So I've been doing some research into different pet foods over the last year or so. Why? Well, curiosity for one thing. I worked at a pet store while applying to vet school (which involves a lot of waiting) and so had to start researching brands so I could give informed advice to customers. I didn't peddle the most expensive brands every time (which is what they wanted me to do), BUT seeing all the different brands made me want to know more about them. After reading Dog Food Logic, I decided to go sleuthing for more than what's on the label.
One of the biggest concerns about pet food is where it's made and who's responsible for making it. Ingredients from china, etc, have proven problematic. We all want to know our pup's food is safe, and so being able to trace where the food was made is important. Additionally, whether or not the company makes their own food is important to some.
So, I'd like to use this thread as a personal research project. I'm going to try and contact as many pet food companies as possible to determine who makes their food and where it's made.
I will not be using this little project to promote one brand over another, or throw a particular brand under the bus. Co-packing (using private label companies to manufacture their food) does not mean the food is bad, but it does mean they don't control all the facilities used to make their food. They may inspect them for quality/safety, however.
First up on my list is
Wellness. It's one of the more expensive brands out there, has pretty good reviews and a very thorough website. But do they make their own products? And if not, who does, and where are they located?
I e-mailed the company and asked. Here is the response!
"Dear Lucy,
Thank you for taking the time to write about Wellness
Complete Health Wet Dog Food. I have listed below where our Wellness recipes are manufactured. Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Wellness Dry Dog
WellPet Operations: Mishawaka, IN
Hagen Pet Food: Waverly, NY
CJ Foods: Bern, KS & Pawnee City, KS
Bio Biscuit: St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada (TruFoods)
Mountain Country Foods: Spanish Fork, UT (CORE Air Dried)
Wellness Can Dog
American Nutrition: Ogden, UT
Simmons Pet Food: Pennsauken, NJ, Emporia, KS & Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Thai Union: Thailand (Petite Entrees)
IPB: Thailand (Petite Entrees, TruFood Tasty Pairings & CORE Chunky Centers)
Wellness Dry Cat
WellPet Operations: Mishawaka, IN
CJ Foods: Bern, KS & Pawnee City, KS
Bio Biscuit: St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada (TruFoods)
Mountain Country Foods: Spanish Fork, UT (CORE Air Dried)
Wellness Can & Pouches Cat
American Nutrition: Ogden, UT
Simmons Pet Food: Pennsauken, NJ, Emporia, KS & Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Thai Union: Thailand (Signature Selects)
IPB: Thailand (Divine Duos & TruFood Tasty Pairings)
WellBars
Bio Biscuit: St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
Wellness Kittles
CJ Foods: Bern, KS
CORE Superfoods
Performance Pet: Mitchell, SD
TruFoods CocoChia
Bio Biscuit: St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
TruFoods Protein Bites
Performance Pet: Mitchell, SD
WellBites
Mountain Country Foods: Spanish Fork, UT
Pure Rewards
Mountain Country Foods: Spanish Fork, UT
Petite Treats
Bio Biscuit: St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
Pure Delights
Mountain Country Foods: Spanish Fork, UT"
As you can see, most of their foods are made by companies for private label use. Some of their products are made in-house, but note that they don't list which varieties of foods are made where (example, wellness core dry chicken vs fish). Their transparency was refreshing! Note also that the vast majority of their products are made in the USA or Canada.
Here's where we can have some fun! If you guys want to contact companies and participate, you can add to the thread
I will be doing this myself as well, but if you have a favorite brand, go ahead and send them an e-mail! Be sure to ask if they manufacture all their own foods, or if they utilize co-packing.