet Foods Corporation has been given “The Most Trusted Pet Food” award by TruthAboutPetFood.com.
”This represents consecutive awards we have won for maintaining such high ethics and providing consumers with quality products,” explains Will Post, founder and CEO, Hound & Gatos Pet Foods Corporation. “We are happy to help people truly be able to care for their pets and keep them healthier, and it’s wonderful to be recognized for this by TruthAboutPetFood.com.”
The TruthAboutPetFood.com site offers a list of criteria that is used to ensure only the best pet foods make the annual awards list. Important criteria for making the list include providing safe and healthy pet food that is manufactured in the United States, using meats that are USDA inspected and approved.
Following the criteria used, Hound & Gatos Pet Foods meet and exceed these vital requirements.
- They use only 100 percent animal protein in their pet foods.
- Hound & Gatos products are produced in South Dakota, under strict quality controls to insure that pets receive only the highest quality ingredients.
- Pet food selections from Hound & Gatos include only 100 percent meat, and have no grains or fillers.
- Hound & Gatos provided to TruthAboutPetFood.com all documents that we are U.S. made- minus New Zealand lamb
As the leading provider of premium quality nutritious pet foods, Hound & Gatos continues to raise the bar by meeting AAFCO Pet Food nutrient profiles for All Life Stages, as well as delivering the best nutrition available with hypoallergenic dog and cat food with Complete Meals.
DNA-Tested Food
Another amazing thing about Hound & Gatos is that there food is DNA-tested.
“We are thrilled to receive the award, as it is an honor. Hound & Gatos is the only brand in the world that proves the correct DNA of their products,” adds Post. “When a customer purchases Hound & Gatos foods for their pets, they have the assurance they are buying a healthy UDSA Inspected, 100 percent protein product, versus one laden with generic liver, grains and cheap fillers.”
What does this mean for you as a consumer?
“DNA testing is critical to prove that Hound & Gatos products are worthy to trust and buy- after all, my pets are my kids,” explains Post. “Yes, we have gotten to the point where we must test the DNA in each product. No other company will prove their DNA or even test. Hound & Gatos will never fill our products with generic liver, fruit or veggies but 100% meat- the way animals were created to eat. Consumers can send their current brand to the FDA and they will be shocked what’s not in product—most other dog and cat food products lack the basic nutrients and proteins that pet owners expect in their food. Instead, foods are filled with artificial nutrients and flavorings.”
In other words – they have proven though a DNA test that their ingredients are pure and exactly what they say they are, unlike other pet food brands that may mix animal proteins, use fillers, or by-products that include additives.
About Hound & Gatos
The company began when Post wanted to feed his pets a diet that promised health and longevity. Knowing that dogs and cats, as carnivores, need a diet that is rich in animal proteins, Post started what would quickly grow to become Hound & Gatos Pet Foods. Today’s pet foods typically contain all kinds of fillers including generic liver, carrageenan, grains, artificial colors, flavors, and soy, all of which are harmful for both dogs and cats and their health. Furthermore, the USDA only inspects around three percent of the pet foods coming in from other countries. Post’s mission at Hound & Gatos is to deliver to dogs and cats the diet they crave, and the nutrition they need, for superior health.
Currently, Hound and Gatos Pet Foods products are distributed by Pet Food Experts, Animal Supply Co and Global Pet Foods, located in Canada. Hound& Gatos sells to distributors. Consumers can ask their local store to carry the products. For more information, visit www.houndgatos.com. The company is planning on introducing dry kibble late Fall 2015.
About the Author
Based in Wilsonville, Ore., animal lover Kristina N. Lotz is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and a member of the Dog Writers Association of America. She is the founder of A Fairytail House. In her spare time, she trains and competes in a variety of performance events with her Shetland Sheepdogs and caters to her two rescue kitties. She smartly married a Veterinary Technician, who helps keep the fur kids happy and healthy, and provides a quick resource for articles.
