Hi Evy!
Oh my gosh. Wow. I just saw Doc do something that he hasn't done in awhile...this afternoon, my 11-year-old formerly lazy kitty was playing with his little red ball like a kitten, picking it up in his mouth and tossing it up in the air, batting it around and running after it like he did when he was a lot younger! Wow. I think we broke through the barrier here, Evy. I'm so excited!
Sincerely,
Anita
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Evy,
Since you asked me to report to you on the results of our feeding the cats Kumpi their reaction, that they seem to like this food. We have four cats and Mixi and Spot who were always barfing are no longer vomiting. Moreover, Mixi’s stool is no longer runny – it’s normal! The only thing that we have changed with the cats is their diet, so Kumpi must be having a favorable effect. For that we are most grateful. So it looks as though we will now be KumpiKustomers.
Sincerely,
Sue
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi Evy, my cats can't wait! Two of my four are now Kumpi lovers, I'm slowly convincing my two stubborn girls to switch over, then we'll be ordering the 20 lb. bags. I had high hopes for Kumpi Kat and it has completely met my expectations. Here's a little about us, because I want you to know how fabulous this food has been for my kitties.
I've been a cat owner for 15 years (my two older cats are gone, and I now have a pair of two year olds (sisters) and ten month olds, an unrelated boy and girl (all Humane Society or strays). So, I'm familiar with pet food brands and usually purchased Science Diet & Iams. The recent pet food recall not only concerned me, it reminded me of my dislike of by-products and so much corn meal in my cats' food. But since it seemed most brands contained them, I didn't feel like I had a lot of choices.
Several weeks ago I decided once and for all to find a truly different food, to solve an immediate problem with a cat who was vomiting, and another cat who had long lasting effects from being sick.
First, my only boy cat, a little orange tabby named Yukon, came to me as a three month old shelter kitten, and very, very sick with a respiratory infection that was so difficult to get rid of. I found out later, sadly, it killed all the other kittens who had been in the same kennel the day I adopted Yukon, including two of his litter mates. His growth was stunted and his fur has never been very soft or shiny, no matter what I fed him. In just a few weeks on Kumpi Kat Yukon has grown more than he has in months. He's bigger than two of the three girl cats now! It's happened so fast, that it still surprises me each time I see him, because he looks like a different kitty. :) I wish I had "before and after" pictures! His fur is soft and shiny and he's even MORE of a cuddle muffin than he was before. He LOVES his Kumpi and turns his nose up at anything else. It's been so exciting to see.
Then, several weeks ago, my long haired cat, Taimyr, was vomiting and it didn't resolve with a hairball. I knew it was time to take her to the vet when she vomited right back into her food bowl while trying to eat. (This was pre-Kumpi). None of the other cats were sick, so I knew something was very wrong. Taimyr stopped eating and an x-ray showed a mass in her abdomen. She had to have surgery on May 12th and they removed a three inch long, 1 inch diameter mass of hair in her intestine. Poor kitty! Her fur is the longest I've seen and I tried to keep up with the grooming, but obviously not well enoughy. We think she has Maine Coon in her family tree, as her hair brushes the ground. My husband nicknamed her "Musk Ox".
Because Taimyr had become anorexic during this, they sent her home with a nasal feeding tube and I had to give her "kitty Ensure" every two hours. She was listless and sad, but not enough to pull her tube out early! I got the go ahead from the vet to give her solid food, and she has been happily eating Kumpi Kat ever since. The vet had drilled into me how difficult it can be to get an anorexic cat to eat again, but she took right away to the Kumpi. Also, at a follow up appointment with a different vet, the vet almost removed Taimyr's stitches too soon because her abdomen has healed so well! She's a happy, alert and feisty kitty again. I really believe its the superior protein and nutrition that has helped her recover so quickly. She gets her stitches out later today and will get out of "purgatory" (the spare bedroom) to be with the other cats again, and its been hard to contain her because she has so much energy. I'm SO happy I found such a nutritious food to give her during her recovery.
Thanks for making such a great product, and expect to see more orders from us in the future. :)
Take care,
Melissa
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Friday, June 8, 2007
Dog Food Testimonials
A lot of companies try to sell you their food claiming that your dog will love it, that it will cure whatever ails your dog, and so on. Of all the brands of food I have tried over the years (too many to count), Kumpi is the only one that has actually performed as promised. Marshall DOES love it! And even though he has only been eating it for three weeks, I am already noticing significant changes. His skin is clearing up, no more hot spots. He’s not scratching away at his ears any more. He’s moving better. He’s initiating play with my other dogs, pouncing, bowing, and chasing them around the yard. His whole demeanor is changing. At nearly five years old, he seems to be experiencing his second puppyhood! I’m pleasantly surprised, thrilled even, at the effect that Kumpi is having on him.
