Most companies prepare their food by steaming it as quickly as possible, usually less than 3 minutes, then extruding it under extreme pressure through a metal die (a steam extrusion process). This process expands the food with air creating a uniform shape. This method does not produce the highly digestible food that your dog's system requires. This extruded food (cooked in a very short time) usually requires the addition of what many nutritionists feel are harmful chemical preservatives (Ethoxyquin, BHA, and BHT) to maintain a reasonable product shelf-life. These chemical products may be associated with cancer, allergic reactions, dental disease, dry skin, poor health, and degenerative organ dysfunction.
Oven-Baking Process
In the oven-baking process, a small 2 inch size biscuit is baked while it moves slowly through the oven. Then it’s broken into smaller, irregular kibble ranging in size from tiny morsels to about 1/2 inch, and sent through the oven again for a second baking, producing a highly digestible and vitamin-rich food for your dog.
Digestability/Palatibility
Flint River Ranch dog food scores in the high 90's for digestibility and palatability -while most extruded food is in the low to mid 80's on a scale of 100.
Small/Fine Morsels
The smaller morsels are very important as they digest very quickly in the dog's system helping create immediate nutritional value for your pet. Dogs don't eat food - they "wolf' it down" - small pieces digest easier in the dog's system. This is what makes the food so great! The larger, crunchy kibble naturally cleans teeth, exercises the gums and freshens breath.
Why 23% Protein?
It is not the amount of protein in a dog food that is important, it is the type of protein and how easily it can be digested. The protein is the right amount for all stages of life. In some cases of working dogs or dogs under high stress, the addition of meat protein can be considered.
Baking Temperatures
Any cook can mix ingredients - the secret is in the total cooking process. This is one of the reasons our food is not easily duplicated by other manufacturers.
Color Of The Food
An oven-baked food will have various shades of colors - from the soft light inside to the heavy brown crunchy outside crust. Oven-baked food is food in its' natural state. No oils or liver digest is sprayed on the food to encourage a dog to eat. Like all natural things in our environment, as well as the baking process - color of the food will vary from time to time.
Concentrated To Feed Less
Since the food is concentrated, there is more value with less food consumed. Feeding oven-baked foods require 20-25% less food than steam-extruded foods. Pet owners will find fewer odors and stool clean up. Feeding Flint River Ranch quality products, you will be able to see the difference in your pet's health, skin, coat, energy level and quality life-style.
Overweight Dogs
We find many pet owners still feed the amount of oven-baked food they normally would feed with other brands - about 3-4 cups for a 55 lb. dog. With concentrated premium foods, it is best to feed about 25% less. Dogs may require a little adjustment over a period of time to shrink their stomach and reduce their food intake. Lightly cooked vegetables of all types can help while the dog's system adjusts. Improper feeding is the greatest cause of a dog being overweight, not the quality of the food.
