UNDERSTAND YOUR DOG AND GIVE IT OPTIMAL NUTRITION

People are used to getting instructions for use with everything they buy - a cell phone, sat nav, computer, TV, etc. That is possible because when you compare devices of the same type and brand, there is no difference in the way you use them. But it does not apply to dogs. Every dog is individual! And it comes without instructions. After all, money can buy you a beautiful dog, but it won’t make the dog’s tail wag!

FEEDING IN LINE WITH NATURE

Dogs descend from wolves. Although a dog's appearance differs from that of a wolf, genetically they are almost completely identical. Their DNA matches for 99.8%. Is this important? Absolutely! Dogs and wolves still have the same sort of digestive system — that of a carnivore. Meat-eaters of the purest kind.

Wolves eat the meat, bones, organs, entrails and stomach contents of their prey. The stomach is filled with grains, vegetables and fruit. Naturally, the meat is raw. That is an important detail because your dog's digestive system is based on that of the wolf. What your best friend eats, influences his digestive and immune systems, and therefore his health.

FRESH, NATURAL INGREDIENTS PROCESSED NATURALLY

Ingredients processed unheated. To preserve the vitamins and enzymes and avoid saturating the fats, all foods, except cereals that have germinated first, are treated unheated.

Then, the freezing process favoured by DUCK makes it possible to avoid:

• astronomical quantities of vitamins to prevent fats from becoming rancid,
• taste enhancers,
• colouring agents,
• synthetic thickeners.

AS CLOSE TO NATURE AS POSSIBLE

The principal mission of DUCK is to provide nourishment that is close to nature, i.e. natural and fresh food, capable of striking the right balance between muscle meat and organs, between germinated cereals and natural meat juices. Fresh and natural, this dog food contains

• no thickeners
• no taste enhancers
• no colouring agents

Respect for the dog’s nature. Natural food is pleasurable for the dog who likes the smell and flavour of his food.
Above all, you reduce drastically many disorders such as:

• gastric disorders
• intestinal disorders
• food allergies
• skin problems
• behavioural problems

GRAINS

These days grains generally get a bad press. The idea has taken on a life of its own because the meat/carbohydrate ratio in dry food can never be optimal for technical production reasons. That is why many dog food producers currently only make gluten free food. However, contrary to what many people think, dogs are rarely sensitive to good quality dehulled grain in the right proportions.

In fact, all dogs need a limited amount of carbohydrates in their food, as a source of energy, to promote transit through the intestines and as a natural source of vitamins. In their natural state dogs consume not only the flesh, organs and bones but also the pre-digested contents of their prey’s stomach. And wild prey’s stomachs always  contain grains or plants. For working or sporting dogs, or those that are nervous or stress prone, it is definitely very important for their food to contain grains. They are a good source of sugars which both maintain optimal blood sugar levels throughout the day and are crucial for good brain function, too. 

It is also essential for pregnant and lactating bitches to be given food containing a certain amount of carbohydrates, as a lack of carbohydrates during pregnancy and lactation reduces the survival rate of newborn pups.

DUCK offers a large assortment of food, both with and without gluten. The choice is yours.

WEIGHT

We all want our beloved dogs to live longer and happier. Eating a fresh, raw diet has many health benefits. But, it has also been scientifically and statistically proven that maintaining a dog’s ideal body weight increases its life. When calculating portion sizes, bear in mind your dog’s age, level of activity and size. Then keep an eye on it! You should be able to feel its ribs but not see them. That is an indication that the dog is the ideal weight.

Overweight puts strain on growing bones and tissues. If your puppy seems too thin, give it a bit more. Remember, though, it is better for your dog to be slim than to too fat. A pup’s bone structure is not strong enough to bear extra weight.

SAFETY

Never forget that, despite all the controls, DUCK is raw and untreated meat. Handle it in the same way you would the meat you prepare for your family. Use separate utensils to break up or mash the dog’s meat. Do not, for example, use the same unwashed fork to turn your own beef steak in the pan afterwards.

A dog’s digestive system can handle meat contaminated with salmonella, for example, but the human digestive system cannot. Dogs’ stomachs are more acidic than people’s, so they can break down salmonella easily. The risk of infection is much higher in humans. Obviously DUCK is tested for bacteria in an accredited external lab. Hygiene is a priority, not only in your home, but in our production! Contamination through poor hygiene must be avoided at all costs. By respecting the rules of good hygiene, you can avoid problems.

STOCK

Make sure the temperature in your own deepfreeze is right and rotate the food. Add to your stock regularly and always thaw the meat that has been there longest first. It makes no sense to keep stock in your deep freeze for 2 years. The fresher the meat you give them, the better your dogs will accept it. •   Download nutrition table