Natural Dog Treats

Life with dogs is not just about treats, it’s also about Trust.

Last night I was sitting in my living room watching tv, my wife was on the couch reading a book, the fire was crackling, the lights softly glowing. Sprawled across the floor were my five dogs. Their ages range from 2 – 9 years old.  Watching them snoozing and hearing their soft snores, seeing their shiny coats and cool wet noses glistening in the soft light—they are the picture of and it fills me with a sense of calmness and gratitude for their companionship. But it wasn’t always like this.  My dogs were rescues and came with varying degrees of malnutrition, behavioral issues and baggage we had no way of deciphering.  And it took a few years to get everything right to bring us to this serene picture.  But here we are, and life is good for my trusted canine companions.  Our journey may be your journey too, so here’s our story and how it can help you and your best furry friend too.

My name is John George and my wife Mary and I started our journey into natural pet nutrition in 1990 when we opened Furry Friends Natural Products.

Because you are reading this, I assume you are, like Mary and me, pet parents that are striving to be as responsible and knowledgeable about our pets’ nutrition as we can.  I also imagine that making sure they live long healthy lives is vitally important to you.  And that is why I’m writing to you today.  I want to share with you the journey my wife and I started in 1990 to ensure our dogs lived as long and healthy lives as we could possibly provide for them.  Along the way, we learned many lessons, but mostly, we realized that the health and happiness of our dogs were not just about treats, it was also about Trust.  Trust that what we fed them and how we rewarded them was as close to the standards we use in our own food choices and those choices guided us to design and produce treats that would provide the optimum nutritional balance our furry family members needed to support long and happy lives. That journey led us to create Puptastic Natural Treats for our dogs and now we want to share them with you!

I’ll get to our story in a minute, but first I want to invite you to try our Puptastic Natural Treats for yourself! In just a few minutes, I’ll share with you how you can get Puptastic Natural Treats for your dogs in all five flavors at a special value. We’re offering this $30 exclusive value package to select pet owners[LG2]  we know will want to know about our treats and support optimum health in their furry family members.

Now I’ll tell you about our story…In 1988 we had different dogs.  We only had three and they all were very different with different needs.  The oldest was a golden retriever named Copper and she was our matriarch at 12 years old.  The “middle child” was a spunky black lab named Emmett (he was 6 in 1988) who was the family clown. The baby of the group was a two-year-old Pomeranian named Finnegan (he ran the house and had the energy to burn!).  All three dogs had different dietary needs.  Copper was slower and becoming a bit overweight due to her age and advancing arthritis, Emmett wasn’t overweight, but he had digestion problems and could get the “runs” at the drop of a hat or any change in his diet.  Finnegan was so active, that he was constantly hungry. Being a toy breed, we had to be mindful of his weight and his teeth.

The three variations in nutritional needs were easy when it came to food, but not so easy when it came to rewards and motivation.  Our dogs were all food motivated and would eat anything! So providing treats that would meet all their dietary needs was a challenge! We wanted a reward and motivation offering that would meet all the needs of our dogs without breaking the bank.

After searching for months in all the pet stores we came across, we determined there were four issues we were faced with when selecting treats for our dogs:

1. Almost all the treats were labeled “natural”, but the ingredients didn’t really reflect that or even support that claim.
2. Not all ingredients or manufacturers were sourced in the US.  Many used ingredients or additives from other parts of the world and just packaged them in the US. (you need to look at the fine print to discover this one).
3. Nutritional value wasn’t a factor, it was more about human food trends and palatability to owners, not necessarily the pets.
4. The treats were expensive!

After much research, we felt we could do a better job creating nutritious, flavorful treats from farm-fresh ingredients that dogs would love while also keeping costs down. We were also determined to be a company whose business practices would reflect a company that could be trusted to provide safe, clean products.

 Our initial goals were five things:

1. Nutritious, natural treats dogs would love that could confidently be used for multiple dog households addressing a variety of health issues
2. All ingredients and packaging were sourced solely in the US
3. Human grade, whole ingredients found in nature would make up the nutritional profile of our products, and
4. We would partner with our ingredient sources to provide and support wholesome sustainable agricultural and farming practices. (we don’t just purchase produce and protein, we have long-term business relationships with our sources and their companies. This works best for us and for them).

