New Proteins = New Products! Even More Ways to Treat Cats and Dogs from Farm to Pet

At Farm to Pet, we know how much dogs and cats love and need protein. So much we built our brand around it! So when we find a way to produce our healthy pet treats using a new protein, as well as a trusted independent farm or fishery to get it from, we get pretty excited!

We also want to use new proteins in all of our product lines, including Chips dog treats, Crumbles cat treats and Treat Toppers pet food toppers. Not only does this allow us to share the deliciousness and nutrition with as many furry friends as possible, but it also helps ensure all of that quality protein is used and not wasted.

So what are the latest new proteins added to our rotation? All-natural, human-grade beef and fish! Read on to learn more about these healthy foods for pets and why you should add them to your own pet’s rotation, too! 

Is beef a good choice for dogs and cats? In a word, yes! Beef is one of the most popular and nutritionally rich animal proteins used in pet food and treats. When it’s clean, lean and human-grade like the beef round in Farm to Pet’s single-ingredient treats, it’s even better for your pet, having undergone the same handling and scrutiny as grocery store beef. Here’s what makes this protein especially beneficial for pets:

High in Essential Nutrients

Beef is a complete protein, meaning it contains all the essential amino acids that dogs and cats need to build and maintain healthy muscle mass, support organ function, and fuel daily energy. Specifically, beef is rich in iron, zinc and vitamin B12, which promote oxygen transport, immune response and nervous system health, respectively. Beef is also second only to turkey in arginine content, an amino acid critical for detoxification and especially essential for cats.

Easily Digestible, Versatile and Protein-Dense

Beef is typically easy to digest and highly bioavailable for dogs and cats, meaning their bodies can absorb and use its nutrients efficiently. It's also incredibly versatile, working well in raw, freeze-dried, air-dried, and kibble forms. Digestibility is improved even further when the pet food is single-ingredient and minimally processed like our dehydrated beef treats for dogs and cats. As a result, our Beef Chips and Crumbles can be great choices for pets with sensitive stomachs or those who need high-protein diets to maintain weight, muscle tone, or energy levels.

Beef Is Beloved by Cats, Too!

We naturally think of dogs loving beef, but do cats like beef? Turns out dogs aren’t the only furry friends whose mouths water for meat – cats love beef, too! In fact, it is among their favorite flavors for meals and snacks.

As with the fish and fowl flavors we typically think cats prefer, beef is rich in “umami,” the savory taste felines gravitate toward. Cats are drawn to foods with higher protein and fat contents, which are ideally suited for their constitutions and optimal health. Even lower fat cuts like the beef round used in our dog and cat treats is high in rich, meaty umami!

Walleye fish is another paw-some protein choice for pets. Why is fish good for both dogs and cats? Known for its high digestibility and impressive nutrient profile, human-grade walleye offers a clean, novel protein source that’s especially ideal for pets with food sensitivities or picky appetites – and without the strong fishy smell of some other fish used in dog and cat treats.

Clean, Lean, and Packed with Nutrients

Walleye is a freshwater fish that is high in protein and nutrients yet low in fat. What’s more, the fat it does contain comes primarily from omega-3 fatty acids that are extremely beneficial to pet health and wellbeing, helping to support joint, skin and cognitive health as well as reduce inflammation. These attributes make walleye especially good for pets prone to being overweight, offering a lighter protein source without compromising nutrition. Another complete protein, walleye fish contains all the essential amino acids dogs and cats require, as well as thyroid-healthy selenium, bone-healthy phosphorous and antioxidant astaxanthin.

Hypoallergenic and Gentle on the Stomach

Not only is walleye fish is highly digestible and easy on even sensitive digestive systems, it is also a novel protein. This means that, because it is not commonly found in commercial pet foods, it is less likely to trigger allergic reactions than more frequently used proteins like chicken or beef. Its clean profile and minimal connective tissue make it an excellent choice for pets with food intolerances, allergies, or GI sensitivities, especially when it’s human grade and served in freeze-dried, air-dried, or gently processed form like ours at Farm to Pet.

Dogs Like Fish Treats, Too!

Just like we tend to associate meats with a canine palate, our minds also tend to put fish in the cat food column! But do dogs like fish? As expected, dogs and cats both have a natural affinity to fish flavors and scents. Again, this is due to its umami, often called the fifth flavor after sour, bitter, salty and sweet, the last of which cats cannot taste at all. This aligns with the natural instinct of dogs and cats to crave, consume and enjoy animal protein, which is their primary source of energy as well as essential pet nutrition.

With all the nutritional benefits and flavor appeal beef and fish have to offer, it’s easy to see why you’d want to add them into your pet’s healthy diet. Luckily, we had the same idea! Farm to Pet makes it easy to treat your fur babies to delicious, nutritious human-grade beef and fish by making them available it in all of our pet food product forms, including:

• Beef Chips and Fish Chips healthy dog treats – Our original dog treat form, these crunchy coins of goodness make paw-fect nutritious snacks for pups, with just 6 and 8 nutrient-dense calories each, respectively. These protein chips for pets also make great dog training treats, providing powerful motivation for even picky pups to perform!
• Beef Crumbles and Fish Crumbles healthy cat treats – Our Crumbles cat treats pack the same flavor and nutrition of their chip-shaped counterparts but in a size and shape that is paw-fectly suited for smaller mouths. One tablespoon of each only contains about 3 calories, providing a low-calorie snack options for cats of virtually any age, size or weight.
• Beef Treat Topper and Fish Treat Topper healthy pet food toppers – Treat Toppers take the protein pet treat particle size all the way down to powder! These protein powders for dogs and cats are an ideal meal supplement for chewing-challenged, senior or picky pets who love the umami flavor of protein but prefer it in lickable form.

All of our treats and food toppers are safe and healthy for dogs and cats alike, so you can feel confident mixing them up or choosing whichever form or flavor your pet prefers. 

Clearly, animal proteins possess potent benefits for pet health and wellbeing, and both dogs and cats have a natural affinity for meaty umami flavor they provide. When they are clean, human-grade and minimally processed, they are also easy to digest and far less likely to cause sensitivities or adverse reactions – novel proteins even more so.

So should you stick to just one protein, or is it better to rotate proteins for pets? By providing a more complete nutrient profile, protein rotation not only adds excitement to cat and dog food bowls, but it also supports optimal health in the process.

Like with humans, variety can be the spice of canine and feline life, too! Many frustrated pet parents have seen food fatigue first hand. Rotating or introducing new foods can pique your pet’s interest in food or treats anew, especially if presented in multiple forms.

Choosing single-ingredient treats, adding flavorful dog food toppers, or warming up your pet’s meals can increase umami appeal and encourage healthy eating, all while improving pet nutrition! Of course, it’s always best to talk to your vet about introducing new foods, especially if your pet has any dietary or health considerations. But once cleared, the sky is the limit for protein rotation – or is it the farm? 

Adding beef and fish to our protein offerings, and rotating them in your pets’ diets, has so many advantages for pet health and happiness.

Both highly digestible and with umami flavor profiles pets love, beef is a powerhouse of nutrition and rich taste, while walleye is a complete and hypoallergenic novel protein. When they are all-natural, human-grade and responsibly sourced, like ours at Farm to Pet, beef and fish become even more appealing to pets and paw-rents alike. Naturally rich in essential nutrients that support your pet's health from nose to tail, these clean lean proteins offer pets the best of both worlds: optimal health and crave-worthy flavor.

Discover the benefits of adding beef and fish – and chicken and turkey! – to your pet’s menu today!