All formulas are made from the highest quality ingredients and do not contain meat or grain by-products, color additives or chemical preservatives (BHA, Ethoxyquin, or BHT). The food is naturally preserved with mixed Tocopherols and Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin E and C). Some authorities indicate that Vitamin C is not required; however, we feel it is very important in supporting vitamin balance and to help handle daily stress and environmental pollution.

All-Natural Ingredients
Quality ingredients provide for a pet's healthy well-being by helping the pet's body holistically heal itself through healthy nutrition.

GRAIN
Wheat and Rice. Whole wheat and selected parts of the wheat berry are used as our base grain. Wheat grains are not only more digestible than corn, it is one of the most nutritionally balanced cereal grains. It is an easy-to-digest source of carbohydrates, fiber and energy. A combination of grains, like a combination of meats, is better than just one source. Low quality fillers like wood fiber, corn cobs, peanut hulls, cottonseed, straw, soy beans or citrus pulp are never found in Flint River Ranch products.

MEAT
Chicken meat is our base meat source, with the addition of lamb and a small amount of fish. There are no rendered by-products, intestines, heads, feet or feathers in our formulas. The amino acids provided by the meats are the basic building blocks of muscle, skin, coat, bone, blood and the immune system.

VITAMINS and MINERALS
Our minerals are chelated: bonded with amino acids (protein) and highly effective in providing metabolic absorption. Our products are preserved with a combination of mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E) and Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). No harmful chemicals are used.

FLAX
The different proteins in flax provide a high proportion base of unsaturated, essential fatty acids and dietary fiber. Flax is recognized for its potential in reducing the risk of some chronic diseases as well as improving the thickness and sheen of the hair coat. It provides a great benefit to oven-baked food by resisting oxidation from the baking process and improving product shelf life.

AAFCO NUTRIENT PROFILES
(Association American Feed Control Officials). Their profiles are Protocol testing and are the recognized industry authority on dog and cat nutrition for the purpose of substantiation of nutritional adequacy in commercial pet foods. All Flint River Foods are formulated to exceed their nutrition requirements.

ORGANIC CHICKEN
It is possible to put one organic chicken in 50 tons of food and legally say we use organic, range fed chicken. Some manufacturers take this option. While we purchase as much organic chicken as possible, we prefer to more correctly say we use human quality chicken that is hormone free. Like all of our ingredients, we pay a premium price for the very best available. Chicken meat provides essential amino and fatty acids.

LAMB
Lamb is range fed.

FISH
Menhaden Fish is a herring like fish found along the North Atlantic coast of the United States. The flesh is an excellent source of menhaden oil for coat and skin. Fish is a prime source of a complete protein - it includes all the essential amino acids. Rich in unsaturated fats (Omega 3 fatty acids), Vitamins A, K, iodine, calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, copper, and fluoride.

RICE
A combination of brown and white rice. The white rice for digestibility and the brown for its added nutritional value. A diet product that is 100% brown rice can be somewhat hard for some animals to digest.

WHEAT
Wheat flour is a fine-ground whole wheat grain. A course-ground whole wheat is also added for texture, along with a quality wheat berry.

MILLET
This grain is an excellent source of nutrition for those animals that may have a "gluten intolerance." This husk-less grain is very stable and is highly digestible (95% reported). Additionally, it is naturally resistant to some bacteria and fungi. These traits, coupled with excellent caloric qualities and balanced vitamins and nutrients make millet a balanced beneficial, all-natural grain.

CORN
Corn is an excellent grain; however, it is more difficult to digest - either by humans or dogs. Therefore, corn is not used as an ingredient in our dog food. The feline digestive systems better utilize corn and supplies important diet benefits to cats and kittens. Corn is included in the feline formulas.

PROTEINS
Proteins are organic chemical compounds and a major component of the structure of all living organisms. Protein functions to build and repair body structure. A good pet food should contain highly digestible protein sources that provide the essential amino acids in adequate amounts. Digestible food protein from several sources is more desirable for protein from only one source.

CARBOHYDRATES
Carbohydrates serve primarily as an energy source while giving bulk to the diet. Plant material is made up of a high percentage of carbohydrates.

FATS
Fats are complex molecules that are broken down by the digestive system into smaller molecules known as fatty acids. Fat is a concentrated source of energy and works toward making hormones, skins and coat oils, membranes and parts of body Cells.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
Linolenic Acid (Omega 3). Linoleic Acid (Omega 6)

MINERALS
Minerals are Chelated (bonded with protein) which makes them easier to absorb into the animals systems.

COPPER AND IRON
A deficiency of iron causes nutritional anemia. A small amount of copper will improve utilization of iron.

LECITHIN
Lecithin protects cells from damage caused by oxidation. Lecithin is largely composed of the B vitamin choline - with linoleic acid and inositol.

TAURINE
Taurine is an essential amino acid necessary for the proper development and ongoing health of the heart and eyes.

MEAL
Meal means reduced in size. The flesh is cooked, some water removed and reduced in size (ground) in order for a uniform mix of the meat, ground grains, vitamins and chelated minerals. There are no rendered by-products, feet, heads, intestines or other meat products not fit for human consumption in Flint River Ranch products.

SOURCE OF GRAINS
Grains are purchased from major commercial suppliers like General Mills - fully tested and retested when received. This testing insures the very best quality and reduces the possibility of toxic molds. Beware of foods that claim to have all-natural-holistic grain sources as this grain is cheaper when purchased direct from the farm and the risk of toxic molds is greater.

PRESERVATIVES
Our products are preserved with a combination of mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E) and Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). No harmful chemicals are used.

MILDEW SPOILAGE
Natural pet foods attract moisture quickly - which can turn into mildew spoilage overnight in the summer weather and high humidity areas. Store all pet food in a dry, cool place.

INFESTATION: MOTHS - WORMS - INSECTS
The heat in the manufacturing process destroys any potential insect eggs that might be attached to grain after the cleaning process. During manufacture, the food travels through stainless steel to a sealed hopper and immediately sealed in the bag.
If food is not properly stored after purchase, or if the bag is left open, it will attract all types of ants, bugs and flying insects that lay eggs in the rich food. In an extremely short time, within days, these eggs will turn into worms and moths. This problem appears in all pet food; however, it is more frequent in natural pet foods. The same that appears in any food or vegetables that is not properly stored.

Bug and insect attraction is greatly increased with warmer summer weather and in high humidity areas - usually within 45 to 60 days of purchase. Pet owners with an insect, worm or moth problem should consider changing their method storage. Like any food, pet food must be stored in a dry, cool place and sealed to reduce the chance of insect infestation - which can be noticed in a matter of hours. Pet food needs to be stored off the ground or garage floor area. If not, it will attract all types of ants, bugs and other insects.

Food stored in "air-tight" containers will sweat. The same as if you were in a warm room without any air movement. Natural foods attract moisture quickly - which can turn to mildew spoilage overnight in summer weather or in high humidity areas. Pet food needs some air circulation, the same as any other food. Properly stored, natural pet food will have a quality shelf life of 5 to 6 months.