So, in 1990 we started Furry Friends Natural Products in our hometown of Grayslake, Illinois. We started small, of course, in our own kitchen, but soon grew to needing a larger space. But we never wanted to lose that “home Kitchen” feel and “small batch” philosophy. (producing in small batches allows us to control and monitor each batch for quality and safety standards.)

Fun Fact: Each month more than 22,500 people search online for dog treats and more than 8,000 of those search for natural or healthy dog treats! (according to September 2012 keyword research).

Puptastic Naturals meet the growing demand of the natural dog treat market by providing farm-fresh ingredients like eggs, lean poultry, lamb, liver, and beef for protein, brown rice and potatoes for starch and carrots, green beans, pumpkin and sweet potato for fiber and added nutrients like anti-oxidants and betacarotene. We put them all together using Vitamin E as a preservative (it also provides additional antioxidant protection as well as improving your dog’s skin and coat from the inside out!).

Puptastic Natural Treats are baked in small batches in our “people food” kitchen. This allows us to monitor the safety and quality of each batch.  By doing this, we have been ranked year after year as “Exceeding Quality Standards” by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) and the FDA (Food & Drug Administration). But we don’t stop there at providing a brand you can trust and treats you can feel good about feeding to your dogs!

Fun Fact: Pet parents spend up to $70 or more on food treats each year. (According to 2011-2012 APPA National Pet Owners Survey)

We scour the Midwest to find farmers and ranchers we can trust to follow organically grown produce and healthy humane practices for raising poultry, cattle, and sheep.  We don’t just buy produce and proteins, we enjoy partnerships with our farmers and ranchers.  Again, it’s not just about treats, it’s more importantly about the trust we can forge with them to guarantee you get the healthiest, most nutritious products you can buy in every bag we sell. AND..by nurturing partnerships with our suppliers, we help support sustainable farming and ranching practices for years to come.

Fun Fact: Dr. Goldstein of the American Veterinary Association believes that “From a health perspective if the animal has been treated with respect, lived a decent life and has had quality of life, it results in healthier protein sources.”

Remember earlier when I told you our ingredients are there to serve a purpose in your dog’s health? I wasn’t kidding, it’s important for us to create treats that meet the nutritional needs of all dogs. For that reason, we have NOT included corn, wheat or soy, by-products, or preservatives in any of our treats.  When we say natural, you can trust us! But don’t just take my word for it, let’s talk now about the ingredients we include in each bite-sized treat:

• Protein: Turkey, chicken, beef, lamb, and liver and eggs provide the highest amounts of amino acids your dog needs to support healthy muscle development and body functions.
• Starch: Brown rice and potatoes. Potatoes are very easily tolerated and digestible for most dogs and are a great source of Vitamin C, potassium, b vitamins. They are relatively low calorie.  Brown rice is a complex carbohydrate and a source of plant protein. For dogs with grain intolerances or sensitivities (like Emmett), brown rice is a great choice.  It also is easily digestible and maintains blood sugars longer than a quicker burning carbohydrate like just potatoes as a carb source. Both are low in calories (this supports good nutritional options for both Copper and Finnegan).
• Carrots and green beans: Green beans are a great source of iron and fiber. Because they are high in water content, they also provide the necessary moisture your dog needs and helps sustain blood sugar between meals.  This is a great additive for those dogs that are “fluffier” than they should be (like Copper).  Carrots are a great source of Vitamins and minerals too and ensure everything keeps “moving along the digestive tract” due to their high fiber.
• Pumpkin and Sweet Potatoes: These are considered superfood ingredients for many reasons.  They both provide high amounts of beta-carotene (which is an antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation and provides protection against heart disease), plus other vitamins and nutrients that support nutritional health.  They also are low calorie, high fiber foods that will promote a healthy digestive system.  Pumpkin and sweet potato can soften a hard stool or provide bulk to solid up a loose stool.  They are pretty amazing as treat nutrients and dogs love them!
• Vitamin E: This is used in Puptastic Naturals as a preservative but it does so much more! It is a powerful antioxidant and supports healthy skin and coat from the inside out, increases the effectiveness of your dog’s immune system and reduces inflammation. It also combines important minerals like zinc and phosphorus to increase your dog’s ability to fight disease and infection. (Remember the shiny coat glistening in the firelight? Vitamin E is one reason for that!)

Fun Fact: Did you know that 80% of your dog’s immune system is in their digestive tract? This is why having enough fiber and nutrients to keep things “moving along” is so important to your dog’s overall health.