Again, I can’t thank you enough for producing such a wonderful product. I’ll keep you posted, and I’ll try to send along photos too so you can see how he’s improving. It’s truly amazing.
With sincere appreciation,
Donna
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My westie recently suffered from an infection in his spinal and brain fluids and he began having seizures. His limbs became very weak so that he had trouble walking and climbing stairs. After being on Kumpi for a short time he began to look stronger and could run up the stairs again. His coat looks and feel so much better and I can see more oils in it which help condition a westie's bad skin. Both of my westies are on Kumpi and they love it. They never leave any in the bowl. Also I've noticed less gas and smaller feces. The yard is easier to clean up now. Thanks Kumpi team. I've been spreading the word about this wonderful product for both dogs and cats.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Evy,
Just wanted to let you know we are all doing good with the Kumpi!!
Shelby's knees: I noticed yesterday there was less swelling in the joints and she seems to be a little perkier, she is loving the food and eating it very well!
The 4 Kitties are all loving the food and doing good. I noticed they are starting to blow thier coats, so they look a little rough, but activity wise, they are all playful and happy!
I saw the newest news about tainted food and honestly didn't event fret about it for my babies.
Thank you Evy for the peace of mind, a huge hug for you and your furbabies!
Karen
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Maddie has improved tremendously since starting on Kumpi food in December, just after Christmas. She has hip dysplasia and arthritis and had trouble getting to her feet when she was lying down. She no longer has that problem. She jumps up in the morning when I walk in the door from work with that "Feed me" look on her face. My wife and I can't thank you enough!
Billie
Again, I can’t thank you enough for producing such a wonderful product. I’ll keep you posted, and I’ll try to send along photos too so you can see how he’s improving. It’s truly amazing.
With sincere appreciation,
Donna
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My westie recently suffered from an infection in his spinal and brain fluids and he began having seizures. His limbs became very weak so that he had trouble walking and climbing stairs. After being on Kumpi for a short time he began to look stronger and could run up the stairs again. His coat looks and feel so much better and I can see more oils in it which help condition a westie's bad skin. Both of my westies are on Kumpi and they love it. They never leave any in the bowl. Also I've noticed less gas and smaller feces. The yard is easier to clean up now. Thanks Kumpi team. I've been spreading the word about this wonderful product for both dogs and cats.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Evy,
Just wanted to let you know we are all doing good with the Kumpi!!
Shelby's knees: I noticed yesterday there was less swelling in the joints and she seems to be a little perkier, she is loving the food and eating it very well!
The 4 Kitties are all loving the food and doing good. I noticed they are starting to blow thier coats, so they look a little rough, but activity wise, they are all playful and happy!
I saw the newest news about tainted food and honestly didn't event fret about it for my babies.
Thank you Evy for the peace of mind, a huge hug for you and your furbabies!
Karen
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Maddie has improved tremendously since starting on Kumpi food in December, just after Christmas. She has hip dysplasia and arthritis and had trouble getting to her feet when she was lying down. She no longer has that problem. She jumps up in the morning when I walk in the door from work with that "Feed me" look on her face. My wife and I can't thank you enough!
Billie
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Potential Detox on Kumpi Products
Evy,
Amazing food!
Our dogs have got through doggie "detox". CRAZY! They just looked terrible for the first few days that we fed the food, and then it began to work some magic. Their poo went through some drastic changes in color, consistency and quantity, and then it evened out.
They totally blew all of their old coat out, and the new stuff is 100% smooth, silky and shiney! Two of them are still detoxing, and I should take photos of their coats to send you. We love it!
Sincerely,
Michaelanne
Consumer,
Some dogs will experience temporary problems that seem to deal with detoxification.
Diarrhea may be an issue for a short period of time, seemingly being a way of cleansing the intestinal tract. The ‘bad bacteria’ are being flushed out and supplementing the food with canned pumpkin (1/4 cup per 50 lbs. body weight) helps them through. Some may drink excessively and that is a NORMAL part of the potential detoxification, as is flatulence. If it exceeds one week, please call but also do not worry! Undergoing multiple surgeries, frequent medication and/or transitioning from a previously poor diet may prolong the process. There are too many variables to cover here :)
Hair breakage may occur. The follicular structure of the hair was less than optimal, too dry and the oils being introduced from the diet change are demonstrably impacting. Since many owners have adjusted to seeing a ‘good’ coat and not a LUSTROUS coat, don’t assume that Kumpi is causing damage. The opposite is true!
The number of daily stools may increase. The digestive system may be ‘waking up’ and if you consider this issue in the human parallel, you know that this is GOOD news. Many dogs (and people) carry undigested food in their intestine (the organ which is the primary origin of disease) which ferments and causes gasses to build. This increase in stools is temporary, although I know dogs who have taken up to a month to resolve this situation.
