Ever wonder how dog treats are made?

Ever wonder how dog treats are made?

Dr. Maria de Bettencourt Tavares Dr. Maria de Bettencourt Tavares
5 minute read

Take a Peek Behind the Scenes at LOONAWELL and learn how we make our healthy organic dog treats, from ingredients to baking to the final product.

 

Are you familiar with the word extrusion? It’s a common process that highly commercial pet foods use to sterilize and shape their dog treats.

 

You read that right: sterilize. This is a required step in the manufacturing process because the raw materials (remains of human food, no longer apt for consumption) are typically of extremely low quality and oftentimes contaminated with Salmonella or other poisonous bacteria. So they get exposed to a high level of heat for an extended period to disinfect and make them “safe” for pets to eat. But that intense heat doesn’t just kill the bad bacteria. It also contributes to the destruction of any vitamins minerals and amino acids.

 

The result is pet food with quality and flavor that is, to put it mildly, not the best. So those lost vitamins and nutrients have to then be added back into the treats as synthetic additives. A dose of synthetic flavoring is also thrown in to mask the putrid smell of such raw materials and make the treats seem tasty and tempting. 



Our healthy natural dog treats are baked, not extruded

 

When we set out to make our LOONAWELL healthy organic dog treats, we knew extrusion was a process we would never use. One of the earliest standards we established for our healthy natural dog treats is that if we wouldn’t eat it ourselves, then we won’t feed it to our dogs.

 

This belief is engraved in our brand tagline: “Healthier Dogs, Happy Lives.” We apply this to everything we do, from picking our organic and gourmet ingredients to collaborating with chefs on the recipes for our tasty and crunchy dog treats that are suitable for all breeds and ages. We put dogs first, and cost comes much lower on our list of priorities.

 

So, the way forward was clear: organic and human-grade ingredients only. And minimal processing. No exceptions.

 

Here’s the difference in how we prepare our treats for dogs versus the usual commercial pet food brands.

How dog treats are made

 

Baking our treats versus extruding them means that the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids from the high-quality organic raw materials can still be found in the final baked product and therefore there is no need to add any synthetic ingredients or extra flavors or colors.

The analysis and certification of the vitamin content in our products is carried out by the Swiss Vitamin Institute (SVI) and LOONAWELL has recently been recognized as the first Pet Food brand in the world to be awarded the SVI label.

 

 

Why do we insist on high-quality nutrition for our dogs?

 

In addition to our love and respect for dogs, there’s another reason why good nutrition is our top priority. It’s because good nutrition saves lives.

 

The heartbreaking truth is that pets are the mammals with the highest incidence of cancer, and the number one cause of that cancer is poor nutrition.

 

The Veterinary Cancer Society estimates that about 25% of pets will develop cancer. That number increases to 50% after the age of 10. This is caused by several issues related to traditional pet food:

●      The unknown origin of ingredients

●      Poor quality raw materials

●      High levels of chemical ingredients and additives

 

Our pets are our beloved companions and we want them to live long, happy, and healthy lives. No pet owner should have to wonder if the dog treats they feed to their pet are harming their health.

 

That’s why we’re committed to transparency and providing healthy and nutritious choices for dogs. We want our fellow pet owners to feel confident and to have peace of mind, knowing that when they feed their dog LOONAWELL dog treats, they are a safe and healthy choice.

 

Now that you know a little more about how our healthy natural dog treats are made, give it a try if you haven’t so far to see just how different and special they are!

 

You can shop our range of healthy natural dog treats right here.

Want more great tips on dog health? Join our community.

 

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more ideas and advice on dog nutrition, health, and well-being. Sign up for our newsletter below and get information delivered right to your inbox.



About LOONAWELL

 

LOONAWELL makes organic dog treats for all breeds and ages. For puppies, adult, and senior dogs, our organic, natural dog treats are made with high-quality, human-grade ingredients and packed in small portions for the ultimate in freshness and portability. Great to carry “on the go” for a training session with your dog, a walk, a ride in the car...anywhere you go.

 

They’re made with love in Switzerland and can be shipped anywhere in the world. We believe dogs deserve the best—treat yours to a nutritious and delicious superfood snack!

 

 

Super Foodies Bio Baked Dog Treats

Super Foodies Bio Baked Dog Treats

CHF. 16.00

These easily digestible dog treats are made with hand-picked, premium organic super foods (such as blueberries, coconut, bananas and oats) that contribute to your dog’s healthy immune system.  Handmade and traditionally baked, all our treats are made with fresh, organic and human-grade quality ingredients. Recommended… Read More

« Back to Blog