KumpiKares

LOVE IT!! Happy Valentine's Day All :)

2012-02-14T13:46:00.000-08:00

Its working out great actually. My dog is about 2 and a half years old now and I think Kumpi is his 6th food that I've tried. On most foods, he had problems with diarrhea and/or allergy flare-ups. It wasn't like I was buying low-end food either; they were all vet recommendations, but nothing seemed to be working for my dog. I think the worst symptom-wise was Blue Buffalo. Royal Canin wasn't much better. I finally found one that worked reasonably well (Wellness Simple Solution.. had some intermittent problems with it, but it was much better than anything else I had tried up to that point). He was on that for probably 3/4ths of a year until the vet where I bought the food from changed management and decided they would no longer carry it. There wasn't anywhere else in the area that really sold it, so I wasn't really sure what I was going to do.

While I was at work one day, I was talking to a co-worker about how the vet office was now under new management and mentioned that they said they would no longer carry Jake's food. XXXXX, who sits in the cubicle next to me, said he had something for me to check out and sent me a link to your site. He said he's been using Kumpi for years with good results. I liked what I saw so I decided to order a medium-sized bag as a trial, since my supply of Wellness Simple Solution was widdling down. I transistioned my dog onto Kumpi over the course of the next week and a half or so and he seemed to adjust much quicker than I would have thought. He has been fine ever since; no more stool problems or anything of that nature.

Another great benefit is that I was paying $63 or so for a 26 lb. bag of Wellness from the vet's office (which was an additional stop on the way home from work and they often didn't have the big bags in stock so I'd have to buy the tiny bags that my 90 lb dog puts down in no time). Your food is less expensive, lasts longer, works better, and comes straight to my door. Most importantly, he eats it and he seems to like it. I know that sounds like a corny testimonial line, but its the truth. I'm glad that my dog food search is over.

Thanks,
Alex

K Cal's Explained

2011-12-14T09:39:00.001-08:00

Hello -

On each of the variety pages, the Calorie Content for 1 cup has the notation 1 cup = 5 oz. Is this a mistake on each page, or were the calculations done differently? The calorie numbers seem correct when compared to other foods (382 for senior, 530 for adult, 572 for puppy) so I want to assume that someone incorrectly put "5 oz" instead of the proper 8 oz on each page, but I want to double check!

Sarah

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hiya Sarah ~

The listings on the pages are correct. When we as a pet food company list the K Cals in the food, we are
to use the glass 'one cup' Pyrex container to report those. This is kin to a pound of feathers vs. a pound
of rocks. The volumetric density can change a lot from one food to another depending on the size of the
kibble. It's a professional courtesy that we list how many ounces of food there are when that Pyrex cup
is filled.

If you take and fill that one cup Pyrex container there will be a wide variety of weights and there are five
ounces of Kumpi dog food vs. four or eight. That way it's easier for the customer to get a better idea of
how many calories they are feeding their dog - one 'scoop' can vary a lot from customer to customer. When
it gets boiled down to actual ounces of food that makes it easier for them to adapt their portion size by the
weight of the food vs. 'one cup' which has so many variables.

Good question and thanks for writing!!

Evy

Mail Bag :)

2011-12-04T10:27:00.001-08:00

Evy,

I just wanted to thank you for such an amazing product for my best friend and companion since he can't tell you himself! I heard about Kumpi through a co-worker, who doesn't even own a dog. He kept raving about his friend's dog and how soft and shiney the dog's coat is and that they feed their dog Kumpi and how I should feed my boy, Keeto, Kumpi too. We are a week into his first bag, and although Keeto has a pretty good coat to begin with, I can already tell a difference and so can all the students at the school I work at. So now it is my turn to pass on the word and sing the praises of your product!

Thank you,
Lauren

Now THIS is what it is all about to me!! Get past reading labels and all the whoopty that companies create. Try just ONE bag of Kumpi and see if you don't get amazing results for YOUR dog (or cat) too!

Dog Allergy Pupdate From August

2011-09-08T14:21:00.003-07:00

Remember Moose?? The Saint Bernard mix that was scratching so bad? Just got this email:

Evy,
My name is Charleen, my neighbor and best friend Becky told me about your dog food. I found a rescue puppy in Colorado this summer. Our little "monster" is named Moose, she is 14 weeks old. They told us she was Saint Bernard and Mastiff we love her no matter what she turns out to be. Moose seemed to have a food allergy and was scratching all of the time. She had no hair on her tummy due to scratching and just did not seem happy. Becky told us about your dog food and asked us to try it. Moose has been eating the dog food for 3 weeks. Her coat is so soft and healthy looking, she has lots of energy and is acting like a puppy. Our daughter tells her friends that her new dog food has "puppy crack" in it. Moose has energy and is bouncing around with a smile on her face. This miracle dog food has brought fun loving life to our puppy. Thank you so much for such a great product.

Charleen

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I am posting these emails to show that 'allergies' can be a bucket term and often the body just needs a HUGE boost to the immune system. SO many dogs are thriving on Kumpi dog food - 'allergy causing' corn and all!! There is so much to a dog food product that a label just can't tell you.

If you are feeding Kumpi, thanks for your trust. If you aren't, why don't you give it a try? It's a great alternative to corporate America! I work from home and I am PASSIONATE about our pets being the healthiest they can be!

Evy

Allergies? (mailbox time again!)

2011-08-30T11:05:00.002-07:00

Hi Evelyn,
My cat Skipper has been eating Kumpikat food for over a year now.
I recently received a new bag of cat food. About that time he has started to scratch and lick and groom himself ALOT. He has 2 red places where the fur is gone. Just wondering if you have heard of this before. Nothing else has changed for him. He is an inside cat and never has been outside. We do not have any other animals in the house. He has never had fleas. and I do not see any sign of fleas now. I thought I would check with you since you are very familiar with animals, before calling the vet. Thanks for any help you can give me. Linda

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hiya Linda ~

I'm so sorry to hear about Skipper! The only thing I'm thinking about is I know this time of year,
we get a LOT of spider activity. My kitty girl is indoors only too and that concerns me every summer
going into fall. Pollen counts are another thing to consider too for indoor cats. They are inside,
but that stuff can still get inside.

Odds are very strong that it isn't the food Linda. I would hesitate to do a diet change; I'd call your
vet's office, but also hope they are open to the fact that 10% of reactions like this are dietary.
A lot of vets jump on diet too soon and then the dog/cat is still left struggling with the real issue.

Do keep me posted if you don't mind!

Evy

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I would like to avoid the vet if possible. I think I will wait a few more days and see how he does. This has been going on for almost 2 wks though.
I had changed the cat litter to Tidy Cat. I usually use Arm & Hammer. Changed back to A & H today--so hope that does the trick! :>) He has never had this much itching before --since we have had him.
Just thought you may have some natural remedy. I did not want to put Benedryl cream or cortosone cream --thinking he would lick it off and I don't know what that would do to cats. Thanks for your help. I will let you know what happens. Linda

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I did recommend that Linda try some aloe on the red spots. But a change in cat litter didn't even occur to her as being the source of the problems with all of the itching and scratching.

I'm taking the time to post some of these since I work with so many dogs/cats after the fact; after hundreds of dollars are spent at the vet. So many on steroids that come over to a Kumpi product and find relief!! PTL!!!

Allergies? Mailbox time.....

2011-08-30T10:50:00.002-07:00

This is an email I received earlier this month....

Hello Evy;
As you know I've been buying Kumpi now for the last year or so for my "kids". I have a friend that is having problems with her puppy and I'm hoping you can help. Cel was the one who recommended you when I purchased my puppy last July. My friend has a 3 month old female mix. They believe that she is English Mastiff and Newfie. The got her from the Humane Society in Colorado. The puppy is named Moose. Moose has had several problems over the last couple of months.

She has been scratching constantly pretty much since they brought her home. The vet here in Casper suggested childrens benadryl last week. Now today, she has raised red blotches on her underside, mostly in the creases around her legs, all 4. She will scratch all over. The vet has also suggested taking away the puppy food she was on, as it had chicken as the main ingredient. Do you have any suggestions? Would Kumpi be something that she could try? She is also giving cheese for rewards and to hide the meds in, and is thinking maybe it's the dairy products. The vet gave her a topical spray to use for the next few days to help with the raised bumps. Any advise you may have would be greatly appreciated. I do not want to undermind her vet and his advice, but rather help my friend who is at her wits end.

Thank you,
Becky

TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT - HERE IS THE EMAIL I RECEIVED AFTER SENDING A BAG OF KUMPI FOR MOOSE!!

Well so far so good. Moose is eating well and the joke now is that there must be "puppy crack" in there because Moose seems frisky after eating! We all think she is feeling good and finally acting like a puppy.

TO BE CONTINUED but the moral of the story is, don't just treat symptoms. It is so important that the immune system is built up and Kumpi truly helps with that for so many reasons. Check out KUMPI TV at kumpi.com to learn why :)

Happy Customer AND Dog :)

2011-04-07T11:48:00.000-07:00

Hi Evy!

How’s things? Recommended Kumpi to some friends – Ron & Denise – for their Golden Retriever. She was a fussy eater and I let her into my treat bag one day at their house, which was filled with Kumpi, and she cleaned it out! They ordered some and told me she is loving it – they are not having to “add” things to her food to get her to eat. Another happy Kumpi customer!!

Happy Spring (I just know it will be here soon!)

Kandy

Kumpi Products Are Gluten Free!!

2011-03-11T16:43:00.002-08:00

I am reading more and more online hype about corn and how it's gluten clogs the villi in the intestines.

The opposite is true of our product line - the ingredients and supplements do an incredible job of cleaning the intestines!!

Kumpi dog and cat food are GLUTEN FREE.

Don't trust everything you read online - try contacting a Department of Agriculture in your state for FACTS.

Or research SCIENCE and not opinions.

Kumpi products were designed and crafted with science at the forefront. No matter how many web sites and online
pet food analysis things you can read - Kumpi cat and dog food perform over the years. And that is what counts!!

Instead of reading about, try it out and see if I'm not right. This is personal to me, since I started this company to
protect my own pets. My nutritionist is premiere knowing multi-species nutrition with clients like The San Diego
Zoo.

And there is NOTHING FROM CHINA in the food. I'm not dodging an issue and saying, "Everything is sourced in the
USA (from vendors who source from China." I am saying I've gone to the expense to protect our pets and there is
NOTHING FROM CHINA.

Does your twenty pound bag of cat food feed five medium to large cats for two months?? You really need to find
out what you are missing on. Well, let me rephrase that - your pet is the one missing out and if you love them you
owe it to them to just give Kumpi one month to see what a personally crafted company can do.

Considering The Cat Food??

2011-02-19T19:31:00.001-08:00

Please feel free to use this information in your testimonials. Tim and I are such fans of KumpiKat.

