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A Deeper Dive Into Rotational Feeding 

A Deeper Dive Into Rotational Feeding 

2019-08-23T13:49:42-06:00

We have all heard it before. “Don’t ever switch your pet’s food!” “This is a diet for life.” “Stick to this food and don’t look back!” Unfortunately, this is a common myth that we have been told over and over again. In this blog posting, we are going to explore rotational feeding and the benefits that can accompany this method.

What is Rotational Feeding?

Essentially, rotational feeding is about introducing diversity into your pet’s diet. This means that you don’t stick to the same food for every single meal. For instance, one of the most common methods is to change the protein source (chicken, duck, lamb, etc..) of your pet’s food.

What are the cons to feeding the same diet every day?

One of the biggest cons to feeding the exact same food constantly is that the risk for food sensitivity and/or allergy increases. Food sensitivities can be responsible for a vast amount of ailments in our furry loved ones. When a pet has a food sensitivity, this can manifest in the form of eye discharge, raw paws from excessive licking, overall dry and itchy skin and an upset digestive system. Essentially, the longer you feed a specific diet to your pet the more likely they are to develop an allergy or sensitivity to one or more of the ingredients in that diet.

What are the benefits of rotational feeding? 

In reference to what was mentioned above, perhaps the largest benefit is that rotational feeding will condition your pet to be able to handle multiple proteins. Not only will your pet be accustomed to a much more diverse meal plan, but their risk of food sensitivity and allergy significantly decreases.
In addition, you are making mealtime for your pets much more enjoyable! Think about it in terms of humans. If we ate turkey every single day, we would eventually grow to be extremely tired of turkey. By feeding different protein sources, you are strengthening the GI Tract of your pet while giving them a delicious variety

How do I begin rotational feeding? 

Starting your pet has never been easier, especially with our full Activa Pet Food lines. Keeping foods that are similar in their formula but that offer multiple protein sources makes the process much more streamlined. We would recommend a gradual 4-step transition plan. 

Step 1

25% New Food

Step 2

50% New Food

Step 3

75% New Food

Step 4

100% New Food
Changing your pet’s diet is not dangerous like the many myths we have heard. You just want to make sure that you do it safely. Drastic and sudden changes in our pet’s diet can cause upset stomachs and issues like vomiting and diarrhea.

Now finally, you may be asking, how often should I be changing their protein source? That is completely up to you and also based on your pet. One of the more common timelines is to change their food every 3-4 months. However, we do have many customers that will feed their pet’s different protein sources for every meal. Rotational feeding is becoming more and more popular, and the science behind it is only growing. We recommend trying it out and we are certain that your pet’s body, appetite and taste buds will thank you for it!

A Deeper Dive Into Rotational Feeding 2019-08-23T13:49:42-06:00
Are grain-free foods really bad for my pet?

Are grain-free foods really bad for my pet?

2019-07-19T09:36:02-06:00

In July of 2018, the FDA announced that they are researching a link between grain-free diets and DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy), a form of canine heart disease.  They released another report which provided an update this past June which reiterated that they “had begun investigating reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods, many labeled as “grain-free,” which contained a high proportion of peas, lentils, other legume seeds (pulses), and/or potatoes in various forms (whole, flour, protein, etc.) as main ingredients (listed within the first 10 ingredients in the ingredient list, before vitamins and minerals).”

It’s natural to worry when reading such information. The health of our beloved pets is of paramount importance to all of us. It’s also easy to be confused when such a statement is released. One factor to consider about the recent FDA alert is that there is still a large amount of unknown information at this time and a limited amount of information to back up their initial findings.

FDA Updated Report

This report is still in its early stages and thus far has reached no conclusion. “The FDA is continuing to investigate and gather more information in an effort to identify whether there is a specific dietary link to the development of DCM and will provide updates to the public as information develops.”

What is DCM?

According to www.vetmed.wsu.edu, Dilated Cardiomyopathy “is a disease of the heart muscle that results in weakened contractions and poor pumping ability. As the disease progresses the heart chambers become enlarged, one or more valves may leak, and signs of congestive heart failure develop. The cause of DCM is unclear in most cases, but certain breeds appear to have an inherited predisposition. Large breeds of dogs are most often affected, although DCM also occurs in some smaller breeds such as cocker spaniels. Occasionally, DCM-like heart muscle dysfunction develops secondary to an identifiable cause such as a toxin or an infection. In contrast to people, heart muscle dysfunction in dogs and cats is almost never the result of chronic coronary artery disease (“heart attacks”).”

Between January 1, 2014 and April 30, 2019 the FDA received 515 reports about canines and 9 reports about felines.

