Proper Diet

Proper diet is not only important for humans, it is the most basic aspect of a pet's lifestyle. Flint River Ranch food is formulated to help the animal's body to holistically heal itself through proper nutrition. Benefits are soon noticeable in the pet's shiny coat, healthy skin, and energy level.

What is important is the type, not the amount, of protein available in the pet's food. The secret to Flint River Ranch's great nutrition is how many nutrients are present in a pet's food and how efficiently they are utilized when digested.

Healthy pet diets can also mean less medical bills. There is a strong link between high quality foods and the dynamic health of pets.

The Flint River Ranch Difference

All formulas are made from the highest quality ingredients and do not contain meat or grain by-products, color additives or chemical preservatives (BHA, Ethoxyquin, or BHT). The food is naturally preserved with mixed Tocopherols and Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin E and C0. Some authorities indicate that Vitamin C is not required; however, we feel it is very important in supporting vitamin balance and to help handle daily stress and environmental pollution.

There are no breakfast food by-products, cottonseed, corn cobs, peanut hulls, wood fibers, citrus pulp, soy beans, fillers or other foreign materials such as weeds, straw or chaff in Flint River Ranch foods. Flint River Ranch foods have maintained the same consistent quality since first formulated.

A Note About Pet Food Labeling

Consumers are starting to question pronouncements from the "experts" and "testing labs" on pet food labeling. They have concerns that animal meat by-products may not actually provide a nourishing and balanced diet for pets. Such by-products can include diseased and contaminated slaughterhouse meats, feathers, intestines, hair, animal road kills, euthanized companion animals and dehydrated garbage, all rendered together and used in some pet foods. There are additional concerns about the harmful effects in the use of chemical additives.

The use of low quality by-products and chemical preservatives may be associated with dry skin, allergic reactions, dental disease, poor health and degenerative organ dysfunction.

Regardless of professional advice, it is up to each pet owner to read and understand pet food labels. Much of the widely advertised pet food contains by-products and the remains from the human garbage chain with harmful chemical additives.

Flint River Ranch Ingredients

"You are what you eat" applies to dogs and cats as well as to people

AAFCO Nutrient Profiles
Their profiles and protocol testing are the recognized industry authority on dog and cat nutrition for the purposes of substantiation of nutritional adequacy in commercial pet foods. All Flint River Ranch pet diets are formulated to exceed their requirements for nutrition.

Definition of Meal
Meal means reduced in size. Our meal is meat (never by-products) that is cooked, most water removed and reduced in size (ground) in order for a more uniform mix of the meat, grains, vitamins and minerals.

Source Of Grains
Grains are purchased from major commercial suppliers like General Mills, then tested and retested by the finest labs. This testing insures the very best quality and reduces the possibility of toxic molds. Grain is cheaper when purchased direct from the farm; however, the risk of toxic mold is greater.

Wheat Grain
Whole wheat and selected parts of the wheat berry are used as our base grain. The whole grain is ground into two sizes. A fine ground whole-wheat flour as a binder and a course ground whole wheat flour for texture. Wheat grains are not only more digestible than corn, it is one of the most nutritionally balanced cereal grains. It is an easy-to-digest source of carbohydrates, fiber and energy. A combination of grains, like a combination of meat, is better than just one source.

Rice
A combination of brown and white rice. The white rice for digestibility and the brown for its added nutritional value. A product that is 100% brown rice can be somewhat hard for some animals to digest.

Wheat
Wheat flour is a fine-ground whole wheat grain. A course ground whole wheat is also added for texture, along with a quality wheat berry.

Corn
Corn is an excellent gain; however, it is more difficult to digest - either by humans or dogs. Therefore, corn is not used as an ingredient in our dog food. The feline digestive system better utilizes corn and supplies important diet benefits to cats and kittens. Corn is included in the feline
formulas.

Organic Chicken
It is possible to put one organic chicken in 50 tons of food and legally say we use organic, range fed chicken. Some manufacturers take this option. While we purchase as much organic chicken as possible, we prefer to more correctly say we use human quality chicken that is hormone free. Like all of our ingredients, we pay a premium price of the very best available. Chicken meat provides essential amino and fatty
acids.

Lamb
The lamb in our pet food is range fed.

Lecithin
Lecithin protects cells from damage caused by oxidation. Lecithin is largely composed of the B vitamin choline - with linoleic acid and inositol.

Fish
Menhaden fish - a herring-like fish found along the North Atlantic coast of the United States - the flesh is an excellent source of menhaden oil for coat and skin. Fish is a prime source of a complete protein. It includes all the essential amino acids. It is rich in unsaturated fats Omega 3 fatty acids), Vitamins A, K and K, and also ontains iodine, calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium copper and fluoride.

Source of Grains
We purchase grains from major commercial suppliers like General Mills, fully tested and retested when received. This testing insures the very best quality and reduces the possibility of toxic molds. (Grain is cheaper when purchased direct from the farm, however, the risk of toxic mold is greater.)

Minerals
Minerals are chelated (bonded with protein) which makes them easier to absorb into the animals' systems.

Meal
"Meal" means "reduced in size." The flesh is cooked, some water removed and reduced in size (ground) in order for a uniform mix of the meat, ground grains, vitamins and chelated minerals. There are no rendered by-products, feet, head, intestines, or other meat products not fit for human
consumption in Flint River Ranch products.

Copper and Iron
A deficiency of iron causes nutritional anemia. A small amount of copper will improve utilization of iron.

Proteins
Proteins are organic chemical compounds and a major component of the structure of all living organisms. Protein functions to build and repair body structure. A good pet food should contain highly digestible protein sources that provide the essential amino acids in adequate amounts. Digestible food protein from several sources is more desirable than protein from only one source.

Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates serve primarily as an energy source while giving bulk to the diet. Plant material is made up of a high percentage of carbohydrates.

Fats
Fats are complex molecules that are broken down by the digestive system into smaller molecules known as fatty acids. Fat is a concentrated source of energy and works toward making hormones, skin and coat oils, membranes and parts of body cells.

Essential Fatty Acids
Linolenic Acid (Omega 3) and Linoleic Acid (Omega 6)

Cat Food
The Flint River Ranch cat food is extruded with the addition of a slight "baking" process to give it the crusty texture. Cat food is higher in price because there is more pure meat protein in cat food. Taurine level is not less than 0.1% - pH is below 6.4 - Magnesium is less than 0.095% - ash is less than 5.5% - all important to help prevent Feline urological Syndrome. We feel that providing distilled water or pure water in the cat's water dish is a must if you have a concern for your kitty.

Taurine
Taurine is an essential amino acid necessary for the proper development and ongoing health of the heart and eyes.  All Flint River Ranch Cat Foods contain Taurine.