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  • Fresh Pet Food and Seasonal Variability

    When you think about the best food for you and your family, you probably imagine fresh fruit, veggies and proteins — not processed fast food!  

    For the same reasons that a burger and fries to-go can’t beat a freshly-cooked meal, fresh, gently cooked dog and cat meals are different from your average pet food (i.e. traditional kibble), too.

    First, fresh pet food doesn’t include preservatives and additives. That’s because our fresh pet food is flash frozen, which eliminates the need for preservatives, and our food stays fresh for up to 18 months (we even had this safety tested)! 

    Second, Tom&Sawyer fresh pet food also doesn’t need palatants that are designed to make food taste better for our pets, because real meat and fresh foods cooked by our trained culinary team already tastes great.

    Plus, our food has been developed by nutritionists and goes through regular testing to ensure that each meal contains the right balance of nutrients and ingredients that your pet needs. 

    Furthermore, all our meals are made in-house by our trained chefs, meaning that no one meal at Tom&Sawyer will look exactly like the next! 

    Why? Because our fresh ingredients are chopped by hand and cooked in small batches. You’ll actually be able to SEE all the ingredients in your pet’s food rather than the bland, monotonous beige-brown kibble colour of over-processed ingredients that have been cooked at a high temperature.

    And, because we work with meticulously sourced ingredients, our recipes may look and smell a bit different from time to time. This is based on the seasonal variability of our ingredients – because that’s the reality of working with real food!

    We aim to choose ingredients of the highest quality that continue to provide excellent nutrition for our pets, all while following our formulations to ensure our meals are complete and balanced. 

                                                                                     Photo by Scott Warman

    At certain times of the year, we use frozen versus fresh veggies when they are out of their prime growing season, as frozen food provides the same nutritional value as fresh food does – you can read a study on this topic here. While this ensures that we are providing the best for your pet nutritionally, this can give our foods various visual changes.

    For example, at different times of the year, we switch between using frozen and fresh kale to account for seasonal changes. While we all know kale for its deep green hues, its dark green colour can tint surrounding ingredients.  The green pigments in kale bleed out with the moisture, and this can tint other ingredients to look greenish-blue. Learn more about why kale is good for dogs, and how it varies by season, here. 

                                                                                   Photo by Brian McGowan

    Just like the seasons change along with seasonal variability, you can switch up your pet’s food too! Rotational feeding is the practice of regularly switching out your pet’s food to change texture (i.e. wet, dry kibble, gently cooked), or ingredients, such as the protein sources. By changing up the ingredients, you can change the flavour profile of your pet’s meal, which may be more enticing and exciting for your pets!

    You can learn more about rotational feeding for dogs and cats here. 

    By:

    Hannah Godfrey
    Animal Nutritionist
    BSc.H. | MSc. Animal Nutrition
    www.tomandsawyer.com

    References: 

    Nutrition and Cost Comparisons of Select Canned, Frozen and Fresh Food and Vegetables

  • Pet owners worldwide feel pain of pet food inflation

    Pet owners throughout the world are paying higher prices for pet food, in addition to basic needs like housing, leading to more pet surrenders to shelters.

  • New Study Concludes Raw Pet Food is an Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Threat, but…

    …we found MANY concerns with their conclusions.

  • Fancy Feast hosts an Italian trattoria experience for cat owners

    Fancy Feast to offer cat lovers an Italian dining experienced based on the company’s recipes.

  • Dates announced for Petfood Forum 2023

    2023 Petfood Forum dates announced.

  • Pet Food Institute praises House amendment

    Pet Food Institute praises House amendment to increase FDA funding.

  • Can Dogs Eat Seaweed?

    Can Dogs Eat Seaweed? 

    ‘Seaweed’ is an umbrella term for the many species of marine algae and plants. All varieties of seaweed are technically edible, but many are either too difficult to process for cooking or flavor, can upset the stomach, or carry dangerous toxins. A few types of seaweed are edible and choice, eaten commonly around the world, and used both for culinary and medicinal purposes.

    We know people can eat seaweed, and that many marine species eat seaweed, but can dogs eat seaweed? 

    Basic answer: Yes! 

    Now let’s take a closer look at how you can keep your pup safe while letting them enjoy this oceanic veggie.   

    Is Seaweed Safe for Dogs?

    In most cases yes, seaweed is safe for dogs, but as with all foods, there are possible risks, and some rules to follow to avoid those risks. Here are a few important pieces of advice for safely letting your dog eat seaweed: 

  • Start slow! Your dog could be allergic or sensitive to seaweed, so only feed them a very small amount the first few times to make sure they don’t experience an adverse reaction.

  • Only feed your dog seaweed you would also eat! Not all varieties are safe for dogs to eat, but those that you would commonly find on grocery store shelves are.

