Where do you source your meat from and how are the animals raised?

Our line of proteins are all fit for human consumption but do vary in how they are raised. Grade A is the standard meat you get from Safeway and other supermarkets which makes no mention of how the animals were raised. Our Naturals lines are from animals raised without growth hormones, antibiotics or animal by products. They vary between free-run and free-range. Free-run animals are provided slightly larger square footage and have access to light (not necessarily outdoors) whereas free-range animals have a small area that the animals can get to outside. Free-run and free-range relates mostly to chickens and turkeys. Larger animals are outside most of the time due to their sheer size and temperament.

What does "Grade A" mean on your labels?

Grade A is just a grading level for processing, ie. A, AA, AAA, U.

In Beef the different A’s represent the marbling in the meat, AAA being the most marbled.
In Poultry A means a bird with minimal flaws, wing tip can be missing and sometimes as much as the wingette portion. But the drumstick must be attached.
U means utility which can mean no wing, or no leg, skin torn and or missing from a portion. It cannot have all but as many as 2 of these things.

All graded meats must have minimum provincial processing in order to be graded. Federal processing is the highest standard as they will test for e-coli and or salmonella.

Is the natural chicken meat you use free range and non-medicated?

Yes, our non-medicated line is antibiotic free, contains no growth hormones and is at least free run. Note, the term "free run" is used very loosely. The difference between "free run" and "free range", based on the eggs, is as follows (from the Alberta egg producers web site):

Free-range eggs are those from hens who have access to nesting boxes, open floor space, perches and outdoor runs. Free run eggs, on the other hand, are from hens allowed to roam freely in an enclosed facility (barn). Producers have more work because egg safety and quality is more challenging to manage in both these situations since eggs can come in contact with droppings and dirt, as well as can be laid in many places making quick egg collection a challenge. The nutrient content of these eggs is NO different than the nutrient content of eggs of hens raised in conventional cage housing systems.

How long can you keep thawed raw pet food in the fridge?

Our recommendations is to use the food within 2 days of opening the package as most pet owners will tend to defrost the product by leaving in on the counter-top which shortens the life span dramatically. If you thaw the product in the fridge, you may be able to get another day out of it. But as rule, we always say use it within 2 days of opening the package.