When it comes to cats - the food is very rich in digestive enzymes and pre/probiotics and really gets the intestine working. This often creates a natural thirst to keep the intestine lubricated, so if they start drinking more water that again is a good sign. Please note that changing a cats diet too often in a short period of time can have detrimental effects on their urinary tract. As the recalls progressed I have talked with too many people who fearfully switched from food to food rapidly - and these were premium brands - only to find out their cat developed UTI problems. When you find a dry food you are happy with, it is best to stay with it :)
The process of restoration takes time – but it happens and it’s worth it!
Evy Serpa
President
Kumpi Pet Foods
303.693.6533
Amazing food!
Our dogs have got through doggie "detox". CRAZY! They just looked terrible for the first few days that we fed the food, and then it began to work some magic. Their poo went through some drastic changes in color, consistency and quantity, and then it evened out.
They totally blew all of their old coat out, and the new stuff is 100% smooth, silky and shiney! Two of them are still detoxing, and I should take photos of their coats to send you. We love it!
Sincerely,
Michaelanne
Consumer,
Some dogs will experience temporary problems that seem to deal with detoxification.
Diarrhea may be an issue for a short period of time, seemingly being a way of cleansing the intestinal tract. The ‘bad bacteria’ are being flushed out and supplementing the food with canned pumpkin (1/4 cup per 50 lbs. body weight) helps them through. Some may drink excessively and that is a NORMAL part of the potential detoxification, as is flatulence. If it exceeds one week, please call but also do not worry! Undergoing multiple surgeries, frequent medication and/or transitioning from a previously poor diet may prolong the process. There are too many variables to cover here :)
Hair breakage may occur. The follicular structure of the hair was less than optimal, too dry and the oils being introduced from the diet change are demonstrably impacting. Since many owners have adjusted to seeing a ‘good’ coat and not a LUSTROUS coat, don’t assume that Kumpi is causing damage. The opposite is true!
The number of daily stools may increase. The digestive system may be ‘waking up’ and if you consider this issue in the human parallel, you know that this is GOOD news. Many dogs (and people) carry undigested food in their intestine (the organ which is the primary origin of disease) which ferments and causes gasses to build. This increase in stools is temporary, although I know dogs who have taken up to a month to resolve this situation.
When it comes to cats - the food is very rich in digestive enzymes and pre/probiotics and really gets the intestine working. This often creates a natural thirst to keep the intestine lubricated, so if they start drinking more water that again is a good sign. Please note that changing a cats diet too often in a short period of time can have detrimental effects on their urinary tract. As the recalls progressed I have talked with too many people who fearfully switched from food to food rapidly - and these were premium brands - only to find out their cat developed UTI problems. When you find a dry food you are happy with, it is best to stay with it :)
The process of restoration takes time – but it happens and it’s worth it!
Evy Serpa
President
Kumpi Pet Foods
303.693.6533
Monday, June 4, 2007
Is Grain Free Starch Free?
There is a lot of buzz about grain free foods and I can't help but wonder if anyone has stopped to realize that these grain free foods aren't starch free - at least none of the dry foods that I have seen. It seems a bit misleading to me since starch is starch, whether is comes from a 'grain' or a potato, millet, tapioca, whatever source.
Grains have been wrongly demonized, but is it all part of the marketing game in the pet food industry. When I read how high the protein level is in some foods I just cringe. Are people stopping to consider the increase in ash and phosphorous when feeding those diets; and the risks that pose?
Buyer beware of the latest trends. I actually was reading about a pet food line that was claiming superiority in it's grain free aspect since dogs and cats don't have digestive enzymes in their mouth. Ok, that is true; but they don't have digestive enzymes in their mouths like we do since they don't chew; they are secreted in the intestines. Also, if a pet food adds therapeutic amounts of digestive enzymes and pre/probiotics to their product, the carbs do their job and digest really well.
I am saddened, but not surprised, at how some companies are seizing on the fear in the pet food consumer since the recalls. It isn't the job of a pet food company to follow trends and then market and supply to those. We should be offering diets with true science behind them that yield results, regardless of what the label looks like. That is the goal I am fulfilling with Kumpi products. The label may not be politically correct, but there is so much you cannot see reflected in a label and so much a company can hide behind.
I am suggesting that you don't take my word or the word of what you read online. Select a product from a company that you trust to not kill your pet - and then take YOUR word for what is the best food for your cat or dog. Take THEIR word in how they respond, feel and act. Supplementation in pet food takes too much of a back seat. If you try a bag of Kumpi cat or dog food (and I promise you, it has been tested to the hilt) let the results speak to you. If you aren't satisfied, you get a full refund; but that is how my little company has grown, one dog and cat at a time. People see tangible results; they share with their friends.