My husband and I have three Maine Coon cats, of which two are retired show cats. As you may be aware, Main Coons have very long, shaggy coats. We have always had difficulty with hairballs with all of our cats who have ever graced our home. This was certainly true of our Maine Coons. Since feeding them KumpiKat, we NEVER have hairballs! This is truly amazing. KumpiKat is a miracle cat food. Our kitties love the food and their coats continue to be silky and shiney, even though they are becoming senior citizens. Tim and I recommend this exceptional cat food to anyone who has cats!

Deanna and Tim

Evy's Comment: And truly, four pounds of KumpiKat feeds like eight pounds of other cat food. I sure hope you give it a try!!

Fancy?? Trend??

2011-02-17T14:33:00.002-08:00

When I got to Vitamin Cottage, I said to the stocker, you must sell alot of this! He said, ya, its not the best label though..I said, well, I have tried the best labels..my dog doesn't do well on "fancy"...and let me tell you....poor guy heard it-from an enthusiastic shopper. I explained FANCY and TREND are NOT the best...but basic, clean, and made with intention are the stronger products. He looked puzzled then said, ya, we have some very loyal customers for Kumpi, that's for sure! LOL.

Comment from Evy:

Fancy and trend aren't of any value to me. I wasn't trying to start a pet food company 13 years ago - I just wanted to be able to refer a food with a clear conscience. That and losing my own dog to cancer so young really hit home. If YOU could start a pet food company and have access to such a premiere multi-species nutritionist to formulate your product, Kumpi is what you'd be doing. Nutrition is it's own science and sadly, marketing and advertising are much flashier. But the results will tangibly show why Kumpi products are such a great product for your pet and a value for your pocketbook.

Shout Out To K9 Mako !!

2011-02-08T10:12:00.002-08:00

K9 Mako is a 3-year old dark sable German Shepherd from Czecho-slovakia. K9 Mako serves the Manassas City Police Department in Virginia. K9 Mako is certified as a Patrol Utility K9 which includes tracking, building searches, locating articles and evidence, and apprehending criminals. He is also certified as a Narcotics Detection K9, capable of finding the odors of many illegal narcotic substances, including pills and other drugs.

K9 Mako lives with his Handler, Officer Russ McAndrews, and enjoys chasing his toys when he is not howling at fire truck sirens. K9 Mako enjoys watching COPS on television and frolicking in the snow.

K9 Mako is certified through the Virginia Police Canine Association, and has won several awards for his service. K9 Mako recently won the 2010 VPCA Narcotics “Case Of The Year” award for his work with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) in closing a narcotics case where $35,000 in cash was seized along with a firearm and ballistic vest. K9 Mako also won the 2010 Iron Dog Narcotics Vehicle Search award in the VPCA’s annual Iron Dog competition.

Kumpi salutes this team - and thanks them for trusting Kumpi!

Coupons/Samples

2011-01-14T10:43:00.002-08:00

I have heard of your product and have seen the bright colored bag(or shall I say lettering/sticker) at my vitamin cottage. You have caught my attention and I am wanting to try this product. Do you offer any sort of coupons?

Thank you!

Eager to try,
Allison

*******************************************************************************************************************************

Hiya Allison ~

Thanks so much for writing!! I have worked really hard at offering a product that 'corporate' America would never offer. The products always run as a 'fixed formula' vs. a rotating formula. Many people don't realize that one label can yield many different formulas and it's common for companies to do a commodity price check and morph the formula to the least expensive yield. I have never and won't do that. Plus, offering the premix and supplementation in the food with none of it sourced from China is crazy expensive. I haven't raised my prices in years and work on a very slim profit margin.

I do not offer coupons - if I could afford to sell the food at a cheaper price, then I'd lower the cost. In the end, the consumer
ends up paying for coupons on products, since the company needs to raise the overall price to accommodate doing that. I run pretty straight and true blue. I hope you do try the food and let the incredible results you'll see in your pet speak to my decision. Just wanted to mention that the same is true of samples - the packaging is not only costly, but the oxidation of the product may not give you a true snap shot of the food.

You will see tangible results on a consistent basis; everything in the food from the core ingredients, to the supplementation is all the best of the best. In my mind, the profits shouldn't be going to a bunch of shareholders or even the president - the true profits belong to the cats and the dogs we love so much.

Again, thanks for writing and I hope you do try the food and keep me posted about the results!

Evy
President
Kumpi Pet Foods

Science vs Marketing

2010-07-16T13:43:00.003-07:00

Maya is doing well on the Kumpi.. funny story that I think you’ll appreciate.. . I was actually going to call you about it… I went to xxxxxxxxxx to get her a bone because they have her favorite bones and they asked me why I stopped buying my food there and I told them because they don’t carry the brand that she loves… they asked me what kind and I said Kumpi… they turned up their noses looked at each other and said well we stopped carrying that because it has corn in it.. and I was like well my dog is happy on it, isn’t itching nearly as much, and eats it like crazy so I don’t see any issues with that… they were shocked… not sure I’m getting my bones from them anymore… didn’t like their attitudes…

Oh and my roommate’s dog is on Kumpi now too

Evy's Comment:

Another person who learned to look beyond a label to learn about the science of corn vs. the marketing about it!! The science about corn in on the Kumpi website, but I have to say that these emails make me sooo happy!!

It almost reminds me of the jokes about folks who say, "No, I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV." Too many amateurs and hobbyists online who don't understand how intricate the process of pet food making is. But I am grateful for those who at least try one bag and let the results speak for themselves!

Recall: Cetyl M Dietary Supplement For Dogs

2010-04-12T18:59:00.000-07:00

Response Products, of Broken Bow, Neb., is voluntarily recalling Cetyl M for Dogs, because the product could be contaminated with salmonella. Contaminated pet food can infect animals as well as people who have not handled the products properly. No illnesses have been reported, according to the company. The dietary supplement for dogs was distributed nationwide through direct sales, stores, veterinarians and online retailers. The recall involves lot numbers 1210903 and 0128010. For more information, consumers can call 1-877-266-9757.

Always Tested, Always Held

2010-02-18T15:35:00.003-08:00

In light of recent recalls, I wanted to give my manufacturer - Crosswind PetFoods - a huge shout out for their integrity and excellence. They began the protocol of holding my product and testing it (salmonella, e-coli, pathogens, broad spectrum bacterium - you got the picture) before it was even released to me.

Keep in mind that takes up precious space for them, having to hold on to the food for at least three days until all of the test results come back in. Add up all of the other folks that they are making product for and it adds up. This is nothing I have requested, by the way; this is just their own protocol due to their interest in making sure nothing sneaks up on them......or their customers.

In the world of pet food opinions, I know that my label have been summarily bashed for having "corn" in it, let alone the first ingredient. Sadly, many never read on and learn the whole story and realize how they have been duped by the pet food industry. Those with friends who have strongly advocated the food and many who are at their wit's end with what they were feeding - those who have fed and seen the results, they are the wise ones.

A label cannot tell you the grade of an ingredient. A label can hide many things.

Just don't be too quick to scratch a dog food off your list because you see corn as an ingredient - that could be one of the worst decisions you could make!!

Nature's Variety Recall

2010-02-11T19:03:00.001-08:00

LINCOLN, Neb., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Nature's Variety has initiated a voluntary recall of their Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet for dogs and cats with a "Best If Used By" date of 11/10/10 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The only products affected are limited to chicken medallions, patties, and chubs with a "Best If Used By" date of 11/10/10. No other Nature's Variety products are affected.

The affected products are limited to the Nature's Variety Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet packaged in the following forms:

3 lb chicken medallions (UPC# 7 69949 60130 2) with a "Best If Used By" date of 11/10/10
6 lb chicken patties (UPC# 7 69949 60120 3) with a "Best If Used By" date of 11/10/10
2 lb chicken chubs (UPC# 7 69949 60121 0) with a "Best If Used By" date of 11/10/10

The "Best If Used By" date is located on the back of the package above the safe handling instructions. The affected product was distributed through retail stores and internet sales in the United States, and in limited distribution in Canada.

If you are a consumer and have purchased one of the affected products, please return the unopened product to your retailer for a full refund or replacement. If your package has been opened, please dispose of the raw food in a safe manner by securing it in a covered trash receptacle. Then, bring your receipt (or the empty package in a sealed bag) to your local retailer for a full refund or replacement.

Nature's Variety became aware of a potential problem after receiving a consumer complaint. Subsequent testing indicated that the lot code related to the consumer complaint tested negative for Salmonella. However, additional subsequent testing found the "Best If Used By" date of 11/10/10 to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Ear Infection/Dry Coat Problems

2010-02-11T09:51:00.002-08:00

Hi Evy,

Our chocolate lab, Joe, has been on your food since around Thanksgiving of this year and it seems to have cleared up his ear infections very well! However, we do have one question for you...

Right now Joe is shedding like nothing we have ever seen! I just filled up an entire plastic grocery bag with his hair from brushing him. I'm not sure if this is a "seasonal shed" gone crazy--or what is going on, but he has been on the food for about 3 months and this just started a few weeks ago. Does this seem normal and have you heard this happening to other dogs on the food?

Thanks for any help!

Tati

Hiya Tati ~

Thanks so much for writing! I'm so glad to hear that Joe's ear infections cleared up so well.

The shedding problem that he is going through is totally normal and really great news for you!! When the hair follicle is well saturated with oil, it does not break off that easily. Many dogs go through a horrible 'coat blow' after being on the food for a couple of months - and I've heard that the first seasonal blow after being on the food is a doozy. The reason this is good news is that their former nutritional state may not have been that great - and now with Kumpi you will see a gorgeous coat fill in.

Glad you wrote and asked!!

Evy

USA Chicken / Beef

2010-01-19T14:21:00.005-08:00

I came across this article about Russia's ban on importing chicken from America.

http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/fsncache/

Another article - interesting that Canada does not pursue this practice.

https://research.tdwaterhouse.ca/research/public/Markets/NewsArticle/1314-LDE60E0XC-1

Just a note to anyone who might be concerned, the chicken used in Kumpi products are not subjected to the injections of chlorine or any other additives. The chicken IS screened for salmonella, e-coli and other pathogens before it is considered for use in the food and the same screening is done after the product has been made.

Found this about beef:

http://fwix.com/olympia/share/b2aaadde08/food_safety_doubtful_researchers_say

Gee, there are days with all the crazy recalls that I feel my pets food is safer than what I eat!!!

Treat Recall / FDA Link

2010-01-15T08:32:00.001-08:00

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm197700.htm

FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: January 14, 2010
Media Inquiries: Ira Allen 301-796-5349, ira.allen@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA Health Alert for Merrick Beef Filet Squares Dog Treats Packaged and Distributed by Merrick Pet Care
Products may be contaminated with Salmonella

The U. S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to use Merrick Beef Filet Squares for dogs distributed by Merrick Pet Care with a package date of “Best By 111911” because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The product was distributed nationwide through retail stores and Internet sales.

Although no illnesses associated with these products have been reported, the FDA is advising consumers in possession of these products not to handle or feed them to their pets.

