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Shop our Flint River Ranch Store
Find out more about Flint River Ranch & shop our Store
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Oven-Baked not Extruded
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Since Flint River Ranch foods are concentrated, there is more value with less food consumed. Feeding oven-baked food requires 20-25% less to feed then a steam-extruded product (which fluffs up when extruded). Pet owners find fewer odors and less prolific stools with Flint River Ranch. During the adjustment period to the new food mix half and half with the pets old food for a week and then add vegetables such as carrots, celery, and green beans your pet will enjoy as he/she adjusts to the new denser food since you'll need to remember to feed 25% less to prevent your pet from gaining weight. Your pet may experience soft stools for a few days during the adjustment period as his/her digestive tract is cleaned out. Insure plenty of fresh water is available and allow enough time to properly switch over and assimilate to the new formula. If loose stools continue past a few days or beyond a week, please consult your pet health care professional.
For more information visit our complete site of help and information.
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Shelf Life
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Flint River Ranch has a shelf life of 6-10 months (each bag has a best by date). When properly stored, you can safely feed your pet 6 months beyond that date, however, the food begins to lose its nutritional value beyond that additional six month mark so only buy the amount your pup will be able to eat within 6-10 and no more than 12 months at a time.
Shipping is included in the price of the food and delivery is to your door!
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A Note from Jim Flint, Owner & Creator - Flint River Ranch
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 Flint River Ranch insulted? I think not! You be the judge!
The following is a brief review of a recent conversation with a potential customer with their comments and our observations. It started with the individual’s statement that Flint River Ranch products were not changing our formulas and keeping up with the times. They were feeding a more "modern" brand, that our formulas were "old-fashioned" and "out-dated.” I have always taken great personal pride in the fact that our canine formulas are truly a simple selection of the very finest quality ingredients that are properly combined for great nutrition. A 15 year history of demonstrated results of a "standard" formula speaks for itself. Considering that our structured canine formulas do utilize the oven-baking manufacturing process, we might appear to be "old-fashioned." To understand the individual’s comments, I asked for a more detailed feedback and they provided the following.
The label on my dog food says "Organic" and therefore must be better nutrition...Does the label say 100% organic? Doubtful. "Organic" is often hyped for the nutritional value. It does indicate that environmental care was used in eliminating chemicals and pesticides; something Flint River Ranch has focused on since we started. Pet food this is not manufactured in a complete organic plant environment cannot be considered organic. High quality ingredients have the same nutritional value when properly handled in the manufacturing process. If poorly handled, any ingredient, including organic can have limited nutritional value. We could hype Flint River Ranch formulas as they do include some organic ingredients. As the plant is not 100% organic, we prefer to say human quality. In addition to required supplier certification, we test for toxic molds, chemicals and pesticides
The label on my dog food says "Whole Chicken." Whole chicken really means whole chicken. This can include bones, blood, intestines, heads, feet and in some cases feathers. Flint River Ranch uses only chicken flesh (meat). There are no by-products and is the same chicken (without hormones) that you feed your family.
The label on my other dog food has "Herbs, Botanicals and Nutraceuticals..."Nutraceuticals include generically engineered designer foods; genetically modified grains, dietary supplements, pharmafoods and physiochemicals (including herbs). Herbal products in particular should be used with caution because of their potential with toxicity. Just because herbs are natural they are not necessary good for your pet and/or safe. There are many herbs that are GRAS (generally recognized as safe). What works for one dog may be extremely toxic to another and should not be randomly available to all types of dogs. They must be properly supervised by a trained veterinarian familiar with the guidelines and current regulations. The extremely small amount of botanicals in pet food generally follow the old adage of "above all else, do not harm" and are generally included as marketing hype and provides little, if any value. A quality dog food does not need supplements unless recommended by a professional to treat or cure a specific challenge. Don’t put your family pet at risk from marketing hype claims. Check with your professional caregiver that knows your dog and do your own research. It is not the tinker-toy list of ingredients that is important – what is important is how well the nutrients are utilized by the animal.
The label on my dog food has "Cellulose" needed for good fiber. Cellulose is the main ingredient of plant tissue and fiber, including trees. It is used in the manufacturer of explosives, paper and textiles. Basically, Cellulose is "sawdust" used as a cheap filler in pet foods. You are your dog’s master and not his medical doctor. It does makes sense to help prevent disease and other health challenges with proper nutrition supported by professional care, Our industry that offers many fine dog goods is the same industry that offers low quality garbage foods as well.
While it has been known in the industry that many pet food brands are made companies that specialize in private label products – produce products for a large number of different brands. Generally, we have no problem with this if the ingredients are as represented. The challenge became public knowledge with the recent major pet food recall. Flint River Ranch does not "farm out" any production. All our products are made in one plant with certified USA ingredients. Some short-sided individual have indicated that Flint River Ranch took advantage of the pet recall. We don’t understand this thinking– what advantage? We have utilized the same ingredients and formulas for years. If anything, it was their disadvantage - not our advantage.
The cost is higher to seek out the finest ingredients, require supplier certification with our own continued in-house testing and production quality control; however, I think our family companions are worth it – I am sure most of our customers do as well. If you think our hard work and dedication is an "advantage" in today’s marketplace – then you would be right.
Flint River Ranch insulted? I think not. We just happen to make the very best pet food in the national market. Our disadvantage might be the general lack of consumer knowledge about our industry, ingredients and what it takes to make a great pet food.
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