Wouldn't you rather try a product that doesn't spend your hard earned money on advertising and fancy packaging? To answer the many emails that I have gotten regarding whether or not Kumpi will ever offer a grain free product, the answer is no. I'm not going to follow the holy grail of consumer trends. We set the standard and offer the best, plain and simple.
Also, if you are feeding grain free, wouldn't it be best to feed just every few days since feral animals rarely eat on a daily basis. But then again, you can begin to damage internal organs if you don't feed them within a 48 hour sweep. It's a vicious cycle, but remember that the 'prey model' predator wasn't curling up at it's master's feet who did the hunting.
Just some thoughts I wanted to share.
Grains have been wrongly demonized, but is it all part of the marketing game in the pet food industry. When I read how high the protein level is in some foods I just cringe. Are people stopping to consider the increase in ash and phosphorous when feeding those diets; and the risks that pose?
Buyer beware of the latest trends. I actually was reading about a pet food line that was claiming superiority in it's grain free aspect since dogs and cats don't have digestive enzymes in their mouth. Ok, that is true; but they don't have digestive enzymes in their mouths like we do since they don't chew; they are secreted in the intestines. Also, if a pet food adds therapeutic amounts of digestive enzymes and pre/probiotics to their product, the carbs do their job and digest really well.
I am saddened, but not surprised, at how some companies are seizing on the fear in the pet food consumer since the recalls. It isn't the job of a pet food company to follow trends and then market and supply to those. We should be offering diets with true science behind them that yield results, regardless of what the label looks like. That is the goal I am fulfilling with Kumpi products. The label may not be politically correct, but there is so much you cannot see reflected in a label and so much a company can hide behind.
I am suggesting that you don't take my word or the word of what you read online. Select a product from a company that you trust to not kill your pet - and then take YOUR word for what is the best food for your cat or dog. Take THEIR word in how they respond, feel and act. Supplementation in pet food takes too much of a back seat. If you try a bag of Kumpi cat or dog food (and I promise you, it has been tested to the hilt) let the results speak to you. If you aren't satisfied, you get a full refund; but that is how my little company has grown, one dog and cat at a time. People see tangible results; they share with their friends.
Wouldn't you rather try a product that doesn't spend your hard earned money on advertising and fancy packaging? To answer the many emails that I have gotten regarding whether or not Kumpi will ever offer a grain free product, the answer is no. I'm not going to follow the holy grail of consumer trends. We set the standard and offer the best, plain and simple.
Also, if you are feeding grain free, wouldn't it be best to feed just every few days since feral animals rarely eat on a daily basis. But then again, you can begin to damage internal organs if you don't feed them within a 48 hour sweep. It's a vicious cycle, but remember that the 'prey model' predator wasn't curling up at it's master's feet who did the hunting.
Just some thoughts I wanted to share.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Carbs, Fats, Proteins - So Many Opinions!!
On Jun 1, 2007, at 1:06 AM, dee
Hi,
Thanks so much for taking your time to reply. The raw people have just the opposite opinion on grains, especially corn, that it is so hard to weigh through the different opinions. They claim that dogs and cats get energy from lipids not the carbs. I know there are other nutritionalist who like grains in dogs as well as those barf diehards, basing their studies on the wolf.
I like your philosphy, and will read your blog to further educate, not only myself, but others that I advise for the good of their beloved animals.
thanks so much,
dee
Hiya Dee ~
It is my understanding that carbs and protein are energy sources; fat is an energy contributor, but it's most significant contribution in a diet is calories. The science of nutrition for dogs and cats is complex. Our product line was formulated by a man who draws from over 35 years of experience and research in that field. He is motivated by science and understands the chemistry of the ingredients as well. Balance between carbs, protein and fat in appropriate ratios is dictated by the NRC (National Research Council) and additionally, there are models for nutrient analysis for dog and cat foods provided by AAFCO that must be met. He is well familiar with both and follows their protocol. His ear is always to the ground for new research and scientific substantive data; consumer trends mean nothing to either of us.
I appreciate how difficult it is to sort through all of the information and opinions on pet food. While there is wisdom in doing your own research, I encourage everyone to ultimately listen to what their own eyes see and their own hands feel when they are using a product. At a certain point (once you have confidence in a product line or feeding style like barf or raw) you need to set aside the opinions of everyone else and listen to your own from the results on your own pet.
Thanks for your emails !
Evy
Evy
Hi Evy againI read your blog and it is very honest and forthright. thank you for that straightforwardness. It is rare in talking to companies....Would you tell me why the pet food grade food coming from human grade was rejected as human grade I get quite scared about this. I heard that the food rejected was b/c of diseased etc problems and therefore goes to the pet food?