In December 2009, the FDA conducted routine testing of Merrick Beef Filet Squares and detected a positive finding for Salmonella. A follow-up inspection found deficiencies in the packaging and manufacturing processes.

Salmonella can affect both humans and animals. People handling dry pet treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the treats or any surfaces exposed to these products. Consumers should dispose of these products in a safe manner by securing them in a covered trash receptacle.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Although rare, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart), arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their health care provider immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may experience only a decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed any of the affected product or is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The affected Merrick Beef Filet Squares were packaged in a 10-ounce green, red and tan re-sealable plastic bag. The “best by” date is imprinted on the top portion of the bag, which is torn off when the bag is opened. The FDA recommends that consumers who are unable to determine the “best by” date discontinue use of the product.

Consumers can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food and pet treat products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in their area. Please see http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/ReportaProblem/ucm182403.htm for additional information.

Treat Recall / FDA Link

2009-12-10T12:35:00.002-08:00

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm193736.htm

Until my time can free up some more, I will be posting recalls on my blog.

I am planning on starting a link on the homepage to advise you of any
recalls and/or substantiated withdrawals by the manufacturer or FDA.
Until then, keep an eye on my blog.

Cats & Throwing Up (happy ending!!)

2009-12-04T10:24:00.000-08:00

Hi Evy, the kitties are no longer throwing up...thank God I found you! Happy holidays! Dawn

Welcome Back!!

2009-12-04T08:53:00.001-08:00

Hi Evy!

I don't know why, but we tried some XXXXXXX dog food- multiple types. and ALL of them make Snickle throw up and scratch. Not sure what they are putting in their food, but it causes Snicks problems. We've NEVER had a problem with your food...and am happy to be reordering!

Thanks again for making such a great food!

Emi

(many folks are trying to save money and trying other brands and that's ok, I understand - but don't be surprised if......)

Breaking News (love it!!)

2009-11-22T10:14:00.001-08:00

Hi Evy -

Breaking news . . . our border terrier, who has had bad breath forever (a sign of a digestion problem), now is shed of it, thanks to a couple of months on Kumpi. We even let her kiss us now.

And, our slightly oversized Airedale is looking stronger in his rear hindquarters, we've even put him back into obedience training classes, thanks to Kumpi.

(I absolutely LOVE my inbox!!!)

Thanksgiving :)

2009-11-20T09:44:00.001-08:00

Our dog, Hank, is a nine year old mixed breed who goes to Ft. Fido Day Care daily. The owners introduced us to Kumpi in January 2009 and since then we have seen an improved activity level. His coat is shiny and soft. We recommend Kumpi to all our friends and relatives with pets.

When You Are Going To Switch 'n See The Changes?

2009-11-19T09:18:00.001-08:00

I switched my 7 yr old black lab to Kumpi @ 3 months ago. He was previously on XXXXXXX for several years but as he grew older I noticed various issues developing including lower energy and gastrointestinal problems. I then switched him to XXX high protein (their marketing and related research was very convincing) for a few horrible months resulting in even lower energy levels, itching, and terrible stomach problems. I was just about to switch back to XXXXXXX and be resolved that he was just slowing down due to age when I became aware of Kumpi. After much research, I purchased a bag (drove 35 miles away from my home) I am amazed at how much his activity level has increased, improved coat, and no stomach issues. He hasn't acted like this for 3 years. Now I discovered that you deliver directly to my home, even better. Thank you very much for developing this food and improving our dog's life.

Best Regards,

Anthony

Straight From My Inbox!

2009-10-02T10:34:00.001-07:00

Thank you - my now, one year old lab (rescue) was abused as a pup - her back leg was broken in two spots that grew back together (unfortunately they could not do surgery to fix it). She was on arthritis meds and pain killers until I found your product. I was able to take her off all of the pain medication after about a month of her eating Kumpi! Her coat looks GREAT as well! She has been doing so well since I have switched. Thank you for all your research and such a wonderful product!

Sincerely,

Gayle

I cannot guarantee this will happen for every dog, but ZOWWEE - this makes my heart sing!!! Evy :)

Mommy Ran Out of Kumpi (Oh No!!)

2009-09-25T14:24:00.001-07:00

My dogs - they KNOW the box, right? So, I drag it into the house and sit by the front door… They watch it. Then just a while ago, I drag it up onto the counter to cut it open and I look down and all FOUR are sitting there looking at me…. I cut open the bag and they take their places by their bowls. LOL… I think they were telling me something. LOL as in - ITS ABOUT TIME FOOL! :)

Thanks for the bag. :)
Ang

(thanks for sharing this Ang - just too funny!! LOL - Evy)

L'Shanah Tovah !

2009-09-18T18:58:00.000-07:00

Skin Problems??

2009-07-14T14:41:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to say thank you so much for making Kumpi dog food! I love this food! My dog is so happy and so healthy! She used to have itchy flaky skin and she has been on Kumpi for a year now with no problems. I got a German Shepherd puppy on friday and feed her Kumpi adult while I'm waiting for Kumpi puppy in the mail, she loves it! I can't wait to see how she grows and develops on Kumpi!

Thank you!

-Amanda

(emails like this make me SO happy!!)
Evy

No More Garbage Breath!

2009-07-12T12:36:00.001-07:00

Hi Evy, The food is working out great. No problems switching their food or anything. My boxer's famous "garbage breath kisses" have gone away...wow...explain that one to me!!!

Thanks for your great product!!
Cynthia

(I wrote Cynthia and explained that Kumpi cleans 'em up from the inside out!)

Random Questions 'n Answers

2009-05-14T15:26:00.002-07:00

The Email With A Question

I'm curious about your dog kibble and will consider trying it. Of course I've heard and read about the corn issue. My other concern is that there doesn't seem to be any variety in flavors. Everything I've read says that a rotation of flavors, and even brands are good for the dog. I'd hate to eat the same stuff every day of my life and I don't think dogs like it either. How do you address that concern with your product? I've been feeding XXXXXXX but have changed to XXXXXXX dry kibble.

My Answer

When it comes to nutrition, more and more evidence is pointing to keeping a diet as standard as possible; at least that is what is coming down the pike from the likes ofvet schools like Tufts and Cornell i.e. advice given to law enforcement. It seems to be one factor in bloat. Plus, you may have noticed that the 'variety' diets don't have a consistent protein level and from a scientific point of view, keeping that standard helps the body maintain its best balance.

Part of the reason I began a product line (while I was still teaching dog behavior) was that 'reading what everyone says' about nutrition just got so confusing. There is the science of nutrition and then there is the science fiction of marketing and advertising. A band wagon starts, does well and many jump on. I just want a diet that is consistent, the best for my dog and manufactured by folks I trust.

I'd eat filet mignon everyday with no problem!!

Intriguing Testimonial

2009-03-18T08:25:00.001-07:00

I have been professionally working dogs for 20 years, working dogs for the United States Army and U.S. Customs. When I started in this industry, there were two big names in dog food producing positive results. Those foods are still around, however their product has changed drastically over the years, from outsourcing to cost cutting. My working dogs require the same attention as house dogs, just that if they are not healthy, I was not working.

Good nutrition is needed to sustain the demands of daily work and training as well as continue with a healthy diet and I wanted to find a food that would produce results. Researching foods for my training facility, I tried many different diets from raw to the best market brand kibble available. I also searched the internet for more information about the foods I was using. These studies were mostly generated by the food companies and were one sided.

While working with a fellow handler from a different agency, I noticed how shinny and soft his black labs coat was. This dog was close to the same age as my working dog, but her energy levels continued when my dogs slowed. When asked the handler stated he was feeding a food called Kumpi, which like most I have never heard of, but was willing to try it. I called the number on the bag, and was very shocked to speak to the owner of the company, not a representative.

Evelyn Serpa was very knowledgeable about the dog food industry as well as the interworking of the dog and how food affects their health. She sent me one bag of food with the conditions that the proof was in the results. I put the food to the test and was impressed right away; enough to order one ton of dog food. I have not had one issue with drastically changing current food to Kumpi with dogs in our kennel. Owners even ask if I bathed their dogs as their coats were softer and shiner in just one week from the change in the food. I have also seen dogs not eat their food, but gobble down Kumpi, then refuse to eat their original food.

I could go on and on about the positive results I have seen from this food, but I won’t. The results are proof enough and if you want to get the proof, try one bag and tell me you're not impressed.

From "Premium" to Kumpi With A Hooray!!

2009-03-12T08:39:00.001-07:00

Dear Evy,
just a quick update:

Marbles is doing well and loving the Kumpi dog food! We are so pleased!

I returned the others (XXXXXXX XXX and XXXXX XX XXX XXXX) and started him right on Kumpi. He had mucus stools for the first two days, but it could have been from previous stuff as he was already having mucusy stools.
I was stunned to see how much he took to it, and STILL loves eating it. I sometimes give it dry, but most times add warm water and make it a soupy broth. (Is that ok?) Either way, he loves it.

So glad that it is gluten free!!!!

I bought the BIG bag, and I'm glad I did.

Thanks,
jennifer

Hooray!!! for Marbles :) I am so jazzed and always love hearing this. The first couple of days of mucous were just what you indicated; clearing out the old and making new for the health. I love it! I wouldn't moisten the food though; I would just feed it dry. Kumpi is like filet mignon to a dog and don't ever feel bad about feeding 'the same old dry dog food' to Marbles.

You're right too; I'm only a phone call away, even evenings and weekends. So far I haven't been affected by the recession, since more and more folks are discovering the value in a bag of Kumpi.

I'm glad you bought the BIG bag too! Better value :)

Thanks for the feedback and do keep me posted ~

Evy

Happy Great Dane!

2009-02-22T14:56:00.000-08:00

Dear Evy,

The Kumpi dog food arrived a few days ago I had it on the kitchen floor and was trying to open the box with a mat knife. I had it partially opened and Tito ran over, sniffed it and tried to tear open the bag! I made him sit stay until I had it open and put the food in his dish. He was so excited, he was in the sit stay position but was bouncing on his front paws from foot to foot. This food disappeared! I'll be ordering again...and again! Thanks for allowing me to order by Postal Money Order.

Tito the Great Dane and Deb from Pennsylvania

Finicky Eaters NOT :)

2009-02-17T17:59:00.000-08:00

Good evening Eva.

I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Kumpi. I just got home and my shipment was here. I have to tell you, that I have two very, very picky, finicky, snooty Yorkies and a Beagle who feels it is her right to eat ONLY what I feed the Yorkies (the Beagle’s food can ROT and she would STARVE before she would ever succumb to eating the breed specific dog food that I provide for her). Normally, any time I have ever introduced new food to any of our dogs, they turn their nose up and refuse to have anything to do with it (my male Yorkie, Chewy, has even gone so far as to hike his leg and urinate on the food dish). Tonight, I have witnessed a never before seen event!. Tonight, when I put Kumpi out for their review, my female Yorkie, Kitty, actually guarded the room entrance and refused to allow Chewy into the room where the food was located. Kitty intermittently ran into the room and gobbled up some food and then came back to guard the entrance. I finally had to pick Kitty up and physically prevent her from bullying her male counterpart. The Beagle, Savannah, is happy as a pig in slop…. She has polished off her portion of Kumpi. I will keep you apprised of events as they transpire.

