Our Food

We pioneered a new concept in dog nutrition in 2000. Our trays of meatloaf are handmade in our kitchen, using many local, fresh ingredients. This way, we know exactly what is in each of our food products, and how it’s made.

As an added bonus, since we make it, and sell it ourselves, there is no middleman markup like you pay in regular pet food stores. Just ask the person behind the counter. It’s more than likely that she/he has been involved in the making of your dog’s meals. All our cookies are made on the premises. After 22 years of satisfying dog owners and breeders, we now serve more than one thousand meals to lucky dogs each and every day.

Food containers

Food Products

Dogs fed an “only meat” diet can develop a dangerous imbalance in the calcium/phosphorous ratio causing possible joint and bone problems, diarrhea and weight loss.

By using a variety of quality, human-grade fresh ingredients, Dogs We Love – real food for dogs ensures a well-balance diet. Each of these ingredients serves a purpose in building and maintaining a healthy body.

Click on an ingredient for an explanation of its major benefits:

Muscle Meat

Provides complete and digestible protein. Amino acids, the building blocks of protein are essential for building and repairing tissue. Muscles, organs, skin and hair as well as antibodies, enzymes, and hormones are all made from the approximately 25 amino acids obtained from protein. Dogs digest approximately 90% of the meat protein that they eat.

All meat is federally inspected.

Vegetable & Fruits

Vegetables: in preparing our dog food we always use apples, potatoes, a green vegetable and an orange vegetable. To aid in digestion and absorption our vegetables are finely chopped. The green and orange vegetable may be changed from time to time to add variety.

Apples are a food rich in vitamins A, B and C as well as calcium, fiber and pectin. Pectin is used to bind glucose helping to regulate insulin. We use Georgian Bay apples.

Potatoes are a highly nutritious food. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, the B vitamins plus minerals such as potassium, copper, magnesium and iron. This vegetable is one of the best sources of complex carbohydrate and also contains protein and dietary fiber. They are second only to broccoli in antioxidant activity and they are well liked by most dogs.  Shelburne area potatoes are used exclusively in our products.

Green vegetables are rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, lutein, potassium and fiber. They are full of antioxidants, which protect against free radicals in the body. Vegetables from the cabbage family are classified as ”anticancer” vegetables. They also contain high amounts of vitamins B5 and B6, are rich in vitamin C and are among the few that contain vitamin E.

Orange vegetables are rich in vitamins A and C. niacin, potassium and fiber. These nutrients are important for eyesight, healthy coats and skin and strengthening the immune system. The high fiber content of orange vegetables ensures a healthy colon. Sweet potatoes are also said to contain a steroid-like property, which makes them effective for animals suffering from arthritic pains.  Our carrots are grown in the Holland Marsh.

Most importantly these vegetables provide flavor that dogs love!

Human Grade Stone Ground Flours

Human Grade Stone Ground Flours : when many grains, containing different amino acids, are combined in a diet the resulting balance of these amino acids enhance the biological effectiveness of their protein. At least three different kinds of grain are used in each of our recipes. All our grains are milled in Canada. Our Rice flour is grown in the US. All other grains are grown in Canada.

Oat flour is very nutritious, rich in vitamins and minerals and contains more protein than any other cereal. It is a natural anti-oxidant and good source of phytochemicals.

Rice flour is non-allergenic and gluten free making it specially suited for the hypoallergenic recipe. Rice protein, when compared with that of other grains, is one of the highest quality proteins. It has all the essential amino acids and building blocks necessary for strong muscles. Rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, phosphorus, potassium, iron, niacin and riboflavin, it is also a good source of complex carbohydrate. All that is needed for good nutrition without cholesterol, fat or sodium.

Barley flour contains protein and is especially high in niacin, thiamin and many minerals.

Lecithin Granules

Lecithin Granules: is a lipid that is required by every single cell in the body (cell membranes, which handle the flow of nutrients, are largely composed of lecithin). Contains gamma linoleic acid, phosphatidyl choline and inositol. Good for the heart, lecithin helps emulsify fats and cholesterol by dispersing them in water in order to remove them from the body. It helps the body utilize vitamins A, D, E and K as well as helping to cleanse the liver and kidneys.

Vitamin C Crystals

Vitamin C Crystals: dogs produce some vitamin C ( 40-mgs/Kg body weight, which clinically proven is not enough; a goat produces 5 times as much as a St. Bernard or a Great Dane). It is essential for production of collagen and aids in healing of wounds, tissue growth and repair. It is also essential to both the immune and nervous system. Vitamin C aids in the prevention of heart disease and promotes healthy gums.