Is this true? No one has explained what pet food grade consist of.
thanks again for your time,
dee
Dee ~
Pet food grade is merely what cannot be 'dressed' from an animal that is up for slaughter to put in a butcher case. It has nothing to do with the animal being diseased. A good example is a chicken breast that is shaped in such a fashion that it doesn't cut easily for packaging. These are animals that are being butchered for human consumption, but not all of the meat 'dresses up' well for sale. I am a bit suspicious when I read that a pet food company claims to use human grade and am wondering if they are stretching the truth a bit about really using the pet grade, but just wanting it to sound better.
I'll get on to answering your other email here in a moment.
Thanks ~
Hi,
Thanks so much for taking your time to reply. The raw people have just the opposite opinion on grains, especially corn, that it is so hard to weigh through the different opinions. They claim that dogs and cats get energy from lipids not the carbs. I know there are other nutritionalist who like grains in dogs as well as those barf diehards, basing their studies on the wolf.
I like your philosphy, and will read your blog to further educate, not only myself, but others that I advise for the good of their beloved animals.
thanks so much,
dee
Hiya Dee ~
It is my understanding that carbs and protein are energy sources; fat is an energy contributor, but it's most significant contribution in a diet is calories. The science of nutrition for dogs and cats is complex. Our product line was formulated by a man who draws from over 35 years of experience and research in that field. He is motivated by science and understands the chemistry of the ingredients as well. Balance between carbs, protein and fat in appropriate ratios is dictated by the NRC (National Research Council) and additionally, there are models for nutrient analysis for dog and cat foods provided by AAFCO that must be met. He is well familiar with both and follows their protocol. His ear is always to the ground for new research and scientific substantive data; consumer trends mean nothing to either of us.
I appreciate how difficult it is to sort through all of the information and opinions on pet food. While there is wisdom in doing your own research, I encourage everyone to ultimately listen to what their own eyes see and their own hands feel when they are using a product. At a certain point (once you have confidence in a product line or feeding style like barf or raw) you need to set aside the opinions of everyone else and listen to your own from the results on your own pet.
Thanks for your emails !
Evy
Evy
Hi Evy againI read your blog and it is very honest and forthright. thank you for that straightforwardness. It is rare in talking to companies....Would you tell me why the pet food grade food coming from human grade was rejected as human grade I get quite scared about this. I heard that the food rejected was b/c of diseased etc problems and therefore goes to the pet food?
Is this true? No one has explained what pet food grade consist of.
thanks again for your time,
dee
Dee ~
Pet food grade is merely what cannot be 'dressed' from an animal that is up for slaughter to put in a butcher case. It has nothing to do with the animal being diseased. A good example is a chicken breast that is shaped in such a fashion that it doesn't cut easily for packaging. These are animals that are being butchered for human consumption, but not all of the meat 'dresses up' well for sale. I am a bit suspicious when I read that a pet food company claims to use human grade and am wondering if they are stretching the truth a bit about really using the pet grade, but just wanting it to sound better.
I'll get on to answering your other email here in a moment.
Thanks ~
June Miscellaneous
Hello Evy,
I was wondering, I don't know if I missed it on your site somewhere, you may have mentioned it, but I am wondering, what is the cooking process involved in making Kumpi? Also, do you recommend adding fresh fruits and veggies and meat in addition to the kibble? Some say it offsets the formula that is why I am asking. One more question, if I may, what are the %'s of the omegas in Kumpi?
I appreciate all of your efforts,
Marisabel
Dear Marisabel ~
Hi there! The cooking process for Kumpi is just that; the food is cooked and extruded. When it comes to adding to any dry kibble that is really broad spectrum. Activity level, what fruits and veggies and meat? and is there an existing medical condition that would cause anything added to be detrimental? Plus, some critters have cast iron tummies it seems while others get gassy just watching a fast food commercial. Too many dynamics involved for me to answer that without having you realize there are many factors that come into play. With most diets, keeping to dry kibble for 90% of the daily diet the formula should stand well and do it's job; and that is regarding the issue of offsetting the formula. Occasionally while I am eating some chicken breast meat I will give tiny pieces to my cat and dog. Ditto with apples, except my dog seems to think that bananas should definitely remain people food :) Do I buy special fruits, veggies and meats for my pets? No, I don't.
The % of Omegas is on it's way when my nutritionist completes the nutrient analysis for the dog food. The cat food nutrient analysis is over at kumpikat.com. My mega public thanks to him for taking the time from his already busy schedule to help me out with the information that people seek after the recalls. He is not under my employ, he does his work for me on a contract basis. He has many irons in the fire right now (last we talked he was working on a formula for some deer food) and is enjoying the seasonal graduations, proms and weddings that come with this time of year.
