Purepet - Q&A

AAFCO stands for Association of American Feed Control Officials. AAFCO nutritional levels are recognized globally as the benchmark for nutritional adequacy in pet food.

There is no real technical reason why you can't feed it to a senior dog, but it should be at a reduced amount. However puppies have nutritional needs this diet may not meet.

A puppy requires a diet higher in protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, sodium & chloride.

An older dog's metabolic rate slows down, so a senior diet may be less energy dense to compensate for a less active lifestyle.

Products specially formulated for puppies and senior dogs will be available in the near future.

New Zealand has never had a case of foot & mouth disease or BSE and grows no commercial genetically modified crops.

A single meat source product allows you to avoid meat proteins that your dog may have an allergy to.

During the cooking or retort process, the meat shrinks in the same way a steak does when cooked. This shrinkage squeezes out some of the natural moisture contained in the meat. This moisture forms a clear gel around the outside of the pack.

Higher fat levels in some of the products mean that not all of the fat will be emulsified. As such, small fat globules can be found throughout the product. This fat is not only essential to the performance of the diet, it adds to the palatability of the product.

The main source is the meat.

Vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, B4, B3, B6, B12, D, E, K and biotin are present. Key minerals are Manganese, Copper and Selenium. Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, sodium, Chloride, Magnesium, iron, zinic, iodine.

The source for Vitamin A is liver. This is important for night vision, and bone and skin growth.

Vitamin B1 is found in meat and vegetables. However, additional Vitamin B1 is added to the product. Vitamin B1 promotes appetite, is involved in carbohydrate metabolism and aids reproduction.
Vitamin B2 is found in the meat in the recipe; however the diet is supplemented with additional Vitamin B2. Vitamin B2's key role is the production of enzymes central to energy metabolism.

Vitamin B6 is found in the meat in the recipe. However, the diet is supplemented with additional B6. Vitamin B6 plays a role in around 100 enzyme reactions and is important in the use of protein as an energy source. It is also essential for maintaining a healthy nervous and immune system, and for lipid (fat) metabolism.

Vitamin B12 is found in meat in the recipe. It is needed for building proteins in the body, red blood cells, and the normal function of nervous tissue.
Vitamin D is sourced from meat and as an additional supplement in the product. It is involved in the utlisation of Calcium & Phosphorus in normal bone growth. Vitamin E is present in the meat and the vegetables. However this is supplemented with additional Vitamin E.
Vitamin E acts as an anti-oxidant by interrupting the oxidation of fats and cell membranes. This interruption is effected by giving electrons to the free radicals before they can attack the fats or cell membranes.
Manganese is important for normal bone development and neurological function. It is present in meat and as an additional supplement in the product.

Copper is important in connective tissue formation, pigmentation formation of the dog's hair, the functioning of the central nervous system and plays an important role as a defense mechanism against oxidative damage. Copper is present in the meat ingredients and through supplementation.

Selenium is present in the meat. However, again this is supplemented with additional Selenium. Selenium is required for the production of glutathione peroxidase, a powerful free radical scavenging enzyme which acts in similar ways to that of Vitamin E.

Some dogs prefer loaf over casserole and vice versa. Casseroles have a higher moisture content but they have been developed to provide sensory variety for pets.

High protein diets are excellent nutrition for animals that have been under some kind of physical stress. Also high protein low carbohydrate diets can play a part in assisting a healthy blood sugar level.

Two years (from the date of manufacture) before opening, and 2-3 days after opening provided the product is covered and refrigerated.