Organ Meats

Organ Meats is ahighly usable protein source rich in vitamins A. E, D, K, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, biotin, C, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, zinc, manganese, selenium and iron.

Purified Water

Purified Water: the most important ingredient in the well being of any animal.

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower Oil: extracted from the seeds of a flower in the daisy family it is a polyunsaturated oil. An essential fatty acid, linoleic fatty acid, constitutes 68% of sunflower oil. Fat-soluble vitamins – A, B, E and K to be carried within the body, use oil. As well as a good source of energy, oil helps provide a lush coat, clear skin and good muscle tone.

Kelp Powder

Kelp Powder: commonly referred to as seaweed; it grows along the coast and receives its nutrients from the ocean. It is a rich source of over 12 vitamins, especially the B vitamins, and a valuable source of over 60 minerals, trace elements, and 21 amino acids. It is rich in iodine, necessary for proper functioning of the thyroid gland that stimulates and balances metabolism. Kelp is beneficial to brain tissue and membranes surrounding the brain, sensory nerves and spinal cords as well as blood vessels. Containing align, a fiber that absorbs toxins and nutrients from the digestive system, it improves digestion. It also enhances the immune system, eliminating negative effects of stress, stimulates kidney function and increases circulation aiding blood purification. Most noticeably it is good for coat, skin and nails.

Herbs

Herbs: For over 4000 years plants, referred to as herbs, have been a primary source of medicine. These herbs help cleanse and purify without side effects and also regulate the glands to function normally. They are high in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that nourish the body and promote natural good bacteria.

PARSLEY: is rich in vitamin A & C and iron compounds that help clear toxins from the body. It aids in digestion due to its ability to ease stomach spasms. Apiol, a compound contained in parsley is now used to treat kidney ailments. One of its most valuable properties is its use as a great breath freshener.

OREGANO : is a germicide and has antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic properties. It functions as an anti-spasmodic, helping the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract therefore aiding in metabolism and settling flatulence.

MARJORAM : has been used since ancient times as a remedy to aid digestion. It also reduces anxiety creating a calming effect and promoting restful sleep.

ROSEMARY : is rich in magnesium. It stimulates the circulatory and nervous systems while relaxing the digestive tract. Rosemary has anti-bacterial and antifungal properties and is another herb that aids in prevention of bad breath.

GINGER : contains volatile oils, phenols and resin. It is an anti-inflammatory agent and circulatory stimulant. Ginger disinfects the lungs, soothes the abdomen and relieves excess gas.

GARLIC : is an anti-pathogenic, removing unwanted organisms (including worms) and cleanses the gut while encouraging normal flora. It reduces irregularity and is an effective treatment for flatulence. Garlic aids the pancreas to produce insulin and plays a part in lowering blood cholesterol levels. It is a vasodilator, reducing pressure and increasing absorption of nutrients and oxygen throughout tissues.

Whole Fresh Eggs

Whole Fresh Eggs: one of nature’s most nutritious foods and rated higher than meat as a source of usable protein. This excellent source of high quality protein contains all nine essential amino acids as well as 15 vitamins and minerals.

Our eggs are free-range ‘farm fresh’ from Dufferin County.

Rolled Oats

Rolled Oats: contains more protein per calorie than any other common grain. Good source of carbohydrate, B-complex vitamins and minerals such as iron. magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. As an excellent source of fiber, it aids in digestion and is also good for the heart by lowering cholesterol.

Carob Powder

Carob Powder: is made from the roasted bean-like pod of the Ceratonia Siliqua, an evergreen tree that is native to the Mediterranean. Rich in calcium, potassium and phosphorus it is also high in vitamin B2, magnesium and iron. It has as much vitamin B1 as asparagus or strawberries, the same amount of niacin as lima beans, lentils or peas and more vitamin A than beets, asparagus or eggplant. With a natural sugar content of 42-48% it has a fat content of only 7%.

Calcium Carbonate

Calcium Carbonate: the source we use is eggshell powder, which is almost pure calcium carbonate. It is necessary to balance the high phosphorus levels in meat and lecithin. Almost all of the body’s calcium goes into the formation and maintenance of bones and teeth. It is also used for transmission of nerve impulses, clotting of blood, regulation of heart muscle rhythm and absorption of vitamin B12.