And just a final thought about how Kumpi is cooked. I have been to the plant and watched the process several times; but asking me about the exact details of 'how' would be like asking me how my mechanic dropped a new transmission into my company van. I don't know how he did it; he loosened some parts there and then.....well, I'm not sure. That is his area of expertise and why I pay him to do it. The same thing is true of how Kumpi products are made. The details of the process are so complicated and amazing to watch; all I need to know is what a good job they do of providing me with quality kibble!
Cat lovers....you may enjoy Lars diary over at this link: http://www.catster.com/cats/524858#diary and check out the May blogs for KumpiKat cat food testimonials!
Keep checking this post for emails that contain multiple questions and don't fit a specific category :)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was wondering, I don't know if I missed it on your site somewhere, you may have mentioned it, but I am wondering, what is the cooking process involved in making Kumpi? Also, do you recommend adding fresh fruits and veggies and meat in addition to the kibble? Some say it offsets the formula that is why I am asking. One more question, if I may, what are the %'s of the omegas in Kumpi?
I appreciate all of your efforts,
Marisabel
Dear Marisabel ~
Hi there! The cooking process for Kumpi is just that; the food is cooked and extruded. When it comes to adding to any dry kibble that is really broad spectrum. Activity level, what fruits and veggies and meat? and is there an existing medical condition that would cause anything added to be detrimental? Plus, some critters have cast iron tummies it seems while others get gassy just watching a fast food commercial. Too many dynamics involved for me to answer that without having you realize there are many factors that come into play. With most diets, keeping to dry kibble for 90% of the daily diet the formula should stand well and do it's job; and that is regarding the issue of offsetting the formula. Occasionally while I am eating some chicken breast meat I will give tiny pieces to my cat and dog. Ditto with apples, except my dog seems to think that bananas should definitely remain people food :) Do I buy special fruits, veggies and meats for my pets? No, I don't.
The % of Omegas is on it's way when my nutritionist completes the nutrient analysis for the dog food. The cat food nutrient analysis is over at kumpikat.com. My mega public thanks to him for taking the time from his already busy schedule to help me out with the information that people seek after the recalls. He is not under my employ, he does his work for me on a contract basis. He has many irons in the fire right now (last we talked he was working on a formula for some deer food) and is enjoying the seasonal graduations, proms and weddings that come with this time of year.
And just a final thought about how Kumpi is cooked. I have been to the plant and watched the process several times; but asking me about the exact details of 'how' would be like asking me how my mechanic dropped a new transmission into my company van. I don't know how he did it; he loosened some parts there and then.....well, I'm not sure. That is his area of expertise and why I pay him to do it. The same thing is true of how Kumpi products are made. The details of the process are so complicated and amazing to watch; all I need to know is what a good job they do of providing me with quality kibble!
Cat lovers....you may enjoy Lars diary over at this link: http://www.catster.com/cats/524858#diary and check out the May blogs for KumpiKat cat food testimonials!
Keep checking this post for emails that contain multiple questions and don't fit a specific category :)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Is It Really Human Grade Ingredients?
Subject: pet food grade
Hi Evy again,
I read your blog and it is very honest and forthright. thank you for that straightforwardness. It is rare in talking to companies.
Would you tell me why the pet food grade food coming from human grade was rejected as human grade. I get quite scared about this. I heard that the food rejected was b/c of diseased etc problems and therefore goes to the pet food? Is this true? No one has explained what pet food grade consist of. thanks again for your time,
dee
Dee ~
Pet food grade is merely what cannot be 'dressed' from an animal that is up for slaughter to put in a butcher case. It has nothing to do with the animal being diseased. A good example is a chicken breast that is shaped in such a fashion that it doesn't cut easily for packaging. These are animals that are being butchered for human consumption, but not all of the meat 'dresses up' well for sale. I am a bit suspicious when I read that a pet food company claims to use human grade and am wondering if they are stretching the truth a bit about really using the pet grade, but just wanting it to sound better.
I'll get on to answering your other email here in a moment.
Thanks ~
Evy
(Dear Reader....please refer to my May blog on this subject for more information)
Hi Evy again,
I read your blog and it is very honest and forthright. thank you for that straightforwardness. It is rare in talking to companies.
