How does Nature's Variety put raw food benefits into a kibble?
*Freeze Dried Meats
*Enzymes
*Probiotics
*Amino Acids
*Essential Fatty Acids

Nature?s Variety recommends a high level of meat protein in a pet?s diet ? including fresh meat such as Nature?s Variety Prairie Brand Raw Complete Diets. But what about kibble? Now, we?ve pioneered a unique and revolutionary concept called Bio-Coating.

All Nature?s Variety Prairie Brand Kibble Diets are now coated with our freeze dried diets. Each kibble is coated with a special freeze dried raw food blend which provides microbials necessary for optimum nutrient absorption. This freeze dried food is made available in its natural, nutritious state ? ready to release its health enhancing benefits when consumed by your pet. For more information on this revolutionary kibble, visit our canine and feline diet pages.

Rotate for Variety and Health!

Maintaining good health and reducing the risk of disease has a lot to do with feeding a wholesome, variety diet. The complete line of Nature?s Variety Prairie Brand products provides a convenient way for pet guardians to rotate pets with:

*Meat-based kibble diets enrobed with Bio-Coating?
*Canned foods made with 95%muscle and organ meat
*Frozen or freeze dried diets made with 95% muscle and organ meat and ground raw meaty bones
*Counter quality natural meat and bone treats

The rotation regimen can play a role in building a healthier immune system, promoting dental health and addressing many common health concerns such as food intolerance, obesity, allergies, digestive problems and diabetes, some of which have been linked to continuous consumption of carbohydrate-based diets only.

Because of the known benefits of raw, unprocessed foods and the known negative effects of heat processing, Nature's Variety encourages pet owners to rotate through all of Nature's Variety Kibble, Canned, and Raw Frozen Diets.

The Nature's Variety product line has been developed to offer the most wholesome variety of foods for your pets, carefully processed to retain their natural nutritional value.

Spice up your pet's diet with fresh, raw foods and bones, quality kibble and canned diets, and quality slow roasted meaty bone and jerky treats. Rotate through this healthful variety and see the payoff in your pet's vitality...and renewed interest in its food bowl.

Alfalfa Sprouts These certified organic sprouts are sources of vitamins, minerals, and protein. They are a complete food that is nutritionally rich with a high potency of over 50 different amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. They have a detoxifying characteristic, enhance the immune system, have a cholesterol reducing capacity, improve absorption, and also contain antioxidants.

Apple Cider Vinegar Many processed foods do not have a proper PH balance.  Apple Cider Vinegar helps to maintain proper acid/alkaline balance in the body.  It also contains numerous minerals and helps in calcium assimilation.  It also has potential benefits  to protect against certain parasites, fungus, and kidney and bladder. Apples A natural source of calcium, iron, and vitamins A, C & K. Also high in fiber. Blueberries Are outstanding sources of powerful antioxdants to suppoort urinary tract health. Bones, Ground Bone A significant source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin, naturally occurring compounds  associated with joint health. Broccoli, Lettuce, and Spinach These vegetables are rich in calcium, natural antioxidants, lutein, Vitamin A and C. Brown Rice Superior carbohydrate source. Rich in B vitamins. Carrots This yellow vegetable is rich in Vitamin A, C, potassium, and natural fiber.  Carrots supply nutrients necessary for the health of the eyes, immune and digestive systems. Chelated Minerals Minerals which are absorbed more easily and retained longer. Chicken, Duck, Quail, and Pheasant Eggs Often known as one of the best complete foods, eggs provide a complete amino acid profile including other essential nutrients necessary to ensure optimal health.  Nature?s Variety has chosen a wide variety of eggs, including the shells for additional natural calcium and to ensure a better and more complete nutrient profile. Flaxseed Source of essential fatty acids and other essential nutrients. Essential fatty acids are vital for the health of skin, coat, cardiovascular, immune, reproduction, and nervous system. Nutritionists recommend flaxseed for health conditions such as arthritis, cancer, heart, and reproductive problems. Honey High in protein and enzymes and contain much of the necessary dietary amino acids.  Other concentrated essential nutrients found in honey are minerals, B-complex vitamins, and vitamins C, D, and E.  It has natural antiseptic characteristics and is a good source of energy. Inulin Stimulates growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system. Kelp A source of numerous trace minerals and is known for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory qualities.  The iodine content of kelp is believed by some nutritionist's to be useful in treating some cases of hypothyroidism.  Kelp is known to improve the circulatory stimulation and promotes growth of good hair coat. Norwegian Virgin Salmon Oil and Virgin Olive Oil These oils are a great source of Vitamins and is a source of Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids.  The source of the salmon is the pristine, unpolluted waters off the North Sea Coast of Norway.  It is rich in astaxanthin and other trace elements.  The oil blend is naturally rich in antioxidants and is naturally preserved.  This oil blend provides dietary nutrients known to benefit the cardiovascular system, nervous, immune and reproductive systems and are good for health ailments such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and reproductive problems. Menhadden Fish Aids in palatability of food and is a source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids. Montmorillonite Clay A Sodium-Calcium Aluminosilicate which contains a combination of over 50 mineral compounds including Antimony, Barium, Beryllium, Boron, Bromine, Cadmium, Carbon, Cerium, Cesium, Chloride, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Dysprosium, Fluoride, Gadolinium, Gallium, Germanium, Iodine, Lanthanum, Lithium, Manganese, Neodymium, Nickel, Phosphorus, Rhenium, Rubidium, Samarium, Scandium, Silicon, Silver, Strontium, Sulfur, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium, Tin, Titanium, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zinc, and Zirconium. Recent feed studies by the Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Laboratory at Texas A&M University have shown that montmorillonite clays can effectively bind and remove toxins. Persimmons Persimmons can be found growing naturally in the forest of many countries including the United States and are a favorite fruit of many animals foraging in the wild for food.  This fruit is a good nutritional source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, carotenoids, and dietary fiber. Parsley Source of Vitamin A, C, and Calcium.  Also has antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, and antifungal characteristics. Pork Fat Pork fat is high in Linoleic Acid and medium chain fatty acids. Pork fat has a balanced ratio of saturated and monounsaturated fat to help maintain cell membrane integrity. Also, new research suggests that pork fat may help support cardiovascular health and alleviate allergies. Pork Heart Pork Heart is a lean protein that is low in Sodium. It is also a good source of Vitamin B6. Of all animal-based protein, pork protein is the most digestible, with the most favorable amino acid profile. Pork Liver Pork liver is a very good source of lean protein. Our nutritious pork liver is also rich in vitamins and minerals, including Thiamin, Manganese, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Riboavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Iron, Phosphorus, Zinc, Copper, and Selenium. These vitamins and minerals help provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs and cats. Rosemary, Sage, and Clove Herbal ingredients with antioxidant characteristics. Tapioca Tapioca, from the root of the cassava plant, is grain-free and gluten-free. There are no known alergies to tapioca, and many veterinary teaching hospitals incorporate tapioca into their hypoallergenic, homemade recipes for food allergies and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Nature Does It Best!
Raw Food Benefits