Thank you for your commitment to great canine nutrition.

Robin

Good News From Dog Owners

2009-02-15T08:30:00.000-08:00

My dogs really like Kumpi, our yellow Lab has a very sensitive stomach and used to puke a lot, have not seen that happen since he eats Kumpi !

Thank You !
Angelika

Hi there!

I think I mentioned that I'd like to send you a picture of Laila with some comments...being a Boxer she's a "moving target".....just doesn't want to sit still for anything! I'm still going to try to do that, but wanted to let you know that she is a white dog, and you know how Boxers get stains on thier faces from tears? Hers are almost completely gone. She just LOVES her food.

Carolyn

Word Of Mouth - It's How We Grow!!

2009-02-14T07:24:00.003-08:00

Evy--My pedicure lady told me about it. She has recently started using it and she also found out about it by word of mouth. I appreciate your website and all the information and brand comparison. I am excited to try this--currently my dog is on XXXX venison formula (moist). I have wanted to switch to a dry (but healthy & nutritious) kind. I haven't found anything that I have wanted to try until now. I have a 6 yr. old Shihtzu. Thanks for your research and love for dogs and cats that you obviously want to share. I have told my daughter about this also--she is checking it out.

Deanna

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Evelyn!

My sister Kris told me about your cat food. My cat is 20 pounds and 11 years old. She does not move around much and I hardly see her because she does'nt want to climb the stairs. Kris told me about some of the testimonials and she has a friend who uses the cat food so I thought I would give it a try!

After using a small bag of it my cat has lost 3 pounds and comes upstairs at least 4 times a day!! I am so happy to see her energy level improve!

I will keep you updated!!
Thank you for your great product!
Sincerely,
Becky

First Ingredient Myths

2009-02-13T11:37:00.002-08:00

First ingredient myth. Pet food is formulated by the ton.

1st Ingredient – Meat – 320 pounds
3 grain ingredients in the first 12 on the label at 300 pounds each

Meat – 320 pounds (first ingredient – NOT the most)
Grain – 900 pounds
Fat, Dried Beet Pulp, miscellaneous ingredients – 780 pounds

Meat as the first ingredient can mean you are feeding a meat flavored cereal!!

Buyer beware.

Try ONE bag of Kumpi (guaranteed to not make your pet sick) and see the
difference a label cannot tell you!

Why Corn IS So Good (coming soon to the site!!)

2009-02-08T07:36:00.002-08:00

Research reported at the 2004 American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR)
International Conference on Food, Nutrition and Cancer, by Rui Hai Liu, M.D., Ph.
D., and his colleagues at Cornell University shows that whole grains, such as corn,
contain many powerful phytonutrients whose activity has gone unrecognized
because common research methods have overlooked them. Dr. Liu’s team
measured the antioxidant activity of various foods, assigning each a rating based
on a formula. Broccoli measured 80, Spinach 81, Apples 98, Bananas 65, but Corn
topped them all measuring a whopping 181.

The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends corn as part of a diet to
lower the risk of cancer and promote overall health.

Corn is also rich in the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin that have been associated
with lowering the risk of chronic disease.

Corn is also a good source of Thiamin which is a nutrient essential to good brain
cell health and mental function. The brain uses Thiamin to make a
neurotransmitter called acetylcholine which is essential for good memory.

Scientific research has determined that corn is a very good aid to prevent irondeficiency
anemia because it increases the absorption of this nutrient up to 50%.
The folic acid in corn is now known to be an important factor in preventing heart
disease according to studies that show folic acid can prevent a buildup of
homocysteine, whose long-term elevation has been linked to higher rates of heart
disease; folic acid helps break it down. Folic acid can also help to lower your risk
of heart attack and stroke.

Corn, when cooked, releases cancer-fighting compounds that are actually bound
to the vegetable fibers. Additionally, over 60% of the naturally occurring fat in corn is
the Essential Fatty Acid powerhouse antioxidant Linoleic Acid aka Omega 6.

It is very unfortunate that many people won’t buy a dog food with corn, due to the
vast miseducation regarding the true scientific facts of this wonderful ingredient. A
study posted on my web site shows the high digestibility factor of corn.

There has been a flurry online of activity of well meaning amateurs who don’t have a
background in nutrition. Think - when people eat raw corn and see the husk in their
stool they may not realize that the body has extracted precious nutrients. The
corn itself was digested; the shell was just passed on. Nutrition is a science and
Kumpi products are formulated from proven research. Be careful that you don’t
confuse the science of nutrition with the science fiction of marketing hype and
advertising.

THE Best Dog Food Testimonial From A Veteran

2009-02-02T17:39:00.001-08:00

Evy,

I just have got to tell you. You are on to something with this dog food. I have tried, tested, through trial and error oh gosh, over the last 15 years... maybe 20+ different dog foods. I have NEVER, EVER come across such a good product as Kumpi. Marilyn was NOT joking when she said it's the best dog food in the world. I believe it now. I am now passing around small bags of food to others that have dogs trying to convert, hehehe!

Le

First Ingredient Confusion

2009-01-14T11:26:00.002-08:00

If you could help me, I read this online about corn: While corn is a good ingredient as a carbohydrate source, it should never be listed first on the ingredient panel. Why is corn your first ingredient if its bad for dogs.
Robert

I am so glad you asked Robert!! This is one area where I know consumers can get very confused about reading ingredient labels. Corn is a GREAT ingredient if you have the time to read through the rest of the Kumpi website and as to it being the first ingredient. Think about it this way. (I will make this as simple as I can, so bear with me!)

Pet food is formulated by the ton. Check this out.....

301 lbs - 1st ingredient - MEAT

300 lbs - 2nd ingredient - GRAIN

300 lbs - 3rd ingredient - GRAIN

300 lbs - 4th ingredient - GRAIN

It's just a quick way to try and show how the first ingredient is not necessarily the "base" of a dog food. How with 301 pounds of meat and 900 pounds of grain can this be considered a meat based food??

I encourage consumers to read their label from the prospective of how grains can be 'split out' and made to appear minimal, when actually adding them all up can make them maximal.

Also, "fresh" chicken, turkey, etc. is usually about 70% moisture and drops down the label considerably when the food goes to cook. Seeing the word "meal" behind a meat or poultry source merely means the moisture has been wicked out at low temperatures. There's been so much fear-mongering about the word 'rendered' associated with the word 'meal' and render also can simply mean 'moisture removed.'

Thanks for the question!! I know it's confusing to read so many conflicting thoughts online. Many bring incomplete facts, no facts and little or no understanding about the science of nutrition; which is what Kumpi is all about.

Ok, before I need to copyright this, I'm going to sign off for now!

Evy

ACL Surgeries

2009-01-03T08:45:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much Evy!

Our border collie/aussie shepherd Lucky has been suffering from 2 separate ACL surgeries and probably arthritis. She is a new dog on your food! She can romp and play with her Beagle bud Zoey....and we know it's thanks to Kumpi food. We are your new fans!

Happy New Year to you and yours!
Lisa

Twice On New Years Day - YAY!

2009-01-01T20:14:00.000-08:00

I have been feeding my two cats the Kumpi cat and it has been wonderful. They LOVE the food and NO LONGER throw up!! They used to throw up pretty much everyday.

I have a new puppy, a 3 month old Greater Swiss Mountain dog and had a question about your dog food. I can not feed him food with more then 26% protein because it will cause him to grow too fast. In fact, at 16 weeks I need to take him off puppy food and give him adult. I would like to feed him Kumpi dog but was wondering how much protein your food has. Your chart said 22% minimum but I wanted to make sure before buying it.

Thank you for the wonderful food and I look forward to hearing from you. :)

All the best,
Holly

This Makes A New Year Day Happy!!

2009-01-01T09:46:00.002-08:00

Hi!

Our dog Cyrus was on XX for the first couple months we owned him (adopted from Maxfund here in Denver this past May). He never seemed all that healthy, though, his stools were goopy and his gas was noxious!

A coworker told me about Kumpi, and since I already was buying his food at Vitamin Cottage I decided to try it. Well, they were all out the first time I went in, and I had to wait another week before I could get him a bag.

Well, he LOVES IT! With the XX, he wouldn't finish his breakfast. Now he can't wait to be fed and he gobbles it down quickly. His stools are a lot firmer, his coat is shinier, and his gas is non-existent!

We will be temporarily moving to Alabama sometime this fall (for a year or so), and I will definitely be ordering his Kumpi food online. I don't know what else could possibly compare to this wonderful food... and I can't bear to feed him anything less.

Thank you so so so so much!!!

Vanessa
Lakewood, CO

Thanks To EVERYONE Who Has Referred Kumpi!!

2008-12-31T10:46:00.001-08:00

Hi Evelyn,

I was referred by Beverly. My Laila is a white boxer, and absolutely LOVES her Kumpi. She's about 6 years old, and has been acting like a puppy since she's been on it. I can't say enough good things about your product. Please feel free to use my endorsement however you like.

At any rate...what a great product!

Regards,
Carolyn

Kitty Kibble Size - Question Sent In

2008-12-26T12:20:00.001-08:00

Opened the new bag of Kumpi Kat today. Noticed the kibble was smaller - any reason?

Arthur and Patrick did not notice - they finished their bowls without coming up for air.

K

Hiya K ~

When pet food is made, there is a marginal parameter they work to stay within. Usually,
I have cat food run two or three times a year, to keep the stock fresher. So sometimes, the
kibble will be smaller; I have asked them as they are calibrating their equipment to factor
for a smaller kibble than larger if there will be any variation.

There has actually been a scientific study that indicates a dog fed the same exact formula
of food in different sized kibbles had better retention of nutrients with the smaller kibble;
that was accomplished by measuring fecal matter; it has to do with surface area.

When I first was choosing a kibble for the cat food, I was told that the X shape was very
popular, since many cats don't want to eat kibble that their saliva has already touched. It
allows some companies to factor in a % of loss to the customer from each bag. The crunching
of the kibble isn't what dictates dentition, as much as the acid/alkaline level in the body.
But, just like the fallacy that corn isn't digestible, the sell on the X shape being superior for
dentition seems to sell.

Thanks for the question! It's a good Q & A for my blog.....minus the personal information.

Evy

Cat Magic! (direct quote!!)