Would you tell me why the pet food grade food coming from human grade was rejected as human grade. I get quite scared about this. I heard that the food rejected was b/c of diseased etc problems and therefore goes to the pet food? Is this true? No one has explained what pet food grade consist of. thanks again for your time,
dee
Dee ~
Pet food grade is merely what cannot be 'dressed' from an animal that is up for slaughter to put in a butcher case. It has nothing to do with the animal being diseased. A good example is a chicken breast that is shaped in such a fashion that it doesn't cut easily for packaging. These are animals that are being butchered for human consumption, but not all of the meat 'dresses up' well for sale. I am a bit suspicious when I read that a pet food company claims to use human grade and am wondering if they are stretching the truth a bit about really using the pet grade, but just wanting it to sound better.
I'll get on to answering your other email here in a moment.
Thanks ~
Evy
(Dear Reader....please refer to my May blog on this subject for more information)
Cornphobia & WHY The First Ingredient??
THE CORN USED IN KUMPI DOG FOOD IS NON-GMO
My journey through the last nine years of owning a pet food company has been eye-opening to say the least. I understand the scrutiny every company is under right now and appreciate the people who are aware of how expansive the wet food recall was; and that dry food is under deep suspicion as well.
There are many times my dog food is passed over for having corn in it and even worse in the mind of the consumer, it is the first ingredient. Give me a bit to explain this to you, because it makes total sense to me.
A dog needs carbs - that is just a fact. Rice, potatoes, oatmeal, rye, millet, wheat, sorghum - these are just some of the sources to get that starch from. The 'grain free diets' are still using some form of starch for carbs.
Digestibility seems to be one of the problems folks have with corn. If you go to the faq part of my website, you will see the results from a scientific study that shows corn grain is 89.3% digestible. That is exactly what corn meal is - the whole grain that is fine ground. It has been potentially confusing since raw corn comes to mind when seeing corn meal on an ingredient label; even then, what is visible in even our own stool doesn't mean that the corn hasn't done it's job in servicing the body. It merely indicates that the fat and carbs have been squeezed out during digestion and you're looking at the hull that the body didn't need.
Allergic reactions to corn is another thing that draws suspicion for some (wheat and soy are more likely allergens. Less than 10% of allergic reactions in pets are due to diet. I strongly advocate having blood work performed on a pet if they are displaying allergic symptoms. Right at a time when their body is needing nutritional stability the most, people are sometimes advised to do 'process of elimination' diets. They buy a food without corn and see if the symptoms persist. They buy a food without chicken and see if the symptoms persist. On and on, while the poor pet is needing stable nourishment. One thing that makes this process very inefficient is that when you buy a food, you have no knowledge on what grade of different ingredients have been used. If your dog has problems with a grade five corn product - corn was potentially not the issue - the low grade of the ingredient was the harm. And I can write about this with confidence, since so many people have given me feedback about wanting to try Kumpi dog food, since their friend's dog did so well on it; they were concerned because process of elimination led them to believe corn was the culprit. They borrowed some of their friend's food and started blending it slowly with their current dog food, only to find their dog did wonderfully!!! Biggest moral of the story for this paragraph - if your pet displays allergic symptoms, have blood work done to find out what the allergy is. If it is seasonal or environmental you can keep the nutrition stable (whatever you choose to feed) and get on with helping their body out per your veterinarians protocol and your pet's test results.
The first ingredient. I'd like to draw from a quote by Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins who was on the initial senatorial panel for the pet food hearings. She posted an incredible rebuttal to the comments made by The Pet Food Industry representative. Here is part of her comments.
"An example of ingredients splitting: Pet food companies who wish to disguise the amount of cereals in their products will list several different cereals instead of using just one (not top quality cereals either) so that what meat IS in their products will legally be listed as the one of the first ingredients. In many, if not most of these foods, cereal actually makes up the majority of the food, but consumers see 'chicken' as one of the top 2-3 ingredients and think that chicken is a predominant component of the food. This is 'smoke and mirrors.' "
When Kumpi dog food was first formulated, my nutritionist said I had two choices; to look like the best food (regarding the ingredient label) or be the best food. That's a no-brainer for me since this was first pursued for my own dog; then for my student's dogs. What the label read like didn't make any difference to me. The irony is that having a grain as a first ingredient gave him the ability to put in that much more meat. Huh???? Ok, look at it this way - if you were formulating one ton of food (2000 lbs):
First Ingredient is MEAT - 301 lbs.
Second Ingredient is GRAIN - 300 lbs.
Third Ingredient is GRAIN - 300 lbs.
Fourth Ingredient is GRAIN - 300 lbs.
(fat, fiber, etc. rest of the formula) - 5799 lbs.
We've got our one ton recipe ready to go. Meat is the first ingredient. But there is far more grain in the food when you add things up. This is part of the smoke and mirrors that Dr. Hodgkins is referring to. Also on my website is the startling difference between "chicken" and "chicken meal" - but I digress.
Corn has to be the first ingredient to get as much meat as we can into the dog food!! It is not a cheap filler. (I know - I pay the bills.)
