HOW CAN I GET MEALS FOR MY DOG?
We run on an order model, where your order is placed (via email). If interested, you will sign up for notifications on order date, and order delivery (bi-weekly). Pick ups will be every other Friday between 9-11am, and 4-6pm. Cash and eTransfers are accepted. Sorry, no debit or credit at this time. HOW LONG DOES THE FOOD LAST IN THE FREEZER? Four to five months. HOW LONG DOES FOOD LAST ONCE IT IS THAWED? As long as the food is kept sealed, it can keep for five to seven days in the refrigerator. WHY DO WE SLOW COOK OUR FOOD? Although raw food (packed with digestive enzymes) is a great alternative to dry dog food, we find some dogs have difficulty digesting it, so it may not be an option for them. Digestive enzymes are a type of protein that are digested in stomach acids. The enzymes can be weakened when cooked, and therefore, digested more easily with a cooked dog food. Not all dogs are capable of digesting the enzymes found in raw food easily. Raw foods may also cause spikes in blood sugar levels in some dogs, which can cause stress on the liver and pancreas, where Sophii’s Choice meals are cooked to allow for more gradual absorption and digestion by your pet, which in turn prevents these spikes in glucose production. During the cooking process, antioxidants are released, and as our lean meats are cooked and then drained of excess fat, Sophii’s Choice meals are less in fat content over a raw diet option. As with people, each dog is unique, and a healthy, nutritious “real food” diet is required. A raw food diet can be an excellent choice for your dog, but it is not sustainable for all our dogs. We just need to find the right diet one for our loved ones, and our home-cooked foods offer a whole food option to you and your four legged family member to consider. MY DOG HAS ALLERGIES. CAN I FEED THEM SOPHII'S STEWS? One of the biggest reasons dogs have allergies today is the poor food they consume in the first place, and the lack of support the food provides to their immune system. For example, a lot of people claim their dogs have a food allergy. The problem is often not with the particular food, but with the grade of the food that many commercial pet food manufacturers use (low grade, not human grade) and they lead to all sorts of allergies, auto-immune issues, stress on organs and adverse reactions. Feeding Sophii’s Choice foods will help most dogs as it allows them to ingest nutrition rich whole foods, clean their organs and gut, and boost their immune systems. We certainly do not claim that Sophii’s Choice is a cure-all or remedy for any particular ailment, but as we are becoming more aware that whole foods and natural organic diets help the immune system function more efficiently, we must also consider this type of diet will allow our dogs to regain health and remain vibrant and happy dogs. I HEARD THAT GARLIC IS BAD FOR DOGS. WHY DOES SOPHII USE IT IN THE RECIPE? Garlic has many health benefits, including purifying the liver and stimulating gastric juices for better digestion while promoting the growth of friendly bacteria in the bowel. Garlic helps lower blood sugar, has anti-fungal and anti-viral properties and contains selenium, a powerful anti-oxidant for immune system enhancement. As an added bonus, it can deter fleas from landing on your pet. There is some controversy around garlic stating that it isn’t a ‘safe’ food for dogs. Too much garlic (meaning about 50 cloves at a time), can cause a condition called hemolytic anemia. Of course this is a crazy amount for anyone, let alone a pet, to ingest. Sophii’s Choice recipes use a safe and healthy amount of garlic: about 2-3 cloves to 40 pounds of stewed food. THERE IS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT GRAINS BEING BAD FOR DOGS. WHY IS SOPHII'S NOT GRAIN-FREE? Most grains found in many commercial, pet grade foods, are grains that are unfit for human consumption. They are poor in quality as most are by-products of the milling process. What this means is these grains are the left overs of the milling of corn, wheat or barley, which are unfortunately stripped of their natural nutrients. So many dogs are experiencing allergies and even seizures due to the quality of base ingredients in their diet. The grains themselves are not the issue, but the quality and toxicity of the grain is. Whole grains have many essential health benefits. Once cooked, they are well absorbed and well digested by dogs. Whole grains provide a myriad of vitamins and minerals and provide soluble fiber to feed the good bacteria in your pet’s gut. They also provide the nutrients the body needs to manufacture its own vitamin K. These grains are digested slowly, which allows the blood sugar levels to remain low, reducing stress on the pancreas and liver. They are also an excellent form of protein when combined with the amino acids found in vegetables. Sophii’s Choice treats and meals are offered in gluten free options, but most are not grain free (aside from the quinoa recipes used in the jerkies and quinoa stews, and gravies). If you require grain free feeding, please consider the Quinoa options for your dog. MY DOG HAS LIVED A LONG LIFE ON KIBBLE. WHY WOULD THEY NEED REAL FOOD NOW? There’s a big difference between surviving and thriving. Kibbles are a great way to feed a pet economically and make use of human food production waste, but it can also cause many health issues. It won’t take long for you to see the difference. Most of our customers report a shinier coat, reduced odor, and improved vitality within weeks. If you have any other concerns or questions, please feel free to drop us a line via email. As with any wellness plan changes, please check your pet's dietary and nutritional requirements with a veterinarian before changing your dog's diet.
|
Farmgate Pets | paws up - who has a question? |