2008-12-17T17:43:00.000-08:00

Hi Evy,
just wanted to let you know that we finished our first 20 lb. KUMPI KAT and to our delight all 5 of my cats have the most amazing shiny coats. they are 10(2), 9 (2) and 5 )1) and no matter what i tried their coats remained flaky and somewhat dull. several months ago the vet recommended adding fish oil which i did for a while and that worked a little. we stopped the oil and the problem returned UNTIL we started feeding the KUMPI KAT. NO flaky, dry,dull skin just a lot of shine. thank you for your wonderful food....have a safe, healthy holiday.
Maryann
Carmel, NY

More Happy News!

2008-11-17T13:01:00.000-08:00

Evy,
I have been an avid kumpi user for 5 or 6 years now. I started my girls on it when I lived in Denver. I moved to LA about 15 months ago and tried other brands but my girls didn't do nearly as well (not to mention that they didn't like it). I came back to Denver to move my furniture over the summer and bought out vitamin cottage's supply of senior.
I then turned my amazing dog nanny onto Kumpi. She has seen the same results in her senior dogs and has blogged about your product to all of her customers. My girls are 13 & 15 with few health issues considering their ages & when I have them out at the park no one can believe their ages. I did see their coats get better, (much)better breath and energy levels skyrocket after I got them back on Kumpi.
Thank you for providing such an amazing product. I truly believe that this has contributed to their long healthy lives.
Thank you for doing wht you do and mking such. Great product!

Angeles wishes he had thumbs ...

2008-11-13T11:30:00.005-08:00

....then he could open his own bag without making a mess!

Special Kumpi Praises Link - So Cool!!

2008-11-13T11:12:00.003-08:00

Many thanks to Shannon and for her smarts! She started with just one bag (which is all I ever ask - please just give us a try) and you can read in her own words what her eyes have seen!!

Click here to read more.

Neighbors Share With Neighbors About Kumpi!!

2008-11-12T11:19:00.001-08:00

Evy,

I have good news! My neighbor came up to me today and said the dogs are doing FANTASTIC on Kumpi!!! They're no longer sick, but not only that, the poop is 'normal' finally. She also said that the Westie has always pooped like crazy, it seemed like he was just pooping everything he was eating and nothing was left for him yet he remained 'bloated'... needless to say, he's not pooping as much anymore and both dogs have a lot more energy than they've had in a very long time!!

She had a hard time returning the old dog food, as she had an unopened bag. Even with her receipt they argued with her about returning it because they didn't think anything was wrong with the dog food, so they didn't think it was a legitimate reason for her to return it. She told them it doesn't matter, she has an unopened bag and her recent receipt, they're obligated to return it, it even states so on the receipt. Finally they did, but not without it being a complete hassle.

Anyways, I just wanted to let you know how excited my neighbor is with Kumpi!!! :-D

Talk to you soon!

~Jenee'

Cool Testimonial!!

2008-11-12T11:17:00.000-08:00

hi evy... just want to tell you that not only has Kumpi worked for my JRT with kidney failure ( he is like a new dog, bouncy and healthy) BUT my Aussie of 14 years with bad hips and a vacant look in his eye now has a new lease on life... He is much sharper than before (mentally speaking) and is getting around much better as well ( without his arthritis medicine). Thought you would like to know about two more success stories!!! carol

More Good News!

2008-10-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

Senior vs Adult Dog Food

2008-10-21T15:27:00.001-07:00

Hi Evy,
I have 3 dogs: 2 senior dogs, who are both in their teens. The other one is 2 years old. I bought the senior dog food for the old guys and the adult for the young guy. What exactly is the difference? Would it be okay to have my younger guy on the senior food, or would he end up lacking nutrients? I’m due to buy my cats more food (I have 8). They never leave any of it behind like they did the cheap stuff.
Shannon

Hiya Shannon ~

Well, even with dog's in their teens, it doesn't mean that it's time for the senior formula. The senior formula is meant for the dog that just can't burn off the calories in the adult formula with 'normal' feeding. The biggest difference between the senior and adult formula's are the protein/fat levels - so you aren't ever losing nutrient value between the two. More and more anecdotal evidence leads to keeping dogs on the adult formula as long as possible, since their need for protein and fat don't really decrease until their activity level just drops so low that they cannot burn off the calories. Fat/protein are part of the system that fuels the body's ability to regenerate i.e. bone, blood, marrow, cells and IMHO and people I respect, bottoming that out prematurely can actually turn a dog into a senior if they don't have access to those nutrients.

As you see, there isn't a blanket answer for a dog just by age. Like people they are all so different; but I definitely wouldn't have a two year old dog on the senior formula at such low protein and fat. Some Dalmatians, just by breed proclivity, do better on a lower fat diet; but overall, a dog's best bet is the adult formula. And an FYI, Kumpi Adult Dog Food is an All Life Stages formula.

Thanks for writing!!

Evy

Irritable Bowel Feedback

2008-08-16T07:38:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to drop you a quick line and let you know we have just about finished the first bag and put in a order for the second bag of kumpi.We have two dogs and they seem to love kumpi. The german shepard has irritable bowel and has trouble with most food but has done great on kumpi. We have noticed an improvement in both of their coates. We are really excited to have the opportunity to purchase a dog food that is so healthy for our dogs.Thank you very much Evy for your pursuit of such a nutritious dog food.

Sincerely, Chris and Susan

Thanks For The Video Angeles!!

2008-07-31T17:09:00.006-07:00

You just started eating Kumpi Puppy food !!

Your dad really loves you and sent me such a special video and it's one of my favorite sounds in the world!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvPT3ZixApw

We will be watching for more videos as you grow :)

(y'all please forgive me about having to cut and paste the youtube url until I learn how to hyperlink! and mega thanks to Steve in Ohio for helping me figure it out!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvPT3ZixApw

Heart Warming For Me

2008-06-16T19:49:00.001-07:00

I just want to say how grateful my dog Rocco and I are for your dog food! I first used your product while living in Denver and working at The Vitamin Cottage. A customer recommended it for my 2 year old rescue from The Dumb Friends League who came to me with giardia and campylobacter and even after treatment had a very sensitive stomach. Your food was a miracle! He was cured right away and we went years with no stomach issues at all. When I moved to Chicago I was so happy you offered online ordering because the 3 bags I brought with me wouldn't last forever. Then my vet as well as the all XXXXXXX Pet Store next door convinced me that there were many other options for Rocco. I was skeptical after reading the long list of ingredients (with everything but the enzymes and probiotics that I feel are essential) but I bought a bag. Big mistake. It has gone from flatulence to diareha and needless to say we are once again your number one fans in Chicago.

Once again, you can argue label all you want to - you just cannot beat results!! Many thanks for taking the time to share! Evy

Yappy, the Ex-Professional Old Dog

2008-06-10T18:27:00.000-07:00

When mother died eleven years ago, I inherited her three-year old rescued Black Lab, Yappy. We were both grieving, and in my desire to comfort him I fed him, and fed him, and fed him some more. Yappy blossomed! Then we went through all possible diet dog foods; some made him ill, but none took of the extra weight.

Yappy, ten years later, was a “professional old dog”—comfortable with his overweight, he moved as little as possible. It was at this time we switched to Kumpi—Senior for him, because of his obesity.

Now, fourteen months later, I’m wondering what happened to my “professional old dog.” Yapps has slimmed to perfect weight, plus he’s gained so much energy he’s playing and romping with the young’uns more like a four-year old than a fourteen year old!

He really got my attention the other morning. A young adult Basset mix was just in front of him going down the deck steps. Her legs moved just as fast as Yappy’s but, being shorter, didn’t cover quite as much ground. Yappy stuck his nose under her hind end and she went down the steps like a wheelbarrow at Yappy speed.

I should have corrected his bad manners, but I was laughing too hard.

THANK YOU, KUMPI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mary S.

I Couldn't Resist - received June 6, 08

2008-06-06T18:12:00.002-07:00

I can’t afford to sell Kumpi here at the biz but I’ll be damned if I’m going to feed my dog crap food, and you can put that on your website. I switched to selling XXXXXXX because there is no minimum order and it’s local which saves me tons of money. My dog has been sick ever since, her coat looks like shxt and I’ve had enough. So…. You will be getting an order from me forever. Thank You so much for making such great food- I just wish I could afford to sell it here in bulk, maybe someday I’ll be rich and then I can.

Thanks
XXXX

names have been XXX'd out to maintain privacy, but I decided to post this to protect your dog/cat

They Said It For Me !

2008-05-30T17:43:00.004-07:00

Hi Evy, Thanks for your note about the increases. My concern is that you haven't increased the prices enough. I want you to stay in business even though I order only a small quantity. I cannot imagine the small (tiny) increase in your prices should be objectionable to any of your clients. Not that I am suggesting there is no limit on purchases, but the value of nutritious food saves many times over in vet bills and heartache (in my experience). Best wishes & thanks, Susan

Thanks for the headsup on the price increase. It's understandable. I have received numerous email alerts from the Pet Food Forum warning of tainted pet food. Each time I do, I count myself and my Belle, Eowyn and Bleu quite lucky to be using Kumpi and at no time ever doubted its purity and high quality. To maintain this confidence it is well worth the small increases you've announced. Keep up the great work and thank you. Best regards, Chuck

Evy - Thanks for the advance notice on your necessary price increase. Please don't give the fact that you have to raise prices a second thought. We are happy to pay the increase to ensure Daisy & Dylan (sibling 4 year old Yorkshire Terriers) get the best food available. Thanks for caring. Nola & Jim

Evy, don't lose sleep over your price increase. All prices are increasing, how could you possibly not? We're not looking for freebies, we're looking for peace of mind! I'm happy to see my friend Claire is also ordering Kumpi, her gigantic Pyr's hair coat is already way better, never was good! Now if only all my other friends would listen too!

To All: Don't ever worry that there won't be Kumpi to buy. I am frugal, working from my home and not interested in turning into a corporate monster company. I have turned down brokers from Petsmart, Petco and Costco. Nothing personal; I just want to keep the homey touch and keep the customer service up, getting to know my customers. I would rather be smaller and grow one at a time, the way it has vs. trying to be big and popular. Sidebar; the eyes are healing a lot slower than I hoped, but they are healing!! Thanks for the wonderful feedback and concerns. Blessings to all!

Another WOW!!!

2008-05-30T17:07:00.002-07:00

Thanks for your quickly reply. Just a quick note to tell you how much our dog enjoys Kumpi. We adopted Raven as a rescue dog when she was 8 weeks old. I had bought a brand new bag of Kumpi for our other dog, but we had to have her put down on December 14th and we had the Kumpi adult food here when we got Raven.

The first thing she did when she came through the door was tried to climb into the bag to eat the contents and the bag. We bought two more times. Then my husband went on strike for 12 weeks and we had to live on $200 per week for EVERYTHING, so we went to our local pet food store and bought a bag of XXXX.

Well, Raven didn't like it. She ate it out of necessity, but when she had her Kumpi she ate it IMMEDIATELY. The XXXX brand she left in the bowl until she was hungry and had nothing else. We also noticed that her coat was not as shiny and she is black. So, when my husband went back to work this week, I scraped together enough money to order a bag of her favorite food...KUMPI. She is only 7 months old, but has always had the adult food, cause that was what we had in the house when we rescued her.