  • Beware of seasoning! All seaweed is naturally salty, but some have added salt and seasonings. These should generally be avoided since heavily salted or seasoned foods are not good for your dog.

  • Never let your dog eat seaweed from a lake or ocean since this could expose your dog to dangerous bacteria, unsafe algae, or a choking hazard. Blue-green algae is particularly dangerous and has been proven fatal for some dogs. 

    • Common Types of Seaweed

    Seaweed is most commonly used as an ingredient in East Asian cooking but can be found around the world today in grocery stores and on restaurant menus. Some of the common types of seaweed you’ll come across include:

    Seaweed Type

    What Does It Look Like?

    Common Uses

    Format

    Safe for Dogs?

    Nori

    Sushi rolls, “seaweed snacks”

    Used in dry sheets

    Yes! In moderation

    Wakame

    Seaweed salad, miso soup

    Rehydrated from dry

    Yes! In moderation

    Kombu

    Broth flavoring, salads

    Rehydrated from dry

    Yes! In moderation

    Dulse

    Broth flavoring, seasoning, marinated side dishes

    Rehydrated from dry

    Yes! In moderation

    Spirulina*

    Nutritional supplement

    Powder

    Yes! In moderation

    *Technically an algae.

    While these are the most common seaweeds you’ll find in your local store, other varieties of kelp (a variety of seaweed that includes more than 100 species) are also recommended for dogs, and used in seaweed supplements. 

    Nutritional Value of Seaweed

    Seaweed is super nutritious, both for humans and dogs! Packed with antioxidants, prebiotics, and key nutrients like magnesium and iron, seaweed has been used for centuries for its nutritional and culinary value. Some studies even suggest that certain varieties of seaweed have anti-tumor properties, and could be used to treat cancer. 

    How Much Seaweed Can I Give My Dog?

    Dogs should get the majority of their calories and nutrition from their regular diet, so like all treats, seaweed should only be a once-in-a-while treat. A small piece of nori or a few strands of wakame are totally safe for your pooch, but remember that salted and seasoned human treats aren’t always healthy for your dog. 

    If you want to regularly give your dog seaweed so they can enjoy the nutritional benefits, check out some of the options we’ve listed at the end of this blog. 

    Can Dogs Eat Seaweed? The FAQ

    Now it’s time to answer your questions! Here’s what our community of loving dog owners wants to know about dogs eating seaweed. 

    Can Dogs Eat Packaged Seaweed? 

    Yes, but in moderation. Packaged seaweed is the only seaweed you should ever allow your dog to eat, but the kind you give them matters. Seaweed snacks are processed with heavy oils and seasonings, so that would be something to only give your dog once in a while. Processed kelp supplements, on the other hand, can be added to your dog’s regular diet – just be sure to chat with a vet before you make changes to their food. 

    What Happens if a Dog Eats Seaweed?

    Nothing! Unless your dog eats an enormous amount of seaweed, has an allergic reaction, or chokes on the seaweed, they should be completely fine after eating seaweed. If you are concerned at all about your dog’s health, contact your vet immediately. 

    Is Seaweed Good for Dogs?

    Yes! Unsalted and unseasoned seaweed is good for dogs, but it should not be their main source of nutrition. 

    Can Dogs Eat Seaweed from Lakes & Oceans?

    NEVER allow your dog to eat seaweed or algae from a body of water. Similarly, you should not allow your dogs to swim in areas known to have blue-green algae, a possibly deadly variety of algae. If you like to swim with your dog, make sure to check local resources to learn which places are safest for you and your pup. 

    Best Ways To Give Your Dog Seaweed

    While your dog can enjoy a few little bits of the seaweed you eat, it’s better to give them seaweed that has been processed specifically for dogs. Seaweed treats, like these dental dare jerky treats that contain ground seaweed, are safely formulated for your dog’s biological needs and might taste better to your four-legged pal than pure seaweed. That said, many dogs really like the taste of seaweed!

    Another great option is to add a food topper or natural seaweed supplement to your dog’s diet. Great for healthy digestion, skin, fur, and immune health, powder supplements are a super easy way to give your dog extra nutrition without much time or effort. As with all dietary changes, be sure to talk to your vet before adding a seaweed supplement to your dog’s food. 

  • French pet food company invests to start own production

    Pepette, offering fresh, personalized dog and cat diets, has been outsourcing manufacture of its products, but plans to build its own plant within two years.

  • Pet food growth may outstrip animal protein supply

    Animal protein production bottlenecks were only one of the supply chain issues facing the pet food industry now and in the near future, according to researchers in their examination of the interplay among human and pet food ingredient demands.

  • The Most Sweeping Change in Pet Food Label Transparency

    Law requires these changes but we need consumer support!