Dog food profile: Flint River Ranch

Olive before her diet - 18 lbs!
photo by Tamar Love Grande

 

Over the past few years, it's become clear that a quality diet is just as important for pets as it is for humans. What your dachshund eats affects his whole health: internal organs, skin/coat, eyes, weight and energy level. To keep him at optimal health, feed him a premium diet tailored to his specific needs.

One of the best foods can't be found in stores. Fortunately, they deliver. Flint River Ranch, a family-owned pet food company, bakes premium-quality kibble in locations nationwide, using only American-made ingredients. Local distributors -- usually individuals -- sell the food at pet events and on their websites, often to help fund rescue efforts. Because the food is made locally, shipping is inexpensive. Customers can set up recurring orders, a convenient option that ensures your doxie always has enough to eat (because we all know what happens when a doxie's bowl is empty too long!).

Olive after her diet - 13 lbs

photo by Tamar Love Grande

Although this brand tends to be a little more expensive than other premium dog food brands, a little goes a long way. Unlike companies that use a lot of fillers in their food, such as animal byproducts and sorghum, Flint River Ranch's primary ingredients are protein: fish, chicken and lamb. The concentrated, nutrient-dense kibble allows you to feed less food without your doxie starving to death (or eating you in your sleep). An added benefit is that less food = less poop!

Flint River Ranch carries the basics -- puppy and adult food -- as well as a few interesting specialty foods. Like many quality brands, they make a lamb-based kibble, but they're one of the few companies that also offers a fish-based food, Fish & Chips Trout and Potato. Dachshunds are more prone to skin allergies than other breeds, which a diet rich in Omega 3 acids can help prevent, and potatoes are a nutritious alternative to wheat and corn, especially for dogs with food allergies. Flint River Ranch carries two senior formulas, regular and diet, an option unavailable from most dog food companies. Seniors may need a specialized diet as they age, but like any other dog, they can gain too much weight from time to time. It's important to feed an overweight senior a diet formula rich in the minerals and vitamins seniors need, which are not always found in diet food formulated for younger dogs.

Senior dachshunds need a senior diet
photo by Tamar Love Grande

Flint River Ranch isn't the only premium dog food company, but it's one of the few that uses human-grade ingredients, empowers small businesses and serves a local market. Residents of Southern California will be delighted to know that when they choose Flint River Ranch, they're not only helping the local economy, but also feeding a locavore diet -- the local bakery is located in the Inland Empire.

For more info: Dog Food Analysis offers nutritional breakdowns of most brands of dog food.