Also, when she ate Kumpi she was never sick. Today she threw up all her breakfast portion of XXXX. We've also noticed she is not as perky as when she ate the Kumpi food. I think the XXXX was upsetting her stomach.

I thought you would like to know that Raven Marie will always be a KUMPI dog from this point forward.

Be blessed,

Wanda

Why I Work So Hard At This

2008-05-28T14:47:00.001-07:00

Evy. Here's to a quick recovery and that you will be able to see from here to eternity. Just an additional note. Holly went in for her second Lymn's booster yesterday and a quick once over. She had been spayed about a month ago but I hadn't gotten a chance to chat with our vet just staff. When he checked her over, he asked me again what I was feeding her as she weighed in at a healthy 12 lbs. When I told him "Kumpi" again. He said "great, keep it up. She is really looking good." I couldn't agree more. Again thanx and heal quickly. We need you. Phyllis

Thank YOU Phyllis for your kindness in taking the time to write and share. So many people get wrapped up in 'cornphobia' that they end up missing a great health experience for their furkid. I'm healing as fast as I can :)

Molly Kitty in Canon City CO

2008-05-18T18:11:00.002-07:00

Hi Evy - I am Molly, and I love your food. I was not very well for a long time, I was very thin and I had sores on my mouth. My Mama started me on this new Kumpicat food. I started feeling better and the sores finally went away. And so I do thank you. I like your food very much. I will be waiting at the kitchen window looking for my food from you. I still have a little left so you are not to worry about me. Molly in Canon City

Dear Molly ~

I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better! Your mom has told me how beautiful you've always been on the inside and how glad she is that it is showing on the outside too now. Hope you have a purrfect summertime!

Evy

WHEW!

2008-05-18T18:10:00.002-07:00

Eye surgery will really take it outta ya!! I've missed blogging and although I do still need to limit my computer screen time, I will be adding some testimonials a bit at a time. Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes!!

And When The Kumpi Is Gone?? (too cute Kelley!)

2007-12-20T16:05:00.000-08:00

Hi Evy,

Thanks for getting us back on auto-ship, the ‘second’ bag arrived just as the first was running low. I’ll tell you a funny story that shows how much our dogs, especially Scout, loves Kumpi. You are welcome to use (and edit) this story-should you wish.

You may recall since we obtained Scout, our 4th dog, we had Kumpi auto-shipped more frequently. Over several months we had an inventory building up and asked you to hold back until the dogs got caught up. A few weeks later when we were ready to auto-ship again and I e-mailed but nothing arrived. I realized I screwed up my new computer outgoing e-mail settings so you didn’t get my request when I intended (and of course they were down to the last kibble anyway ‘cause Dad is used to always having Kumpi on hand thanks to your awesome auto-ship!).

Four hungry dogs aren’t a happy bunch so off I went to our local premium dog food boutique, where I purchased a bag of XXX Oven Baked Fish flavor. Upon filling their bowls with the XXX I saw 4 scowling faces and no tail wagging. They clearly couldn’t believe I expected them to eat this! Thankfully, I soon fixed my e-mail to Evy and Kumpi was on the way.

When the Kumpi arrived I put the bag on the kitchen floor near the kibble dispenser. We ate dinner and chatted, watched some TV and the dogs got chewies. After a long while I noticed Scout wasn’t pasted to my side as usual. When I went to find her, there she was in the kitchen next to her bag of Kumpi! We could not budge the girl! She growled at the other dogs and when we stopped laughing and filled their bowls with Kumpi they all happily gobbled down the kibbles. Scout was especially pleased and all have wagging tails once again.

Kumpi has been great food for all our dogs. Not only do they actually enjoy eating it, each one has been extremely healthy, their fur is very soft and glossy but never oily to touch. Kaiser, our Belgian Malinois is 12 years old now and although he’s gray on his muzzle, he gets many compliments on how beautiful and soft he is. Trixie is about 8 and her jet blue-black fur is soft and gorgeous. Their pads are always in good order, eyes bright, ears clean and they smell good. I truly believe a quality diet is an essential step in providing quality care for our pets.

Thanks for re-starting the auto-ship for us again. I couldn’t have taken anymore of their disappointment!

Merry Christmas to you,

Kelley

Merry Christmas To Evy from Lucy and Snoopie

2007-12-19T11:54:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
DEAR MOM DOGGIE PACK LEADER,

MY MAMA IS TIRED AS WE ARE SO ACTIVE NOW. SHE DOES NOT CRINKLE HER FACE BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE THAT FUNNY GAS SMELL ANYMORE! SHE HAS BATHED ME AND MY PIT BULL SISTER - WHO IS MAKING ME CRAZY! SHE RUNS AND RUNS AND GOES ALL DAY- I DID NOT KEEP UP WITH HER AT FIRST.

BUT I DO NOW! I MAY BE 10 HUMAN YEARS OLD - BUT MY HIP IS BETTER AND I AM RUNNING LIKE A SPRITE YOUNG DOG! MY MOM IS ALMOST OUT OF OUR FOOD - AND I DO NOT THINK I WANT TO EAT XXX OR SOME BODY'S KIBBLES WITH RAT NITS IN THEM!

LUCY IS NIBBLE "ING" MY HIND QUARTER TO GO BACK OUT. LUCY EATS KUMPI AND MAKES SUCH A MESS! SHE GOBBLES AND THEN LOOKS UP AT MOM AND KUMPI THAT IS NOT INSIDE HER MOUTH - IS ALL OVER THE FLOOR - MOM JUST LAUGHS AND WALKS ON!

SINCE WE DO NOT HAVE METHANE GAS COMING OUT OF US LIKE BEFORE KUMPI- MOM LETS US IN THE FAMILY ROOM. AND GUESS WHAT? NO MORE AIR SPRAY ! I DONT LIKE THAT , IT TICKLES MY NOSE AND I USED TO SNEEZE! NOW MY BLACK HAIR IS SUPER SHINY AND DOES NOT FALLOUT SO MUCH AS BEFORE. I THOUGHT I MAY NEED ROGAINE - BUT IT WAS THAT TERRIBLE NASTY FOOD SOLD IN STORES AS SAFE - AND I KNOW IT WAS ALL BAD BAD STUFF!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE QUEEN PACK LEADER!
SNOOPIE AND LUCY

Cat Food

2007-11-21T11:11:00.000-08:00

Tommy, Buster, and Felix are still thriving on it. No hairballs, ever. Nice soft coats, real shiny. Felix (age 10) is very, very playful and has become much more friendly and social since he doesn't have the "itchies" anymore. (I don't know if you remember, but he was always dandruffy and itchy on other kibble, I didn't realize it must have been allergies, the vets told me he had dry skin -- KumpiKat cleared that up right away for him). Over the last 6 mos or so, he has begun playing with his toys and hunting catnip bananas! He carts the bananas around the house and scolds them when he puts them back where they belong.

Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts!
Wishing you all the best,
Autumn

Dog Food Testimonials from Linda

2007-11-21T11:04:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to write for some time (please read this to Evy!!!!) about my best friend's experience with dog food ... her Schipperke, Teddy, has ALWAYS had problems with his stools ... runny, etc., and she had to "wipe"!!!! She's a better man than I am ... not sure I could deal with that constantly! Anyway, I gave her some of the Kumpi and she is THRILLED!!!!!!!!! No more wiping; firm stool, and he is thriving! She is VERY grateful (but has no computer). She, my friend with two Shih Tzus, and I (with my Rat Terrier) split the bag each order.

We all three thank you for a superior product! Thank God we found you after the Menu Foods debacle. Still awaiting a judgment/settlement/something with THAT. Wish I'd had Kumpi before Boots died from their product.

Linda

Cat Food Question RE: Hairball, Dental, Etc.

2007-07-31T10:28:00.000-07:00

I read in the materials you supplied me (when I purchased the standard KumpiKat) that KumpiKat is also available in a dental formula as well as a fur ball formula. My question is: Can they be mixed together or rotated from day to day or do I have to finish 1 whole bag before starting another? One of my cats needs the dental formula & the other needs the fur ball formula. Some clarification please....

Diana Marie

Dear Diana Marie ~

I am sorry for the misunderstanding - the literature means that KumpiKat covers it all! Poor cats didn't have ONE food to do the job until KumpiKat. People feel like they need to choose between hairball, dental, sensitive stomach, indoor, outdoor (next thing you know they'll have an upstairs and a downstairs formula!) - KumpiKat addresses it all by being a very pure food that is made from ingredients that are tested thoroughly. I know that phrase gets bantered about, but both the dog and cat food are hormone, steroid and antibiotic free. They are wholesome. The vomiting stops partially due to the digestive enzymes which create a good healthy natural thirst in a cat. Some people freak out a bit when they see their cat drinking so much on KumpiKat, but it is a good and long lasting thing. The hair follicle roots are finally getting saturated with essential fatty acids and don't break off as easily. That is what cuts back the hairballs.

Thanks so much for writing :)

Evy

Why The Premium Pet Food Industry Started Cornphobia

2007-07-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

WHY THE PET FOOD INDUSTRY STARTED CORNPHOBIA

Some of the first dog food companies that thrived were Science Diet, Iams, Eukanuba and Purina; that was some pretty stiff competition! A common denominator to their dog food formula was corn. The popular marketing game of ‘they have it and we do not’ began the gloomy demonizing of corn. Competitors have tried to gain a place in this lucrative market. By taking
advantage of first ingredient myths, their sleight of hand ‘facts’ have fooled people away from powerfully supplemented dog foods with corn. Science is on our side, and we at Kumpi are on your side!!

Fear: Corn is not digestible.

Fact: This is an easy ploy to use, since people most commonly relate to corn in its raw form. What is used in dog food is ground cornmeal, which provides essential amino acids, fiber and is 89.3% digestible. Additionally, over 60% of the naturally occurring fat in corn is Omega 6 aka Linoleic Acid – an essential source of oils to help saturate healthy hair follicles. It is
also a powerhouse antioxidant. You don’t buy rice oil, oatmeal oil or wheat oil – you buy corn oil. Having problems with the dry climate in Colorado and keeping a shiny coat on your dog? Try a food with corn in it!

Fear: Corn is just cheap filler.

Fact: “Corn is nutritionally superior grain compared with others used in pet foods because it contains a balance of nutrients not found in other grains.”
(Small Animal Clinical Nutrition 4th Edition)

Since you cannot tell by reading a label, I agree that some companies do use cheap corn. Our nutritionist purposefully formulated our product line using only whole grains. They are carefully selected US grains that are harvested from the field and tested for any adulteration before acceptance. Used in their pure natural grain form just like it was, wholesome in the field; do not confuse the ‘zirconia’ on many labels for the ‘diamond’ non-GMO corn used in Kumpi dog foods. I can tell you it is expensive since I pay the bill!

Fear: Corn is a likely allergen.