As you can see, we are just real people who love our dogs and wanted to create a healthy, natural treat made from whole natural foods you would include in your own diet. I think we’ve done that and I would love for you to try our Puptastic Naturals Treats for yourself and your dog. 

I’m so sure you will feel confident in the safety and nutritional value of our treats, I’m excited to offer you a coupon for a sampler pack that includes all five of our flavors to try out on your dog when you purchase a 32 oz bag of our treats.  (This is a $30 value!) Our treats are available at finer boutique pet retailers throughout the US, or you can order them directly through our website for free shipping anywhere.  Our customer service staff are available to help you order or to answer any questions from 9 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday.

We want you to have confidence that you are buying the best natural and safest treat out there from a company worthy of your trust so we always offer a 100% money-back guarantee if for any reason you are not satisfied with Puptastic Natural Treats. 

But don’t just go by my word.  Here are some customer reviews of Puptastic Natural Treats:

C Dale says: “There is so much confusion about natural dog treats that I’m grateful to have found your treats. Your ingredients are the real deal and I respect that you work with local farms that you inspect yourself. Our dogs are truly our best friends, and we won’t feed them anything less than human-grade ingredients. This includes treats. Thank you so much for producing a quality product for our pups.”

S. Karosvski, DVM says: “In the overwhelming sea of dog treat choices out there, it’s important to find a truly healthy snack for dogs. I’m very impressed with the integrity of your business and I recommend Puptastic Naturals to all my clients looking for healthy treats for training or just anytime.  We’re proud to be one of the first veterinary clinics to carry your products, especially since we offer holistic and alternative pet care in addition to traditional medicine. We endorse only the healthiest, safest products, and Puptastic Naturals are at the top of our list of recommended treats.”

For your own furry family members, Puptastic Naturals offer a bite-sized, low calorie (only 3 calories per treat) that is perfect for use as a training treats without worrying about adding unnecessary weight. The five protein options (chicken, turkey, liver, lamb, and beef) guarantee you’ll find just what motivates your pup to greatness in your training sessions.

Fun Fact: Training treats, or treats, in general, should only make up 10% of your dog’s total diet to avoid unnecessary weight gain.

Here’s what J. Jefferson says about Puptastic Natural for training treats: “Bentley just goes bonkers for your lamb treats! He’s just a young guy, and we’ve been using your treats tot rain him on his good manners. It’s such a comfort to know I’m giving Bentley a healthy treat every time he sits patiently, or comes when called. I think your Puptastic Naturals are fantastic! They certainly seem to help with Bentley’s training. A great incentive and reward! 😊”

Mary and I are so proud of Puptastic Natural Treats and what they provide to the natural pet food and treat industry, that we really want you to try them out on your pups! Not only will you have a good option for training incentives, Puptastic Natural Treats will completely support the nutritional objectives responsible pet parents like you strive for!

Copper, Emmett, and Finnegan lived to ripe old ages and we’re sure that Puptastic Natural Treats had a lot to do with it. Being confident in their nutritional health and ensuring they had regular vet checks enabled Copper to live to 15, Emmett lived to 13, and Finnegan lived to 18! We know not all dogs will live to such ripe old ages and that we were very fortunate, but I’m convinced that paying attention to wholesome, healthy nutrition, plenty of exercise, and TONS of love was a major contribution to their longevity and Puptastic Natural Treats supported that goal.

If you are as excited about Puptastic Naturals as I think you are by now, please click on the link below or visit your local fine pet store to get your 32 oz. package of Puptastic Natural Treats for just $19.95! You will receive a coupon for our exclusive sampler pack that contains all five of the Puptastic Natural Treat flavors (this is a $30 value!).  And, I’m so sure you and your pup will love them, I’m offering a 100% money-back guarantee if for any reason you are not satisfied.

If you prefer, you can order them directly from our website at www.puptasticnaturals.com. Our Customer Service staff is available Monday through Friday from 9 am – 6 pm. They are eager to help you!

P.S.
As a special bonus, if you order within the next 48 hours, I’ll throw in a dog training treat pouch (a $20 value) that is the perfect size for Puptastic Natural Treats to attach right to your belt or jacket making treats handy during training sessions or when you’re out and about with your furry BFF. But you’ll want to hurry since I only have a limited amount of pouches available.

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