Product Testing

One important factor of DCM and recent testing is the link between DCM and taurine deficiency in our pets. What is taurine? Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid important in the metabolism of fats. It is important to note that the FDA has not drawn a conclusion on whether or not there is a connection between taurine deficiency and DCM.

Taurine Deficiency Link

Before July 2018, the FDA had already begun testing on grain-free products as well as products that contain grain. The items were all tested for protein, fat, moisture, crude fiber, total dietary fiber, soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, total starch, resistant starch, cystine, methionine, and taurine. The results during dry testing were similar between grain-free and grain products. The FDA is currently doing further testing.

All of the grain free diets in the Activa pet food line are either supplemented with additional taurine or naturally contain significant amounts of taurine. We are aware of the recent alert issued by the FDA regarding the occurrence of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain types of commercial dry dog food. At this point in time the exact reason this is happening is unclear however if you believe your dog is affected see your veterinarian immediately. If your dog is fine but are still concerned, additional taurine as well as carnitine, another nutrient involved in heart health, can be added to the dog’s diet via the Activa Custom pet food system in all Pet’s Barn stores using the Heart Health dog food enrichment. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you aware of any new information when it is released.

Are grain-free foods really bad for my pet?2019-07-19T09:36:02-06:00
Summer Pet Food Blues

Summer Pet Food Blues

2019-06-27T10:25:36-06:00

Have you ever noticed that during the summer months your pet food is lasting longer? Your dogs and cats seem uninterested or bored with their normal diet?

Don’t worry! This is completely normal. Pet owners everywhere agree on this and there are a few reasons for it.

In the summer, we typically are less active. Due to the higher temperatures, outdoor activity is simply limited for safety and for comfort. When this happens, appetite is decreased and therefore food consumption decreases as well.

Our pets are no different. The heat that accompanies the summer discourages our four-legged friends from playing and running for longer periods of time than they may be used to thus reducing the calories they burn.

Seeing our pet’s appetite decrease can be worrisome. But during the summer, this is something that requires a bit of patience. While it might be our first instinct to assume that our pet doesn’t like the food we are currently feeding them, the answer is not to change it immediately.

This is something you should keep an eye on. It is likely that your pet is simply not hungry. However, if eating stops completely, we recommend trying out a different protein source that might help pique their interest. Keep in mind, that if your pet has significantly decreased their eating habits but still has high levels of energy as well as proper water consumption they are perfectly fine. In the hot summer months, the most crucial part of feeding our pets is ensuring that they have cool water available at all times throughout the day. 

How Do I Feed My Pets In The Summer?

Pet Summer Feeding Tips

It is generally not recommended to significantly reduce the amount you feed your pets during the summer. But also keep in mind that lighter, fresher meals that reduce fat proteins may be helpful when trying to encourage eating. In terms of Activa Custom Pet Food, we would recommend lowering the percentage of oils you enhance their food with and trying out less fatty protein sources like our Duck and Rabbit formulas.

Another trick that is successful for many is changing mealtime. When it’s hot out, we don’t want to eat a big meal in the afternoon when temperatures are at their highest and neither do our pets. Try feeding them during cooler times in the day such as the early morning or later in the evening.

Ensure that there is a cool and plentiful supply of water for your pets throughout the day. It is of paramount importance that our pets are properly hydrated!

Summer Pet Food Blues2019-06-27T10:25:36-06:00
What sets Activa Custom Pet Food apart from the competition?

What sets Activa Custom Pet Food apart from the competition?

2019-04-02T10:21:27-06:00

So the big question is why….

  • Why should you try out our one-of-a-kind pet food process?
  • Why would it benefit my pet?
  • Why should I spend more $ on customizing?
  • Why can’t you customize other pet foods?

You have asked a bunch of questions, and we’ve heard each and every one of them.

We wanted to answer the most important question first, why should I customize my pet’s food?

Truly One-Of-A-Kind! 

Activa Custom is the only food on the market that can be tailored to meet your pet’s needs. For instance, if your pet struggles with digestion and has dull coat, we’ve got supplements for that. Is your cat struggling with hairballs? There’s a supplement for that.

Picky pet? We’ve got you covered!

With the addition of supplements, oils and flavor the palatability of the food is heightened. All of our supplements contain dried chicken liver which your pets will LOVE. A lot of customers have asked us why they can’t customize another brand of dog food. Simply put, our customization process was designed specifically for Activa. Also, we legally cannot tamper or alter the formulations of other pet food brands. Activa is made and manufactured by us, so we are able to add supplements, oils and flavoring to ensure that we are providing the best pet food!