(The American Heritage Science Dictionary)
Allergy: An abnormally high immunologic sensitivity to certain stimuli such as drugs, foods, environmental irritants, microorganisms, or physical conditions such as temperature extremes. These stimuli act as antigens, provoking an immunological response involving the release of inflammatory substances, such as histamine, in the body. Allergies may be innate or acquired in genetically predisposed individuals. Common symptoms include sneezing, itching, and skin rashes, though in some individuals symptoms can be severe.

Fact: A survey of veterinary dermatologists felt that wheat and soy were more likely candidates for true allergic reactions than corn.

Before jumping on the bandwagon against corn used as a carbohydrate in a diet, you need to understand there is one cause for allergic reactions and that is a problem with an immune system. There are many triggers for an "allergic type" reaction, some include: genetic predisposition for inhalant atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, vaccines reactions (Purdue Study-
Vaccine Mediated Responses), candida albicans, flea bite or insect bite, thyroid and/or hormones and in rare cases, food allergies.

Diet is the issue in less than 10% of these cases. Just when they need nutritional stability the most, too often the dog suffers from environmental, seasonal or genetic problems while you are following the advice of playing Russian Roulette with ‘process of elimination’ diets. Get them relief as quickly as possible by having some simple blood work done.

Fear: Grain free is better for pets.

Fact: There is no superiority between the source ‘grain free’ foods use for starch than any other. Plus, high protein levels dangerously increase the ash phosphorous and calcium content. ‘Grain free’ does not mean carb free.

I’m a dog professional of 35+ years who started a company to protect my dog from this industry. KUMPI products offer the science of nutrition. Don’t confuse science with the science fiction of marketing and advertising.

Dog Food Testimonial

2007-07-10T07:36:00.000-07:00

Compliment! My 12 year old shep mix Jaks has finished his first bag of Kumpi. Vet visit this morning to follow up on a Lyme DX of December. My Vet warned me that he would most likely still show + in the titer....to her suprise and mine his Lyme is almost fully resolved. My Vet was amazed at my boys coat as well. He looks great! I attribute his excellent condition to his organic health as highly influenced by KUMPI. My Vet may enquire about retailing Kumpi from their office. Canines in the NE are constantly challenged by various tick borne diseases, notably Lyme- they need all the help that they can get and Kumpi is their allie !
Very pleased! Just re-ordered. Thank You, Evy.
Martha

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I just wanted to send a quick note and let you know how much Kumpi has significantly helped one of our two dogs. For four years our Pointer/Terrier rescue has had anal gland issues. Basically, he was leaking a brown, disgusting liquid all of the time. Since we started using Kumpi, this problem has gone away COMPLETELY!! We have had multiple vets look at him and were considering a $1500 surgery until we started him on your food. We can not thank you enough.

Sincerly,
Kristin & Matt
Charlotte, NC

Happy KumpiKat Tales

2007-06-26T13:03:00.000-07:00

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

Dog Food Testimonials

2007-06-08T11:51:00.000-07:00

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

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

Potential Detox on Kumpi Products

2007-06-07T14:08:00.000-07:00

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

Is Grain Free Starch Free?

2007-06-04T18:47:00.001-07:00

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.

Carbs, Fats, Proteins - So Many Opinions!!

2007-06-01T15:25:00.001-07:00

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 ~

June Miscellaneous

2007-06-01T15:25:00.000-07:00

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 :)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is It Really Human Grade Ingredients?

2007-06-01T14:48:00.000-07:00

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)

Cornphobia & WHY The First Ingredient??

2007-06-01T11:45:00.000-07:00

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 :)

RE: Euthanized Pets In Pet Food

2007-05-28T16:59:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon Evy,

It’s interesting to note that if a firm uses meat or meat by-products in a product that is not derived from cattle, swine, sheep, goats or a combination of these, then according to AAFCO regs., they are required to designate the animal from which the meat is derived in the ingredients list.

If I come across any other info. on this topic, I’ll send it your way.

Respectfully,
Chandra

Chandra Hardwick
Colorado Department of Agriculture
Feed Program Administrator
2331 West 31st Ave.
Denver, CO 80211
303-477-0081

Yucca Schidigera

2007-05-28T16:38:00.000-07:00

Botanical Name: Yucca schidigera
Rich in anti-inflammatory phytosterols

Yucca contains natural steroidal-like saponins that are effective anti-inflammatories and anti-spasmodics known to reduce pain associated with arthritis and has been used with success for allergies and to strengthen the immune system. Yucca is used today to treat inflammation caused by degenerative diseases like arthritis and rheumatism. Rich in Vitamin A, B-complex and Vitamin C, Yucca is also a good source of calcium, copper, manganese, potassium and phosphorus. Originally used for both food and medicine, Yucca's natural steroid properties, Saponins, have been known to reduce inflammation and obstructions of the joints. Yucca also contains antibacterial and antifungal properties that contribute to the cleansing of the colon, purifying the blood and helping keep the kindeys and liver free of toxins.

Yucca is used to treat migraine headaches, arthritis, hypertension, colitis, hypercholesterolemia, stomach disorders, diabetes, poor circulation, and liver and gallbladder disorders. Yucca in combination with a good diet and exercise may be effective for normalizing triglycerides, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Kumpi Pet Foods offers this information in response to inquires about the use of yucca schidigera in our products. This is not meant to be perceived as a medical claim. AAFCO protocol requires any company to restrict their comments about the medical efficacy of this ingredient.

Human Grade Ingredients In Pet Food

2007-05-26T21:24:00.001-07:00

There are three primary classifications of meat in the industry when referring to fresh, live kill.

Human Grade: the meat that will end up on grocery shelves in the form of steaks, ribs, briskets, loins, etc.

Pet Food Grade: the meat used from the above mentioned live kill animal that doesn't end up on grocery shelves.

Feed Grade: not suitable for human consumption.

I can't help but wonder how many companies are stretching the verbage by using the Pet Food Grade meat that didn't end up on grocery shelves, but try to insinuate that since their meat came from an animal that was qualified as Human Grade, but they are using the Pet Grade, which came from a "human grade" animal.

That's been a long ongoing battle in the industry right now. There is not the manpower in the FDA or AAFCO to regulate every company to specify that they indeed are spending the extra money for the Human Grade meat - and from the price of pet food, I'd venture to say their costs would have to be MUCh higher if they were. It seems that they are stretching the truth here. And this information comes from talking directly with the actual suppliers of meat to the pet food industry.

I use Pet Grade that comes from the animals initially used for Human Grade products, but will not mislead my consumer by saying I use human grade, even though the quality of Pet Grade is just as high.

See how large the skirts are this industry has to hide behind and the spins they can put on things? Issues like this are just the tip of the iceberg. This is NOT a highly regulated industry and the American pet owner gets feed a lot of advertising/marketing to give them false senses of security.

How about this one?? The company that says "we use USDA Inspected Beef" - and then proceed to use 4D beef (dead, dying, diseased, disabled) - hey, they weren't lying that the beef was USDA inspected - it was just rejected.

Canned Pet Food Comments

2007-05-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks for writing me back Evy. Sorry Ive been a pest. Im just worried about my babies. I have always fed just dry, but I just have one cat Frank who has to have a treat of something else!! Can you tell me why your nutritionist thinks canned is causing problems? Is it the way it is manufactured..bacteria...etc..? I am clueless on the subject and would really like to know his thoughts, since my frankie LOVES it and I want the best for my kitties. Also I know your nutritionist is super busy, and I know you are too, but the next time you talk to him, could you also ask him what he thinks of giving a spoonful a meat baby food (just turkey and turkey broth, no onion/garlic) mixed with water for a treat everyday? Frank and Cooper really seem to love that. A vet tech told me it could cause pancreatis, then another told me it was fine. I dont want to hurt my kitties, and the vet is NO HELP in this question other than recommending horrible food!

Dear Cat Lover ~

Pet nutrition is an 'absolute' science with very little room for give when it comes to pet food. AAFCO and the NRC (National Research Council) have established both minimums and maximums for many of the minerals and vitamins used in pet food. When people start introducing other things it is hard to give an educated opinion as to whether it is 'good' or 'bad' for the pet. I give Tonga just the tiniest piece of white chicken meat that I've cooked for myself as her treat. Cats especially do have a delicate system and I hate to sound like a broken record, but nutrition is science, science has studied min/max impact of vitamins and minerals; going outside those bounds with other foods throws off the whole balance, or has the potential to I should say.

The genesis of canned pet food was putting to use what legally can't be put into dry food. That, along with the probabilities of contamination and the lack of quality control has my nutritionist sitting with a big thumbs down. As I read through the posts folks make about canned pet food, you can really see what he is talking about. Getting consistency is really hard and so is quality - and his opinion to me stands as gold, since I've heard from too many pet owners, both dog and cat, how they have changed from 'premium' foods over to Kumpi products and finally found the results they were looking for.

Just an FYI for you to think about.....the major reason wet foods appeal to dogs and cats so much are how the nasal receptors are reacting to the high amount of molecules quickly evaporating off the wet product. The smell is more pungent and is why they tend to dig into it. That being said, remember that pets are much like people, with personal proclivities. But overall, you will find that to be the case.

I personally wouldn't touch canned pet food and also don't want to play with the balance Mark has established with the product line. I've seen enough and heard enough to abide by that, but also respect people who make a different choice. You can see online the choices people have made and the different issues their cats are suffering with. A good and solid dry food that controls the vitamin/mineral intake with a tiny treat now and then is the safest thing I understand to be the best. My cat at 16 is doing sooooo well without canned, I believe Mark's science to be valid and is the route I advise folks to take.

I do always appreciate hearing from you!

Evy

Kumpi Retailers

2007-05-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

Dear Denise ~

Thanks so much for the order and I also did get your email about distributor possibilities in NY. Honestly, none of the people out of state are people that I approached. They all approached me. Above and beyond that, I need for them to have a personal relationship/trust with the food and I need the chance to get to know them myself a bit.

The moment the foods leaves my charge (I have it shipped directly from my manufacturer to me) I need to know that the food won't be sitting in direct sunlight or exposed to extreme heat (the fats can get compromised) and that the product is being cared for as well as I do. It takes a long chain of events to make sure that the food someone buys that says "Kumpi" on it is of the best quality possible.

My background is in dog behavior and I know that most stores are being bombarded weekly with pet foods that are seeking shelf space. I am not like the 'corporate' products and that is one other part of me not being like them. It takes more than money and space to sell Kumpi. I know all of my out of state retailers and respect them immensely.

I know it may sound like a peculiar 'business plan' but I wasn't 'planning' on the growth of the company being so strong through grassroots. I feel a strong need to keep it protected. My confidence level in my product line is immense and my trust of the people who sell it needs to be as strong.

