Frequently Asked Questions
Dog Food - CANS
Why can I see fat in the can?
How much fat do we add?
Why can’t I find the ingredient listed on the can?
Do we use fresh meat?
What type of meat do we use?
Are there colours or preservatives?
Why does our food look different to other canned foods?
What vegetables and herbs are used in the can?
Do we add corn?
Do we use fillers?
Can big dogs eat it?
Can small dogs eat it?
Do we use any Horse Meat in our products?
Dog Food - DRY
What is Biogestion5?
Why does my dog need pre-biotics?
How much meat is used?
How much wheat is used?
Is there corn in the dry?
Q: Why can I see fat in the can?
A: Natural meat juices or FATS can be seen in the can. To understand this, we need to explain how we make our canned food. We take all the fresh ingredients (meat, vegetables and grains) and mince these together. The can is then filled with raw, minced ingredients, the lid sealed on and the product is cooked in the can – like a pressure cooker. During the cooking process, natural meat juices are released from the meat. These meat juices look similar to what you would see if you cooked a side of meat in the oven. The can is then cooled and sometimes the meat juices seep to one portion of the can (top, bottom or side). This is completely healthy for your dog’s diet as they need more fat in their diet than humans do (about 10 – 15% more fat).
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Q: How much fat do we add?
We do not add any fat to our ingredients. The fat you see in the can is simply natural meat juices that have become liquid during the cooking process. Sometimes this fat cools to one side of the can. So all you need to do is mix back into the can.
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Q: Why can’t I find the ingredient listed on the can?
Our ingredient list is certainly listed on each can. The reason it’s hard to find is because it’s not an extensive list of fillers and artificial ingredients. Our recipes are very simple and contain 70% real meat, rice and vegetables.
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Q: Do we use fresh meat?
Yes we do use fresh meat in all our products. We don’t believe your pet benefits from other protein sources and requires muscle meat protein to maintain peak condition.
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Q: What type of meat do we use?
We use human grade meat that is specifically diced for our use. Depending on the variant we use Australian beef, Australian chicken, Australian Lamb and Kangaroo. We don’t import any of our meat and enjoy keeping our Australian farmers employed. You also won’t find any offal or by-products in our cans.
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Q: Are there colours or preservatives?
No colours or preservatives are used in our canned food as the can itself is non-porous and therefore airtight. The contents are sterile when sealed and cooked. We also don’t use flavours or fillers in our cans either.
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Q: Why does our food look different to other canned foods?
Our canned food is made from fresh ingredients and the recipe is so simple, you could quite easily cook it at home. Real food should not look highly refined and processed.
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Q: What vegetables and herbs are used in the can?
Fresh, locally sourced Potatoes, Carrots and Garlic are used in our cans.
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Q: Do we add corn?
No, we never use corn in our canned food.
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Q: Do we use fillers?
No, we don’t use fillers in our canned food.
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Q: Can big dogs eat it?
Big dogs will love our 700g range of canned food. You might find you can feed them less as our food is nutrient rich and therefore less is more!
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Q: Can small dogs eat it?
Small dogs will love our 700g range of canned food. You might find you can feed them less as our food is nutrient rich and therefore less is more!
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Q: Do we use any Horse Meat in our products?
A: There is a misconception by many people that the commercial pet food industry uses horse meat in their pet food products. Under the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA) horse meat is not used in the manufacture of pet food. Members of this Association, such as Nature’s Gift Australia do not use horse meat in any products and this position is very clear.
However, this Association differs from individual states Pet Meat Associations which allow the use of horse meat (normally sold as fresh meat) to be sold through retail outlets such as pet shops. Horses are still slaughtered throughout knackeries to feed this retail requirement. Not only is this issue a horrid concept, but it’s morally disturbing for all who work with and for Nature’s Gift.
Nature’s Gift never has and never will use horse meat in any of our products. It is our firm corporate belief that pets should have healthy, fresh ingredients free from artificial flavours, colours, preservatives and fillers.
Our fresh meat comes from reputable abattoirs who pride themselves on supplying quality meats. We use human grade ovine, bovine, poultry and kangaroo meat. When we say a product contains beef and chicken, that’s exactly what your pet will be eating.
The PFIAA is in the process of preparing a statement which will advise that its members do not use horse meat in their products and the practice will be frowned upon and dealt with in the appropriate manner.
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Q: What is Biogestion5?
Biogestion5 is an herbal blend that enhances the health benefits of our Semi Dry dog
food. Please see our products page for more detailed info.
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Q: Why does my dog need pre-biotics?
For the same reason pre-biotics are good for humans, they are also good for dogs. In Layman’s Terms, pre-biotics create a healthy environment for good bacteria to thrive. This inturn allows for good mineral absorption and overall health.
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Q: How much meat is used?
We use 70% meat and meat meals (which is a powdered form of meat). So you can be assured your dog is getting the correct type of protein.
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Q: How much wheat is used?
Wheat is not our base ingredient so we only need about 20% wheat flour to bind the fresh meat into a dry kibble form.
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Q: Is there corn in the dry?
No, we don’t use corn in our dry food.
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