Your wallet will thank us!

The cherry on top of Activa Custom Pet Food is that the customization process is FREE! You can select two supplements, multiple oils and one flavor at no additional cost.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Activa Pet Foods are 100% satisfaction guaranteed. We are so certain that your pets will love it that if they don’t, we will give you your money back!

So how does the process work?

The first step in our revolutionary, patented Activa Custom Pet Food process is selecting your base. If you have a dog, you can choose between our Original, No Corn, Grain-Free, Grain-Free High Protein or Grain-Free No Potato lines. If you have a cat, you can pick between our Original or Grain-Free High Protein formula.
Then, you start selecting your supplements, oils and flavor! This is the most important step in the process and what sets Activa Custom Pet Food apart from anything on the market. If you’re not sure what to choose, don’t worry! Our locations have certified barkistas to walk you through the process. After a brief consultation, we can make recommendations that will be a perfect match for your furry family member.

The next step in this process, is where we add in all of your selections!

After that, we all sit back and enjoy watching your completely unique blend of pet food mixed together.

Finally, all of the food gets placed back into our resealable bags and you are ready to take it home!

But don’t take our word for it…check out our Activa All-Star’s favorite blends!

Bell

What does Bell love?

Bell’s custom blend of Activa Custom is Grain Free Rabbit with the Hip & Joint and Skin & Coat supplements along with coconut oil and bacon flavoring!

Roz

Learn More About Roz

Roz’s custom blend of Activa Custom is Grain Free NP Oceanfish & Salmon with the Hip & Joint, Digestive and Veggie Blend supplements along with coconut oil and bacon or salmon flavoring!

Marlo

What does Marlo love?

Marlo’s custom blend of Activa Custom is Grain Free NP Chicken with the Hip & Joint supplement along with coconut oil and bacon flavoring!

Maximus

Learn More About Maximus

Maximus’s custom blend of Activa Custom is Original Chicken with the Bully Breed and Growth supplements along with grilled bacon flavoring!

What sets Activa Custom Pet Food apart from the competition?2019-04-02T10:21:27-06:00
What Makes Activa Dog Food Special?

What Makes Activa Dog Food Special?

2019-02-21T12:54:12-07:00

For over a decade, we have been manufacturing and producing Activa Pet Food in El Paso, Texas. Within that decade, we have worked vigorously to refine and provide the highest quality of pet food. So the big question is what makes Activa Pet Food so special? Below we have outlined a few different things that set us apart from other competitors. It is our highest priority to craft an excellent pet food that your pets and wallets will love!

Made in Texas!

All Activa pet foods are made right here in Texas using ingredients sourced in the United States. Many foods make their food in the USA but their ingredients come from plants all across the globe. So even if they are made here, the meat, fat or vitamins could have come from any country, including China. China being the focus of many food recalls over the past few years.

Fresher Foods

Being locally produced also has it benefits. The less time a dog food spends in a warehouse or truck the better. Activa is made every week and is shipped to the stores on a weekly basis. A fresher food means fewer breakdowns of nutrients, allowing your dog to get all of the health benefits from all ingredients in the food.

Since dogs are attracted to food by smell and not taste, having fresher food makes it more appealing to dogs. Dogs are more likely to eat Activa food because it has spent less time in distribution, losing nutrients and becoming stale. 

The Food

Activa Original Formulas

More Info

Activa No Corn Formulas

More Info

Activa Grain Free Formulas

More Info
Both 4.5lb & 15lb bags are always offered at a buy 2 get 1 free deal!
For customers who purchase our 15LB size bags – we have our POP (proof of purchase) rewards program! With every 15LB bag PURCHASED, customers receive one POP. For instance, customers receive two POP’s when they take advantage of our Buy 2 Get 1 Free deal because they only paid for 2 bags.
6 POPS = 1 FREE BAG OF ACTIVA!

Independently Owned

Since we are independently owned we are able to have superior quality control to ensure that all ingredients are of the highest quality. 

Because we get the food direct from our plant with no middle man, the savings are passed on to the customer. These savings allow us to offer the Buy 2 Get 1 Free deal every day of the week as well as our POP (proof of purchase) Refer-A-Paw programs.

The Activa Satisfaction Guarantee

We are so confident your pet will love their food we offer an Activa® satisfaction guarantee. If for whatever reason you or your pet is not completely satisfied with our food we ask you to bring the unused portion back to the store within 30 days and we will work to find the food that is perfect for your pet.

What Makes Activa Dog Food Special?2019-02-21T12:54:12-07:00

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