Hope this makes sense to you :))

Blessings ~

Evy

Kumpi Dog Food Testimonials

2007-05-19T12:03:00.000-07:00

Hi Evy,

We made it through the gastrointestinal portion of the detox program with relatively few incidents--thank heavens. The replacing of the coats is still in full swing--wow!! It's ok though because my house is a total mess with the kitchen gutted to be redone, so a little extra fur floating around is nothing...

An interesting note though. Since Homer, our bloodhound, went off of his prednisone back in December, I haven't been able to get him to lose the extra weight he gained. However, I weighed him last week and he is down to 120 lbs. That's a loss of over 10 pounds!!! He looks so much better without the "bloated" look and only has about 5 more to go. He is back to acting like a puppy much of the day, which is a sort of mixed blessing. He was a very mischevious puppy, so I'm back on 24/7 babysitting duties so he doesn't eat anything he shouldn't....

Their new coats are definitely softer; I'm sure they're shinier too, but it's kind of hard to see because they always have a layer of dust on them from the outside. (We have clay here so either it's total mush when it's wet or very hard and dusty when it's dry.)

They are all thriving on the food and run around the yard playing again, which thrills me. I can't thank you enough for offering your food. Especially with the ever-expanding recall list, it's good to have peace of mind. Thanks again for all of your help and offering your product over the internet.

Take care,
Margaret (and Lucy, Joe, Thumbs & Homer)
(May 16th)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I wish you could see what your food has done for Harley, our eight year old German Shepherd. He is the littermate of Hannah, our female that we lost two years ago to hemangiosarcoma. While he was definitely not in poor health, he had occasional bouts of IBS, his nose would crack and dry out, sebaceous cysts, etc. Now, there is no IBS, the one little cyst he had on his back has dried up and disappeared, his teeth are getting whiter, and his nose has cleared up and is soft. Also, he now "prances" when we walk. What a dramatic difference!!

Thanks so much for all you do for our furry children!!!

Best regards,
Rich
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Compliment! My 12 year old shep mix Jaks has finished his first bag of Kumpi. Vet visit this morning to follow up on a Lyme DX of December. My Vet warned me that he would most likely still show + in the titer....to her suprise and mine his Lyme is almost fully resolved. My Vet was amazed at my boys coat as well. He looks great! I attribute his excellent condition to his organic health as highly influenced by KUMPI. My Vet may enquire about retailing Kumpi from their office. Canines in the NE are constantly challenged by various tick borne diseases, notably Lyme- they need all the help that they can get and Kumpi is their allie !
Very pleased! Just re-ordered. Thank You, Evy.
Martha

KumpiKat Testimonials

2007-05-17T12:07:00.001-07:00

Love the cat food! All four of my cats are crazy about it. It is very rare for them all to agree on one brand but this is the one. I have an insulin dependant diabetic (Annie), an overweight three legged( Izzy- Hebrew for great gift), a 16 year old( Pooky) and a for the most part ( health wise anyway) normal one ( TC for too cute or terrible cat depending on the day). They are all rescue cats. We also have 3 rescue dogs. Your products are great. Thanks for making them available to all of us.

Blessing and peace,

Beverley
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I just wanted to tell you that my 3 cats LOVE Kumpi! With all the recall insanity, I've changed their food a few times and they have been reluctantly eating everything else. When the Kumpi arrived they were all over the box before I even opened it! I am very pleased. My girl who has been vomiting for a long time hasn't in the past week or so, my one overweight guy loves the fod, but isn't overeating, and the picky one can't get enough. Thank you so much! I'm glad I found out about Kumpi through the Itchmo forums. We will be ordering again soon. Yoiu have fans all the way up here in Vermont!

Thanks for all you do,
Michelle
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My dear Evy,
I so appreciate your note here! I've recommended your foods to a number of my neighbors, I know one has already ordered, and another neighbor will when she returns from vacation. I have a petsitting business here, so I'm carrying the Kumpi message with me, along with samples, to all of my folks.
You know, your bag of KumpiKat only states that "significant" results may be seen in just ONE bag. I know that only Our Lord Jesus can guarantee us all miracles. So I'll just say that this first bag of KumpiKat produced "...just this side of miraculous results!"
Our four cats, Spud, Wilbur, Harry and Frieda, seem to have reclaimed their "inner-kitten." We first began to notice the change in their coats, and for four long-haired cats, that's a lot of coat! All four are rescue cats, so I just figured that how they look - is just how they look - end of story. Nope, these critters are amazing!
The most wonderful thing, if you can stand another "cat-poop" story, is the change for our dear Spud. Spud is now 5 years old, we adopted him from our shelter here when he was just about 3 weeks old. A farmer found him along the side of one of our country roads next to a potato field (hence - "Spud") the guy driving by thought the kitten was a tiny potato along side of the road, but the potato MOVED! Thank Our Lord!! But when the little guy was brought to the shelter the immediate decision was to euthanasia him, he was simply too small, completely dehydrated, and was not going to make it. I'm on the list out there for the "hopeless cases, but what-if-there's-a-miracle." Anyway, after serious nursing him just to survive, it was clear he'd always have colon problems, and very serious ones. Well, not since KumpiKat!!! For the first time in FIVE YEARS that little Spud can do real poop - and all on his own! Evy, we can't thank you enough for your tireless labor of love for producing nutritious and healing food for all pets.
I feel the spirit truly feel that the spirit of your own dear Kumpi dog lives on and gives new health and life to so many. Kumpi may be an angel now, but you carry the message for him, and I thank you for that.
Phoebe

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hello Evy,
My furballs have been on your KumpiKat for 2 months plus...after reading your testimonials, I realized that my Chloe's eyes do not run or get infected anymore since she's been eating Kumpi...furthermore, all my cats have slimmed down, their coats are incredible shiny...and their vomitting is next to nil, except for the occasional hairball.

Amazing...thanks you!
Susan Hoch

Dog Food Nutrient Request

2007-05-16T16:55:00.000-07:00

I need a detailed analysis on the adult formula please. Not noted on your site. Thank You.

Tina

Dear Tina ~

My nutritionist needs about forty extra hours a week right now :)

He is in high demand with other projects and doing a nutrient analysis on the dog food like he did on the cat food is on his list. Schedules are running tight for quality people in the pet food industry right now.

I'm looking forward to him getting it done too, but he is not an employee of my company; he does contract work for me.

Thanks!

Evy

Evy

This is extremely disapointing, Though I detest AFFCO and the Center for testing they use for testing, It is required by Law that an anaylysis be done before your product ever go on the market. I will advise all those who have asked me to inquire to steer clear of your products until such a time as more inforemation is available. Due to the recent incidious recall on pet so called foods, (i feed a raaw diet) people are refusing to go out and buy anything Nnot highly recomendfed The 30+ chat groups that I deal with will all be adbised. Thank you for your time.

**I wrote Tina and asked her permission to post her emails**

Evy
yers you may and may i say I would love to see the analysis when you get it. of all you kibbles.
where you get your ingredients as well how you came up with this recipe
even a basic one would help...............can you also advise as to where you buy your ingredients from??
I dknow you deal allot with the K9 dogs.Police etc. In fact one of the Top breeders we deal with is
a great GSD breeder.
the reason i take such an interest is 30cyears of dogs and everything my husband and I have been through with them
from Cancer, hip dysplasia, unknown muscle degeneration disease, I read books, attend seminars & am what my freinds say the true pessimist or Devils advocate of pet kibble. (or cement as I call them)
Have many wonderful Canadian raw feeder friends as well nutritionists friends.
At this time I only refer people to one dry food company, if i can get honesty and information , I would love to also be able to refer a second.

Dear Tina ~

The analysis required by AAFCO is already posted on the websites - kumpikat.com and kumpi.com - where the ingredients are listed. The kumpi.com page has a statement about origin sources. Nothing is sourced from China. I did not come up with a recipe, I contracted with a multi-species nutritionist who has done zoological formulation as well as domestic formulas. I have worked in the field of dog behavior for over 35 years and share your concerns. It was a combination of watching students return with puppies to take the class a second time, sharing how the dog they took through the program the first time had died of cancer between six and nine years of age; and losing my own GSD just after his fifth birthday to cancer that caused me to fire corporate America and begin my own company. My other career was in full bloom and 'starting a pet food company' was the last thing on my mind. I understand your opinion about the industry on the whole and respect your choice to feed raw. Just to let you know, I do not ship to Canada and only conduct business in the lower continental US.

The initial analysis required by the Dept of Ag in the state of Colorado is requested as a one time thing, so they have proof that the formulation of a product will produce what is required for the guaranteed analysis on protein, fat, fiber and moisture, as well as conforming to the nutrient profile as set forth in the AAFCO manual. Those were performed over eight years ago and I don't readily have the information as to which lab performed the test. What is important is that the food tested to AAFCO's specifications, I am registered with the state and they test the food in the state of Colorado each year, for every product on shelves to make sure that we meet the guaranteed analysis of protein, fat, fiber and moisture.

As I mentioned in another email, you will find a full nutrient analysis (not to be confused with the guaranteed analysis, which is already on both sites) on KumpiKat at that website and have asked my nutritionist to provide one for the dog food site as well. Right now, the time of quality people is at a high premium and I can't promise when that will be provided.

It sounds like you too are heart and soul with GSD's and it's wonderful that you study about the physiology as deeply as you and your husband have. Thanks for writing!

Evy

Getting Started

2007-05-16T15:44:00.000-07:00

To keep all of my online blogging to one place, I have decided to start my own blog. This gives me the opportunity to post questions I receive (by express permission from the sender only) and my answers, so folks can read all the comments I have about particular issues.

If you can take the time to read the contents at kumpi.com and become familiar with the history of the company and some basic information, that will help a lot! There has been understandable anxiety among pet owners since the recalls began and I've spent many hours on the phone talking with victims - both who have lost pets and those living with some who are living compromised lives with uncertain futures. Along with you, I never thought the day would come that something as simple as buying pet food would create such fear and panic. I have seen it the emails I've received and heard it reflected in the phone calls as well.

Strong safeguards are in place for my product line - I have an incredible team behind me with a fantastic manufacturer and nutritionist. Not only have the 'dries' for the ingredients that my pet food tested negative for melamine - sample products of KumpiKat and Kumpi dog food have tested negative for melamine, cyanuric acid, aminopterin, amilorine, amiloride and aflatoxin as well. These tests have been conducted by Accutrace Testing:

http://accutracetesting.com/

and testing will continue as new food is manufactured. Accutrace Testing is an independent third party laboratory and an excellent resource for anyone who would like to have their pet food tested - any brand, wet or dry. Special rates are offered to the general public. Pet food companies are not privy to any discounts.

Since I wasn't trying to start a pet food company in the first place, I hope you realize that the only real difference between me and most of you is that I know a bit more about what goes into the whole process. I began this company while still enjoying my first career of working in the field of dog behavior. It has grown by grass roots and was really started for my own comfort zone, to have absolute control over my the diet of my own dog and cat.

I have loved pets my whole life and Kumpi Pet Foods is my passion. Thanks for reading and I hope you check back from time to time!