The beauty of corn meal? Over 60% of the naturally occurring fat in corn is Omega 6 aka Linoleic Acid, a powerful anti-oxidant. The Omega 6 factor is also part of what helps create a healthy hair follicle.
Plus, there's more to a pet food than base ingredients; there is the supplementation factor as well. But that's another blog :)
My journey through the last nine years of owning a pet food company has been eye-opening to say the least. I understand the scrutiny every company is under right now and appreciate the people who are aware of how expansive the wet food recall was; and that dry food is under deep suspicion as well.
There are many times my dog food is passed over for having corn in it and even worse in the mind of the consumer, it is the first ingredient. Give me a bit to explain this to you, because it makes total sense to me.
A dog needs carbs - that is just a fact. Rice, potatoes, oatmeal, rye, millet, wheat, sorghum - these are just some of the sources to get that starch from. The 'grain free diets' are still using some form of starch for carbs.
Digestibility seems to be one of the problems folks have with corn. If you go to the faq part of my website, you will see the results from a scientific study that shows corn grain is 89.3% digestible. That is exactly what corn meal is - the whole grain that is fine ground. It has been potentially confusing since raw corn comes to mind when seeing corn meal on an ingredient label; even then, what is visible in even our own stool doesn't mean that the corn hasn't done it's job in servicing the body. It merely indicates that the fat and carbs have been squeezed out during digestion and you're looking at the hull that the body didn't need.
Allergic reactions to corn is another thing that draws suspicion for some (wheat and soy are more likely allergens. Less than 10% of allergic reactions in pets are due to diet. I strongly advocate having blood work performed on a pet if they are displaying allergic symptoms. Right at a time when their body is needing nutritional stability the most, people are sometimes advised to do 'process of elimination' diets. They buy a food without corn and see if the symptoms persist. They buy a food without chicken and see if the symptoms persist. On and on, while the poor pet is needing stable nourishment. One thing that makes this process very inefficient is that when you buy a food, you have no knowledge on what grade of different ingredients have been used. If your dog has problems with a grade five corn product - corn was potentially not the issue - the low grade of the ingredient was the harm. And I can write about this with confidence, since so many people have given me feedback about wanting to try Kumpi dog food, since their friend's dog did so well on it; they were concerned because process of elimination led them to believe corn was the culprit. They borrowed some of their friend's food and started blending it slowly with their current dog food, only to find their dog did wonderfully!!! Biggest moral of the story for this paragraph - if your pet displays allergic symptoms, have blood work done to find out what the allergy is. If it is seasonal or environmental you can keep the nutrition stable (whatever you choose to feed) and get on with helping their body out per your veterinarians protocol and your pet's test results.
The first ingredient. I'd like to draw from a quote by Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins who was on the initial senatorial panel for the pet food hearings. She posted an incredible rebuttal to the comments made by The Pet Food Industry representative. Here is part of her comments.
"An example of ingredients splitting: Pet food companies who wish to disguise the amount of cereals in their products will list several different cereals instead of using just one (not top quality cereals either) so that what meat IS in their products will legally be listed as the one of the first ingredients. In many, if not most of these foods, cereal actually makes up the majority of the food, but consumers see 'chicken' as one of the top 2-3 ingredients and think that chicken is a predominant component of the food. This is 'smoke and mirrors.' "
When Kumpi dog food was first formulated, my nutritionist said I had two choices; to look like the best food (regarding the ingredient label) or be the best food. That's a no-brainer for me since this was first pursued for my own dog; then for my student's dogs. What the label read like didn't make any difference to me. The irony is that having a grain as a first ingredient gave him the ability to put in that much more meat. Huh???? Ok, look at it this way - if you were formulating one ton of food (2000 lbs):
First Ingredient is MEAT - 301 lbs.
Second Ingredient is GRAIN - 300 lbs.
Third Ingredient is GRAIN - 300 lbs.
Fourth Ingredient is GRAIN - 300 lbs.
(fat, fiber, etc. rest of the formula) - 5799 lbs.
We've got our one ton recipe ready to go. Meat is the first ingredient. But there is far more grain in the food when you add things up. This is part of the smoke and mirrors that Dr. Hodgkins is referring to. Also on my website is the startling difference between "chicken" and "chicken meal" - but I digress.
Corn has to be the first ingredient to get as much meat as we can into the dog food!! It is not a cheap filler. (I know - I pay the bills.)
The beauty of corn meal? Over 60% of the naturally occurring fat in corn is Omega 6 aka Linoleic Acid, a powerful anti-oxidant. The Omega 6 factor is also part of what helps create a healthy hair follicle.
Plus, there's more to a pet food than base ingredients; there is the supplementation factor as well. But that's another blog :)
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