If you read my blog on a regular basis you’ll no doubt know all about our cat Bella and her health issues (Asthma, allergies and Thyroid problems). She’s on medication (six pills per day). We are having a very hard time trying to figure out what is triggering her attacks. Just when we think we know what is the root of all the problems, our theories get blown out of the water. 🙁
One of the triggers I am convinced might have something to do with it is an allergic reaction to food. She’s also very picky, which she never used to be. She no longer eats anything that is not seafood based. She won’t even entertain the thought of eating cat food made from beef, chicken or turkey.
I have been reading up on the subject of pets foods and opted to try putting all of my pets on a grain free diet. Grains have Gluten and as you might know many people have sensitivities to Gluten. It’s possible for pets to have negative side effects from eating foods with Gluten.
If you think about wild dogs and wild cats, you DON’T picture them in a field eating wheat, oats or barley, do you? Of course not. That is because in the wild dogs and cats would never eat anything made of grains, or that was grained based. So why do we feed it to them in their pet foods?
If you look at the ingredients in most pet foods and pet treats you’ll find that most of them (especially the kind you can easily pick up at your local grocery store for cheap) is made with things like wheat, Gluten, soy, artificial preservatives and artificial colors.
Do dogs care what color their food is? I doubt it! All they care about is that it tastes good.
I have been purchasing grain free and limited ingredient foods for both our dog and our cats. The cats are still a bit reluctant to eat the dry cat food, but will eat the healthier-for-them canned food.
Our dog, Espn (pronounced Es-Pin), has been loving the dry and canned grain free, limited ingredient foods I have been giving him. I’ve noticed big changes in him.
Espn used to look very skinny. Even our neighbors and the groomer noticed that. His eating habits didn’t change and he was eating the same food as always. When I switched him to a grain free diet he was a healthy weight again. I don’t know if there was a connection or not. All I know is that I was getting ready to take him to the vet and after a couple of weeks on the grain free foods he looked a million times better. He seemed happier too. He was more “bouncy” then he had been.
Not to sound gross but I also noticed a huge difference in his poop. His poop used to be a dark reddish brown color that was very soft and impossible to scoop up. After a few weeks eating grain free food his stool was a normal color and firm (and so much easier to clean up). I attribute that to getting him off all the junk found in mainstream dog foods and on healthier foods.
Lately Espn ha been enjoying 95% Grain Free Turkey Treats from Spring Naturals. They are also made with a medley of fruits and berries. Espn LOVES fruits and veggies. He especially loves apples and pumpkin.
Spring Naturals Turkey Treats are made with real turkey as the first ingredient. They also do NOT contain artificial flavors, color or preservatives. In addition they do not have wheat, Gluten, soy, corn or any kind of by-product. I would be safe to assume that even humans could eat these treats if they wanted to (not that I have any interest in doing that :-)).
Spring Naturals Turkey Treats are made with;
Turkey, apples, natural flavor, salt, cane molasses, chickpeas, spinach, blueberries, cranberries, flaxseed, rosemary extract, apricots, dandelion greens, zinc propionate.
I’m not sure what zinc propionate is or what it’s used for. I Googled it but I’m not really sure what it is. I also don’t see why they need to include salt in the treats. However, compared to other treats readily available at your local grocery store, these ingredients are more natural, easier to pronounce and understand.
I love how these contain ingredients my dog loves – turkey, apples and blueberries. I didn’t know dogs can have chickpeas and spinach. I will have to check with the vet to see if Espn can eat these on their own.
Espn LOVES these treats. Every time I open up the pantry where the treats are, no matter what I’m going in there for, he automatically thinks I’m getting him the treats. Of course I give him one. I wouldn’t want to to tease him.
Unlike other pet foods and treats these treats don’t have a horrible scent to them. They actually smell pretty good.
My cats want to eat these treats too but they are too hard for them to chew, even if I break them up into itty bitty pieces. Spring Naturals should consider a line of cat products because my cat go crazy over the scent of these treats.
The Spring Naturals treats are available in 6 ounce resealable pouches.
The treats that I have been using were sent to me to review. Sadly they are not available in my area. The nearest store that carries them is in New Jersey (I’m in NY). My only option would be to order them online and that could get expensive with shipping charges. Amazon.com does carry them. I’ll have to purchase them again when I have enough products in my shopping cart to qualify for free shipping.
If you would like to learn more about these treats, or look to see if they are available in your area, visit www.SpringNaturals.com. You can also find the brand on Facebook and Twitter. In addition to treats they also carry dry and canned dog foods.
Do YOU feed your dog or cat a grain free diet? I would love to hear about your experiences (good or bad). Do you think that feeding your pet grain free products is better for them or it doesn’t make that much of a difference?
Kimberly
*I received a free product sample in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way.
Alison says
I bet Waffles would love these! Ive been trying to buy him mainly natural dog food and treats since I believe it’s healthier for him! I’m going to have to check out Spring Natural now!
Christina Strapp says
I bet my dogs would love these! I am very picky about the ingredients in my dogs food and treats.
momznite (Jayne G) says
It’s important to give healthy treats!
sandy weinstein says
never heard of this company, but i am not a fan of chicken, turkey, red meat treats….my little girls have allergies to chicken, turkey and beef. however, i do give them really good organic treats …..if espn is having trouble eating his food, give him some green tripe….i make my own sweet potatoe treats and used to bake their own treats, no grain, no additives, all natural. dogs also love baby carrots, blueberries, watermelon, cataloupe-make sure no seeds-can cause problems, apples, green beans-no salted, pumpkin, etc. also give them steamed in olive oil, w/ a little garlic powder-made in us- kale and mustard greens.