Heat processing, which is standard in the pet food industry, changes or destroys many important nutrients. In fact, some nutrients now recognized as essential have only been identified in the last few years. Doesn?t it make sense to stay as close to food?s natural state as possible?

Many pet owners have been convinced that so-called corrective diets (a special regimen for allergy, digestive troubles, obesity, etc.) are the best way to improve health problems. They may help certain symptoms simply by providing a change, but may not treat underlying causes. By feeding your pet a diet rich in raw foods, you?re letting nature provide the best - naturally balanced - nutrition.

Some of the Benefits of Raw Foods
 

minerals better assimilated

vitamins more bioavailable

beneficial antioxidants present

amino acids more bioavailable

natural digestive enzymes still present

probiotics spared

amino acids such as taurine are not destroyed

Some of the Negative Effects of Heat Processing

loss of up to 100% of certain vitamins

loss of up to 60% of certain amino acids

enzymes destroyed

probiotics destroyed

loss of up to 10% of certain fatty acids

fats can become toxic or rancid

oxidation of cholesterol

Raw Food Questions

Why is a raw food diet better than a commercial food?
Raw food diets contain proteins, essential amino acids, and those valuable enzymes that are destroyed in the manufacturing process. Any temperature over 117-118 degrees Fahrenheit will break down valuable nutrients in food products.

Are there special precautions when feeding a raw food diet?
Good hygiene should always be practiced. Always clean and disinfect working surfaces, utensils and food bowls. Wash your hands after preparing meals.

How do I start my pet on a raw food diet?
It is always a good idea to start out slowly on a new diet with any pet. Slowly increase the amount of new food being added to the present diet over a period of 3-4 weeks. If any digestive upset or loose stool occur, make this transition more gradual. It is a good idea to allow your pet?s digestive system to calm down and return to normal before proceeding. There is no need to rush this transition.

How much do I feed my pet?
How much you feed your pet is affected by factors like weight, actvity level and type of food you are feeding. For feeding information based on your pet's weight and activity level, please visit our Interactive Feeding Guideline.

Nutrient Questions

What is ash?  Should I be concerned about the ash content in pet food?
First of all, ash is the inorganic mineral portion of any substance.  When referring to dog and cat food, "ash content" is the mineral matter, including magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and copper.  The ash analysis does not reveal the percentage of each mineral, therefore it does not tell much about the food.1  It also does not tell much about the food's contribution to urinary tract infections, such as Feline Urological Syndrome (FUS).  The latest findings show that urinary tract trouble occurs when the urine becomes too alkaline.  So, some commercial foods now add extra acid.  There are side effects from use of these acid formulations, however, and all they do is cover up the problem instead of curing it.2

If ash isn't the problem, then what is?  How do I prevent urinary tract problems?
There is much proof that feeding an obligate carnivore primarily a grain-based dry diet can contribute more to a urinary stone problem than any other single factor.  The long-term dehydration that occurs causes concentrated urine and places considerable strain on the kidneys.1  Feeding poor-quality food to pets results in toxicity and an excessive elimination load on the lining of the urinary system.2

By contrast, a diet of meat, bones, and organs contains a mineral content - or ash content - that is not synthetic or artificial.  When a whole food substance is ingested, the animal has a very slim chance of developing a mineral imbalance.  Taking in nutrients as they occur in their natural state or as a whole food source will prevent the animal from concentrating minerals or vitamins, thus causing health issues.1

1 Patricia Cooper, DVM
2 Richard H Pitcairn, DVM, Ph.D., and Susan Hubble Pitcairn, Dr. Pitcairn's Complete uide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats, Rodale Press, Inc., 1995.